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Latest update: 18 July 2023
In the northeast of Mallorca are the towns of Artà and Capdepera. And they’re surprisingly fun! Both have beautiful fortifications: one a walled castle, the other a walled church. And they are only a fifteen-minute drive from each other. So they’re easy to combine and make a day trip out of it.
Things to do in Artà: take it slow
Let’s start in Artà in Mallorca. Artà is a friendly town with lifestyle shops and a central square with a few restaurants. It hasn’t died out in autumn just yet, but I can imagine summer has pleasant evenings with full terraces in store for you.
Off the main street, Artà seems like a tranquil town. We enjoy the sun and, unfortunately, not the best cappuccino at Cafe Flory (Google Maps location). Fortunately, the decoration makes up for it: brightly colored nooks, frills, and cheerful crockery.
Market in Artà
There is a market in Artà on Tuesdays. In the morning, there is a regular market on Plaça del Conqueridor, and there is a handicraft market close by at the Villa Na Batlessa. Artà also has many boutiques to fulfill your shopping needs.
Transfiguració del Senyor church in Artà
Depending on the route you choose to Santuari de Sant Salvador, you will pass the Transfiguració del Senyor church. There used to be a mosque on this spot; now, it is a church. The 180 steps to Santuari de Sant Salvador start right behind this church. Unfortunately, the church is closed when I begin my ascent. A visit costs 2 euros.
Santuari de Sant Salvador in Artà
If you only do one thing in Artà, make sure it’s visiting this one. Santuari de Sant Salvador is the absolute highlight of Artà. Literally and figuratively, you must climb 180 steps to see the beautiful church. The church is on a hill on the side of the town. The first cats meet you on the bottom of the chairs and happily join the way up. The stairs already make for an experience, especially because of the beautiful trees next to them. And the scenic views during the climb bode well for what’s to come at the top of the stairs.
The church is walled, and you can walk over that wall. There is just no railing, so it doesn’t feel completely safe. But the view over Artà is worth a few anxious moments. 😉 The fortress wall has several watchtowers. The whole was to protect the church against pirates. Be sure to take a walk around the building. Behind the church, you find a kind of cave-like place, quite unexpected if you ask me.
Of course, you can also go inside. The wooden statue of Mary is about the oldest statue of Mary in Mallorca. In addition, you will find a small exhibition in the back of the chapel with religious objects. And right next to the church is a restaurant with some outdoor seats and toilet facilities for 50 cents.
Artà Regional Museum
If you have half an hour and 2 euros to spare, pop into the Artà Regional Museum. It’s a quick and easy thing to do in Artà. The small museum consists of two parts: the history of villages in Mallorca and their funeral rituals and stuffed birds. There are many birds, including ‘ordinary’ ones that we know in the Netherlands, such as the heron and stork.
Parking in Artà
We park at the free public parking (Google Maps location). From there, it is not far to walk to the center. The main sight of Artà, the church Santuari de Sant Salvador, is located on the other side of the main street, so you immediately take the shopping street with you.
Get more tips for a perfect Mallorca holiday!
Visit the castle of Capdepera
From Artà, it is only a fifteen-minute drive to Capdepera. If you haven’t arranged a rental car yet, check your options at Sunny Cars and EasyTerra.
The castle of Capdepera stands on top of a large hill. After a futile attempt to park nearby, we venture onto the steep streets. We park the car here, by the way, for free. And actually, the walk up the hill is entirely worth it because Capdepera is a small, cute village. There is not much to do, so the castle is what it’s all about.
Unfortunately, not much is left of the original castle. But the fortress wall is still largely intact. In the 16th century, there were still about 125 houses within these walls. Now you will find a church and the governor’s house. You also have beautiful views over Capdepera and even the sea. On a clear day, you should be able to see Menorca. The entrance is only 3 euros, and that is three euros well spent.
Nice hotels in Artà and Capdepera
If you want to stay in the area a little longer, there are a few lovely hotels. You will find them mainly in Artà. Capdepera is somewhat less popular. Check these out:
- Yartan Boutique Hotel in Artà: very luxurious, gorgeous
- Petit Hotel Forn Nou in Artà: attractive hotel with a roof terrace
- Hotel & Restaurant Jardi D’Artà in Artà: luxury hotel with a good restaurant
- Hotel Can Moragues Health&Wellness in Artà: pure luxury with rural vibes and a beautiful garden
More Mallorca inspiration?
Useful links for your Mallorca trip
- Accommodation. All-time favorite: Booking.com. Rather stay in a hostel? Try HostelWorld.
- Activities. You book the best tours and activities with GetYourGuide and Viator. You could also check out WithLocals. Book ‘free’ walking tours at Freetour.com or GuruWalk, and for bike tours, try Baja Bikes.
- Attractions and museums. Get a 5% discount on museums and attractions with the coupon code KIMOPREIS22 at Tiqets.
- Boat. You can get to Mallorca by boat from Barcelona and other places on the Spanish mainland. Book your boat trip at Balearia. Balearia also sails between the other Balearic islands. But be sure to compare prices at Direct Ferries!
- Car rental. My go-to car rental companies are EasyTerra and Sunny Cars as they have all-inclusive / worry-free offers. If you want to compare more prices, you can do so at Discover Cars.
- Flights. Be sure to check out Transavia and Vueling, but do compare all your options! Definitely check out Momondo, Skyscanner, and Kiwi.
- Money. Your debit and credit cards may not get accepted everywhere. You could opt for a Revolut card as an additional card when you travel.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? You have plenty of options. For the Dutch: ANWB vakanties or Tui, Sunweb, D-reizen, or maybe Corendon or Vakantie Discounter?
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high calling and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Travel gear. Buy your gear at Bever or Decathlon, or simply at Bol.com.
- Travel guides. I love the practical travel guides from Lonely Planet, buy them at Bol.com. And I love this guidebook: 111 Places in Mallorca that you shouldn’t miss. Buy it at Bol.com or Amazon.
- Yoga retreat. Or, what about a yoga retreat on the island?
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First published: July 2022. Updated since!
