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Capdepera, Mallorca, Things to do and see, hotels, market
Capdepera is built around the large medieval castle – and probably the area’s biggest attraction – the impressive Castell de Capdepera. In the past, Capdepera consisted exclusively of small houses built within the mighty walls, but has since evolved.
Capdepera’s long and exciting history is manifested in the village’s narrow streets that run up and down the mountain slopes. You will find authentic Mallorcan charm, stunning views and plenty of opportunities for leisure activities.
Moreover, Capdepera is home to the wonderful beach resorts of Cala Ratjada and Cala Mesquida.
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Why visit Capdepera
Things to do in Capdepera
As you will find out, Capdepera is a wonderful area to discover. It has a perfect blend of authenticity, unspoiled natural areas and modern amenities.
Castell de Capdepera
The castle of Capdepera is one of the most iconic constructions and fortresses in this part of the island. It was build around a former watchtower in the early 14th century, and soon after developed and became an entire village. The castle conserves an impressive military architecture and cultural heritage that you owe yourself to experience.
Torre de Canyamel
This stunning fortress was initially built to protect the farmers of the area against raids in the late Middle Ages. Today, Torre de Canyamel serves as an exhibition space, authentic restaurant and monument of cultural heritage.
Torre Cega / Palau de Can March
Former summer residence of Joan March and his wife Elinor, has been transformed to an impressive exhibition space featuring one of the most interesting sculpture parks found on the island.
Cuevas de Artà
The Ártà caves are some of the most impressive and popular stalagmite caves to visit on the island, along with Cuevas del Drach (Dragon Caves) and Cuveas de Hams. Let yourself seduce by the magical yet mysterious artworks of Mother Nature herself.
Enjoy some of the best golf courses on the island
Capdepera is a golfer’s paradise, with 3 amazing courses located with 10 minutes from the town. All three courses (Capdepera Golf, Canyamel Golf and Son Servera Golf) offer a 18-hole challenging course set in stunning surroundings.
Capdepera lighthouse
This stunning lighthouse was built in the middle of the 19th century in one of the most beautiful positions overlooking the entire bay of Cala Ratjada. The lighthouse is a popular destination for photographers, walkers and cyclists who come to absorb the breathtaking views from up here.
Relax on one of the wonderful beaches
Mallorca is home to some of the very best beaches in Europe, thus the popularity of this destination. In the municipality Capdepera, you will find some amazing beaches to visit such as the Font de sa Cala, Cala Mesquida, Canyamel, Cala Gat Son Moll, Cala Aguilla and many others, all perfect for relaxing, beach activities and swimming.
Road cycling
Cycling is by far one of the most popular sports to do in Mallorca. The hilly terrain of the northeastern part of Mallorca and the network of paved roads makes it both fun and easy to discover the charming countryside.
Enjoy a scenic walk in the beautiful area
Capdepera offers numerous great walks and trails to follow. Some of the most emblematic walks in Capdepera will take you to the old lighthouse in Cala Ratjada and to the ancient watchtower of Son Jaumell, both offer amazing views over the northeastern coast.
Cruise the east coast of Mallorca
Head down to the charming harbor in Cala Ratjada and board one of the boats to cruise the beautiful coast. There are a number of different trips to choose from, you can do dolphin safaris, full-day trips, half-day trips, sunset or sunrise trips, all incredibly scenic and beautiful. During most of the boat cruises, you will stop in some of the hidden gems along the coastline where you can go for a swim in the clear turquoise water.
Go on a scuba diving adventure
Visit one of the local diving centers and find the right excursion for you. Together with an instructor, you will dive to some of the most stunning and fascinating places under the surface of the sea. Caves, reefs and valleys full of marine vegetation and colorful creatures awaits in the deep blue, it is a magical and truly memorable adventure.
Discover the Llevant nature park
The Llevant nature park is a protected natural area in the Llevant mountain range. In here, you will find some scenic trails leading about between hundreds of species of Balearic and Mediterranean wildlife. You can walk to some of the most beautiful panoramic viewpoints overlooking the coast, visit the iconic hermitage of Betlem, the ancient military barracks and smell the scents of the unspoilt nature up here, it is a truly magical place to visit for any nature lover or walker.
Discover the area from the saddle
Horseback riding is another very popular and fun thing to do in Capdepera. There are multiple stables offering tours that will take you to some of the most beautiful places in the local area. Particularly riding along the beaches is a magical experience, especially by sunset.
Book your trip
FAQ
Here are the best accommodation options in Capdepera:
Capdepera is located in the northeastern corner of Mallorca, approximately 76 km (~47 miles) from Palma airport. The transfer time by car or taxi is about 55 minutes to an hour.
A taxi from the airport will cost about 90 euros.
If you prefer a more comfortable transfer, consider an air-conditioned private minibus. Book here
The weekly market in Capdepera is held every Wednesday morning, starting around 8 am. If you visit during May, you can experience Mallorca’s only medieval market held at the old castle.
Market and Events in Capdepera
Weekly market in Capdepera
The weekly market in Capdepera is held Wednesday morning in the Plaça de l’Orient in the heart of the village. At the market, you can sample and purchase a wide range of local products such as sweet figs and almonds, delicious olive oil, fruits and vegetables etc. You can also find a selection of the popular palm-leaf crafts emblematic to the area. The market starts around 8 in the morning.
On Saturdays you can find another market in Cala Ratjada, this one with more focus on tourists.
Events and festivities in Capdepera
January
Sant Antoni
Sant Antoni is one of the oldest and most beloved traditions in Mallorca and widely celebrated in most villages on the island. Sant Antoni Abat is protector of animals and therefore have a special place in the agricultural areas of Mallorca. The festivities are held in the evening on January 16, while blessings are held on the actual day of Sant Antoni on the 17th.
Sant Antoni is one of the most traditionbound festivities in Mallorca dating back from early Christian times in the 13th century, and has a special place in the hearts of the Mallorcan people. During the evening, you can experience demons dancing in the streets, fireworks, bonfires, open-air dinners, traditional dances and musical performances etc. This is one of the best times to get acquainted with Mallorcan culture.
May
Medieval Market (BIG ATTRACTION)
Every year during the third week of May, you can travel back to medieval times in Capdepera. The market will be held inside the walls of the castle, where you can meet blacksmiths, shoemakers, carpenters, jugglers, musicians, magicians etc. There will be several hundreds of stands selling all kinds of stuff, a good time to have a good deal on some of the famous llata work (palm-leaf crafts) like baskets, hats, bags etc.
This week is unique in Mallorca, a great opportunity to experience some local culture and learn about the Middle Ages on the island in a fun and interesting way.
Support Local
Supporting local communities during your travels can have a profound impact. Stock up with groceries locally, stop in an artisan shop or enjoy a refreshment at a restaurant or bar. Now more than ever, these small businesses need support from travelers near and far.
Get to know the area of Capdepera
Get to know the Capdepera area
Capdepera is a village and municipality located in the far most north-eastern part of Mallorca. The municipality comprises the village itself, as well as the popular holiday resorts of Cala Ratjada, Cala Mesquida, Font de sa Cala and Canyamel. It covers a surface of approximately 5,500 ha of land whereof 2,800 are marked as protected areas. There is also about 1,200 ha of special zones for birds.
Typical products
- Palm-leaf crafts
- Lobsters
- Shrimps
- Figs
- Olives
- Cereals
History of Capdepera
Prehistoric period
The history of human settlements in the area dates from the late Pre-Talayotic period around 1,200 BC. From this time, when people lived in caves and built naviforms (vessel-shaped huts), founds have exhibited human presence in the caves of Son Jaumell and in the excavations of the Canyamel naviforms.
From around 1,100 BC, the Talayotic culture arrived in Mallorca and Menorca. This culture was characterized by the tower-like constructions (talayotics) used for lookouts and religious purposes, and walled enclosures protecting these towers. It was most likely early day colonizers from the ancient Greece who were looking for the metals of Europe and to establish settlements outside the Greek world. With a mix of indigenous peoples, the new settlers created fortified villages.
Practical Info
Useful Numbers
Emergency: 112
National police: 091
Local police: 092
Guarda civil: 062
Fire: 080
Maritime emergencies: 900 202 202
Town Hall: +34 971 82 95 95
Public Transport
Bus lines: 411, 422, 423, 424
Power Supply
220V