Artà

Artà is one of the most authentic towns in Mallorca — a place barely touched by tourism, preserving its rural, Mallorcan character completely. The town of 7,500 inhabitants is situated on a hill in the northeast of the island, crowned by the fortified Santuari de Sant Salvador, a pilgrimage church and fortress from the 14th century, accessible from the center via a monumental staircase (180 steps).

The climb to the Santuari is a must: The wide, cypress-lined staircase passes by the parish church Transfiguració del Senyor and leads up to the fortress. Once at the top, a panorama over the rooftops of the old town, the hills of the hinterland, and on clear days, the north coast unfolds. The pilgrimage church itself (originating from the 13th century, expanded several times) houses a revered statue of Mary and an atmospheric cloister.

In the old town, there are winding alleys, traditional craft businesses (ceramics, basket weaving, leather goods), and some of the best small restaurants in the region. The Tuesday market on the Plaça del Conqueridor is small but fine — locals shop here, not tourists.

Just 2 kilometers outside the town lies the settlement of Ses Païsses — a prehistoric Talaiot settlement from the Bronze Age (around 1000 BC), one of Mallorca's most important archaeological sites. The massive Cyclopean wall (up to 3.5 m high, built from huge stone blocks without mortar) encloses a village with a central watchtower (Talaiot), dwellings, and a meeting room. The place is atmospheric — ancient holm oaks overgrow the ruins, and you are often completely alone here.

Ses Païsses: Entry 4€, Mon–Sat 10 am–5 pm (summer until 6 pm). Well signposted from Artà towards Cala Torta.

Artà is also an excellent starting point for hikes: The Llevant Peninsula (Parc Natural de la Península de Llevant) offers marked hiking trails through untouched coastal landscapes with secluded coves only accessible on foot — such as the wild Cala Torta or the remote S'Arenalet des Verger.