Port d’Andratx, Mallorca: what to see in the port and in Andratx town
Port d’Andratx (often called Puerto Andratx) is a natural harbour in south-west Mallorca, about 30 km from Palma. It has a waterfront promenade lined with fishing boats and yachts, clifftop viewpoints and rocky swimming coves. Four kilometres inland is Andratx, the town that gives the municipality its name, with its parish church, the Son Mas building and a weekly market. From here you can also reach Sant Elm, the departure point for Sa Dragonera.
Andratx, Mallorca: town and port are two different visits
The municipality of Andratx includes several settlements: Andratx town, Port d’Andratx, Sant Elm, S’Arracó and Camp de Mar. The town was built inland, away from the coast, as protection against pirate raids. The port grew up later around a deep, sheltered bay. Today they feel quite different: the town is local and quiet, with narrow streets; the port is maritime and international.
What to see in Port d’Andratx
The promenade and harbour
The promenade runs the length of the harbour. Fishing boats sit alongside yachts from the Club de Vela, and cafés and restaurants line the waterfront. Hills surround the bay, which keeps the wind out and the water clear. Early morning and sunset are the best times for a slow walk.
Far de sa Mola viewpoint
On the sa Mola headland, south of the harbour, stands the sa Mola lighthouse. Its viewpoint sits about 128 metres above the sea, looking one way towards Cala Llamp and the other towards the harbour entrance. On a clear day you can see Sa Dragonera on the horizon. You reach it through residential streets and there is no signed parking by the lighthouse, so please respect residents’ entrances.
Cala Llamp
Cala Llamp lies just west of the harbour. There is no sand: just rock and concrete platforms with ladders into the sea. The water is deep straight away, which suits confident swimmers and snorkellers but not small children. Parking is limited, so arrive early or late in the afternoon.
What to see in Andratx town
Church of Santa Maria
The parish church of Santa Maria overlooks the old town from the top of the hill. Its solid look is a reminder that it also served as a refuge during pirate raids. Around it, small squares and steep streets form the heart of the town.
Son Mas
Son Mas is a former fortified estate with a 16th-century defence tower. It now houses the town hall. From its terrace you look over rooftops, the church and the valley, with the mountains behind.
Wednesday market
Every Wednesday morning a market fills the centre around Passeig de Son Mas. It is the town’s liveliest day. Go early: stalls start packing up from around midday and central streets are closed to traffic.
CCA Andratx
The Centre Cultural Andratx (CCA Andratx) is a contemporary art centre on the edge of town, with exhibition spaces and a café. It opens Tuesday to Saturday and closes on Sunday and Monday. Check opening times, current exhibitions and prices on its official website, ccandratx.eu, before you go.
Sant Elm and Sa Dragonera
Sant Elm is about 6 km from Andratx town. Its beach of sand and shingle looks out to the islet of Es Pantaleu and Sa Dragonera. The walking path to the ruins of sa Trapa also starts here.
Sa Dragonera is an uninhabited Natural Park that you can only reach by boat. The most frequent scheduled service leaves from Sant Elm harbour, usually from March to October. Boats land at Cala Lledó, where the information centre is. There are four signed trails on the island, including routes to the Tramuntana and Llebeig lighthouses. Bear in mind:
- There is no drinking water, bar or vending machine: bring water and food.
- Trails are easy to follow but have steep sections.
- The park has set visiting hours and access depends on sea conditions.
- Tour boats collect a small park fee per person.
Beaches near Port d’Andratx
Andratx town has no beach of its own, but there are several coves a few kilometres away:
| Beach or cove | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cala Llamp | Rock platforms | Deep water, snorkelling |
| Camp de Mar | Fine sand | Calm water; s’Illeta islet linked by a footbridge |
| Sant Elm | Sand and shingle | Views of Sa Dragonera, family-friendly |
| Cala Conills | Shingle and rock | Small, former quarry |
Approximate distances from Andratx town
| Destination | Approx. distance |
|---|---|
| Port d’Andratx | 4.4 km |
| Camp de Mar | 4 km |
| S’Arracó | 2.5 km |
| Sant Elm | 6 km |
| Palma | 29 km |
When to go
- Spring and autumn: good for walking, visiting Sa Dragonera and lighter traffic.
- Summer: the harbour and coves get busy and parking is hard to find. In high season buses between Palma and Andratx can be full.
- Wednesday: market day in Andratx town.
- Winter: boats to Sa Dragonera run less often or stop. Check before you go.
Getting to Andratx and Port d’Andratx
- By car from Palma: via the Ma-1 motorway, roughly 30 to 35 minutes depending on traffic.
- By bus: TIB line 101 links Palma’s Estació Intermodal (Plaça d’Espanya) with Port d’Andratx, stopping at Peguera and Camp de Mar. A local line connects Andratx with Sant Elm. Check timetables at tib.org.
Day trip to Sóller by train from Andratx
Andratx sits at the south-western end of the Serra de Tramuntana, with Sóller in the middle. There are two ways to do the trip in a day.
Option 1: bus to Palma, then the train to Sóller
The bus from Port d’Andratx arrives at the Estació Intermodal on Palma’s Plaça d’Espanya. The Sóller train station is on the same square, a short walk away. The train leaves from a Modernist building and takes about an hour to reach Sóller. It crosses the mountains through thirteen tunnels (the 13 tunnels of the Sóller train) and over the Cinc Ponts viaduct. If you are driving, you can also board at Bunyola station.
In Sóller, the tram leaves from Plaça d’Espanya, opposite the station, and takes around half an hour to reach Port de Sóller. A combined ticket covers both train and tram.
Option 2: the Ma-10 mountain road
The Ma-10 heads north from Andratx and follows the Tramuntana coast all the way to Sóller. It is narrow and winding, and popular with cyclists. Recommended stops:
- Mirador de Ricardo Roca (des Grau): a clifftop viewpoint about 4 km before Estellencs coming from Andratx.
- Estellencs: stone houses on the hillside and terraces down to the sea.
- Torre des Verger: a 1579 watchtower at the ses Ànimes viewpoint, near Banyalbufar.
- Banyalbufar: a village of stepped terraces above the sea.
- Valldemossa and Deià: two more villages before you drop down to Sóller.
Allow around two hours’ driving without stops (approximate). One plan: take the Ma-10 to Sóller, park, ride the tram down to the port, and return inland. Or do it the other way round: take the train to Sóller from Palma and save the Ma-10 for another day.
See the train and tram timetables and book your ticket online. For other options, read how to get to Sóller from Palma.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Andratx and Port d’Andratx?
Andratx town is the inland village, with the church of Santa Maria, Son Mas and the Wednesday market. Port d’Andratx is about 4 km away on the coast, with a promenade, boats, restaurants and viewpoints. Both belong to the same municipality and you can easily see them in one day with a car.
Does Port d’Andratx have a beach?
The harbour has jetties and a promenade but no notable sandy beach. The nearest swimming spot is Cala Llamp, with rock platforms and deep water. If you prefer sand, Camp de Mar and Sant Elm are a few kilometres away and have calmer water that works well for families with young children.
How do you get to Sa Dragonera?
Only by boat. The most frequent scheduled service leaves from Sant Elm harbour, usually from March to October, and lands at Cala Lledó. Excursions also run from other harbours nearby. There is no water or bar on the island, so take supplies, and check that sea conditions allow the crossing.
Can you get from Andratx to Sóller by public transport?
Yes. Take the bus to Palma’s Estació Intermodal on Plaça d’Espanya, then cross the square to the Sóller train station. The train takes about an hour. From Sóller you can carry on by tram to the port. Check up-to-date timetables before you set off, as services vary by season.
How long does the Ma-10 take from Andratx to Sóller?
Around two hours without stops, as a rough guide, because the road is narrow with many bends. With stops at viewpoints, Estellencs, Banyalbufar or Deià, it can easily fill half a day. If you would rather not drive the mountain road, the train from Palma is the more relaxed option.