A kilometre and a half from Cala d'Or, but a different world — a natural harbour where fishermen still unload their catch, small sandy coves and a quiet enough pace to linger over dinner by the water.
Porto Petro
Porto Petro in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- Anyone wanting to see a working natural harbour
- Best months
- March–June, September–October
- Time to allow
- Two to three hours; half a day with Cala Mondragó
- With children
- Suitable, but with limited space
- Without a car
- Hire car recommended
- Parking
- Side streets, with limited spaces in high summer
- Getting into the water
- Shallow and sheltered
- Keep in mind
- Anyone needing a large beach — the coves are small
- Access
- Pushchairs: Fine around the harbour; more limited access to the coves · Wheelchairs: Harbour area accessible
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
Porto Petro's houses follow the shore of the natural harbour.
Looking between the boats from the jetty towards the village.
Boats lie right beside the waterfront path.
Getting to know Porto Petro
Does Porto Petro suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- Anyone wanting to see a working natural harbour
- Visitors staying in Cala d'Or who want a quieter evening
- Snorkellers and divers
- Anyone planning a trip to nearby Cala Mondragó
Things to bear in mind
- Anyone needing a large beach — the coves are small
- Visitors wanting a wide choice of shops and restaurants
- Anyone looking for nightlife
- Anyone expecting plenty of space on the sand in high summer
Drive from the airport
55 minutes
57 km
Bus connections
Services from Cala d'Or and Santanyí
Region
Migjorn
Nearest beach
Cala d'Or
2 km
Elevation
8 m
above sea level
Season guide for Porto Petro
November Worth considering
Very quiet Mostly closed
Worth visiting in March, April, May, June, September and October. Less suitable in August. Mostly closed in January, February, November and December.
Location
Location of Porto Petro
- Region
- Migjorn
- Municipality
- Santanyí
- Population
- 700
- Elevation
- 8 m above sea level
- Airport
- 57 km , around 55 minutes
- Hire car
- recommended
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.3633,3.2100
The natural harbour
Porto Petro lies around a kilometre and a half south of Cala d’Or. It began as a small fishing settlement beside a natural harbour. Today, sailing yachts and medium-sized motorboats share the water with traditional boats.
The harbour is still working, which gives it much of its interest. Early in the morning, you may see fishermen unloading their catch. Later, there are boats being repaired, painted or taken out of the water.
The small coves
Caló de sa Torre and Cala Egos offer small sandy beaches nearby. Both have shallow, sheltered water, but both are small. In summer, holidaymakers and local families fill the available space.
For more room on the beach, head to Cala Mondragó in the nearby natural park.
Shops and places to eat
There are a few shops, restaurants and cafés. Los Caracoles, right on the harbour, serves traditional Mallorcan food with views across the bay.
A street or two back from the waterfront, empty buildings and closed businesses show that trade was once busier. Porto Petro shares this difficulty with several east-coast villages.
Snorkellers and divers come for the sheltered water and rocky edges around the bay.
When to visit
May and October are good choices. In March, the harbour is particularly peaceful, although many holiday businesses are still closed. In August, the little coves cannot comfortably accommodate everyone. Come for a meal rather than expecting a spacious day on the sand.
Photographs
Porto Petro in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Porto Petro
Three hours
Start at the harbour early; you may catch the fishermen unloading. Follow the waterfront, then swim in one of the small coves.
Half a day
Add Cala Mondragó to the south, in the natural park, for more beach space.
A full day
Visit Cala Mondragó in the morning, have lunch here, then head to Cala Figuera or the coves around Santanyí.
On a rainy day
Little to do here. Try Santanyí or the caves near Porto Cristo.
The beach at a glance
- Underfoot
- Fine sand in two small coves
- Getting into the water
- Shallow and sheltered
- Length
- Caló de sa Torre and Cala Egos, both small
- Shade
- Little
- Wind
- Sheltered around the natural harbour
- With children
- Suitable, but with limited space
- Facilities
- A few waterfront restaurants and cafés · Small shops · Marina · Little provision for sunbed hire
Practical details
- Parking
- Side streets, with limited spaces in high summer
- Public transport
- Services from Cala d'Or and Santanyí
- Time to allow
- Two to three hours; half a day with Cala Mondragó
- Good to know
- Caló de sa Torre and Cala Egos are small sandy coves and fill up in summer. Nearby Cala Mondragó is another option for a swim.
- Bus
- Services from Cala d'Or and Santanyí, several times daily in season
- Shops and services
- Supermarkets: Small local shops; larger supermarkets in Cala d'Or · Pharmacy: In Cala d'Or · Medical care: In Santanyí · Cash machines: A few in the village · Fuel: In Cala d'Or or Santanyí
- Access
- Mostly level waterfront paths; some steps down to the coves · Pushchairs: Fine around the harbour; more limited access to the coves · Wheelchairs: Harbour area accessible · Dogs: Not allowed on the bathing beaches in season
- What you will not find
- A large sandy beach · A wide choice of restaurants · Nightlife · A row of waterfront hotels
- Coordinates
- 39.3633,3.2100 Google Maps Apple Maps
Within reach
Places to visit
Nearby
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Distances without a driving time are measured in a straight line. The road journey can be much longer; known driving times are shown alongside.
Other beaches to consider
Beaches and swimming nearby
A resort planned in the 1930s by an Ibizan who brought the style of his home island with him. Low white buildings …
Three beaches within a natural park — S'Amarador, Ses Fonts de n'Alís and small Caló des Borgit. Pale sand lies …
A fishing village around a narrow, forked inlet, with boathouses and slipways tucked against its rocky sides. Come …
Pale sand between high rocky sides, clear water and boathouses built into the shore. Cala Llombards is no secret …
Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Porto Petro
What beaches are near Porto Petro?
Caló de sa Torre and Cala Egos are small sandy coves with shallow, sheltered water. They fill in summer, attracting both holidaymakers and Mallorcans. For more beach space, try nearby Cala Mondragó.
How does Porto Petro differ from Cala d'Or?
The two are a kilometre and a half apart but have quite different atmospheres. Cala d'Or has a resort's range of facilities; Porto Petro has a few shops, restaurants and a working harbour. Stay in Cala d'Or for more activity and come here for dinner.
Can you snorkel at Porto Petro?
The rocky edges around the sheltered bay offer good snorkelling, and divers visit too. The water is usually calm.
How do I get from Porto Petro to Cala Mondragó?
Mondragó Natural Park lies to the south, with S'Amarador, Ses Fonts de n'Alís and Caló des Borgit. Allow around eight minutes by car to the car park, then continue on foot.
Is Porto Petro worth visiting in the evening?
Yes, that is its best time. A handful of restaurants overlook the harbour, including Los Caracoles with traditional Mallorcan food. The pace is unhurried, and the village does not suddenly empty like a purely beach-based destination.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Porto Petro?
Recommended months: March, April, May, June, September, October. Access and opening are limited in January, February, November, December. See the visiting advice on this page. The harbour without crowds — my favourite time to see it.
Is Porto Petro worth visiting in July and August?
July: worth considering with some reservations. Usually busy. The small coves fill during the morning. August: another month may suit you better. Usually very crowded.
How far is Porto Petro from Palma airport?
About 57 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 55 minutes by car. Cala d'Or is only a kilometre and a half away. Park in Porto Petro's side streets, where spaces are limited in high summer.
Do I need a hire car for Porto Petro?
A car is useful Services from Cala d'Or and Santanyí, several times daily in season
Where can I park in Porto Petro?
Side streets, with limited spaces in high summer
Can you swim at Porto Petro?
Yes. Fine sand in two small coves Shallow and sheltered Caló de sa Torre and Cala Egos, both small Little Suitable, but with limited space
Can I visit Porto Petro with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Mostly level waterfront paths; some steps down to the coves Pushchairs: Fine around the harbour; more limited access to the coves Wheelchairs: Harbour area accessible
Are dogs allowed at Porto Petro?
Not allowed on the bathing beaches in season
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.