Andratx
The main town of the south-west was built inland from its harbour to keep it safer from corsair raids. Sandstone houses climb the hillside towards a fortified-looking church, and Wednesday is market day.
Andratx
Andratx in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- You’d like to visit the Wednesday market.
- Best months
- January–May, September–December
- Time to allow
- An hour, or half a day on Wednesday.
- Without a car
- Hire car recommended
- Parking
- Usually straightforward except on Wednesdays; park on the edge of town on market day.
- Keep in mind
- Don’t expect sea views.
- Access
- Pushchairs: Manageable in the lower town; hard work on the way to the church. · Wheelchairs: The main street is accessible, but the hillside lanes are not.
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From below, the church looks like a bastion. It once needed to serve that purpose.
The lanes eventually lead here. Santa Maria has been a parish church since 1248.
One of the windmills above town still has its sails; most of the others retain only the tower.
Getting to know Andratx
Does Andratx suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- You’d like to visit the Wednesday market.
- You’re heading to Port d’Andratx and want to see the older town too.
- You enjoy contemporary art; the CCA is 3 km outside town.
- You’re exploring the island’s western corner.
Things to bear in mind
- Don’t expect sea views.
- For a swim, head down towards the harbour.
- The hillside streets are difficult if you have limited mobility.
- This isn’t somewhere to come for a lively evening.
Drive from the airport
30 minutes
35 km
Bus connections
Services from Palma and Peguera
Region
Serra de Tramuntana
Nearest beach
Camp de Mar
4 km
Elevation
50 m
above sea level
Season guide for Andratx
November Worth a visit
Very quiet Open
Worth visiting in January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November and December.
Location
Location of Andratx
- Region
- Serra de Tramuntana
- Population
- 8,000
- Elevation
- 50 m above sea level
- Airport
- 35 km , around 30 minutes
- Hire car
- recommended
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.5758,2.4194
Why the town is up the hill
Andratx stands 2 km from the sea for a reason. Corsairs raided settlements along this coast for centuries, so people built inland on the hillside.
The harbour below, Port d’Andratx, grew later. They still look like two separate places rather than one continuous town.
The old town
Sandstone houses with green shutters line the lanes, linked by steps. Here and there, a row of houses is painted yellow or red. Eventually, the streets lead towards Santa Maria, a parish church since 1248, which looks like a bastion when seen from below.
Windmills stand above the town; one still has its complete set of sails.
The market
Every Wednesday, all year, the market brings fruit, vegetables, cured meats and crafts. The town fills up and parking takes patience. On other days, you can spend an hour wandering the lanes and hardly meet anyone.
Contemporary art at the CCA
On the Ma-1031 towards Es Capdellà, outside town, the contemporary art centre has spacious galleries set in the countryside. It’s a particularly good place to head on a rainy day in the south-west.
When to come
March and October are good choices. In February, almond trees blossom in the surrounding valleys; the south-west is one of the first parts of the island to bloom.
In July and August, Wednesdays get crowded and you’ll find shade mainly in the narrow lanes.
Photographs
Andratx in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Andratx
Three hours
Follow the lanes up to Santa Maria church, cross the stepped square and walk along the colourful row of houses.
Half a day
Add Port d’Andratx or the CCA art centre, 3 km outside town.
A full day
Combine Andratx with Sant Elm, Camp de Mar and the west-coast road to Estellencs.
On a rainy day
The CCA is an option; otherwise there’s little to do in wet weather.
Practical details
- Parking
- Usually straightforward except on Wednesdays; park on the edge of town on market day.
- Public transport
- Services from Palma and Peguera.
- Time to allow
- An hour, or half a day on Wednesday.
- Good to know
- Market day is Wednesday. The town hall occupies Castell de Son Mas on the outskirts, a manor house rather than a visitor attraction offering tours.
- Bus
- Services from Palma and Peguera.
- Shops and services
- Supermarkets: Several in town · Pharmacy: In town · Medical care: Local health centre; hospitals in Palma · Cash machines: Several · Fuel: On the Ma-1
- Access
- Paved lanes and steps, climbing steadily uphill. · Pushchairs: Manageable in the lower town; hard work on the way to the church. · Wheelchairs: The main street is accessible, but the hillside lanes are not. · Dogs: Straightforward.
- What you will not find
- Sea views · Beach · Level paths in the old town · Lively evenings
- Coordinates
- 39.5758,2.4194 Google Maps Apple Maps
Within reach
Places to visit
Nearby
The first major viewpoint on the west-coast road after Andratx. Stone steps climb from beside a road tunnel to a …
A round 16th-century watchtower on an isolated rocky outcrop above the west coast. Climb the stone steps to the …
The south-west's marina, with 670 berths, rows of white boats and a white tower by the quay. You come here to look …
A historic country estate near Esporles, with a manor house and gardens. Public access hasn’t been confirmed, so …
A striking circular Gothic castle, built above Palma between 1300 and 1311. Inside is a two-storey round …
Distances without a driving time are measured in a straight line. The road journey can be much longer; known driving times are shown alongside.
Where to swim nearby
Beaches and swimming nearby
A compact sandy bay in the municipality of Andratx, surrounded by pine-covered slopes. A wooden footbridge leads …
An upmarket natural harbour in a deep, sheltered bay, with fishing boats on one side, yachts on the other and …
Around two kilometres from Paguera, Cala Fornells feels quite different. Rocky shores and small patches of coarse …
Three sandy bays in a row, separated by pine-covered rocky headlands, with a plane-tree-lined boulevard behind …
Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Andratx
Why isn’t Andratx beside the sea?
Settlements along this coast faced corsair raids for centuries, so the town was built on a hillside 2 km inland. Port d’Andratx, the harbour below, grew later.
When is the market in Andratx?
Every Wednesday, all year, with fruit, vegetables, cured meats, crafts and Mallorcan produce. The town gets busy and finding a parking space becomes harder.
What is the CCA?
A contemporary art centre outside Andratx on the Ma-1031 towards Es Capdellà, with spacious exhibition galleries. It’s a particularly good rainy-day option in the south-west.
Is Andratx worth visiting as well as Port d’Andratx?
Yes, the contrast is part of the appeal. The harbour has yachts and a promenade; the town has sandstone houses, steps and everyday local life. Visit both for a fuller picture of the south-west.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Andratx?
Recommended months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December. Clear air and the first almond blossom. The market runs all year.
Is Andratx worth visiting in July and August?
July: worth considering with some reservations. Usually busy. Crowded on Wednesdays, with shade mainly in the narrow lanes. August: worth considering with some reservations. Usually busy.
How far is Andratx from Palma airport?
About 35 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 30 minutes by car. Follow the Ma-1 to its end, then head towards town. Parking is usually straightforward apart from Wednesdays, when it’s better to leave the car on the edge of town.
Do I need a hire car for Andratx?
A car is useful Services from Palma and Peguera.
Where can I park in Andratx?
Usually straightforward except on Wednesdays; park on the edge of town on market day.
Can you swim at Andratx?
There is no beach here. See the nearby swimming options on this page.
Can I visit Andratx with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Paved lanes and steps, climbing steadily uphill. Pushchairs: Manageable in the lower town; hard work on the way to the church. Wheelchairs: The main street is accessible, but the hillside lanes are not.
Are dogs allowed at Andratx?
Straightforward.
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.