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Welcome to the simply spectacular seaside haven of Santa Ponsa! Let’s explore this glorious Spanish resort nestled on Mallorca’s picturesque southwest coast.
This family-friendly destination has been welcoming tourists, especially Brits, since the 1960s. It offers a typical seaside holiday experience with facilities for sunbathing, swimming, watersports and boat trips. There’s also a vibrant nightlife scene concentrated along its main strip, Ramon de Montcada.
Beyond the sandy beaches, Santa Ponsa also boasts world-class golf courses in the Nova Santa Ponsa area (Santa Ponsa I and Santa Ponsa II) and luxury marinas frequented by superyacht owners.
The ancient history of Santa Ponsa traces back to a Roman villa called Sancta Pontia. Later it became the landing site for King Jaume I in 1229 during the reconquest of Mallorca from the Moors.
Sant Ponsa Beaches
Santa Ponsa’s main attraction is its large Blue Flag awarded sandy beach called Playa de Santa Ponsa which stretches over 500 meters wide. This family-friendly beach has shallow waters perfect for paddling, along with lifeguards, sun loungers, pedaloes and parasols available to rent. It’s backed by a lively promenade lined with cafes, restaurants and shops.
There is also a smaller cove in Santa Ponsa called Caló d’en Pallisser which is popular with locals seeking a more peaceful beach experience away from the crowds.
Things To Do
Facilities
There is a good range of facilities for visitors within Santa Ponsa itself. The main beach provides sun loungers, parasols, showers, changing rooms and public toilets. There are also children’s play areas both on the beach and inland.
Souvenir shops and convenience stores selling beach items, snacks and holiday essentials are readily available around the resort. Santa Ponsa also has banks, pharmacies, a post office and a medical centre.
For grocery shopping, there is a small market held in the resort on Saturday mornings and a larger weekly market in nearby Andratx on Wednesdays.
There are also plenty of small supermarkets dotted around the resort.
Activities / Excursions
Boat trips & yacht charters: With two marinas close by, boat trips are very popular. Options range from snorkelling and dolphin watching to trips to Dragonera Island nature reserve. Yacht charters are also available for part days or longer from Club Nautico and Port Adriano.
Watersports: Choices include pedalos, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and jet skiing for thrillseekers.
Scuba diving: Suitable for all levels from beginners to instructors at ZOEA Dive Center in Club Nautico Marina with over 30 dive sites off Mallorca’s coast.
Golf: Golf Santa Ponsa I is located right in the resort. This 18-hole, par 72 course has hosted the European PGA Tour several times. There are also 2 other golf courses located nearby – Golf Santa Ponsa II and Golf Santa Ponsa III.
Tennis: Available to play or take lessons at Santa Ponsa Tennis Club which has clay and grass courts.
Theme parks: Jungle Parc adventure playground features tree-top rope courses, bridges and zip wires tailored for both kids and adults.
Waterparks: Western Water Park in Magaluf next door has pools, rapids and slides.
Hiking & biking: Santa Ponsa’s close proximity to the Tramuntana Mountains provides great terrain for energetic pursuits.
Nature: Opportunities to see wildlife include feeding the parrots in Sa Morisca Park and watching ducks around town.
Guided excursions to attractions further afield are also offered including Palma city, the Caves of Drach and Son Amar show.
Attractions
Santa Ponsa doesn’t have many attractions within the town itself besides its lovely beaches. However, there are interesting historic and natural sites to visit in the surrounding region.
These include:
- Sa Caleta Cove: Now home to Santa Ponsa Marina, this is where King Jaume I arrived in 1229 to re-conquer Mallorca from the Moors. A large commemorative stone cross marks the site.
- Sa Morisca Park: Beautiful nature spot with archaeological remains spanning the Moorish and Roman eras.
- Galatzó Mountain Peak: Reputed to have magical qualities, this scenic hiking destination towers over Santa Ponsa.
- Andratx Market: Large, vibrant weekly open-air market selling an abundance of fresh produce, street food and artisan wares.
Bars / Pubs & Restaurants
There is an excellent variety of places to eat and drink in Santa Ponsa to suit all tastes and budgets.
Over 100 restaurants range from family-friendly cafes to upscale dining. There are also many lively bars and pubs, largely concentrated along the main tourist strip Ramon de Montcada which comes alive each night.
Irish and Scottish themed venues attract partygoing visitors while sophisticated wine bars can also be found in the marinas.
Seafood, steak, Italian, Indian, Chinese and of course Spanish cuisine feature prominently across Santa Ponsa’s vibrant food and drink scene.
Port
Santa Ponsa has two marinas. Club Nautico Santa Ponsa is located in a sheltered natural cove area known as Sa Caleta. It houses boats up to 20 meters long.
The larger and more prestigious Port Adriano marina on the outskirts of town caters to luxury yachts and superyachts. It hosts various events during the summer season.
Both marinas offer fine dining restaurants with sea views as well as organizing boat trips.
Golf Course
Golf Santa Ponsa is the main golf course situated right within Santa Ponsa. This 18-hole, par 72 championship course sprawls over 6,543 meters and has been ranked among the top five courses in Spain.
Its signature 10th hole at 590 meters is one of the longest par 5’s in Europe. Golf Santa Ponsa has welcomed prestigious tournaments on the European Tour and also has extensive practice facilities.
Beyond the town, there are various private golf communities in the Nova Santa Ponsa area connected to luxury villa complexes with mountain or sea views.
History
The earliest known history of Santa Ponsa traces back to a Roman villa named Sancta Pontia, meaning ‘Holy Bridge’. Later when the Moors occupied Mallorca, agriculture became important in the area.
In 1229, the landmark re-conquest of Mallorca began with King Jaume I of Aragon landing his army in Santa Ponsa at what is now known as Sa Caleta cove.
This heralded the start of Christian rule over the island. The inlet is marked with a stone cross erected in 1929 to honour the 7th centenary of Jaume I‘s arrival.
Santa Ponsa remained a small farming community for centuries until tourism boomed in the 1960s with hotels and holiday apartments springing up to cater to package holidaying visitors, especially from Britain.
A distinctly international atmosphere still pervades present day Santa Ponsa which hosts many different nationalities but retains much pride in its history.
Best Places To Stay
Santa Ponsa offers every type of accommodation from package holiday hotels to luxury villas. Prime locations include the beachfront across the bay from the big main beach, the marinas where certain hotels have their own boat jetties, and the Nova Santa Ponsa golf resort areas with spectacular sea views.
Good budget options are the apartment complexes set slightly back from the waterfront while avoiding the northern end of town which can be noisy.
For sheer exclusivity though, the grand villas at Nova Santa Ponsa take the top prize starting from around €1 million up to €11 million for decadent detached properties with pools, gardens and tight security.
Santa Ponsa Weather
| Month | oC | High oC | Low oC | Sea oC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9 | 14 | 4 | 15 |
| Feb | 9 | 14 | 4 | 14 |
| Mar | 11 | 14 | 5 | 15 |
| Apr | 14 | 19 | 8 | 16 |
| May | 18 | 23 | 12 | 18 |
| Jun | 22 | 27 | 16 | 22 |
| Jul | 24 | 29 | 18 | 25 |
| Aug | 25 | 30 | 19 | 26 |
| Sep | 21 | 26 | 16 | 25 |
| Oct | 18 | 23 | 13 | 22 |
| Nov | 13 | 18 | 8 | 19 |
| Dec | 10 | 15 | 5 | 16 |
Santa Ponsa enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers and cooler winters with modest rainfall.
Average temperatures reach around 31°C during the hottest month of August. The mercury often peaks above 35°C at the height of summer while highs of 15-16°C prevail from December to February marking the coolest period.
Sea breezes help moderate the heat while a mountain backdrop provides some winter shelter.
With 300 days of annual sunshine, any time is ideal to visit lovely Santa Ponsa.
Santa Ponsa Weather Facts
- The average annual temperature is 17°C. The warmest months on average are July and August (24-25°C) and the coldest months are January and February (9°C).
- The average monthly high temperature ranges from 14°C in January/February to 29°C in July. The range between average highs and average lows each month is about 10°C.
- The sea temperature lags behind the air temperature by about 1-3 months. It peaks at 26°C in August, compared to the air temperature peak in July.
- All months have an average high temperature between 14-30°C. No extreme hot or cold temperatures. This is typical for a Mediterranean climate.
- The lowest average monthly temperature overall is the February low of 4°C. So even the coldest nights stay above freezing on average.
- The average yearly high temperature of 23°C means hot summer days predominate. But the average low of 12°C means cooler nights and mild winters still occur.
Sant Ponsa Weather FAQ
The weather is mild and sunny year-round. The average annual temperature is a pleasant 17°C. Summers are hot with average highs around 27-30°C, while winters see highs of 14-15°C.
July and August are the warmest months. Average temperatures are 24-25°C with average highs of 29-30°C. The sea temperature peaks in August at 26°C.
Majorca has very low rainfall most of the year. The wettest months are October-January when brief storms occur, but even then sunshine dominates.
No, Majorca has a dry climate. While heatwaves can occasionally spike humidity in summer, the rest of the year is comfortable.
While winters are mild compared to other European destinations, temperatures dip to 8°C on average. Pack layers and light jackets, especially for evenings.
Yes, summer nighttime lows average 16-19°C so evenings are comfortable after hot days. But some heatwaves spike night temperatures over 20°C.
Definitely! From May to September, averages range from 21-26°C which is perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and beach activities.
Getting There
Santa Ponsa is only 30 minutes drive from Palma de Mallorca Airport so hiring a rental car provides the fastest and most convenient way to reach the resort.
Taxis are plentiful and cost around €50 each way.
Buses run from the airport via Palma city to Santa Ponsa, taking just over an hour.
Once within Santa Ponsa itself, exploring the extensive beachside promenade area is best done on foot.
Buses connect Santa Ponsa to neighbouring towns and beyond including Magaluf, Palma, Andratx and more.
There are also boat trips available from the marinas out to destinations such as Dragonera Island Nature Reserve.
Sant Ponsa FAQ
Yes, Santa Ponsa is a lovely seaside resort on Majorca’s scenic southwest coast. It has beautiful beaches, great weather, lots of amenities, good restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife.
Santa Ponsa is famous primarily for its main Blue Flag sandy beach, Playa de Santa Ponsa, which stretches over 500 meters wide. It also has world-class golf courses that have hosted the European Tour, and luxury marinas with expensive yachts.
Yes, it has a lively nightlife scene concentrated along its main tourist strip Ramon de Montcada, with many bars, pubs and clubs that come alive each night. It attracts a younger, party-going crowd.
No, Santa Ponsa doesn’t have an old historical town. Its history traces back to a Roman villa and Moorish agriculture. It only became a developed resort town in the 1960s.
There are no specifically named famous residents. However, the luxury villa complexes in the Nova Santa Ponsa area are said to have tight security, likely indicating wealthy and elite owners.
Yes, it attracts many Irish visitors and has several Irish-themed pubs and bars. Brits also comprise a large number of tourists there.
Irish tourists likely go to Santa Ponsa because it is easy to reach from Ireland, provides a typical sunny seaside resort holiday experience, and offers Irish/British-style pubs and familiar food. The area also caters well to English speakers.
Yes, Santa Ponsa has souvenir shops, convenience stores, grocery stores, supermarkets, banks, pharmacies and more concentrated around the tourist areas and beaches.
Santa Ponsa has a small Saturday morning market in the resort itself. For a larger market, the Andratx weekly open-air market is held on Wednesdays nearby.
The main tourist strip with concentrations of bars, restaurants and nightlife is called Ramon de Montcada.
Yes, there is a small weekly market held in Santa Ponsa on Saturday mornings.
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Mark Kaye is a travel writer and content creator living in Majorca, Spain. Originally from the UK, Mark moved to the island and quickly fell in love with Majorcan culture, food, and scenic landscapes. When he’s not busy writing detailed guides about Majorca’s top tourist attractions and hidden local gems, you can find him out exploring coastal trails or wandering the streets of Palma’s Old Town in search of his next great restaurant discovery.
