A working town in the east, with a church above a broad flight of steps, locally grown capers and wine, and two hills rising beyond it, Sant Salvador and Santueri.
Felanitx
Felanitx in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- You’d like to visit the Sunday market.
- Best months
- January–May, September–December
- Time to allow
- One to two hours.
- Without a car
- Hire car recommended
- Parking
- Straightforward except on Sundays; park on the outskirts on market day.
- Keep in mind
- You expect a picture-postcard old town.
- Access
- Pushchairs: Manageable around town; steps lead up to the church. · Wheelchairs: Most streets are accessible, but the church steps aren’t.
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
From the side, you appreciate the building’s size. From the front, the steps obscure much of it.
A stone semicircle in the middle of town, one of the old structures that has survived here.
The church stands above the town, and its steps are a place to meet.
Getting to know Felanitx
Does Felanitx suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- You’d like to visit the Sunday market.
- You’re heading up to Sant Salvador or Santueri.
- You want to buy locally grown capers and wine.
- You’re interested in everyday working life on the island.
Things to bear in mind
- You expect a picture-postcard old town.
- You want a quiet centre; traffic passes through.
- You want to go swimming.
- You’re looking for lively evenings.
Drive from the airport
45 minutes
50 km
Bus connections
Services from Palma and Manacor
Region
Migjorn
Nearest beach
Portocolom
11 km
Elevation
125 m
above sea level
Season guide for Felanitx
November Worth a visit
Very quiet Open
Worth visiting in January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November and December. Less suitable in July and August.
Location
Location of Felanitx
- Region
- Migjorn
- Population
- 18,000
- Elevation
- 125 m above sea level
- Airport
- 50 km , around 45 minutes
- Hire car
- recommended
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.4694,3.1483
About Felanitx
A working town of around 18,000 people in the east. There’s sandstone, some of it weathered, and traffic through the centre. It’s an everyday town rather than a carefully arranged visitor attraction.
Above it stands Sant Miquel church, reached by a broad stone staircase and dominating the town.
The market
On Sunday mornings, the centre fills with stalls selling fruit, vegetables, cured meats and local produce. It’s the busiest time to visit.
Capers and wine
The area is known for its capers and belongs to the Pla i Llevant wine appellation. It also has a long tradition of ceramics and pottery.
The two hills
Two landmarks rise above Felanitx: the monastery of Sant Salvador, at 509 metres, and the ruined castle of Santueri on the next summit. Both are reached from the town.
Fill up before you drive uphill; there’s nowhere to buy petrol at the top.
When to come
March and October are good choices. Almond trees flower on the plain in February, while September brings the grape harvest.
In July and August, inland temperatures rise without a sea breeze, and there’s little shade.
Photographs
Felanitx in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Felanitx
Three hours
Climb the broad steps to Sant Miquel church, then explore the lanes and market square.
Half a day
Add Santuari de Sant Salvador or Castell de Santueri.
A full day
Combine it with Portocolom, Santanyí or a trip along the east coast.
On a rainy day
Possible, but there’s little to do indoors in town.
Practical details
- Parking
- Straightforward except on Sundays; park on the outskirts on market day.
- Public transport
- Services from Palma and Manacor.
- Time to allow
- One to two hours.
- Good to know
- The market takes place on Sunday mornings. Fill up here before driving to Sant Salvador; there’s no petrol station at the top.
- Bus
- Services from Palma and Manacor.
- Shops and services
- Supermarkets: Several in town. · Pharmacy: Several. · Medical care: Health centre in town; hospital in Manacor. · Cash machines: Plenty. · Fuel: On the outskirts.
- Access
- Paved streets and a broad flight of steps to the church. · Pushchairs: Manageable around town; steps lead up to the church. · Wheelchairs: Most streets are accessible, but the church steps aren’t. · Dogs: Straightforward.
- What you will not find
- Sea · Picture-postcard scenery · A quiet town centre · Lively evenings
- Coordinates
- 39.4694,3.1483 Google Maps Apple Maps
Within reach
Places to visit
Nearby
A pilgrimage church has stood here since 1348, 509 metres above Felanitx at the southern end of the Serra de …
A rocky hilltop fortress 408 metres above sea level near Felanitx, its walls rising directly from the cliff edge …
A small 15th-century sanctuary on a 205-metre hill near S'Alqueria Blanca, rarely busy and with views over the …
The tall bell tower of Nostra Senyora dels Dolors rises above Manacor’s rooftops. Inside are a lofty vaulted nave …
Behind the Rafa Nadal Sports Center is a museum worth taking time over. Inside Torre dels Enagistes, the galleries …
Es Fortí stands on the rocky headland at the entrance to Cala Llonga in Cala d’Or. Behind its thick walls is a …
A pilgrimage sanctuary on the Puig de Bonany above Petra, 317 metres above sea level. Hermits lived here until …
An old country estate near Sant Joan where it’s easy to stay longer than planned. Behind the substantial walls are …
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
One of Mallorca's largest natural harbours, with a quieter atmosphere than many east-coast resorts. Fishing boats …
Golden sand, gently shelving water and a nearby bus stop make Cala d'en Marçal Portocolom's convenient family …
Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Felanitx
When is the Felanitx market?
Sunday mornings in the centre, with fruit, vegetables, cured meats and local produce. The town gets busy and parking takes patience.
What is the area known for?
Capers and wine. Felanitx belongs to the Pla i Llevant wine appellation. It also has a long tradition of ceramics and pottery.
How do you get to Sant Salvador?
A narrow, winding road climbs just over six kilometres from Felanitx, taking about fifteen minutes. At the top there’s a car park, church, restaurant and accommodation.
What are the steps by the church?
Sant Miquel stands well above street level, reached by a broad stone staircase. It’s the town’s most recognisable landmark and a meeting place too.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Felanitx?
Recommended months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December. Clear air gives the longest views from Sant Salvador above the town.
Is Felanitx worth visiting in July and August?
July: another month may suit you better. Usually lively. Inland temperatures rise without a sea breeze, and there’s little shade. August: another month may suit you better. Usually lively.
How far is Felanitx from Palma airport?
About 50 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 45 minutes by car. Approach via Manacor or Campos. Parking is straightforward except on Sundays, when it’s best to leave your car on the outskirts for the market. The winding road to Sant Salvador starts here.
Do I need a hire car for Felanitx?
A car is useful Services from Palma and Manacor.
Where can I park in Felanitx?
Straightforward except on Sundays; park on the outskirts on market day.
Can I visit Felanitx with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Paved streets and a broad flight of steps to the church. Pushchairs: Manageable around town; steps lead up to the church. Wheelchairs: Most streets are accessible, but the church steps aren’t.
Are dogs allowed at Felanitx?
Straightforward.
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.