Colònia de Sant Jordi
The best base for Es Trenc and Cabrera
A quiet coastal town on Mallorca’s south coast — with the island’s best beaches at
your doorstep.
Why this corner of Mallorca?
Most visitors head to Palma or the northwest coast. Colònia de Sant Jordi is the south: slower, quieter, and closer to the beaches that actually make it onto postcards.
It’s a small working port town where you can walk to the sea in five minutes, eat fresh fish by the harbour, and reach Es Trenc or Cabrera without a tour bus in sight.
If you want Mallorca without the crowds, this is where locals would point you.
Beaches
Just minutes from Mallorca’s most iconic beaches
Es Trenc
The one everyone comes for. A long stretch of white sand, shallow turquoise water, and natural dunes. No hotels, no boardwalk. It feels more like a Caribbean beach than a Mediterranean one
Es Carbó
Quieter than Es Trenc and harder to reach, which is exactly the point. If you want a beach almost to yourselves, this is it. Walk or take a small boat from Colònia.
Es Dolç
Sheltered, bright blue water, and calm enough for swimming year-round. Our favourite for a late afternoon dip when Es Trenc gets busy.
Our tip: In July and August, head to the beach before 10am. By noon the parking fills up and Es Trenc gets crowded. Early morning is worth it, the light on the water is something else.
Nearby villages
Three villages worth a morning
Ses Salines
A ten-minute drive inland, and a different feel entirely. The town sits next to the old salt flats that gave it its name — you can still see them shimmering from the road. The main street has a handful of good delis, a few local ceramics shops, and the kind of Saturday market where you’ll end up buying olive oil, sobrassada, and dried herbs you didn’t know you needed. If you go on a market day, stop for a coffee at the main square and watch the town do its thing.
Santanyí
Stone streets, honey-coloured buildings, and a tree-lined square with one of the best Wednesday markets on the island. It draws people from across the south coast — fresh produce, leather goods, handmade soaps, local art. Outside of market day, it’s quieter but worth the visit for the old town alone. Walk through the medieval gate, find a table at one of the square’s cafés, and don’t rush.
Cala Figuera
Not a beach, a narrow harbour carved into the cliffs, with fishing boats still tied up below the houses. Fishermen bring in the catch every morning, and the restaurants along the water serve it the same afternoon. Go for the views, stay for lunch, and bring a camera. It’s one of the most photographed spots on the south coast, and somehow it still hasn’t been spoiled.
Discover
Cabrera Archipelago National Park
A protected sea-and-land paradise, 45 minutes by boat
One of the best-preserved marine ecosystems in Spain. Access is limited by permit, which keeps it quiet and pristine — the water is absurdly clear, and the snorkelling is the best you’ll find in the Balearics.
Boats leave from Colònia’s port, and you can do a full-day trip with swimming stops and a visit to the old castle.
Our tip: Book your Cabrera tickets online as soon as you know your dates. In July and August, they sell out days in advance.
About the town
A town built around the sea
Colònia de Sant Jordi is small and flat — you can walk from one end to the other in ten minutes. It’s still a working fishing port, which means fresh seafood at the harbour restaurants and a pace that hasn’t been taken over by tourism.
There’s no high-rise strip, no nightclub district. It’s the kind of place where you fall into a rhythm: morning at the beach, afternoon reading on the terrace, evening at a table by the port. Most of our guests say a few days felt like a proper break.
We grew up on this coast, and honestly, that rhythm is why we chose to open Lavendel here.
About transportation
Getting here & getting around
From Palma Airport
Palma Airport (PMI) is 48 km away, about 40 minutes by car on a straightforward motorway south.
The easiest option is a private transfer: a driver meets you at arrivals and brings you directly to Colonia de Sant Jordi for €60–80 (up to 4 people). We can arrange it, just get in touch when you book.
If you prefer public transport, bus line 530 connects Palma to Colònia de Sant Jordi in around 90 minutes. Departures are infrequent, so check the timetable in advance.
Getting around
Once you’re here, you won’t need a car for daily life. The port, supermarkets, restaurants, and the town beach are all within a ten-minute walk from Lavendel.
For Es Trenc, a bike is the best way — it’s a flat 15 minute ride along a path through the dunes. Bike rentals are available locally.
A car is handy if you want to explore the weekly markets in Santanyí or Ses Salines, but most guests never feel the need.
Our tip: most guests arrive by transfer and don’t touch a car again until they leave.
Pack light and let the island slow you down.
Day to day
Everything within walking distance
Groceries and basics
Everything you need is within a three-minute walk. There’s an Eroski supermarket one minute from the door, a bakery nearby for breakfast, and a launderette two minutes down the road if you’ve packed for a longer trip.
One thing to know: most shops in Colònia close between 13:00 and 17:00 for siesta. Plan your errands for the morning or evening and you’ll never run short.
Where to eat
The best restaurants in Colonia de Sant Jordi cluster along Carrer Gabriel Roca, right by the port. Two we always point guests to:
Port Blau (since 1965)
One of the oldest restaurants on the south coast. Come for the caldereta de llagosta — Mallorca’s traditional lobster stew. It’s the dish this town is known for, and they do it right. Go hungry.
Cassai Beach House
Lighter dishes, well-made cocktails, and a terrace with sunset views over the water. Good for a long afternoon or a drink before dinner.
Our tip: in high season, book dinner a day ahead — especially Port Blau. Tables fill quickly. And don’t plan to eat before 20:30. This is Mallorca, and the evenings are long for a reason.
Our tip: Bring some cash
Beach kiosks, market stalls, and some car parks in the area don’t take cards. A little cash goes a long way — especially if you’re planning a day at Es Trenc or a morning at the Santanyí market.
There’s a pharmacy in the town centre for anything you might need. For medical assistance, IMS Medical offers a 24-hour English-speaking service. Hospital de Manacor is 30 minutes by car.
