Sant Elm – Beach, Coves and History

Sant Elm has developed from a picturesque fishing village into a peaceful and welcoming tourist resort. The town lies opposite the island of Sa Dragonera and the small island of Es Pantaleu. Along the coast, different bathing areas meet opportunities for water activities; the small commercial district also has restaurants and bars.

Beach and Coves

Playa Sant Elm is about 130 metres long and comprises two bathing areas. The larger one has white sand, while the smaller one is pebbly. The two sections therefore differ in their surface, and the approximate length also gives a concrete idea of the beach’s size. Sant Elm beach has showers and a lifeguard. Sun loungers, parasols and pedal boats are available to rent. Before your beach visit, check whether the facilities that matter to you are available.

Cala Es Conills and Cala en Basset are also bathing spots in Sant Elm. Both are pebble beaches where you can swim and sunbathe. At Cala Es Conills, you can also observe Mediterranean marine flora and fauna while snorkelling, among the rocks and in the water. The beach options thus differ in their surface and in the additional opportunity to observe nature while snorkelling at Cala Es Conills.

Townscape and History

Sant Elm has a small commercial district with restaurants and bars. This adds opportunities for a meal or a drink in town to days spent at the beach or on the water.

Historical landmarks include the former sailors’ hospital building, known as Torre de Sant Elm, and La Trapa Monastery. A community of monks founded the monastery in 1810. The Torre is notable for its former use, while La Trapa is notable for its dated founding. These places offer different points of interest if you are curious about Sant Elm’s history as well as its coast.

Excursions and Activities

Boats to Sa Dragonera Natural Park depart from Sant Elm daily. Check the current timetable before travelling so you can plan around the departures in operation. A kayak or paddleboard tour around Sa Dragonera starts at Sant Elm beach and covers around 12 kilometres. Before your trip, check whether this organised tour is offered on your chosen date. Water sports are another option in Sant Elm.

For the Sant Elm–La Trapa circular hike, good footwear and plenty of water are recommended because of the elevation gain and duration. From Sant Elm, Finca Pública La Trapa is also a destination for a short excursion. If you are planning the hike, take the advice on footwear and water into account; the brief description of the finca excursion is a separate practical point of reference.

Plan Your Journey

Sant Elm is accessible by public transport, and there is also a paid car park. Check current connections and parking conditions before travelling, as transport and parking arrangements may change. When choosing Sant Elm as a destination, you can weigh up the bathing areas, excursions and journey there together, without treating the different activities as equivalent.

Discover more destinations: S'arracó, Port D'andratx.

For the overarching travel guide: Andratx.