The small and gentile town of Santa Margalida is 45 minutes from Palma. Full of charm, the village – known locally as La Vila – was originally a Moorish farmstead. Today, it is at the centre of a traditional rural landscape and gives visitors a fascinating glimpse into a part of Majorca that most visitors never even see.
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The town of Santa Margalida gives a picture of Majorcan life that has all but disappeared on the coastline. The large central square, with tables and chairs scattered beneath shady plane tress, is impressively spacious with the usual selection of tapas bars, as well as a genuine pizzeria and an up market coffee shop offering cakes, tartes and sugary ensaimadas. The town has banks, butchers, bakers and shops a plenty, as well as a small but well stocked supermarket handily situated on the road in from Cana Joana.
Just out of town on the Ca’n Picafort road is an excellent restaurant in an old manor house, whilst the low key resort of Son Serra de Marina is no more than 10 minutes by car and has some of the best beaches in the area as well as a number of good seafood restaurants. There are numerous activities that are laid on here including windsurfing, scuba diving and the more sedentary leisurely boat trips around the bay.
The parish church is the most outstanding building; it is situated on top of a hill in the area of Santa Margalida. Though its style has many Gothic features, which is common on Mallorca. It has a single nave with a cross-vault roof and six lateral chapels down each side. Inside are some Gothic painting and a series of Baroque altarpieces. From the church itself there is a viewpoint which offers panoramic views over the local countryside.
The Festival of the Beata, which is the most characteristic procession of Mallorca, takes place at Santa Margalida on the first weekend of September. The origins of this festival are thought to be linked to the festivals of the Festes de Santa Margalida, held throughout the island to celebrate the beatification of Sister Caterina Tomàs, who is widely worshipped on Mallorca.
If such a fast paced environment isn’t to your taste, then you might be tempted to try your hand at horse riding. This slow paced, easy way to spend an afternoon can be done at the Rancho Grande, and as the translation suggests, enables the visitor to canter along through grand scenery at a more comfortable pace. Gentle forms of leisure don’t end there, and for those who are keen golf enthusiasts, you really are spoilt for choice in this region. With up to six courses to choose from within 30 km, you are free to put your golfing abilities to intensive testing during your stay here!
Whilst these activities provide a taste as to what can be found in and around Santa Margalida, an area well worth visiting is the Parc Natural de s’Albufera. The largest and one of the most important wetland areas in the entire Balearics, this designated natural park is homed for wildlife. A network of footpaths runs through the parkland which enables the visitor to explore freely at their own leisure.
A weekend in Santa Margalida guarantees that you will never get bored. Get ready to Unwind into life Santa Margalida style and catch the unhurried bug while you still can!