Luxury holidays in Santanyí

Santanyí is a rural stronghold on Mallorca’s southeast coast, which feels remarkably mellow due to a peaceful pace of life revolving around lively market days (Wednesdays and Saturdays). There are charming art galleries to browse, cafés with greenery-garlanded courtyards, and – you’ll notice – quite a number of German tourists, with whom the region is very popular, so don’t be surprised to see the odd schnitzel on a menu. It wasn’t always this way though – Santanyí’s coastal setting, which now makes it ideal for beach-seekers, once made it vulnerable to pirate attacks, when the villagers would gather to sleep in the church. The historic city walls and the Porta Murada gate nod to these troubling times, but don’t fear: you’ll be sleeping soundly in a stylishly converted farmhouse after days spent marvelling at the coral expanses of Ses Salines’ salt flats or paddling in aquamarine waters after a hike through Mondragó Natural Park.