Sant Joan
Two thousand residents on a rise in the Pla, a church with a hefty tower and a town hall with a figure on its gable. Above the village stands the Consolació sanctuary, and in October the smell of sausages fills the streets.
Sant Joan
Sant Joan in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- Visiting Consolació sanctuary, which belongs to the village
- Best months
- January–May, October–December
- Time to allow
- Half an hour in the village, or a little over an hour including Consolació
- Without a car
- Hire car needed
- Parking
- Easy, free parking on the edge of the village
- Keep in mind
- Looking for a visitor attraction with regular opening hours
- Access
- Pushchairs: Mostly manageable · Wheelchairs: Main streets accessible, but the centre is uphill
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
The tower is visible from several kilometres away across the plain.
The town hall has a curved gable and a figure on top. Elsewhere, decoration is scarce.
A doorway like this was a sign of status in the Pla — often the only outward one.
Getting to know Sant Joan
Does Sant Joan suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- Visiting Consolació sanctuary, which belongs to the village
- Coming for the Butifarró festival in October
- Cycling on the quiet, rolling roads of the Pla
- Seeing a village with little tourism
Things to bear in mind
- Looking for a visitor attraction with regular opening hours
- Going for a swim
- Wanting a choice of places to eat
- Visiting at midday in high summer
Drive from the airport
35 minutes
38 km
Bus connections
Occasional services from Sineu and Manacor
Region
Pla de Mallorca
Elevation
130 m
above sea level
Season guide for Sant Joan
November Worth a visit
Very quiet Open
Worth visiting in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December. Less suitable in July and August.
Location
Location of Sant Joan
- Region
- Pla de Mallorca
- Population
- 2,000
- Elevation
- 130 m above sea level
- Airport
- 38 km , around 35 minutes
- Hire car
- needed
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.5943,3.0401
A village above the plain
Sant Joan is a village of around 2,000 people on a rise in the Pla. From outside, its sandstone houses form a compact group above the fields — the best view of the village.
In the centre are the parish church with its hefty tower, the town hall with a curved gable and a figure on top, and a few bars. There is no conventional visitor attraction with set opening hours.
Consolació
A kilometre outside the village, on a hill, stands Consolació sanctuary, the main reason to come here. Follow the signs towards the cemetery. It has its own page on Mallorca Fritz.
Do not confuse it with the church of the same name near S’Alqueria Blanca in the south-east.
The Butifarró festival
In October, Sant Joan celebrates the Festa des Butifarró, named after a Mallorcan blood sausage. It grew out of the autumn household slaughter, which was the most important annual event for generations of families in the Pla. The food preserved then determined how well they would get through winter.
Visit that day and you will see a continuing local tradition, rather than a performance for spectators. It is the one day of the year when Sant Joan really gets busy.
When to visit
Come in March or November, or for the festival in October. In February, almond trees blossom on the plain.
July and August are too hot, and hardly anyone is out at midday.
A country estate nearby
At nearby Es Calderers, you can explore the furnished rooms of an old manor house, its private chapel and workshops, as well as the garden and animals. Allow about two hours for the visit; there is an admission charge.
Photographs
Sant Joan in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Sant Joan
Three hours
Walk through the village to the parish church and town hall square, then continue the kilometre up to Consolació sanctuary.
Half a day
Combine it with Petra, Sineu or Montuïri, each around 15 minutes away.
A full day
Only on the festival day in October. Otherwise, Sant Joan is a short stop.
On a rainy day
Little to do in the rain. Head to Manacor or Inca instead.
Practical details
- Parking
- Easy, free parking on the edge of the village
- Public transport
- Occasional services from Sineu and Manacor
- Time to allow
- Half an hour in the village, or a little over an hour including Consolació
- Good to know
- Consolació sanctuary is a kilometre outside the village, signposted towards the cemetery. It has its own Mallorca Fritz page and is the main reason to come this way.
- Bus
- Occasional services from Sineu and Manacor
- Shops and services
- Supermarkets: Small village shops · Pharmacy: In the village · Medical care: Local surgery; hospital in Manacor · Cash machines: On the main square · Fuel: On the Ma-3200
- Access
- Paved streets rising towards the village centre · Pushchairs: Mostly manageable · Wheelchairs: Main streets accessible, but the centre is uphill · Dogs: No particular difficulties
- What you will not find
- A conventional visitor attraction in the village itself · A beach · Hotels · Much choice of places to eat
- Coordinates
- 39.5943,3.0401 Google Maps Apple Maps
Within reach
Places to visit
Nearby
A small pilgrimage church on a hill above Sant Joan, reached by a broad stone staircase. There is a well, shade …
An old country estate near Sant Joan where it’s easy to stay longer than planned. Behind the substantial walls are …
A pilgrimage sanctuary on the Puig de Bonany above Petra, 317 metres above sea level. Hermits lived here until …
On a low hill near Montuïri are the remains of a settlement founded almost 3,000 years ago. Massive talayots, low …
A family glassworks dating back to 1719, beside the road to Manacor in a castle-like building. Watch glassblowers …
Son Corró is a small prehistoric sanctuary near Costitx. Six re-erected stone columns stand among low walls. The …
The middle of the three religious houses on Puig de Randa, built beneath an overhanging cliff that extends right …
A monastery estate on the highest point of the Pla, 548 metres above the plain. Ramon Llull retreated here in 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.
Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Sant Joan
What is there to see in Sant Joan?
The parish church with its hefty tower, the town hall on the square and the lanes of the centre — but above all Consolació sanctuary, a kilometre outside the village. There is no ticketed attraction with set opening hours in the village itself.
What is the Festa des Butifarró?
An October festival celebrating butifarró, a Mallorcan blood sausage. Its origins lie in the autumn household slaughter, the most important annual event for generations of families in the Pla. It is the one day when Sant Joan really gets busy.
How do you get to Consolació sanctuary?
It is a kilometre outside the village, signposted towards the cemetery. There is parking at the top, with a broad stone staircase for the final approach. Do not confuse it with the church of the same name near S'Alqueria Blanca in the south-east.
Are there restaurants in Sant Joan?
Very few. There are a handful of bars on the square, but little more. For a meal, head to Sineu, Petra or Vilafranca.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Sant Joan?
Recommended months: January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December.
Is Sant Joan worth visiting in July and August?
July: another month may suit you better. Usually very quiet. Too hot, with hardly anyone out at midday. August: another month may suit you better. Usually very quiet.
How far is Sant Joan from Palma airport?
About 38 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 35 minutes by car. Turn off the Ma-3200 between Vilafranca and Sineu. The village stands on a rise; park on the edge and walk uphill.
Do I need a hire car for Sant Joan?
A car is needed Occasional services from Sineu and Manacor
Where can I park in Sant Joan?
Easy, free parking on the edge of the village
Can you swim at Sant Joan?
There is no beach here. See the nearby swimming options on this page.
Can I visit Sant Joan with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Paved streets rising towards the village centre Pushchairs: Mostly manageable Wheelchairs: Main streets accessible, but the centre is uphill
Are dogs allowed at Sant Joan?
No particular difficulties
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.