What to do in Porto Petro and its surroundings

If you are taking advantage of the winter months to plan your next holiday in Mallorca, here is a destination that should jot down into your itinerary: Porto Petro (or Portopetro). It belongs to the municipality of Santanyí and is located on the southeast coast of the island. It is a privileged place from where you can go to some of the main Mallorcan tourist destinations, such as Cala d’Or – where ROIG has one of its rent-a-car offices in Mallorca, and which is located in the next bay -, Alquería Blanca, Cala Ferrera, Cala Serena or Calonge. So, if you are wondering what to do in Porto Petro and its surroundings, we advise you to pay attention. With our recommendations, you will be yearning to pack your bags as soon as possible.

We assure you that there are many reasons to visit this location, as many as the Danish architect Jørn Utzon, creator of the Sydney Opera House, had to build his residence here.

What to see in Porto Petro

Firstly, we must take the privileged location of Porto Petro into account, in a pleasant bay dotted with coves, two of which – Caló dels Homes Morts and Sa Torre – are sandy. In any case, this is just a small taste of the many places of interest that the area has to offer.

One of the things to do in Porto Petro and its surroundings is simply to let yourself be carried away by the charm of this magical corner of the Balearic geography. In fact, this fishing village has managed to preserve its traditional charm to this day. To prove it, just take a look at the early twentieth century homes you will find, beautiful houses that display multi-coloured blinds.

Without a doubt, the main architectural attraction of this town is the Porto Petro tower, which used to be a watchtower. From it, you can enjoy incomparable views of the Mediterranean and the surrounding area.

Another of our recommendations is to calmly walk along the Porto Petro promenade. There you will find the Porto Petro Sailing Club, which houses a sailing and canoeing school, and a small marina, with pleasure and fishing boats. This is a regular setting for boat trips along the coast of Mallorca. If you are tempted to take part in this activity, remember that there are half-day, full-day and multi-day excursions available, some of which are combined with stops for snorkelling or diving in Mallorca. You can also rent boats and sailing boats to see Porto Petro from a privileged perspective. But that is not all: the port also has a unique image in stall: a constellation of beautiful Majorcan llaüts, which are typical boats of the area. Although in the past they were used for trawling, they are still preserved today because of their aesthetics and because they are a magnificent example of local craftsmanship.

Would you like to take a break? In that case, you can also have a snack in their cafeterias and seafood restaurants, many of them with bright Mediterranean terraces. There you can enjoy a lobster paella at reasonable prices, or taste some of the typical dishes of Majorcan cuisine, such as tumbet or arròs brut. The restaurants of Porto Petro stand out for offering exquisite proposals based on fresh fish, such as gilthead bream, without forgetting quality red meat or rice in all its possible forms of preparation. There are also gourmet and Italian restaurants, as well as English style pubs where you can have a drink. 

As for accommodation in Porto Petro, you should know that there are resorts with all the services, such as gyms, spas, swimming pool or golf course, so that your holiday in Porto Petro lacks absolutely nothing.

What to do around Porto Petro

Although Porto Petro lacks an urban beach, this is no obstacle to making the most of this corner of the Majorcan geography. In fact, this makes it an ideal place for all those who want to stay away from the main tourist poles during the summer. That is why Spanish and Catalan are usually the most used languages even in high season, as the vast majority of its little more than 500 residents are of Mallorcan origin. On the other hand, we should not forget that some of the best beaches in Mallorca are located very close to the city.

One of the beaches near Porto Petro that we recommend is Caló de Sa Torre, which is frequented by swimmers and by the many boats that anchor in the area. Amongst the things to do in and around Porto Petro is a visit to the evocative Cala Figuera, with its beautiful fishing port. You can also go to the village of Santanyí, about 12 minutes from Portopetro, with beautiful streets and a market held every Saturday. With your rental car in Mallorca, you will get there easily. 

Other highlights are the Mondragó Natural Park, just 2 km away. Here are some of the spots you will aloso love: Cala Mondragón, also known as Sa Font de n’Alis; S’Amarador and Caló d’es Burgit. There is also Cala Barca, also known as Cala Barca Trencada. However, this is not the only thing to do in this protected area, as it is an enclave with a rich native fauna and flora. Among its forests and wetlands, you will find one of the best spaces for hiking in Mallorca, with very well signposted routes. It is also possible to tour the Cala Mondragó Natural Park by bike, an unbeatable proposal for those who want to enjoy cycling in Mallorca.

How to get to Porto Petro by car?

From Son Sant Joan airport, it takes less than an hour to get to Porto Petro. Moreover, the road offers good driving conditions. You only have to leave the airport and follow the Ma-19 towards Campos-Santanyí. Once in Santanyí, head for Porto Petro. And if you don’t want to drive, you can hire a taxi from Palma airport or vice versa with ROIG, with the comfort and exclusivity offered by our Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

With our rental cars in Mallorca, it will be very easy for you to move around this territory, without having to worry about public transport. As you have seen, there is a lot to do in Porto Petro and its surroundings , don’t let anyone tell you about it!