Mallorca North & West Tourism Guide - Arta

Arta History

Arta is Mallorcan through and through. For history, churches, fine Mallorcan food and a rather interesting annual festival, the Festa de Sant Antoni Abat, held every January you won't find better on Majorca.

Head first for the Santuari de Sant Salvador d'Arta high on a hill above Arta. This sanctuary is on top of a Moorish site. It's surrounded by walls and the style is neo-classical. There's a café up there as well, most welcome after your climb up for spectacular views again!

The Festa de Sant Antoni Abat is a full on affair, with everyone in the town dressing up in traditional costume, running rampant with lots of dancing and singing. Some dress as devils and ride horses brandishing big sticks. A superb bit of theatre not to be missed!

Drinking and shopping are on the menu in Arta, true Mallorcan style as well. Tuesday is market dayor check out C/Antoni Blands and C/Ciutat which is a large pedestrian street crammed with restaurants, bars and lots of shops.

Ses Paisses Megalithic Settlement

Close to Arta is one of the most important site of ruins on the island, a megalithic settlement called Ses Paisses which dates back to 1000-800 BC and the Bronze Age. Find it just 2km south of Arta on a low hill, surrounded by a wood of oak trees and fields of almond trees.

There's a small kiosk near the impressive large stone portal entrance to the village. Entrance fee is around 1.30 euros. Open April to October, 10am-7.30pm daily, and November to March from 10am-6pm Tuesdays to Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Ses Paisses, Comi de sa Corbaia, Tel: 691 07 00 10.