Es Pontàs, Cala Santanyí and Cala Llombards

For us, Es Pontàs is one of Mallorca’s great natural landmarks, up there with Ses Fonts Ufanes and the waterfalls at Es Salt des Freu. It’s a sea arch on the Santanyí coast, between Cala Santanyí and Cala Llombards. The short walk to the viewpoint is worth doing any time of year, even if you aren’t planning to swim.

How to get to the Es Pontàs viewpoint from Cala Santanyí

The most direct path starts at the end of Carrer de sa Cova des Vell Marí, in Cala Santanyí. It’s about 10 minutes on foot from there. If you start on Cala Santanyí beach, allow around 800 metres each way and a little more time for the uphill stretch from the sand. If you’re driving, look for permitted parking in the nearby streets or start the walk from the beach. Spaces are harder to find in summer.

Where the tarmac ends, follow the sign for the viewpoint. The dirt and stone path slopes down a little. Look for the sculpture of stacked stones shortly before you arrive. It’s part of Equilibrio, Rolf Schaffner’s project of five stone sculptures in different parts of Europe. The Santanyí sculpture marks the southern point.

The viewpoint looks straight onto the arch, with the coast towards Cala Llombards off to the right. With children, we’d stick to the viewing area and keep away from the cliff edge. If you’re using public transport, the Cala Santanyí stop is served by TIB bus 516.

Es Pontàs in painting and climbing

The sea gradually wore away the limestone to create the opening you see today. A photo gives you an idea of the shape, but from the viewpoint you can watch the water move through the arch. The landscape painter Francisco Bernareggi, who was born in Argentina and settled in Mallorca, painted Es Pontàs and other places along this coast, including Cala Figuera and Cala Llombards.

It’s also well known among climbers. In 2006, Chris Sharma made the first ascent of his route along the underside of the arch by deep-water soloing, climbing without a rope above the sea. You can see the ascent in the documentary King Lines.

Cala Santanyí

About 5 km from Santanyí town, this sandy cove sits between rocky sides and has restaurants by the beach. When the sea is calm, the sandy shallows make it an easy choice for families. Short paths along the sides give you a view of the whole cove, and there are small fishing jetties on your right as you face the sea.

The beach has showers, toilets and a boardwalk. With a pushchair, the beach-level approach is easier than the stairs from the higher streets. For a meal by the sand, Hostal Playa Cala Santanyí serves paella and takes bookings.

Sa Torre Nova, another view of Es Pontàs

From the left-hand side of Cala Santanyí as you face the sea, follow the streets uphill to Sa Torre Nova de sa Roca Fesa. This 17th-century coastal watchtower stands on the opposite side of the cove, and from around it you can see Es Pontàs in profile from a distance. It’s worth the detour for a different angle if you’ve already seen the arch head-on.

Cala Llombards

Cala Llombards is about 7 km from Santanyí by road. It’s a white-sand cove between rocks and pines. We like having the choice of the sand or the rocky sides, where there are small ladders down to the water and fishing jetties. If you’re visiting with young children, the sandy entry is usually easier when the sea is calm. There’s a beach bar and a wooden boardwalk.

For parking, use designated spaces. It gets busy in summer and some residential streets may have access restrictions. Plan your visit without relying on the parking area next to the sand, which is on the beach itself. If you’re coming by bus, check which TIB 517 services call at Cala Llombards. The stop is in the residential area and the last stretch is on foot.

There’s also a viewpoint on the Cala Llombards side, reached via a short passage off Passeig de la Mar. It’s a separate viewpoint from the signposted ten-minute walk from Cala Santanyí described above.

What else to see nearby

On a Wednesday or Saturday morning, you could start at Santanyí market. Stalls spread through the streets around Plaça Major. If you’d rather stay on the coast, head to the fishing harbour at Cala Figuera.