A pilgrimage church has stood here since 1348, 509 metres above Felanitx at the southern end of the Serra de Llevant. Today there are guest rooms, a restaurant and views across much of eastern Mallorca in clear weather.
Santuari de Sant Salvador
Santuari de Sant Salvador in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- Far-reaching views across eastern Mallorca
- Best months
- January–May, September–December
- Time to allow
- One to two hours
- Without a car
- Hire car needed
- Parking
- Free car park beside the sanctuary, with limited space at weekends
- Keep in mind
- Visiting in haze or low cloud, when the views disappear
- Access
- Pushchairs: Manageable in the courtyards, awkward towards the monument · Wheelchairs: Forecourt and church mostly accessible; the route to the monument is not
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
The cross stands on its own platform a ten-minute walk from the sanctuary, with the widest views.
From below, it looks like a fortress. Its original chapel was founded in the hope of protection from plague.
The courtyard feels suddenly quiet, enclosed away from the open views.
Getting to know Santuari de Sant Salvador
Does Santuari de Sant Salvador suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- Far-reaching views across eastern Mallorca
- Staying in the former monks' cells
- Road cyclists tackling a well-known climb
- Combining a visit with Santueri castle ruins
Things to bear in mind
- Visiting in haze or low cloud, when the views disappear
- Travelling in a large motorhome, as the road is narrow
- Expecting an extensive museum
- Going for a swim
Drive from the airport
50 minutes
55 km
Bus connections
No bus service up the hill
Region
Migjorn
Nearest beach
Cala d'en Marçal
8 km
Elevation
509 m
above sea level
Season guide for Santuari de Sant Salvador
November Worth a visit
Very quiet Open
Worth visiting in January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November and December.
Location
Location of Santuari de Sant Salvador
- Region
- Migjorn
- Municipality
- Felanitx
- Elevation
- 509 m above sea level
- Airport
- 55 km , around 50 minutes
- Hire car
- needed
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.4556,3.1856
What is the Santuari de Sant Salvador?
A pilgrimage church on Puig de Sant Salvador, 509 metres above sea level, at the southern end of the Serra de Llevant above Felanitx.
Its origins go back to 1348, when King Pere III allowed Felanitx to build a chapel seeking protection from plague. Its present appearance, including the accommodation, dates from rebuilding between 1707 and 1716. Inside are a 13th-century figure of the Virgin and a 15th-century high altar.
The road up
The climb from Felanitx is a little over six kilometres. Narrow lanes and tight hairpin bends make it a fifteen-minute drive that can feel longer.
Motorhomes and vehicles towing trailers are best left below.
The view
You can see across eastern Mallorca towards Cap de ses Salines in the south and, in clear air, the Tramuntana to the north-west. On the neighbouring summit is the ruined castle of Santueri.
A good ten minutes’ walk from the sanctuary, the Creu des Picot stands on a projecting rocky spur. Inaugurated on 25 August 1957, it has the widest views.
Nearer the sanctuary is the Christ the King monument of 1934, a tall column topped by a figure of Christ, with a crypt beneath.
Staying at the top
Since 1992, the former monks’ cells have been converted into simple guest rooms, with a restaurant alongside. The grounds are free to enter, with no ticket office.
If you are choosing between this hilltop and another beach day, give the hilltop a turn at least once.
When to visit
January and February offer the clearest air. With a northerly wind, you can see the Tramuntana, while almond blossom spreads across the plain below. March and October are good all-round choices.
In high summer, haze reduces the views and the car park fills at midday. Save the drive for another day if low cloud covers the summit.
Photographs
Santuari de Sant Salvador in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Santuari de Sant Salvador
Three hours
Drive up, visit the church and courtyard, then walk around to the stone cross on its rocky spur for the widest views.
Half a day
Add Castell de Santueri, around twenty minutes away via Felanitx, or descend to Portocolom.
A full day
Combine it with Felanitx, Santanyí or the east coast, or stay overnight at the top.
On a rainy day
Not worthwhile for the view. Low cloud can hide everything even at 509 metres.
Practical details
- Parking
- Free car park beside the sanctuary, with limited space at weekends
- Time to allow
- One to two hours
- Good to know
- Access to the grounds is free. The former monks' cells have been guest rooms since 1992, with a restaurant on site. The road is narrow, so be patient when meeting oncoming traffic.
- Bus
- No bus service up the hill
- Access
- Paved courtyards and paths, with some steps and slopes · Pushchairs: Manageable in the courtyards, awkward towards the monument · Wheelchairs: Forecourt and church mostly accessible; the route to the monument is not · Dogs: On a lead outside; not indoors
- What you will not find
- A bus service · A ticket office · Clear views in haze · A wide access road
- Coordinates
- 39.4556,3.1856 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
Golden sand, gently shelving water and a nearby bus stop make Cala d'en Marçal Portocolom's convenient family …
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Places to stay within reach
Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Santuari de Sant Salvador
How high is Sant Salvador?
At 509 metres, above Felanitx at the southern end of the Serra de Llevant. The narrow road climbs just over six kilometres from Felanitx, taking around fifteen minutes.
When was the pilgrimage church founded?
Its origins go back to 1348, when King Pere III allowed Felanitx to build a chapel seeking protection from the plague. The present appearance, including the guest accommodation, dates from rebuilding between 1707 and 1716.
Can you stay overnight at the top?
Yes. Former monks' cells have served as simple guest rooms since 1992, and there is a restaurant. Staying lets you enjoy sunset and the early morning above the plain.
What is the large cross on the rock?
The Creu des Picot, a stone cross inaugurated on 25 August 1957. It stands on a rocky spur a good ten minutes' walk from the sanctuary, with the widest views across the plain, reaching Cap de ses Salines in clear air. It is separate from the 1934 Christ the King monument nearer the sanctuary.
Is the drive worthwhile in cloudy weather?
Not when low cloud hides the views, which are the main reason to come. Summer haze can also limit visibility; come early then.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Santuari de Sant Salvador?
Recommended months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December. The clearest air of the year; a northerly wind can bring views as far as the Tramuntana.
Is Santuari de Sant Salvador worth visiting in July and August?
July: worth considering with some reservations. Usually busy. Haze reduces distant views and the car park fills at midday. August: worth considering with some reservations. Usually busy.
How far is Santuari de Sant Salvador from Palma airport?
About 55 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 50 minutes by car. A narrow road with hairpin bends climbs just over six kilometres from Felanitx to a car park at the top. Motorhomes and vehicles towing trailers are best left below.
Do I need a hire car for Santuari de Sant Salvador?
A car is needed No bus service up the hill
Where can I park in Santuari de Sant Salvador?
Free car park beside the sanctuary, with limited space at weekends
Can I visit Santuari de Sant Salvador with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Paved courtyards and paths, with some steps and slopes Pushchairs: Manageable in the courtyards, awkward towards the monument Wheelchairs: Forecourt and church mostly accessible; the route to the monument is not
Are dogs allowed at Santuari de Sant Salvador?
On a lead outside; not indoors
Santuari de Sant Salvador features in our Mallorca highlights
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.