Things to do in Artà

Artà is an inland town in the north-east, all steep streets and stone houses, crowned by the sanctuary of Sant Salvador and its walls. You climb up a stairway lined with cypresses, and from the top you can see across the plain to the sea. On the edge of town, the Talaiotic settlement of Ses Païsses keeps its cyclopean wall and stone gateway among the holm oaks: one of the best places on the island to understand Mallorca before the Romans.

The municipality reaches the coast through the Parc Natural de Llevant, which has never been built on: low hills, dirt tracks and coves such as Cala Torta, open and wild, reached along a narrow track. To the north, Betlem and Colònia de Sant Pere are small seaside villages, and Platja des Caló, with sand and calm water, works well with children. In town, Bar Central is the place for a drink on the main street, and Licors Moyà still makes the traditional herb liqueurs.

Getting there

From Palma it's about 75 kilometres, around an hour and ten minutes by car via Manacor or Inca. TIB buses run to Artà from Palma's Estació Intermodal. In town, park on the outskirts and walk up, as the centre is narrow. For the Llevant coves you'll need a car and some patience on the tracks.

When to go

Spring is the best season: the Llevant park is green and good for walking. The town market is on Tuesday mornings. On 16 and 17 January, Sant Antoni fills the streets with dimonis and bonfires, and it's the most heartfelt festival of the year. In summer, go to the coves early or late in the day.