The south of Mallorca: natural beach, coves and national park

What defines the south of Mallorca

The three municipalities on this page are small: according to Wikidata, Campos has 12,485 residents, Santanyí 13,067 and Ses Salines 5,248 (all 2025). A long natural beach, salt pans and many separate coves set the scene.

If you stay here, plan on a car: the sights are scattered, and in a straight line Palma is just under 40 kilometres from Es Trenc and about 48 kilometres from Santanyí. If you would rather stay inland, read on under finca holidays.

Es Trenc and Colònia de Sant Jordi

Es Trenc is a long sandy beach on the south coast, in the municipality of Campos. It is part of the Es Trenc-Salobrar de Campos Maritime-Terrestrial Natural Park, which the Balearic Islands declared by Law 2/2017 of 27 June 2017 and which also includes the Campos salt pans. The beach stretches from Sa Ràpita in the north-west to Colònia de Sant Jordi in the south-east. The beach is largely left in its natural state, with only a few buildings on the shoreline. Sea salt is harvested in the salt pans behind it.

Colònia de Sant Jordi is the coastal village of the municipality of Ses Salines. Originally a small fishing settlement called Port de Campos, it was developed from 1879 as an agricultural colony and took its present name at that time. The nearby salt lagoons, now called Salines de s'Avall, were already used to extract salt in the 4th century BC. As well as Es Trenc, the beaches of Es Dolç and Es Carbó are close by. Beaches across the island are compared under beaches.

Cabrera National Park

The Cabrera archipelago lies off the south coast and has been protected as a national park since 29 April 1991. According to Wikipedia the park covers 908 square kilometres, of which 895 square kilometres are sea. The islands have no permanent population and belong administratively to Palma. The highest point of the main island is Na Picamosques at 172 metres.

Colònia de Sant Jordi has the southernmost port in Mallorca, which makes it the closest point for the crossing. Access is regulated: boats may not anchor freely in the natural harbour and use laid moorings instead. The park administration gives details of visiting rules and permits. Organised trips are listed under boat trips.

Santanyí and the coves of the south-east

• Santanyí: As well as the main town, the municipality includes Cala d'Or, Portopetro, Cala Figuera, Cala Santanyí and Cala Llombards, among others. Its coast is about 35 kilometres long. The church is known for its 18th-century organ.
• Cala Figuera: A district of Santanyí with a fishing harbour at the end of a fjord-like inlet, about 60 kilometres south-east of Palma. There is no bathing beach in the village.
• Mondragó Natural Park: Cala Mondragó lies about five kilometres east of Santanyí. It has two sandy beaches, Ses Fonts de n'Alís and S'Amarador, and four signposted short walking trails.
• Cala d'Or: A resort on the south-east coast spread across several coves, such as Cala Gran, Cala d'Or and Cala Llonga. Palma and the airport are about 60 kilometres away.

Less well-known corners of the island are collected under quiet places away from the centres.

Getting there and who the south suits

According to Aena, airport bus line A51 runs between Palma airport and Campos (checked on 2 October 2026). Stops, timetables and fares are published by the bus operator. Car hire is practical for beaches and coves outside the villages. Parking rules at natural beaches change, so check with the relevant town council beforehand.

The south suits you if you want natural beaches and quiet and do not need much evening entertainment. For travellers without a car, or with a focus on city and culture, Palma is the better base. The map shows where each region lies.