Andtratx, Mallorca travel guide: where to stay, what to do and what to eat
A 30-min taxi ride from Palma airport will take you to a quiet, less-travelled part of Mallorca on the island’s southwest coast, offering a charming harbour town, sleepy villages, gorgeous sea-views and little local spots.Andtratx is not the place for wild parties, big shopping trips or unforgettable food, but it’s a perfect spot for a quiet, restful escape where the main focus is taking in sunsets and leaving chaos behind. Perfect for a romantic long weekend or a low-key family holiday.Where to Stay in Andtratx, MallorcaZafiro Palace Andratx The phrase all-inclusive has always struck a certain degree of fear into my soul. As someone who travels with a view to imbibing everything about a location, from ticking off tourist must-sees to discovering local gems, the idea of staying put in one spot which may as well be, well, anywhere, has never appealed. Of course, this all changes once you have a baby, and what constitutes a good holiday is now a one-stop shop where all your needs are catered for and your kids are able to have a good time (ergo: you are). Zafiro Palace Andratx is one such place. This elegant, luxury five-star resort is a far cry from the all-you-can-eat Brits abroad image of Spanish resorts. Cut into the rockface in the coastal village of Camp de Mar, the resort is designed with sustainability and the local environment in mind, and has been built to allow for wrap-around views of the bay and mountains.One of the numerous pools at Zafiro Palace AndratxPalace Andratx boasts seemingly innumerable swimming pools, multiple five-star à la carte restaurants and buffet, a spa complete with steam, sauna and treatment rooms and activities for everyone from wine tasting to sunrise sun salutations. Each of the 304 rooms are suites, with the single goal of relaxation and luxury. Each boasts a private balcony, in-room jacuzzi bath and sitting area, and pricier rooms include private pools, living rooms and outside decking. If you’re after a romantic couples escape or an easy family spot to stay put around baby nap schedules, the pool villas are a no-brainer and you never feel shut away, with poolside service to your own private terrace.The hotel is family friendly without feeling overly child dominated (for older kids, Zafiro Palace Alcudia on the north of the island offers kids’ pools and activities), which makes it perfect for a holiday with friends or as a couple, or a first trip with a baby. For the latter, highchairs, sterilisers, travel cots, a baby menu, and on-site babysitting all make it a smooth experience. If you want to break out of the resort life, it’s just a short walk down to the beach, and taxis are easy to come by for jaunts into the local villages. Nightly rates at Zafiro Palace Andratx start from €513 per night with All Inclusive RedefinedWhat to do in Andtratx, MallorcaEnjoy a boat trip to Dragon IslandA boat trip is always top of my list for a beach holiday, and if you’re staying in Andtratx, there are plenty of options. We chartered Zafiro’s fully electric ‘Ilaut’, a traditional Mallorcan fishing boat, which accommodates up to six people. Think stunning Mediterranean views, cove swims and views of the developing villas that punctuate the cliffsides.It’s a perfect opportunity to sail to nearby Sa Dragonera (Dragon Island), an uninhabited nature reserve off the southweast coast, named so for its jagged appearance that looks like a sleeping dragon from some angles. We didn’t get off and explore the island but excursions are an option for keen hikers who can visit Sa Dragonera's old watch towers and abandoned lighthouses and spot the little black Balaeric lizards. All very Jurrasic Park!Gonzalo AzumendiSa Dragonera islandPeruse the shops and weekend market at Village d’AndratxIf your trip falls mid-week, a wander down to Andratx Village market on a Wednesday morning is a fun excursion. This is a working Mallorcan town market for the locals (you’ll find no TikTokkers here… yet), where from 8am-2pm the town centre is taken over by fruit and vegetable stalls, olives, cheeses, cured meats and absolutely enormous pastries, as well as some knock-off designer fare, if that’s your jam.Afterwards, sip an iced tea at La Plaza café and watch the market wrap up before afternoon siesta. Visit nearby Sant ElmIf you’re craving a little more activity, head of the small fishing port village of Sant Elm (or San Telmo) for local shops, restaurants, stunning bay views and an afternoon dipping into that turquoise Mallorcan water and back to the beach. Where to eat in Andtratx, MallorcaTim’s, Port d’AndratxThe culinary offerings around sleepy Port d’Andratx are limited, but Tim's waterfront bar is a perfect spot to sit with an Aperol — or several — and exhale while watching the boats come into the port and listening to the gentle lapping of the water . Burgers, pizza and tapas will line your stomach while at night, live bands play and the ambience gets a little livelier and Tim’s becomes the must-visit spot to enjoy the sunset from.Oliu RestauranteSadly we didn’t make it to Oliu during our trip, but the restaurant, on the site of a former olive press is touted as a must-visit in the area. Between Port Andratx and Andratx, Oliu’s Mediterranean menu changes every three months, and their eight-dish tasting menu (which must be reserved) comes highly recommended, as does their 85-strong wine list.
