Holiday rentals in Santa Ponsa

With its mountainous backdrop, white-sand beaches, and azure waters, Santa Ponsa’s natural attractions have made it a popular resort town all year round. Its big beach, the Playa de Santa Ponsa, stretches across the width of the bay, offering all the usual family-friendly amenities and a good range of watersports, while its small beach, Caló d’en Pellicer, is a quiet cove shaded by pine trees. Just beyond both is the inlet of Sa Caleta, which once housed a medieval market and is now home to the modern marina. Its popular and perennially busy yacht club is a great place to eat, drink, and even fix up an aquatic adventure of your own. Besides the usual amenities such as tennis, golf, and activity parks, there’s plenty of history preserved in the archaeological ruins around the town, from Roman to the Al-Andalus period, while the Tramuntana Mountains are within easy reach for hiking and cycling.

Summer in Santa Ponsa offers the best weather for making the most of the beach, with plenty of sunshine and temperatures that peak in July and August. After dark on 23 July, the beaches are alight with bonfires and dancing for the festival of Nit de Foc (Night of Fire), in honour of Sant Joan. September coincides with Rei En Jaume, a festival commemorating the arrival of medieval King Jaume I at Sa Caleta, on his way to retaking the island from the Moors. Spring and autumn enjoy mild weather, and the town’s year-round community means that even during the winter off-season, businesses remain open and there’s plenty to enjoy.

Malgrats Islands

Beneath the headland at the southern end of Santa Ponsa bay lie two uninhabited islands. Standing out dramatically in the water just a couple of miles from shore, and easily reachable by boat, they’re regularly visited by pods of dolphins. The surrounding waters comprise a 250-acre marine reserve that’s a delight for divers, not least for the sunken frigate alongside.

Sa Morisca Archaeological Park

The Puig de sa Morisca — Moorish peak — is the southern hill overlooking Santa Ponsa, which has been carefully preserved for its prehistoric sites dating back to the Bronze Age. The archaeological significance of the findings is detailed throughout the park, although its flora and fauna are as much of the draw.

Port Adriano

With a sleek, low-slung outline created by a famous French designer and industrial architect, this ultra-chic marina just a 10-minute drive south of the town is a port for superyachts and a haven for all manner of luxury. Its beautiful wooden-slatted interior houses a range of bars, restaurants, and clothing boutiques.