Artà

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Artà is a town and municipality in Majorca, the Balearic Islands of Spain. It sits in the island’s northeast, about 60 kilometers from Palma. The municipality covers roughly 140 square kilometers and includes the town of Artà and several nearby villages. Its landscape is dominated by the Massís d’Artà, a rugged mountain range that rises from the coast.

Geography and nature
Artà’s 25-kilometer coastline features sandy dunes at s’Arenal de sa Canova and rocky coves, with Cap de Ferrutx among the notable headlands. The Massís d’Artà lies inland, offering hills and forests, while the area around Artà includes pine forests, holm oaks, olive and almond groves, and extensive fields of fan palms used in traditional basket making. Part of the northern coast is protected as the Parc Natural de la Península de Llevant, helping keep many areas almost untouched.

History and people
Artà has ancient roots. It was mentioned as Yartân in 1232 during medieval times and later came under Catalan influence. In the 13th century the Norbertine monks founded a priory in the area, and the town grew over the following centuries. In the 19th century, Capdepera and Son Servera separated from Artà. The region is famous for its traditional craft of basket weaving, using leaves from the fan palm.

Population and language
Today about 8,600 people live in Artà (around 2025 data). The official languages are Catalan and Spanish, with the local Mallorquí dialect commonly spoken on the island.

Landmarks, culture and daily life
Artà is built around the hill where the fortress walls rise above the town. The pilgrimage church of Sant Salvador sits atop Puig de Sant Salvador, a place you can reach by climbing 180 Calvary steps for sweeping views of the coast and hills. At the base, you’ll find the parish church Transfiguració del Senyor and the Baroque church of Sant Salvador nearby. The Sant Salvador complex features towers and a historic site that has long been a cultural highlight.

The Artà Regional Museum, established in 1927, showcases ethnography, archaeology and natural history, including tools used by palm basket weavers and other local crafts.

Coast and nearby villages
On Artà’s coast, the border with Santa Margalida includes the Son Serra de Marina area and the Colònia de Sant Pere, a small coastal village. The coast between s’Estanyol and es Caló features steep cliffs and many small beaches and coves, while the eastern hills host watchtowers from past centuries.

Crafts and economy
Basket weaving from fan palms remains a traditional craft in the region, with palm leaves dried, treated and woven into baskets, hats and bags. The area historically produced these baskets for markets across Majorca and beyond, while tourism has become the main economic activity today.

Nearby historic sites
The region around Artà includes archaeological sites such as Ses Païsses and Sa Canova, underscoring the long history of habitation in this part of Majorca.