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Empty street in Sencelles with a zebra crossing, sandstone houses, green shutters and closed garage doors.

Places / Pla de Mallorca

Sencelles

Inland village

A quiet village between Palma and Inca, birthplace of Sor Francinaina Cirer, who was later beatified. Her house remains a place of pilgrimage and explains the monuments around the village.

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Sencelles
Location of Sencelles in Mallorca
Location of Sencelles

Sencelles in 30 seconds

The essentials at a glance

Worth visiting for
A short visit
Best for
A quiet stop between Palma and Inca
Best months
January–May, October–December
Time to allow
Half an hour
Without a car
Hire car needed
Parking
Easy, free parking throughout the village
Keep in mind
Expecting an attraction with regular opening hours
Access
Pushchairs: Mostly manageable · Wheelchairs: Main streets accessible
  • Inland village

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Stone statue of a religious sister raising her arm, on a tall plinth beside Sencelles church's sandstone wall, with leaves above.

Sor Francinaina Cirer was born here in 1781 and beatified in 1989. The village remains a pilgrimage destination.

Bronze relief of three religious figures with mitres and a pastoral staff on a stone wall in Sencelles.

Three men with connections to the community. Pope Paul VI is on the left; Pope John Paul II stands in the centre with the ferula, the papal cross-staff. On the right is Joan Molinas (1811–1872), parish priest of Sencelles for decades and a spiritual adviser to Francinaina Cirer. John Paul II beatified her in 1989, which explains their appearance together here.

The tall, plain sandstone façade of Sencelles church viewed from below, with a narrow bell gable and side doorway.

Looking up from below reveals just how high this wall is.

Getting to know Sencelles

Does Sencelles suit your plans?

What to expect and what to know before you visit.

Who it suits

  • A quiet stop between Palma and Inca
  • Stone-built villages with little render covering the walls
  • Cycling on quiet, flat roads
  • Wine lovers visiting the surrounding Binissalem estates

Things to bear in mind

  • Expecting an 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

28 minutes

28 km

Bus connections

Occasional services from Inca and Palma

Region

Pla de Mallorca

Elevation

130 m

above sea level

A glimpse of Sencelles

Stone statue of a religious sister raising her arm, on a tall plinth beside Sencelles church's sandstone wall, with leaves above. Bronze relief of three religious figures with mitres and a pastoral staff on a stone wall in Sencelles. The tall, plain sandstone façade of Sencelles church viewed from below, with a narrow bell gable and side doorway. Sencelles parish church in pale sandstone with a tall bell tower, overlooking a square with a tree, monument and parked cars.

More photographs of Sencelles →

Season guide for Sencelles

November Worth a visit

Very quiet Open

Worth a visit Worth considering Less suitable Closed

Worth visiting in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December. Less suitable in July and August.

Location

Location of Sencelles

Location of Sencelles in Mallorca Palma Alcúdia Sóller Manacor
Location of Sencelles
Population
3,300
Elevation
130 m above sea level
Airport
28 km , around 28 minutes
Hire car
needed
Worth visiting for
a brief stop
Coordinates
39.6464,2.8978

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Getting to know Sencelles

Around 3,300 people live in this village in the Pla, away from the main Palma–Inca road, between Santa Eugènia, Costitx and Binissalem. Expect sandstone, little render, paved lanes and empty streets at two in the afternoon.

The surrounding wineries belong to the Binissalem designation of origin. The grape harvest takes place in September.

Blessed Francinaina

The monuments catch your eye: a statue beside the church and a bronze relief on a wall. For a village this size, there is quite a lot of commemoration.

The reason is Francinaina Cirer, born here in 1781. Although she received no formal schooling, she founded a community of sisters and cared for the sick and poor. She died in the village in 1855 and was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 1 October 1989. Her feast day is 27 February.

Her birthplace is cared for by a religious community and remains a destination for pilgrims, though it is not always open.

Quite apart from religion, it is striking that this village’s best-known story comes from one of its own residents, rather than from outside.

Bronze relief of three religious figures with mitres and a pastoral staff on a stone wall in Sencelles.
Three men with connections to the community. Pope Paul VI is on the left; Pope John Paul II stands in the centre with the ferula, the papal cross-staff. On the right is Joan Molinas (1811–1872), parish priest of Sencelles for decades and a spiritual adviser to Francinaina Cirer. John Paul II beatified her in 1989, which explains their appearance together here.

When to visit

March and October are good months. Almond trees blossom in February, with Francinaina’s feast day on the 27th. September brings the grape harvest.

In July and August, the village is deserted at midday.

Stone statue of a religious sister raising her arm, on a tall plinth beside Sencelles church's sandstone wall, with leaves above.
Sor Francinaina Cirer was born here in 1781 and beatified in 1989. The village remains a pilgrimage destination.

A coffee in nearby Costitx

Costitx lies north-east of Sencelles. Continuing through the Pla, stop at its church square and wander through the little lanes. The Son Corró archaeological site is also along the way.

Photographs

Sencelles in Mallorca

Stone statue of a religious sister raising her arm, on a tall plinth beside Sencelles church's sandstone wall, with leaves above.
SencellesSor Francinaina Cirer was born here in 1781 and beatified in 1989. The village remains a pilgrimage destination.
Bronze relief of three religious figures with mitres and a pastoral staff on a stone wall in Sencelles.
SencellesThree men with connections to the community. Pope Paul VI is on the left; Pope John Paul II stands in the centre with the ferula, the papal cross-staff. On the right is Joan Molinas (1811–1872), parish priest of Sencelles for decades and a spiritual adviser to Francinaina Cirer. John Paul II beatified her in 1989, which explains their appearance together here.
The tall, plain sandstone façade of Sencelles church viewed from below, with a narrow bell gable and side doorway.
SencellesLooking up from below reveals just how high this wall is.
Sencelles parish church in pale sandstone with a tall bell tower, overlooking a square with a tree, monument and parked cars.
SencellesA church, a tree and a monument. The village's monuments have a particular story behind them.
Gnarled old olive tree in a paved square in Sencelles, with a sandstone wall and wooden doorway behind.
SencellesThe olive tree was here before the paving, and stayed when the square was laid out.
Rounded old stone building on a Sencelles street corner, with an arched doorway, wine barrels in front and the church tower behind.
SencellesThis rounded building is an old windmill. It stood here before the road was built, so the road went around it. Wine barrels stand outside today.
Paved square among tall, largely unrendered sandstone buildings in Sencelles, with a tree and a shaded bench.
SencellesPlenty of exposed stone distinguishes Sencelles from the whitewashed villages.

How much time do you have?

Things to do in Sencelles

Three hours

Walk through the centre to the parish church and Francinaina's birthplace, then explore the squares and old courtyard gates.

Half a day

Combine it with Binissalem and its wineries or Santa Eugènia, both less than 15 minutes away.

A full day

Sencelles suits a short stop between other destinations, rather than a full day.

On a rainy day

Little to do in the rain. Head to Inca or Palma instead.

Practical details

Parking
Easy, free parking throughout the village
Public transport
Occasional services from Inca and Palma
Time to allow
Half an hour
Good to know
Francinaina's birthplace is cared for by a religious community and is not always open. Enquire beforehand if that is your main reason for visiting.
Bus
Occasional services from Inca and Palma
Shops and services
Supermarkets: Small village shops · Pharmacy: In the village · Medical care: Local surgery; hospital in Inca · Cash machines: On the main square · Fuel: In Binissalem or Inca
Access
Paved lanes with gentle slopes · Pushchairs: Mostly manageable · Wheelchairs: Main streets accessible · Dogs: No particular difficulties
What you will not find
An attraction with regular opening hours · A beach · Hotels · Much choice of places to eat
Coordinates
39.6464,2.8978 Google Maps Apple Maps

Within reach

Places to visit

Nearby

Round talayot of Son Fred built from large pale stone blocks on grass, surrounded by trees beneath blue sky and clouds. Son Fred 2 km north-east (straight-line distance)

Son Fred is a well-preserved talayot near Sencelles, a round tower built from enormous stone blocks. Duck through …

 Six re-erected stone columns among the low walls of Son Corró, with fields behind. Son Corró 3 km east (straight-line distance)

Son Corró is a small prehistoric sanctuary near Costitx. Six re-erected stone columns stand among low walls. The …

 A glassblower’s hands turning a blowpipe with glowing orange glass over a workbench. Gordiola 9 km south (straight-line distance)

A family glassworks dating back to 1719, beside the road to Manacor in a castle-like building. Watch glassblowers …

 Son Fornés talayot built from large pale blocks with a low entrance, with more walls in front beneath blue sky and clouds. Talaiots de Son Fornés 9 km south-east (straight-line distance)

On a low hill near Montuïri are the remains of a settlement founded almost 3,000 years ago. Massive talayots, low …

 Stone chapel with a bell gable and cypresses beside a broad paved forecourt. Santa Magdalena 10 km north-east (straight-line distance)

A small chapel and a wide view across Mallorca. Santa Magdalena stands on a hill near Inca. The winding climb is …

 A wide view from Santa Llúcia across Mancor de la Vall's rooftops and the wooded plain towards mountains on the horizon. Santuari de Santa Llúcia 12 km north (straight-line distance)

A pilgrimage church on a rocky ledge above Mancor de la Vall, documented since 1275. The terrace looks across much …

 The whitewashed Gràcia buildings directly beneath a huge overhanging cliff, with cypresses and a forecourt in front. Santuari de Gràcia 13 km south (straight-line distance)

The middle of the three religious houses on Puig de Randa, built beneath an overhanging cliff that extends right …

 Plain Consolació pilgrimage church built from rough stone, with a round window and shallow porch, beside a street lamp and pine trees. Santuari de Consolació 14 km south-east (straight-line distance)

A small pilgrimage church on a hill above Sant Joan, reached by a broad stone staircase. There is a well, shade …

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

Costitx 5 km Santa Eugènia 6 km Inca 8 km Sineu 10 km

Your questions answered

Your questions about Sencelles

Who was Sor Francinaina Cirer?

A religious sister born in Sencelles in 1781. Despite having no formal schooling, she founded a community of sisters and cared for the sick and poor. She died here in 1855. Pope John Paul II beatified her on 1 October 1989, and her feast day is 27 February.

Can you visit her birthplace?

A religious community cares for the house, which is a pilgrimage destination but is not always open. Enquire locally in advance if you are making a special trip.

What else is there to see in Sencelles?

The parish church and its bell tower, squares with old olive trees, sandstone lanes with little render, and monuments to Blessed Francinaina. Half an hour is enough for a walk around.

Is Sencelles good for cyclists?

Yes. The surrounding roads are flat, narrow and quiet, and the village is well placed between Santa Eugènia, Costitx, Binissalem and Inca. In spring and autumn, this is one of the island's more pleasant areas for a ride.

Practical questions

When is the best time to visit Sencelles?

Recommended months: January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December.

Is Sencelles worth visiting in July and August?

July: another month may suit you better. Usually very quiet. Too hot; the village is deserted at midday. August: another month may suit you better. Usually very quiet.

How far is Sencelles from Palma airport?

About 28 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 28 minutes by car. Between Santa Eugènia, Costitx and Binissalem, away from the main Palma–Inca road. Parking is straightforward throughout the village.

Do I need a hire car for Sencelles?

A car is needed Occasional services from Inca and Palma

Where can I park in Sencelles?

Easy, free parking throughout the village

Can you swim at Sencelles?

There is no beach here. See the nearby swimming options on this page.

Can I visit Sencelles with a pushchair or wheelchair?

Paved lanes with gentle slopes Pushchairs: Mostly manageable Wheelchairs: Main streets accessible

Are dogs allowed at Sencelles?

No particular difficulties

Words and photographs: . Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.