Location

    The municipality of Ses Salines, which owes its name to the ancient salterns exploited by the Romans, is located in the south end of Mallorca, between Santanyí and Campos.

    The coast, with its islets and virgin beaches of fine white sand and abundant vegetation, is bathed by transparent waters. Storms deposit sea water in the deposits and in summer the sun evaporates the water leaving a layer of crystalline, tasty white salt covering the deposits.

    La Colònia de Sant Jordi is stuated between the wonderful beaches of Ets Estanys and Es Trenc, on one side, and Es Dolç and Es Carbó on the other side.

    In the past it was just a cluster of houses inhabited by a few fishermen. Nowadays it is a very prestigious tourist resort.

    The town of Ses Salines is located inland, seven kilometres from the coast. It is the capital of the municipality and has straight, wide streets, modern buildings and a slender church from the early 20th century. The church is devoted to Sant Bartomeu and it is landmark and a point of reference for local sailors.

Natural environment

    The municipality of Ses Salines is situated in the south of Mallorca. It is one of the most remarkable ecological areas of the island and a unique site in the Mediterranean. The Balearic Government declared part of the municipality a Natural Area of Special Landscape and Rural Interest.

    The beach of Es Trenc, the coastal area and the island of Cabrera form a magical triangle in the Balearics because they combine the beauty of the coast and the contryside. From the centre of La Colònia de Sant Jordi you can discover one of the most beautiful virgin and heavenly beaches of the Mallorcan habitat.

Beaches

   The beaches are doubtlessly one of the top attractions of Ses Salines both for its beauty and peace. Visitors can enjoy the beaches of  es Port, Es Dolç, Ets Estanys, Es Carbó and Ses Roquetes, which are surrounded by natural protected areas.

      Sa Platja des Port

    It is located next to the marina and port of La Colònia de Sant Jordi. It offers excellent leisure services for tourists. You can swim and practise sailing and scuba diving with the advantage of having the best facilities at your disposal. It is one of the best sites to enjoy seafood cuisine, for which the area is very popular.

    Es Dolç

    Es Dolç has been awarded the EU Blue Flag for many years. The beach is accessible on foot along a stone-paved walk starting at the port. It has clear, calm waters and it is one of the beaches most valued by local people.

    Ets Estanys

    It is located near the salterns, the symbol of the municipality. It stands out for the effects of the light on the salt and the sea and the wetland vegetation which make it one of the most appreciated habitats of the island.

    Es Carbó i Ses Roquetes

    This group of beaches forms one of the purest natural areas of our coast. The crystal-clear, calm waters, the views of Cabrera and the proximity of the islet of Na Moltona, which you can reach by swimming, make Es Carbó and Ses Roquetes a favourite site for people who love the sea and the sun. The beaches are accessible on foot from the port.

History

    The Talaiots (9th century BCE) are Bronze Age megalithic monuments. They are evidence of the arrival of agriculture and cattle breeding to Ses Salines, which has survived to the present day.

The salterns of Sa Vall or of La Colònia de Sant Jordi are the second oldest salterns in the world (4th century BCE). They were first exploited by the Punic merchants. Salt production continued to be the main focus of activity for the Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Christians. The importance of the salterns is reflected in the name of the municipality. Salts is still extracted in August using traditional methods.

    During the Islamic period, Ses Salines was an estate of the juz of Manaqur. In 1230 it was conquered by King Jaume I, who incorporated Mallorca to the Catalan-Aragonese Kingdom.

Monuments

    Remains of the prehistoric and protohistoric settlements: Talaia Joana and es Talaiots de Na Mera, Es Mitjà gran, Els Antigors, etc.

    Punic remains on the island of Na Guardia and remains of Roman ships near the coast.

    S'Estany, a 15th century fortified building located next to the saltern; S'avall watchtower (15th century); and the Torre de ca'n Bàrbara fortified building, a military architecture building located by the church.

Visits of interest

   A visit to the town of Ses Salines gives you the opportunity to appreciate the value of its traditional architecture, which stands out for the colour of the stone, and discover the preservation of rural traditions and customs of the sourthern region of Mallorca.

    Visit Torre de Can Bàrbara and the old town windmills in Plaça Major. Follow carrer de Camp Lladó to reach the Es Torrent area, where you will find La Talaia Joana. It is one of the most outstanding prehistoric monuments of this land of salt and sea.