Sa Pobla is a small town in the northeast center of Mallorca at the foot of the Sierra de Tramuntana, between Inca and Alcùdia. This historical town that dates back to the island’s Roman occupation is primarily known for its agriculture (especially the potato) and its Sant Antoni celebration in January. With its own direct train and position on a major highway, this is a great pueblo to visit for a slice of Mallorcan life. It is easy to get to, not commonly visited by tourists, and is only a short drive to more touristy towns and beaches like Alcùdia and Playa del Muro.
How to Get to Sa Pobla
Sa Pobla is an easy place to get to. It’s at the end of one of the major highways on the island and is one of the towns with a direct train route. Also, no matter how you get there, it’s an enjoyable journey through Mallorcan countryside and past small towns with the mountains as a scenic backdrop.
Driving
Sa Pobla is about a 40-minute drive from Palma. Take Ma-13 towards Son Castelló/Inca/Alcùdia. Once closer to Sa Pobla, take exit 37 towards Sa Pobla/Sant Miquel/Coves. Continue on Ma-3421.
TIB Bus 301
There are a few ways to get to Sa Pobla by bus, but the simplest and most direct is to take the 301 toward Port de Pollença. It takes about 45 minutes and you’ll get off at the Ronda Nord stop. From the bus stop, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the town center.
The buses are about every hour. Please note that the last bus leaves Sa Pobla around 10:30 p.m.
Train T2
I recommend taking the train to Sa Pobla.
Once you’re out of Palma, you’ll get stunning views of fields of olive and almond trees and pure Mallorcan countryside with the mountains in the distance as well as passing by small villages. And if you’re taking the train in the late afternoon for a festival or event, well, you might even be rewarded with a gorgeous sunset over the Tramuntana. If you want a nice train ride that’s a cheaper alternative to the famous Tren de Soller, this journey really is beautiful once you’re outside of Palma.
Take T2 to Sa Pobla. You won’t have to worry about missing your stop because Sa Pobla is the end of the line. The journey is a little under an hour from Plaza España. Please note that the train times aren’t in regular intervals. There can be anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour and a half between trains. Also, if you do take the train to Sa Pobla for a festival or event, the last train from Sa Pobla is around 10:00 p.m.
Where to Stay in Sa Pobla
As a rural and authentic agricultural town, the best way to enjoy Sa Pobla is through ecotourism or renovated Mallorcan homes.
Best Overall: Agroturisme Son Pons
This family-run hotel on a country estate blends authentic, rustic Mallorcan decor with luxury. At the foot of the Tramuntana and a short ten-minute drive from Sa Pobla, you can enjoy the peacefulness of the Mallorcan countryside in a restored and updated traditional property that dates back to the 16th century. Be sure to enjoy the wildlife and fruit trees on the grounds as well; it was declared a wildlife sanctuary.
Best Bed & Breakfast: Flor de Mandarina
This gorgeous hotel in the Sa Pobla old town is a renovated traditional Mallorcan home. It gives you excellent access to the east coast of the island while still experiencing a less touristy, authentic location. One of the best parts of this stay is the provided continental breakfast made with local ingredients.
Best Luxury Stay: The Lodge Mallorca
The Lodge Mallorca is a luxurious full retreat just 10 minutes outside of Sa Pobla. The property is located inside a private natural reserve, making it an excellent place to disconnect from the outside world. Have breakfast with a view, visit the extensive spa and make your wellness a top priority.
Where to Eat in Sa Pobla
Sa Pobla is known for its fresh and affordable cuisine and is a great place to go to eat, whether it’s a food festival or to a restaurant. Be sure to try variat, a typical dish in Sa Pobla that is a combination of different Mallorcan tapas. For example, a variat might consist of Russian salad, pork loin, and mushrooms.
Best Atmosphere: Mare Nostrum
With its beautiful courtyard, Mallorcan decor, fine dining, and selection of local wines, look no further for a luxurious, intimate dining experience. The restaurant is located in a traditional Mallorcan home in the heart of Sa Pobla.
Best Local Experience: Bar des Tren
Is one of your goals of your travels to find where the locals go? Then check out Bar des Tren. It offers authentic food at affordable prices and is commonly frequented by locals. They are known for their fideos con anguilas (noodles with eels) and also offer paella on Fridays.
Best Hidden Gem: E-Cosí Brases
Tucked away near Plaça Major in the center of Sa Pobla, E-Cosí Brases offers traditional Mallorcan food, paella, and grilled meats and fish along with local wines in a tranquil courtyard setting.
Things to Do in Sa Pobla
Go to the Market
What better to do in a town well-known for its agricultural products than buy some local food products? The Sa Pobla market takes place on Sundays from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. You can find the market in Plaça Mercat.
See the Sights
Sant Antoni Abat Parish Church
Known as La Parròquia Sant Antoni Abat de Sa Pobla, this Gothic church was constructed in 1696, on the site where a church had previously been built in 1366. It is in the center of Sa Pobla, on the Plaça de l´Església.
The Can Planes Museum of Contemporary Art
This small town also has a contemporary art museum displaying a permanent collection of over a hundred pieces from local artists from between the 1970s and 1990s. It also has temporary exhibits.
It’s located on the ground floor of a renovated manor house. The building also houses the Ethnological Museum and the Museum of Saint Anthony and the Demons. It’s open from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Monday through Saturday.
Museum of Saint Anthony and the Demon
Unable to come to Sa Pobla in January? Well, you can still see the demoni! Located in the same building as the Museum of Contemporary Art, El Museu de Sant Antoni i el Dimoni houses the caparrots and dimonis used in the celebration. It also has old photos and other materials from celebrations long past.
Get Outdoors
Located at the foot of the mountains, you don’t have to go far for hiking or cycling! This area is so popular with cyclers that the Mallorca 312 race happens nearby. But if you need some guidance, here are some points of interest:
El Parc Natural de s’Albufera
Sa Pobla is partially on the Albufera Nature Preserve. This preserve is great for birdwatching enthusiasts, hikers, and cyclers. It attracts birdwatchers from all over Europe and has a nice selection of walking and biking paths.
Ses Fonts Ufanes
Are you unlucky with the weather while visiting Sa Pobla? Is it raining? Well, you’re in luck! A short drive away, you can visit Ses Fonts Ufanes, a phenomenon unique to the Balearic Islands. When there’s heavy rain, the water rushes out of the ground and flows through the trees and rocks. It’s basically a natural spring that only happens when it rains, and the water sometimes rises with force, making for quite a show.
It is located on the Es Gebelli estate near Campanet and involves a short hike.
Fires i Festes
Els Reis d’Orient – January 5th
Like most towns in Mallorca, Sa Pobla celebrates the Three Kings’ arrival with a large parade. The Three Kings ride floats through town and deliver presents to the children.
Sant Antoni – January 16th & 17th
Sant Antoni is the biggest party of Sa Pobla and one you should absolutely go to if you’re in Mallorca during January. It is a distinctly Mallorcan event and is only celebrated in a few towns that have Saint Anthony as their patron saint (he’s also the patron saint of animals). In Sa Pobla, it’s celebrated with correfocs, a spectacular fireworks show (the best one I’ve ever seen), traditional music, bonfires, and, of course, demons. While the fireworks show is the star, don’t miss the Dance of the Demons, representing the temptation of Saint Anthony, before. And be sure to try espinagades, the traditional pastry in Sa Pobla for Sant Antoni, made with eels, spinach, and spices. Also, after the fireworks show, people grill typical Mallorcan sausages like sobresada, llonganissa, llom, and botifarró (which you can bring or buy if you would like to participate and really have an authentic experience).
The most important day is the 16th. While there are other traditions taking place during the day and early evening, the party gets started around 9 p.m. on the 16th with the traditional dance of the demons preceding an outstanding fireworks show, followed by bonfires and barbecues.
However, this celebration is important to Sa Pobla and there are other events taking place throughout the month leading up to Sant Antoni. Be sure to check the town hall calendar for more information.
Please note: if you want to participate in the correfocs, wear clothes that will cover your skin and that you don’t mind smelling like smoke or getting singed. Also, something with a hood to cover your hair and face is a good idea.
Sa Rua i sa Rueta – Late February
Sa Pobla celebrates carnaval with an extensive and dramatic parade. Different groups build their own floats and thematic costumes, and prizes are awarded to the best.
Setmana Santa – Early April
The week before Easter is important throughout all of Spain and Mallorca. The residents of Sa Pobla often make empanadas, rubiols and crespells and participate in processions leading to the church.
Fira Nocturna de la Patata – Early June
Do you like eating potatoes? Do you want to try authentic, affordable Mallorcan food? Then you should check out Sa Pobla’s Fira Nocturna de la Patata. And yes, you read that right. One of the other biggest celebrations in Sa Pobla is the “Potato Night Fair.”
An agricultural town, the potato is one of Sa Pobla’s most important and most exported products so they like to celebrate it. It begins in the evening and there is not only live music, but Placa Major is filled with a myriad of stands where you can buy and try as many local dishes involving potatoes as possible.
My highlights were a stuffed mashed potato ball filled with goat cheese and other things, a potato waffle topped with brava sauce, a baked potato filled with cheese and sepia, and potato ice cream. Come hungry.
Festes de Sant Jaume i Santa Margalida – July
Even though Sant Antoni is Sa Pobla’s patron saint, the town likes partying so much that they’ve decided to celebrate Sant Jaume as well. This coincides with Santa Margalida, Sa Pobla’s female patron saint. Well, the result is that July is basically one big party filled with verbenas, live music and fireworks on the 25th.
Festival de Jazz – Early August
The Sa Pobla Jazz Festival happens around late July and early August and lasts for five days. It takes place in Placa Major and celebrates contemporary jazz as well as the works of the jazz masters, attracting international jazz musicians.
Nadal – December
Before the Kings in January, Sa Pobla lights up the town with Christmas decoration.