About Puerto Andratx an surrounding areas

The municipality of Andratx is in the extreme south west corner of Majorca, and approximately 20 miles west of the capital Palma. Overall the municipality covers an area of 82km2, and encompasses the towns of:

Puerto Andratx
Port d'Andratx
S'Arracó
Sant Elm
Camp de Mar.

A fairly good motorway takes you part of the way, but as yet to extend as far as the west coast, as a consequence transfer time is generally around 45 minutes from leaving the airport grounds.

The latest census of the area showed a resident population of around 8,000 people, although during the summer months this figure can grow to around 24,000, illustrating the importance of the area to the islands tourist industry.

Most visitors to the area don't as a rule tend to be on the traditional package holiday, and most of the major tour operators in the UK don't as yet include the town in their summer sun offerings. However, most of the visitors to tend to be independent travellers who do prefer to make their own travel and accommodation arrangements into the town.

As with a number of the other more traditional towns on Majorca, there is both an inland residential area called Andratx, and a coastal development called Puerto Andratx. Puerto Andratx was the site of the original fishing harbour, and it is here that most of the tourist development has taken place over the last few years.

Despite the recent residential development of the rugged headlands that are a feature of the coastline in the south west of Majorca, Puerto Andraitx has still somehow managed to retain an authentic Majorcan feel. Although commercial fishing is still carried out here, albeit on a very small scale, without a doubt the major feature of the town is the large new marina with provision for over 300 moorings.

Something this resort does really lack is a beach, although if you are prepared to move out of the town, you will find an excellent beach 3 miles down the coast at the nearby resort of Camp de Mar.

For most visitors to the resort the lack of a beach isn't really a great problem. Instead they prefer to use Puerto Andratx as a convenient base from which to explore some of the more remote areas of the west coast of the island and beyond.

As we mentioned above, the original residential town of Andratx was built slightly inland from the port to act as a defence against pirate attacks. Evidence of this can still be seen today around the upper part of the town with its narrow cobbled streets and the almost the fortress like church of Santa Maria. The view back over the old town to Puerto Andratx makes the uphill walk well worth while. During the 13th Century, Andratx was an important centre of the Majorcan culture with the Bishop of Barcelona and King Jaime I having homes here.

The range and number of shops in Puerto Andratx is also somewhat limited, although in all fairness there should certainly be enough to satisfy the everyday holiday needs whilst you are away. In addition, every Wednesday, with the exception of public holidays and fiesta days, the local street market is held in the centre of Andraitx. There's usually a good selection of locally produced fruit, vegetables and crafts on offer, but you'll need to haggle to secure the best bargains.

The market place in Andratx Old Town is also the site of the annual "Fira Agricola y Ramadera" or Agricultural and Animal Fair, which takes place on the first Sunday of May each year, although for most visitors this is still a little early in the season.

The other more popular annual events in the area also form part of the islands fiesta calendar. The first event takes place around the 29th of June with the fiesta of San Pedro, and is then quickly followed a couple of weeks later on the 16th of July with the fiesta of Our Lady of Carmen, which also features a colourful boat procession around the marina.

Majorca may not be the first place you think of to see fine examples of classic British sports cars. However, from time to time during the summer months The Classic Car Club of Port d'Andratx meet and show off their proud possessions to the crowds of admiring onlookers. For further information on the dates of forthcoming events please contact:
The Classic Car Club of Port d'Andratx
C/ Almirante Riera, 2
07157
Port d'Andratx
Telephone: +34 971 671 198
Fax: +34 971 673 113

Certainly well worth a mention here is the Dragonera Natural Park and the Dragonera Island, which is really a 6km long rock that is named because of its likeness to a dragon's back rising out of the water. This is located in the idylic Resort of Sant Elm,a typical majorcan fishersmen Resort. In 1987 this area of the island was designated a natural conservation area, and has since then enjoyed the protection of the Majorca Council from commercial development. Regular boat trips leave from the marina at Puerto d'Andratx to make the short trip out to Dragonera Island, where there is a small museum and evidence of a Roman settlement at the Cova de sa Font. Although at its nearest point the island is only 700 metres from the mainland, separated by the ‘Es Freu' channel, private visits to the island are allowed but only with an official permit from the local council offices.

You can reach us under: +34 971 86 77 00 or send us an e-mail