The market
Perusing your local market and stocking up on items for the week is part of the routine and lifestyle in Mallorca and living in Santanyí is no exception. Wednesdays and Saturdays see the usually sleepy village come alive with what is considered one of Mallorca’s best and liveliest street markets. Stalls proffering everything from fresh local produce and deli items, to clothing, wine and handicrafts overflow from the narrow alleyways around the main square of Plaza Mayor and beyond.
Restaurants
For a small town Santanyí has a surprisingly good selection of cafes and restaurants, mainly concentrated around the cobblestone streets surrounding Plaza Major. Here you will find a range of choices from typical Mallorcan cuisine, to international flavours, and healthy wholesome fare.
History
Santanyí’s rich history dates back over 700 years to the Moorish era, but was officially founded in 1300 by King Jaume II. Frequent pirate invasion and looting plagued the town from the 14th century prompting the erection of city walls and bastions of stone, evidence of which still stands today. In fact, when meandering through Santanyí it always feels like golden hour thanks to the honey hued churches and buildings made of the unique and iconic marès sandstone still quarried in the area.
