Arta is a small town of 7,000 inhabitants in the northeast of the island located about 70 km from Palma de Mallorca and its international airport. It has an area of 140 km2 and has over 25 km of coastline with more than 25 beaches and coves preserved in its natural state.
This town has a rich history, the first traces of human on record in the city date back to prehistoric times, exactly the pre-Talayotic period and are found in the Yacimiento arqueológico del poblado de Ses Paises. Later the Romans and the Muslims inhabit these lands, leaving an indelible mark on the city with a large number of monuments, bringing a rich cultural heritage.
Totally away from mass tourism routes, the township has managed to preserve the typically Mediterranean traditionsof hospitable people. But during the summer months, the small town comes alive while its terraces and restaurants filled with visitors to whom the inhabitants of the municipality welcome with open arms.
The municipal market is held every Tuesday in the center of the town with plenty of food, clothing and crafts stalls, as well as being a good opportunity to mingle with the villagers and enjoy the traditional Majorcan life.
In Colonia de San Pere and Urbanizaciones de Betlem and S’Estanyol are concentrated areas of the towns of the coast of Artá . With a capacity to accommodate only about 2,500 visitors, it reflects how far away is this area of the routes of mass tourism. This place is a haven of peace and tranquility where a quiet atmosphere is breathed even during the summer season.
Beaches of Artá
Artà has 26 magnificent beaches scattered throughout the Litoral, and some of them considered the most beautiful on the island. The famous Cala Tortais one of the best unspoiled beaches of Mallorca; you will fall in love with its white sand bordered by small cliffs with typical Mediterranean vegetation. It also highlights the well-known Cala Mesquida as one of the most magical places on the island, white sand, crystal clear turquoise waters and large dunes form a magnificent beach in 1991 declared Área Natural de Especial Interés por el Parlament de les Illes Balears. Some other worth visiting beaches are Cala Mitjana, Sa Font Selada, Na Clara, Cala Matzoc or the charming beaches of Sa Canova. Surely the options in this part of the island are many.
Tradition and culture in Artá
Artá is one of the few places where we will find many artisans who still work in a traditional way with wood, bread or crafts. But the most emblematic product of this region is the Palma, which is an indigenous plant of the island that still grows in this region and is used to create typical baskets of the area which are characterized by high strength and durability.
The main and most emblematic monument of Artá is the Puig de Sant Salvador at the top of the mountain, a fortress and a church tower over the city. Other important buildings that we can mention are its noble houses, reflecting a stately period. A good example is the Casa Na Batlesa, a beautiful manor house in the village center built in 1898 which today houses the municipal library.
Visit the caves of Artá
Besides its entire historical and cultural heritage, near there, in the municipality of Capdepera, surrounded by mountains of Cap vermell is one of the best-hidden caves of Mallorca, the Artá caves. Nature lovers will also enjoy Reserva marina protegida de Llevantmarine reserve and a natural park.
Agradecimiento a @deposiphotos por la imagen de portada
