Towns & villages
Artà, Capdepera and Cala Rajada
In the northeast, Artà is a quiet town crowned by the Santuari de Sant Salvador, a walled sanctuary with views over the whole area; there's a market on Tuesdays. On the outskirts is Ses Païsses, one of the best-preserved Talaiotic villages, and towards the sea the Llevant natural park, with trails to the Betlem hermitage and unspoilt coves.
10 minutes away, Capdepera has a medieval castle whose walls you can walk, and below it Cala Rajada, with a fishing port, a lively atmosphere and some of the island's best beaches: Cala Agulla, Cala Mesquida and, along a dirt road, wild Cala Torta.
Artà is worth an unhurried morning. Tuesday is market day and the town gets busy; the rest of the week is calmer for the climb to Sant Salvador. Its two big fiestas are Sant Antoni (16 and 17 January), with the dimonis dancing from early morning, and Sant Salvador on 6 August. The Via Verda also starts in Artà: around 29 km along the old railway line to Manacor, flat and ideal by bike.
In Capdepera the castle is open all year apart from a spell in winter, and on the third weekend of May its Mercat Medieval fills the streets leading up to it with stalls. Heading for the Cala Rajada beaches, mind the car: since May 2026 a barrier has closed the main road access to Cala Agulla, inside the Llevant Natural Park, so park at the municipal car park at Clot de sa Grava. Cala Torta is reached by a dirt track and has no beach bar and no shade: bring water and food, and skip it in rough weather, when the track gets bad and the sea comes in hard.
Frequently asked questions
What day is Artà market?
Tuesday morning. It is one of the liveliest weekly markets in the north-east, with local fruit and vegetables, cured meats, palm-leaf crafts and clothes. Parking in the centre is hard that day, so leave the car on the edge of town and arrive early.
Can you park at Cala Agulla?
Not next to the beach. Since May 2026 a barrier has closed the main access to cars, as it lies inside the Llevant Natural Park, and local police watch the entrances. Use the municipal car park at Clot de sa Grava and walk down.
What can you see in Artà, Capdepera and Cala Rajada in one day?
Artà town and the Sant Salvador sanctuary in the morning, the Talayotic village of Ses Païsses around midday, then the walls of Capdepera castle in the afternoon, finishing at Cala Rajada harbour or with a swim at Cala Agulla or Cala Mesquida.
When is the Capdepera medieval market?
On the third weekend of May, Friday to Sunday. The cobbled streets up to the castle fill with stalls, music and activities, commemorating the Treaty of Capdepera of 1231. Walk or take the bus, as there is nowhere to park in the village those days.
Updated in October 2026
