Visit Petra, a True Hidden Treasure in the Balearic Islands

If you think that Mallorca is just beaches and sunburnt tourists, you are very wrong and you have most likely never strolled through the streets of Petra. This region of Pla boasts offering an experience of pure tranquility without the need for a Wi-Fi connection, and it is the favorite destination among Mallorcans to truly disconnect.

Next, we bring you a small guide to take your visit to Petra in Mallorca to the next level.. The Mallorcan town that is not a lost city of Jordan, but has almost nothing to envy. Write everything down!

What are the Best Places to Visit in Petra?

Let’s start strong with some of the best visits in the area:

Sanctuary of the Mare De Déu De Bonany

Do you like views and taking good photos? Go up to Puig de Bonany and visit this beautiful sanctuary. At 320 meters high, it is a perfect place to take the best panoramic selfies and to feel, even if only for a moment, the king or queen of the Pla de Mallorca. In addition, there is a picnic area, in case you are hungry after so much spirituality.

Church of Sant Pere

Following the tourist line that Petra offers, we find the imposing and Gothic Church of Sant Pere, which has a giant tower ideal for spotting all dangers at a distance. Fray Junípero Serra, Petra’s prodigal son, was baptized here, and the Rosario chapel will make you rethink whether Baroque is your new favorite style.

Convent of San Bernardi

If you are still more interested in the history of Petra, another essential visit is the Convent of Sant Bernardí, a corner with Franciscan history where Fray Junípero learned before crossing to the other side of the pond. You can enter with the same ticket you bought at the museum, so take advantage and multiply your visits by two.

Two Ideal Squares to Understand Local Life

The social epicenter is located in the Plaza del Padre Serra and the Plaza Ramon Llull, where its inhabitants go to meet up with their friends. Here you can sit and watch life go by, order an ensaimada in one of the local shops and feel part of the Mallorcan scenery.

Learn all about its History and Local Culture

Petra is much more than pretty stones, it is a living history that goes back to medieval times. Its name, which means “stone” in Latin, already gives a small spoiler about all the stories that are found between its streets.

The town is surrounded by stone houses, old wells and even prehistoric sites for those who want to feel like archaeologists without moving far from home. The figure of Fray Junípero Serra is everywhere, there are statues, museums, squares and even a festival in his honor.

But Petra not only lives in the past, but life here offers you a square full of leisure, a market on Wednesdays and endless gatherings in its bars and restaurants. So if you are looking for authenticity, here you will find a good portion of it.

Be Sure to Try all the Typical Gastronomy of the Area

During your trip, we advise you to forget about the diet for a few days, since in Petra you eat as if there is no tomorrow. Here gastronomy is art and restaurants, temples of good eating.

We recommend you try the tumbet, a kind of Mallorcan ratatouille that makes any vegetarian cry with emotion, and surely some carnivores too. But if you are one of those who does not forgive meat, the porcella rostida, a roasted suckling pig that with its flavor will teleport you wherever you want.

If you like rice, you have to try the arroz brut, soupy and forceful, perfect for regaining strength after an excursion. And if you have woken up something more sophisticated, the caldereta de langosta will make you forget that you are in the interior of the island.

You can’t leave without trying the gató, an almond cake that is served with almond ice cream, because in Petra even the desserts are doubly Mallorcan. And to top off a perfect meal, you can have a glass of local wine (here the vineyards are religion).

Synchronize your Visit with the most Important Events and Festivities

Petra may be small, but we can assure you that its parties are quite big. The calendar starts strong in January with San Antonio Abad, a festivity where demons dance and fireworks light up the night.

In July you have the Feste de ses Clovelles, which puts local creativity to the test with objects made of apricot bones. Also this month is the festival of the patron saint, Santa Praxedis.

To end the summer, in September Fray Junípero Serra is honored with processions and activities for all audiences. The weekly market, every Wednesday, will offer you a large number of local products and the possibility of improving your art of haggling.

If you are a fan of art, there is also something for you. You can not miss the Mostra d’Art i Empresa on the fourth Sunday of October, a fair that brings together the best of local creativity.

Have You Left Space in your Agenda for Nearby Activities and Excursions?

Petra is a perfect starting point to explore the Pla de Mallorca on foot, by bike, or if you are one of the bravest, on gravel. The hiking trails will allow you to go from the town to the Sanctuary of Bonany, and you will be able to see the fields of almond trees and vineyards that seem taken from an impressionist painting.

If you are one of those people who prefer to go everywhere by bike, there are also cycling routes for all levels, from quiet walks to routes that will make you sweat like never before. In the case that you like nature and its secrets, you can exploit the Cova Llarga or get lost in the rural roads that connect Petra with the neighboring towns.

For those looking for tranquility on their holidays, nothing like an afternoon of terraceo in the Plaza Ramon Llull, where you will see how the neighbors play cards and the children enjoy their games. Because, between you and me, sometimes the best excursion is to do nothing.

Discover Petra with the Best Accommodation

Petra is that corner of Mallorca where life is cooked slowly, between history, good food and landscapes that invite you to stay a while longer. It is not a mass destination, here authenticity is the number one rule, and the visitor is received as one more of their land.

So you know, if you want to discover the essence of Mallorca, come to Petra, because a lot of possibilities await you for your holidays. Contact us to book your accommodation on the island and find the one that best suits you and your family.