When you’re planning a holiday to the Spanish Balearic island of Mallorca, it’s pretty hard to go wrong no matter where you choose to stay. If you’re travelling with a family, however, there’s one place that really does stand out – Santa Ponsa, a resort in the south-west of the island. This laidback, modern coastal town is geared up for easy peasy family holidays, with safe, patrolled beaches, plenty of fun activities for all ages, and a slew of affordable accommodation. Its location between the beach and the mountains makes it the perfect place for a fun, outdoorsy type of holiday filled with plenty of sun, sea and sand. Your family will thank you!
- Welcome to Sunny Santa Ponsa
- Sa Dragonera Island
- Hiking and Biking in the Tramuntana Mountains
- Wow Factor Watersports
- Where to Stay
- How to Get There
Welcome to Sunny Santa Ponsa!
The locals of Santa Ponsa claim it has the best weather on the island – and we’re not here to dispute that! Just 20 minutes from Palma, it feels almost like a world unto itself, with its charming ambience, picturesque aspect, and world-class amenities. It boasts the unusual achievement of hosting quite a few celebrities (keep an eye out for the super yachts), but remaining low-key enough to be warm and welcoming to families as well.
One of the beauties of the resort is that the large local and expat community mean that it’s a more “year round” kind of destination than some others. Its fantastic climate and gorgeous surrounding landscape offer an appealing array of activities to keep you and your family outdoors and off screens. Here are a few ideas to put to the vote!
Sa Dragonera Island
It’ll be a unanimous “aye” for this one, because what child of any age would pass up a boat excursion to an uninhabited island that’s shaped like a dragon and full of history (pirates, included!) and intrigue? You can choose from several operators that offer trips of differing lengths, with lunch or without, and as part of a longer day trip. Generally, though, you should allow a few hours on the island after the short, 15-minute trip across to Sa Dragonera. (You can also do a sunset cruise for a different kind of experience.)
Once on the island, which is a protected nature reserve, there’s plenty to see and do. With several hundred plant species and lots of (safe) native animals, one of the most sought after sightings is of the famous Lilford’s wall lizard – only found in the Balearics. There’s a watchtower on the island, as well as a museum, and plenty of trails to get the best views. There are also lots of great snorkelling sites, or you can just swim and lie in the sun before heading back.
Hiking and Biking in the Tramuntana Mountains
Whatever the age of your children, you’ll find a suitable way to get them out and about in the surrounding mountains. There are so many designated walking, hiking and biking trails, you’re absolutely spoiled for choice. The Serra de Tramuntana mountain range is the “spine” of Mallorca, running the length of the island – almost 90km. It forms a fascinating and very picturesque landscape, dotted with olive trees and ancient dry stone terracing, and home to numerous small villages as well as two lakes.
The information centre in town will be able to give you easy-to-follow maps and guides of the area and you can set out on your own – the paths are all very well marked – or you can join a small group tour (walking or on bikes) with a guide. Taking a guided tour is probably the best bet for younger families, as they’re condensed to take in the most important highlights and you’ll get an interesting commentary along the way.
Top tip: The popular coastal route from Santa Ponsa to Puig de Sa Morisca makes another great family-friendly walk; it’s not too taxing and has fantastic views.
Wow Factor Watersports
While many watersports are the domain of slightly older children, even if yours are still very young there’ll be something for them to try. Santa Ponsa really does have the “wow factor” when it comes to watersports – after all, you’re on an island! Mallorca has the perfect conditions for wind-assisted watersports, and that, along with delightful water temperatures and picture-perfect weather make it one of the best places in Europe to give something new a go.
The list below should give you some food for thought – and they’re all available right there on the beach at Sa Ponsa. If these don’t get your holiday adrenaline pumping, nothing will!
- Windsurfing
- Flyboarding
- Jet skiing (solo rental, or join a guided safari that goes up the coast)
- Stand-up paddleboarding (if you’ve never done it, invest in at least one lesson!)
- Electric SUP (yes, you read that right! The lazy option!)
- Kayaking (try a half-day small group safari tour)
- Snorkelling (off the beach yourself, or you can join a tour with lessons)
- Scuba diving (beginners dive course with trial dive available)
Of course, the best way to soak up the Spanish sun is simply lazing around on the beach – and Playa Santa Ponsa certainly delivers the goods as a safe, family friendly stretch of sand fronting a protected bay with shallow waters. For a family holiday, there’s really nothing not to love about Santa Ponsa – and the fun and sun come guaranteed!
Where to Stay
Hotel Bahia del Sol: Situated just 100m from the safe, family-friendly beach, this fantastically appointed hotel offers gorgeous views of the Mediterranean, and that’s just the start! Onsite amenities include an indoor and an outdoor swimming pool, a gym, sauna, traditional restaurant and, to top it off, a children’s playground. The spacious family rooms have a balcony to capture those sea views, and everything you need for a comfortable stay without getting under each other’s feet. A firm family favourite.
Zafiro Rey Don Jaime: Located between the beach and the golf course, and a few minutes from all the amenities of town, this outstanding family hotel is guaranteed to keep every member of the family happy. With elegant, contemporary interiors, lots of space, and balconies for al fresco dining and relaxing, a host of onsite facilities is the icing on the cake. Enjoy a fabulous buffet dinner in the restaurant, get energetic on the tennis courts and football pitch, or relax by the gorgeous resort pool. Holiday perfection awaits!
Globales Pionero: Perfect for an idyllic family break, Globales Pionero offers large, bright family rooms with air-conditioning and balconies, along with onsite amenities to keep everyone happy, well fed, and entertained. The restaurant serves up a delicious buffet breakfast and Mediterranean cuisine, there’s a lovely garden, pool and sun terrace, plus regular entertainment, a solarium and even tennis courts. Nobody gets bored here!
How to Get There
Getting to Santa Ponsa is a breeze, with a short flight of just over two and a half hours into Palma Mallorca Airport. Numerous carriers fly the route, with more than 450 options every week from names like British Airways, Jet2, TUI, Iberia, easyJet and others. The cheapest month to fly is usually September, although there are some very good deals all year round..
Once you land, you’ll want to get to your final destination as quickly and easily as possible, and that’s on a pre-booked airport transfer with Shuttle Direct. We’ve got various shared and private options to get you from Palma Mallorca Airport to Santa Ponsa without delay. It’ll only take about 30 minutes, so your holiday will be off and running in no time.
Overview
UK to PMI Flight Time: 2 hours, 36 mins approx.
PMI to Santa Ponsa: 31 kilometres
Shuttle Direct Transfer: 30 minutes approx.
Types of Transfer
At Shuttle Direct, we don’t believe everyone should have to travel in the same way. So, depending on your budget and needs, we offer a variety of options to get from Palma Mallorca Airport to Santa Ponsa.
Shuttle Bus: Our many happy customers recommend the fantastic, budget-friendly services of one of our shared shuttle buses. This is the most affordable Santa Ponsa transfer and it’s easy to see why. When you land, you’ll make your way to a designated spot outside the terminal to board your clean, modern shuttle with other passengers, then travel to a convenient central drop-off point close to your accommodation. Perfect for those who’d rather spend their holiday budget on the fun things!
Taxi: If you want a door-to-door service that allows you to travel alone, a pre-booked local taxi from Palma Mallorca Airport to Santa Ponsa will give you that convenience, without the cost of a private transfer and no waiting in a busy taxi queue. Once you land, your friendly local taxi driver will be waiting just for you, and you’ll get to your accommodation in the shortest possible time.
Private Transfer: If you’ve got a little extra cash to splash, you can treat yourself to the ultimate Palma Mallorca transfer in one of our private luxury vehicles with a professional driver. You’ll be met inside the terminal, then escorted to your private transfer to enjoy a fast, stress-free ride to the doorstep of your accommodation in Santa Ponsa.
Minibus Transfer: Holidaying with a group of family or friends? Why not simplify the logistics no end by booking one of our large capacity minibus transfers from Palma Mallorca Airport to Santa Ponsa? There’s plenty of room for passengers and their associated luggage, and because you all get to travel together, it’s a very economical door-to-door service to choose.
Choosing the Right Transfer
The kind of transfer that’s best for your needs can only be decided by you, but your ideal way of getting from Palma Mallorca Airport to Santa Ponsa will come down to whether you prioritise cost or convenience.
Cost: If saving money is a top concern, and you don’t have a problem sharing your ride with other passengers, our most popular option – the shuttle bus – will suit you perfectly for your Santa Ponsa transfer. One of the most cost-effective rides you can get, you can rest assured that despite the low price, you’ll never have to compromise on safety or comfort. It isn’t door-to-door, but you’ll be taken to a drop-off point as close as possible to your accommodation.
Convenience: But if being escorted right to the door of your accommodation is a must, getting from the airport at Palma Mallorca to Santa Ponsa on one of our private services or a pre-booked local taxi is the answer. It costs a little more, but the ultimate convenience is well worth it for your peace of mind and complete lack of stress.
About Shuttle Direct
Here at Shuttle Direct, our reputation is built on trust, reliability, and great communication. As one of the foremost providers of onward ground transfers to and from destinations all over the world, we offer the most cost-effective and convenient service on the market. Whether you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful shared shuttle bus, or a top-of-the-range luxury private transfer, we can help. Book online with us then just sit back and get ready to relax!
