Santa Margalida
The inland village at the highest point of a municipality that also includes Can Picafort and Son Serra de Marina. A Baroque church rises above the roofs, and the first Sunday in September brings one of the island's most distinctive festivals.
Santa Margalida
Santa Margalida in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- Being on the island on the first Sunday in September, for La Beata
- Best months
- January–May, September–December
- Time to allow
- One to two hours
- Without a car
- Hire car recommended
- Parking
- Easy in the village, but extremely difficult on La Beata festival day
- Keep in mind
- Swimming, as the municipality's beaches are ten kilometres away
- Access
- Pushchairs: Mostly manageable · Wheelchairs: Main streets accessible, but the climb to the church is steep
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
The reward for the uphill walk is inside — a gilded Baroque altarpiece in an otherwise restrained interior.
A woman farmer stands on the fountain, fitting for a village whose festival celebrates traditional dress.
Every approach to the church square leads uphill.
Getting to know Santa Margalida
Does Santa Margalida suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- Being on the island on the first Sunday in September, for La Beata
- Staying in Can Picafort or Son Serra and exploring the inland village
- Baroque church architecture
- A quiet stop on the way north
Things to bear in mind
- Swimming, as the municipality's beaches are ten kilometres away
- Looking for a lively place
- Visiting at midday in high summer
- Expecting an attraction with regular opening hours
Drive from the airport
45 minutes
52 km
Bus connections
Connections from Can Picafort
Region
Pla de Mallorca
Nearest beach
Can Picafort
8 km
Elevation
105 m
above sea level
Season guide for Santa Margalida
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 Santa Margalida
- Region
- Pla de Mallorca
- Population
- 12,500
- Elevation
- 105 m above sea level
- Airport
- 52 km , around 45 minutes
- Hire car
- recommended
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.7017,3.1033
The village and its municipality
Santa Margalida stands on a rise in the Pla, Mallorca’s inland plain. Its municipality also includes Can Picafort and Son Serra de Marina, ten to fifteen kilometres away on the coast and very different in character.
If you book accommodation listed under Santa Margalida, it may not be in this village.
The church
The church stands at the municipality’s highest point, visible for kilometres across the plain. Its origins go back to the 13th century; its present form is an example of Baroque church architecture.
Outside, it looks solid and plain. Inside is a gilded Baroque altarpiece, the main reason to step through the door.
La Beata
The first Sunday in September is the day this normally quiet village comes alive.
The festival honours Catalina Thomàs, a nun from Valldemossa (1531–1574), known locally as la Beata. Since her beatification in 1792, several Mallorcan communities have celebrated Fiestas de la Beata in her honour.
In Santa Margalida, the day begins with people dressed as dimonis, or devils, running through the streets waking the residents. After dark comes the procession, led by the Beata, followed by locals in traditional farming dress, bands and floats showing scenes from her life.
Arrive early and avoid trying to drive into the centre that day.
The rest of the year
Expect a quiet village with a broad main street, paved lanes and views across the plain to the bay. Allow one to two hours.
It works well as a short stop: explore in the morning, then head to one of the municipality’s beaches for the afternoon.
Photographs
Santa Margalida in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Santa Margalida
Three hours
Walk up to the church at the highest point, go inside to see the Baroque altarpiece, then explore the lanes and square.
Half a day
Continue to Can Picafort or Son Serra de Marina, both part of the municipality and ten to fifteen minutes away.
A full day
Village in the morning, beach at midday, then back in the evening — or the other way round. Santa Margalida alone will not fill a day.
On a rainy day
Visit the church. Otherwise, this is not a great rainy-day destination; Muro and its museum are a better option.
Local celebrations
- First Sunday in September — La Beata A procession honouring Blessed Catalina Thomàs. Dimonis run through the streets in the morning; floats and people in traditional dress join the evening parade.
- 20 July — Santa Margalida The village's patron saint's festival.
Practical details
- Parking
- Easy in the village, but extremely difficult on La Beata festival day
- Public transport
- Connections from Can Picafort, Muro and Inca
- Time to allow
- One to two hours
- Good to know
- Santa Margalida municipality also includes Can Picafort and Son Serra de Marina. Accommodation listed under Santa Margalida is not necessarily in this inland village.
- Bus
- Connections from Can Picafort, Muro and Inca
- Shops and services
- Supermarkets: Several in the village, open year-round · Pharmacy: In the village · Medical care: Local health centre; hospital in Inca · Cash machines: On the main square · Fuel: On the road out towards Can Picafort
- Access
- Paved lanes rising towards the church square · Pushchairs: Mostly manageable · Wheelchairs: Main streets accessible, but the climb to the church is steep · Dogs: No particular difficulties
- What you will not find
- A beach · Nightlife · A museum · Extensive tourist facilities
- Coordinates
- 39.7017,3.1033 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.
Where to swim nearby
Beaches and swimming nearby
A small fishing settlement first recorded in 1860 has become a busy holiday resort. Come for the beach, the …
A planned village of grid-pattern streets, no hotels and houses no higher than two storeys. In front lies a long …
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Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Santa Margalida
What is La Beata in Santa Margalida?
A festival honouring Blessed Catalina Thomàs on the first Sunday in September. It begins with people dressed as dimonis — devils — running through the streets to wake the residents. After dark, the procession begins, led by the Beata, followed by locals in traditional farming dress, bands and floats depicting episodes from her life.
Who was Catalina Thomàs?
A nun from Valldemossa, born in 1531 and known locally as la Beata. She died in Palma in 1574 and was beatified in 1792. Since then, several Mallorcan communities have held Fiestas de la Beata in her honour, especially Santa Margalida, Valldemossa and Palma.
Are Can Picafort and Son Serra part of Santa Margalida?
Yes. Both belong to Santa Margalida municipality but lie ten to fifteen kilometres away on the coast. The village itself stands on a rise inland and feels quite separate from the coastal holiday resorts.
What is there to see in Santa Margalida?
Above all, the parish church at the highest point. Its origins go back to the 13th century, while its present form is an example of Baroque church architecture. There are also the central lanes, the square and views across the plain towards the bay.
Is Santa Margalida a full-day destination?
One to two hours is enough for the village. It works well as a stop before heading to one of the municipality's beaches. La Beata festival day is the exception.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Santa Margalida?
Recommended months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December.
Is Santa Margalida worth visiting in July and August?
July: another month may suit you better. Usually quiet. Too hot inland; the village sleeps at midday. August: another month may suit you better. Usually quiet.
How far is Santa Margalida from Palma airport?
About 52 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 45 minutes by car. The village stands on a rise between the Ma-3410 and Ma-3421. Parking is straightforward, except on La Beata festival day.
Do I need a hire car for Santa Margalida?
A car is useful Connections from Can Picafort, Muro and Inca
Where can I park in Santa Margalida?
Easy in the village, but extremely difficult on La Beata festival day
Can you swim at Santa Margalida?
There is no beach here. See the nearby swimming options on this page.
Can I visit Santa Margalida with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Paved lanes rising towards the church square Pushchairs: Mostly manageable Wheelchairs: Main streets accessible, but the climb to the church is steep
Are dogs allowed at Santa Margalida?
No particular difficulties
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.