Ses Salines

About Ses Salines

Ses Salines is a small town and municipality situated in one of the most beautiful parts of southeast Mallorca. This unassuming little place is easy to overlook, but holds clues to the rich history of the island dating back to the Bronze Age.

Find out what makes this location so special with the abcMallorca guide to Ses Salines.

History and Culture of Ses Salines

‘Ses Salines’ is one of the nearest towns to ‘Cap de Ses Salines’ which is the most southerly point of the island of Mallorca. This area has a long tradition of agriculture which still remains. This town is largely residential and retains much of the charm of the past making it a good choice if you want to experience authentic, rural Mallorca.

Together with the nearby town of Colonia Sant Jord’, Ses Salines was prized for the production of salt, particularly by the invading Romans. The name of the town is derived from this activity and literally means ‘source of salt’.

Celebrations still take place today to honor this local tradition. The salt pans today also form the habitat for many different types of birds, making it a haven for bird-watchers from all over the world. Nature lovers will also enjoy this area as it has been designated as an ‘area of special scenic and rural interest’. The natural beauty of Ses Salines is hard to beat due to the rugged coastline and contrast between forests and flat-lands.

History lovers will also find much of interest in this area. There are Bronze Age settlements including the ‘Talaia Joana’ which dates back to the 9th century BC. The town of Ses Salines has many buildings of historical interest to explore including the early 20th century Church of St Bartholomew which was a famous landmark for sailors as it is visible from the sea.

There are also many examples of Catalan architecture including both the golden sandstone (which is typical throughout much of Mallorca) and a local grey and white stone which is more particular to this area.

Shopping Ses Salines

Ses Salines is very much a residential town so you are likely to find adequate amenities for year-round living as well as everything you need for a holiday.

There are no major towns nearby so a large shopping trip will require a car or expedition to the capital of Palma or the larger towns of Llucmajor or Manacor. Ses Salines is famous for salt and honey if you are looking for an authentic souvenir.

There is a regular weekly market every Thursday.

Major Attractions in Ses Salines

As well as the early archaeology there is the national park, exceptional coastline and un-spoilt beaches to explore. The major attractions of Ses Salines are natural. You can also visit the salt flats which are turned into snowy white salt mountains after the annual harvest, which yields around 15,000 tons of salt.

Botanicactus is one of Europe’s largest botanical gardens and is within 3-kilometres of the town. Also close by is the award winning natural beach of ‘Es Trenc’.

The marine reserve of Cabrera is also within easy distance as day boats depart from nearby Colonia Sant Jordi and Cala D’Or.

Things to do in Ses Salines

The beautiful, natural surroundings allow for many enjoyable activities. There is hiking and biking with many very flat areas and cycle paths to explore.

The rocky coastline is perfect for sailing, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba and other watersports. There are also many beautiful neighbouring towns worth visiting.

If you enjoy wine, a day trip Mallorca’s second largest wine region is not too far away, based around the eastern town of Felanitx, with many award winning vineyards to explore.

Restaurants in Ses Salines

There are many excellent restaurants to choose from including Restaurant Es Pinaret which we consider to be one of the best on Mallorca – a real hidden gem. There is also excellent gastronomy to be found in some of the best hotels in this area.

Hotels in Ses Salines

Ses Salines is blessed with excellent hotels within the town such as the historic 13th century mansion of Hotel Ca’n Bonico. There are also a number of boutique rural hotels plus the 4-star Finca Hotel Es Turo, which is close to the exceptional beach of Es Trenc and the botanical gardens.

Events in Ses Salines

There is an agricultural fair held in May with many musical and cultural attractions, plus local arts and crafts for sale.

The annual salt harvest celebration is held every year in April and May both here and in neighbouring Colonia Sant Jordi. The resulting product ‘Flor de Sal’ is highly prized and used by top restaurants and gourmands.

Living in Ses Salines

Ses Salines lies in one of the more remote areas of Mallorca and so is an ideal place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Largely a residential town, you will find that the gentle pace of life differs little here despite a steady trickle of visitors here in the summer months. This is authentic Mallorca with a seasoning of international residents.

Ses Salines is a good choice if you desire natural, beautiful surroundings. The town itself is also very pleasing to eye, particularly for those who enjoy historic architecture. Those looking for a home around Ses Salines are not likely to have very many properties to choose from. Most are older villas, town houses or fincas ranging from 250,000 to around 2.5 million euros.

Surrounding Areas to Ses Salines

For more a more lively coastal resort you can visit neighbouring Colonia Sant Jordi. Nearby historic, rural towns similar to Ses Salines include Campos, Santanyi and Sa Rapita.

The southeast wine region is centred around Felanitx and the eastern ports of Cala D’Or, Portocolom, Cala Figuera and Porto Petro are within easy distance for a day out.

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