Sant Elm

A village at the edge

Sant Elm grew as a fishing harbour belonging to Andratx, and it keeps the scale of one. The houses line a single seafront and a few lanes behind it, boats are drawn up at the small quay, and the beach looks straight out to the islet of Es Pantaleu and, beyond it, to Sa Dragonera. In winter it is almost silent. In summer it fills by day and empties again in the evening, when the light turns gold.

Everything here points west. That makes it one of the finest places on the island for the end of the day, and our sunset spots tool shows on which dates the sun sinks behind Sa Dragonera and when it drops into the open sea.

Sa Dragonera natural park

Sa Dragonera is a long limestone ridge, its high cliffs facing the open sea and its gentler side turned towards Mallorca. Plans to build on it were stopped by a public campaign, and it is now protected as a natural park, with no residents beyond those who look after it. In season a small boat crosses from Sant Elm to the landing at Cala Lladó; check the current timetable, as crossings depend on the sea.

From the landing, marked paths lead to the island's three lighthouses. Walk slowly and watch the ground: the island belongs to the Balearic lizards, which come out to inspect any picnic, and to seabirds, including Eleonora's falcons on the cliffs in summer. Take water and sun protection, since there is very little shade.

• Far de Tramuntana: the northern lighthouse, the shortest walk from the landing
• Far de Llebeig: the southern lighthouse, a long track across open ground
• Far Vell: the old lighthouse on Na Pòpia, the summit ridge, and the steepest climb

The walk to La Trapa

On the Mallorcan side, a path climbs from the upper edge of the village through pines and over a rocky shoulder to La Trapa, the ruins of a monastery founded by Trappist monks in the early nineteenth century. The setting explains why they came: terraces cut into a slope high above the sea, the stone walls of the old buildings and an almost complete silence. The view over Sa Dragonera from the cliff edge nearby is the reward.

It is a proper walk, steep and stony in places, so wear good shoes and carry water, and allow most of a morning there and back. Avoid the middle of a summer day. Beyond La Trapa, paths lead on into the hills that carry the GR 221, the long-distance route through the Serra de Tramuntana.

The sea around Sant Elm

The village beach is small and sandy, with shallow water that suits children, and there are rocky coves a short walk along the shore. Because the bay faces west, an easterly Llevant blows offshore and leaves the water flat, while a strong Ponent or Garbí rolls swell straight in. The wind beach finder is worth a look before you set out.

Snorkellers find rocky ground and seagrass along the edges of the bay. If you arrive by boat, anchor only on sand: Posidonia meadows are protected and grow back very slowly.

Food, markets and s'Arracó

Sant Elm eats from the sea. Grilled fish, rice dishes and simple plates of pa amb oli suit the place best, ideally at a table where you can watch the light change on Sa Dragonera. For shopping, the nearest weekly markets are in Andratx on Wednesday and in Port d'Andratx on Monday.

On the way, stop in s'Arracó, a quiet hamlet of stone houses gathered around its church, with orchards and almond trees in the valley and old paths leading up into the hills. It is a reminder that this corner of the island was farmed long before it was visited.

Getting there and nearby places

Drive west from Palma on the Ma-1 towards Andratx, then follow the road through s'Arracó to the coast; allow about 45 minutes from the airport outside peak traffic. Buses run from Andratx; check the current timetable. Parking in the village is limited, so come early in high season or after the beach crowd thins in the late afternoon.

Sant Elm pairs well with the harbour of Port d'Andratx and, for a full day, with the Ma-10 north to Estellencs and Banyalbufar, where terraces fall to the sea. Our island planner can build a day around the boat to Sa Dragonera.