Sa Pobla is a small town in the northeast center of Mallorca at the foot of the Sierra de Tramuntana, between Inca and Alcúdia. This historical town that dates back to the island’s Roman occupation is primarily known for its agriculture (especially potatoes) and its Sant Antoni celebrations in January. With its own direct train from Palma and its 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 Alcúdia and Playa del Muro.
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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 from Palma. Also, no matter how you get there, it’s an enjoyable journey through the Mallorcan countryside and past small towns with the mountains as a scenic backdrop.
Driving
Sa Pobla is about a forty-minute drive from Palma. Take Ma-13 towards Son Castelló/Inca/Alcúdia. Once closer to Sa Pobla, take exit 37 towards Sa Pobla/Sant Miquel/Coves. Continue on Ma-3421.
Public Transportation
Bus
There are a few ways to get to Sa Pobla by bus from Palma, but the simplest and most direct is to take the 301 TIB bus toward Port de Pollença. It takes about forty-five minutes and you’ll get off at the Ronda Nord stop. From the bus stop, it’s about a fifteen-minute walk to the town center.
The buses are about every hour. Please note that the last bus heading back to Palma leaves Sa Pobla around 10:30 p.m.
Train
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 pass 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 Mountains. 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 the T2 train 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 in Palma. Please note that the train times aren’t at regular intervals. There can be anywhere from forty 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 back to Palma is around 10:00 p.m.
Make sure to check the official TIB website for the most up-to-date schedules.
Where To Stay In Sa Pobla
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.
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 at a food festival or in a restaurant. Be sure to try a variat, a typical dish in Sa Pobla (and Mallorca, in general) that is a combination of different Mallorcan tapas. For example, a variat might consist of Russian salad, pork loin, and mushrooms. These are the perfect dish to try a bit of everything – a variety of flavors!
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 travel goals to find where the locals go? Then check out Bar Des Tren. It offers authentic food at affordable prices and is frequented by locals. They are known for their fideos con anguilas (noodles with eel) and also offer paella on Fridays. Don’t forget to order a beer, or two!
Best Hidden Gem: E-Cosí Brases
Tucked away near Plaza 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.
What 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 Plaza Mercat.
Celebrate Sant Antoni
If you’re in town during January, you simply can’t miss the Sant Antoni celebrations! Demons, fireworks, bonfires in the streets… these celebrations are sure to be like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Learn more below, in the section “fires I festes”.
See the Sights
Sant Antoni Abat Parish Church (La iglesia de Sant Antoni Abat/Parròquia de Sant Antoni Abat)
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 (el Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Can Planes)
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 hosts temporary exhibits. It’s located on the ground floor of a renovated manor house. The building 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 (Museu de Sant Antoni i el Dimoni en Sa Pobla)
Unable to come to Sa Pobla in January? Well, you can still see the demons! Located in the same building as the Museum of Contemporary Art, this museum houses the caparrots and dimonis used in the famous celebrations. It also houses 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:
Parc Natural de S’Albufera de Mallorca
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, don’t worry! 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
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 and meats like sobressada, 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. Something with a hood to cover your hair and face is a good idea.
Fira Nocturna de la Patata – 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 Plaza 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, a potato waffle topped with brava sauce, a baked potato filled with cheese and sepia, and potato ice cream. Come hungry.
Festival de Jazz de Sa Pobla – July & August
The Sa Pobla Jazz Festival happens around late July and early August and lasts for five days. It takes place in Plaza Major and celebrates contemporary jazz as well as the works of the jazz masters, attracting international jazz musicians.