Ses Salines Holidays: Small-Town Base in the Balearics
Illes Balears · Balearic Islands · Spain · 4,290 residents · on the coast
Ses Salines is a small coastal town of around 4,290 people in the Balearic Islands, sitting just 43 metres above sea level. For British travellers it is straightforward to reach: Palma de Mallorca airport, which has direct flights from the United Kingdom, is about 22 miles away, roughly a 32-minute drive. The town's best-known attraction, the Botanicactus botanical garden, is under a mile from the centre, and a ring of neighbouring towns lies within 14 miles. Summers are hot and very dry, with July seeing barely any rain, while the shoulder months stay mild. It suits a quieter, small-town holiday rather than a big resort stay.
Why go
- Botanicactus botanical garden is under a mile from town, an easy outing for families and nature lovers.
- Palma de Mallorca airport, with direct UK flights, is only about a 32-minute drive away.
- July is almost rainless, with one rain day on average and highs around 30°C.
Top sights in Ses Salines
Botanicactus and Gardens Close By
The headline sight in Ses Salines is Botanicactus, a botanical garden about 0.7 miles from the town centre. It is the most notable point of interest in the area and fits the town's twin appeal for nature lovers and families, making it an easy half-day that needs no long drive.
Beyond the garden, the town works best as a base for exploring the surrounding area. Tours and tickets for activities in and around Ses Salines can be booked directly on this page through the booking cards shown alongside this guide.
1botanical garden
Tours & tickets in Ses Salines
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Ses Salines can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Ses Salines
A Quiet Small-Town Base
With a population of around 4,290, Ses Salines is a quiet place to stay rather than a lively resort. It is a coastal town, so you are close to the sea, and the low-lying setting at 43 metres means short, flat distances around town.
If you prefer more going on in the evenings, the larger towns nearby, such as Felanitx (around 18,270 people) or Llucmajor (around 36,078), are within 14 miles. This page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options in Ses Salines and its neighbours.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Ses Salines and the villages around it is a hire car from Palma de Mallorca (PMI), about 32 min away.
Best time to visit Ses Salines
When to Visit Ses Salines
- 16°CJan24 mm
- 16°CFeb86 mm
- 18°CMar31 mm
- 19°CApr40 mm
- 22°CMay46 mm
- 26°CJun10 mm
- 30°CJul2 mm
- 30°CAug44 mm
- 27°CSept51 mm
- 25°COct30 mm
- 20°CNov30 mm
- 17°CDec16 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months are June, July, August and October. June brings highs of 26°C with just four rain days, while July and August are the hottest months, both reaching around 30°C with nights near 23°C. July is remarkably dry, with only 2mm of rain on a single day on average.
October is a good choice for gentler warmth, with highs of 25°C. September is noticeably wetter, with nine rain days, and May has the most rain days of the year at ten. February is the wettest month by volume at 86mm. Winter highs hover around 16°C to 17°C, mild by British standards.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16°C | 10°C | 24 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 16°C | 9°C | 86 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 18°C | 12°C | 31 mm | 11 h |
| Apr | 19°C | 13°C | 40 mm | 11 h |
| May | 22°C | 16°C | 46 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 26°C | 20°C | 10 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 30°C | 23°C | 2 mm | 14 h |
| Aug | 30°C | 23°C | 44 mm | 13 h |
| Sept | 27°C | 21°C | 51 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 25°C | 19°C | 30 mm | 10 h |
| Nov | 20°C | 15°C | 30 mm | 8 h |
| Dec | 17°C | 11°C | 16 mm | 8 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Ferries and the Drive
The nearest airport is Palma de Mallorca (PMI), a large airport with direct flights from the United Kingdom. It is about 22 miles from Ses Salines, roughly a 32-minute drive, so car hire or a transfer gets you to town quickly.
If you are driving from the UK, ferries are the link to the island. Palma port, about 27 miles away, has sailings from Barcelona, Valencia and Dénia on the mainland, plus Ibiza and Maó. Alcúdia, around 35 miles away, connects with Barcelona and Ciutadella. Ciutadella, about 62 miles away, links to Alcúdia and Barcelona.
By air
- Palma de Mallorca (PMI)22 miles, about 32 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Nearest ferry ports: Palma (27 miles), Alcúdia (35 miles), Ciutadella (62 miles).
Ses Salines is good for
Around Ses Salines
Day Trips from Ses Salines
Several towns sit within easy reach. Colònia de Sant Jordi is just 4 miles away and Santanyí about 4 miles, both short hops for a morning out. Campos lies around 7 miles away, and the small village of Portopetro, home to fewer than 800 people, is about 9 miles off.
A little further, Felanitx is around 11 miles away, while Portocolom and Porreres are both about 12 miles. Llucmajor, the largest town nearby, is roughly 14 miles from Ses Salines.
Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
Ses Salines is a small town, so hiring a car makes life much easier: the airport, the ferry ports and every neighbouring town on the day-trip list are a drive away rather than a walk.
Plan around the heat in July and August, when highs reach 30°C and nights stay warm, and save garden visits such as Botanicactus for the cooler morning hours. If you visit in September or February, pack for rain, as these are among the wettest periods of the year.
Questions people ask
How far is Ses Salines from Palma de Mallorca airport?
Palma de Mallorca airport is about 22 miles from Ses Salines, roughly a 32-minute drive. The airport has direct flights from the United Kingdom, which makes the town a quick transfer once you land.
What is the best month to visit Ses Salines?
June, July, August and October offer the most pleasant conditions. July is the driest, with a single rain day and highs of 30°C, while October is gentler at around 25°C, a good option if you prefer less heat.
Is Ses Salines good for a family holiday?
It suits families looking for a quiet stay. The town has around 4,290 residents, and Botanicactus, a botanical garden popular with families and nature lovers, is under a mile from the centre.
Can I take a ferry to Ses Salines from mainland Spain?
Yes. Palma port, about 27 miles away, has ferries from Barcelona, Valencia and Dénia. Alcúdia, around 35 miles away, also has sailings from Barcelona, so you can bring your own car from the mainland.
How hot does Ses Salines get in summer?
July and August are the hottest months, with average highs of around 30°C and overnight lows near 23°C. June is a little cooler at 26°C, and September stays warm at about 27°C but brings more rain.
What towns can I visit on a day trip from Ses Salines?
Colònia de Sant Jordi and Santanyí are both about 4 miles away, Campos around 7 miles and Portopetro about 9 miles. Felanitx, Portocolom, Porreres and Llucmajor are all within 14 miles.
