Arta is a small cosy village on the North East of Mallorca that has retained its quiet charm despite Mallorca's increased popularity on the tourist map. Cottage industries still thrive in these parts and here traditional raffia and straw weavers still practice their craft. On Tuesdays, Arta wakes from its every day life routine when the weekly market is held.

Towering above this charming village is Santuari of Sant Salvador. It is free to enter the sanctuary and the view you get from the top is well worth the climb. There is a narrow road to the top that is accessible by car should you choose to preserve your knees. Santuari of Sant Salvador is open daily.

Featuring a number of fascinating archaeological sites and historic buildings, Arta is a village with strong connections with the past. Set amidst oak woods and almond trees, the Talayot de Ses Paises are remnants of a bronze-age 3000-year-old settlement, and the Museum of Arta features relics found during the excavations of the area.


Arta is also an ideal base for excursions to nearby villages. To the east is Cala Ratjada, a former fishing hamlet with a breathtaking coastline. Here, seafront bars and good fish restaurants abound. To the South East of Arta, you will find the legendary Arta Caves an alluring honeycomb of caverns which open out to the Capdepera east coast.

Arta Culture
A town with a population of 6000, Arta has always been very popular amongst German tourists, to the point where German has officially been accepted as the official language of Arta.


Regardless, Arta has far from forgotten its roots and traditions. On the 17th of January every year, the town pulls together for one of the most traditional celebrations in the Baliearics, the Fiesta de Sant Antoni Abat, a festival where the town folk dress up in traditional costumes and dance and sing on the streets. To celebrate the triumph of good over evil, huge bonfires are lit in the town square and people dance around the flames. You will find individuals on horseback as well, some dressed as devils brandishing big sticks. As the bonfires die down, the town folk barbeque local sausages, mainly sobrassada, llonganisses and botifarrons, over the glowing embers.

Recommended Books

German Paradise Mallorca: A Funny Telling

Majorca Paradise Not Lost: Living the dream on a Spanish island For two unforgettable years, writer Chuck Maisel and aspiring painter Carroll Graham lived the dream of a lifetime. Living in a timeless village on the Mediterranean island of Majorca, the two friends discover that fantasy can truly become reality. In this charming memoir, Chuck recalls the high humor and deep profundity of daily life on a foreign island, the heart-swelling beauty of place and people, and the wonderful events that brought him maturity, wisdom, joy, and eternal memories. Meet a captivating cast of characters that includes famous authors, painters, and a movie actress.

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