Sant Elm
Mallorca's westernmost village, a small seaside resort at the end of the road. The uninhabited island of Dragonera lies opposite. Beyond here, there is only sea.
Sant Elm
Sant Elm in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- Taking the boat to Dragonera
- Best months
- March–May, September–November
- Time to allow
- Half a day, or a full day including Dragonera
- Without a car
- Hire car needed
- Parking
- On the village edge, limited in season
- Keep in mind
- Expecting a large beach
- Access
- Pushchairs: Manageable in the village and near the beach · Wheelchairs: Promenade mostly accessible; walking trails are not
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
Dragonera's ridge stretches across the horizon. It has been a nature park since 1995.
Ferries leave from this jetty, but strong wind can stop sailings.
Houses stand right above the water's edge, where space has always been limited.
Getting to know Sant Elm
Does Sant Elm suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- Taking the boat to Dragonera
- Walking to La Trapa
- Snorkelling in very clear water
- Exploring Mallorca's western tip
Things to bear in mind
- Expecting a large beach
- Looking for plenty of space in high summer
- Wanting lively evenings
- Arriving without a car
Drive from the airport
45 minutes
45 km
Bus connections
Occasional services from Andratx
Region
Serra de Tramuntana
Nearest beach
Port d'Andratx
5 km
Elevation
10 m
above sea level
Season guide for Sant Elm
November Worth a visit
Very quiet Some places closed
Worth visiting in March, April, May, September, October and November. Less suitable in July and August. Mostly closed in January and December.
Location
Location of Sant Elm
- Region
- Serra de Tramuntana
- Municipality
- Andratx
- Population
- 500
- Elevation
- 10 m above sea level
- Airport
- 45 km , around 45 minutes
- Hire car
- needed
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.5806,2.3489
The end of the road
Sant Elm is Mallorca’s westernmost village. The road ends here, facing the sea and Dragonera.
It is small: a handful of streets, a sandy beach, a jetty and a few shops and places to eat. The main reasons to come are outdoors.
Dragonera
An uninhabited rocky island of 275 hectares, part of Andratx municipality. From Sant Elm, it really does resemble a resting dragon.
The ferry leaves from the village jetty several times daily in season, weather permitting. There are no shops or cafés on the island and very little shade, so bring water and food.
How Dragonera was saved
The island almost took a very different path. In 1976, a development plan was approved for a Valencian company’s holiday complex.
On 7 July 1977, a group of young people gathered in Sant Elm, crossed in small boats and occupied the island. Supported by GOB, then still an ornithological association, they brought the case to wider attention across Mallorca.
It took time. In 1987, the courts finally stopped the development plan. On 26 January 1995, the Balearic government declared Dragonera a nature park.
The occupation is often seen as the beginning of Mallorca’s environmental movement. The undeveloped island you see from Sant Elm’s jetty is its lasting result.
La Trapa
A ruined former monastery on the heights above the village, reached by one of western Mallorca’s well-known walks.
The path is stony and exposed. Choose March, April or October, rather than summer.
The water
Very clear water lies over pale rock shelves. For snorkelling, explore the rocky edges of the bay rather than its sandy centre.
When to visit
April and October are good choices. In July and August, the small beach fills during the morning.
In winter, most businesses close and ferries are limited, but the coast remains lovely.
Photographs
Sant Elm in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Sant Elm
Three hours
Visit the beach and jetty, then follow the coast with views of Dragonera.
Half a day
Take the ferry to Dragonera and walk on the island, or climb from Sant Elm to La Trapa.
A full day
Combine it with Port d'Andratx, Andratx and the west-coast road.
On a rainy day
Not a good choice. Wind can stop the ferry too.
Practical details
- Parking
- On the village edge, limited in season
- Public transport
- Occasional services from Andratx
- Time to allow
- Half a day, or a full day including Dragonera
- Good to know
- The Dragonera ferry leaves from the village jetty and depends on the weather. There are no shops or places to eat on the island, so bring water and food.
- Bus
- Occasional services from Andratx
- Shops and services
- Supermarkets: Small village shops · Pharmacy: In Andratx · Medical care: In Andratx · Cash machines: In the village · Fuel: In Andratx
- Access
- Level promenade and beach approach; walking routes climb uphill · Pushchairs: Manageable in the village and near the beach · Wheelchairs: Promenade mostly accessible; walking trails are not · Dogs: Not allowed on the beach in season or on Dragonera
- What you will not find
- A large beach · A lively evening scene · Shops or cafés on Dragonera · Frequent bus services
- Coordinates
- 39.5806,2.3489 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 …
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
An upmarket natural harbour in a deep, sheltered bay, with fishing boats on one side, yachts on the other and …
A compact sandy bay in the municipality of Andratx, surrounded by pine-covered slopes. A wooden footbridge leads …
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 Sant Elm
How do you get to Dragonera?
By ferry from Sant Elm's jetty, with several daily departures in season, weather permitting. The island has been a nature park since 1995 and has no residents, shops or cafés. Bring water and food.
What is La Trapa?
A former monastery on the heights above Sant Elm, now ruined and the destination of a well-known walk in western Mallorca. The path is stony and exposed. Go in spring or autumn rather than summer.
How big is the beach?
Small, with pale sand and gently shelving water. It has lifeguards in season but fills during the morning in July and August. For snorkelling, head towards the rocky edges.
Do you need a car?
In practice, it is helpful. There are occasional buses from Andratx, but services are infrequent and the final kilometres are winding.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Sant Elm?
Recommended months: March, April, May, September, October, November. Access and opening are limited in January, December. See the visiting advice on this page. An excellent time for La Trapa and Dragonera.
Is Sant Elm worth visiting in July and August?
July: another month may suit you better. Usually very crowded. The small beach fills during the morning. Dragonera has very little shade. August: another month may suit you better. Usually very crowded.
How far is Sant Elm from Palma airport?
About 45 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 45 minutes by car. Via Andratx and S'Arracó, with winding final kilometres. Parking is on the village edge and limited in season. Arrive early for the first ferry.
Do I need a hire car for Sant Elm?
A car is needed Occasional services from Andratx
Where can I park in Sant Elm?
On the village edge, limited in season
Can you swim at Sant Elm?
There is no beach here. See the nearby swimming options on this page.
Can I visit Sant Elm with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Level promenade and beach approach; walking routes climb uphill Pushchairs: Manageable in the village and near the beach Wheelchairs: Promenade mostly accessible; walking trails are not
Are dogs allowed at Sant Elm?
Not allowed on the beach in season or on Dragonera
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.