Parish Church of Sant Llorenç
The Gothic parish church from the 13th/14th century dominates the village centre. Its distinctive bell tower and simple stone interior with a rose window are a fine example of Mallorcan ecclesiastical architecture.
approx. 5 km from Finca Alzinar
A village that still lives real Mallorca
Sant Llorenç des Cardassar is one of the quietest municipalities in eastern Mallorca – far from mass tourism, with a charming village centre, an impressive Gothic parish church and a vibrant market culture. The village sits inland, surrounded by almond and olive groves, with quick access to the coast.
From Finca Alzinar you can reach Sant Llorenç in about 10 minutes by car – perfect for a half-day trip: morning market, exploring the village, lunch, and then to the beach in the afternoon.
Sights in Sant Llorenç
Gothic architecture, nature and everyday Mallorcan life
Plaça de l'Ajuntament
The charming main square with the town hall, historic townhouses and shaded cafés. Village life pulses here – especially on Thursday mornings when the weekly market takes place.
Coves d'Artà (15 km)
One of Mallorca's most spectacular cave systems lies just 15 km away in Capdepera – vast chambers, an underground lake and impressive stalactites, great for all ages.
Weekly market – Thursdays in the village centre
Every Thursday morning the Plaça de l'Església and Carrer Major in the old centre host the traditional weekly market (a gastromarket): fresh local fruit and vegetables, Mallorcan cheese, sobrassada, honey, olives, leather goods and crafts, plus stalls with regional market cuisine.
Market hours: Thursdays approx. 8:00 – 13:30. Barely touristy – this is where locals shop.
Easily combined with a stroll through the village centre and a coffee on the main square – ideal as a morning trip from Finca Alzinar.
Market times subject to change. Current information: santllorenc.es
Festivals and traditions in Sant Llorenç
Village festivals, music and Mallorcan customs
- Sant Antoni – 16/17 January Bonfire eve (revetlla) with fires in the streets, dimonis and ximbombada; on the 17th the beneïdes (blessing of animals) with decorated floats and ball de bot. Celebrated across Sant Llorenç, Son Carrió and Sa Coma.
- Cavalcada de Reis – 5 January Festive Three Kings procession with the municipal band and children; King Balthazar addresses the village from the town-hall balcony, followed by gift-giving at the churches.
- Carnaval (Sa Rua) – February Children's parade on Dijous Llarder and the big carnival parade on Saturday with costumes, floats and music, followed by dancing and refreshments.
- Setmana Santa – March/April Holy Week processions: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday with hooded penitents (caperunats) and Roman centurions; Easter Sunday with the “Tres Botets”.
- Pancaritat a Son Vives – after Easter A spring pilgrimage outing to the Son Vives estate with open-air mass and a popular breakfast of traditional panades and rubiols.
- Sant Joan Pelut – 24 June A dance unique to Sant Llorenç, revived in the 1970s in honour of John the Baptist – performed in a red cape with bells, accompanied by dimonis and musicians.
- Festes Patronals de Sant Llorenç – around 10 August The village's patron-saint festival (second week of August): concerts, sports, exhibitions, the night fun-run (Cursa Popular Nocturna) and the night fair at the old railway station.
- Mare de Déu Trobada – 8 September Veneration of the Romanesque Virgin with solemn mass, fresh lavender and a morning floral tribute by local horsemen.
- Nadal Cultural & Mercadet de Nadal – December From 9 December, weeks of cultural and gastronomic events plus Christmas markets in Sant Llorenç and Son Carrió.
Food & Drink in Sant Llorenç
Simple, genuine Mallorcan cuisine
Sant Llorenç is not a gastronomic hotspot – and that is precisely its charm. Locals eat here. The restaurants are unpretentious, the cooking honest and regional.
- Village cafés & bakeries Fresh ensaïmadas, coffee and orange juice on the main square – at a fraction of what tourist towns charge.
- Menú del día – village restaurants A set lunch for €10–14: sopas mallorquines, frit, tumbet or grilled lamb. Book on market days.
- Cala Millor (8 km) – beach restaurants After the village visit, a wide choice in Cala Millor and Cala Bona – from pizzerias to excellent fish restaurants right on the harbour.
Beaches around Sant Llorenç
Family-friendly to wild – within 20 minutes
Sant Llorenç sits perfectly between two coastlines: to the north the wild Artà coast (Cala Torta, Cala Mesquida), to the south Sa Coma, Cala Millor and Cala Bona. All reachable from Finca Alzinar in 20–35 minutes.
Sa Coma
Wide, family-friendly beach about 7 km from the village centre. Calm waters, sun loungers and a beach bar.
Cala Millor
1.7 km of fine white sand and turquoise water – very pleasant outside high season. About 8 km from Sant Llorenç.
Cala Bona
A small, charming fishing harbour with excellent seafood restaurants right on the waterfront. Quieter than Cala Millor, with an authentic feel.
S'Illot
Small coastal village between Sa Coma and Porto Cristo – quiet, family-friendly, with a talayotic monument right by the sea.
Cala Nau & Cala Sequer (hidden coves)
Little-known rocky coves accessible on foot – crystal-clear water, peace and quiet, perfect for snorkelling.
Cala Torta & Cala Mesquida (30 km)
The wild natural coves of the Artà municipality – about 30 minutes away, combinable with a visit to Artà.
Frequently asked questions about the market & Sant Llorenç
When is the weekly market in Sant Llorenç?
The weekly market (gastromarket) takes place every Thursday from approx. 8:00 to 13:30, on the Plaça de l'Església and along Carrer Major in the historic centre.
Where is the market in Sant Llorenç held?
Around the Plaça de l'Església and along Carrer Major in the centre of Sant Llorenç des Cardassar. It is about a 10-minute drive from Finca Alzinar.
What can you buy at the Sant Llorenç market?
Fresh regional fruit and vegetables, Mallorcan cheese, sobrassada, honey, olives, leather and crafts – plus stalls serving market cuisine (gastromarket). Little touristy and very authentic.
Are there other markets in Sant Llorenç?
Yes: the Mercat d'Horabaixa (evening market) on the last Friday of each month from about 18:30 on Carrer Major, the Fira Nocturna a l'Estació on the second Saturday of August (from 20:00), and the Christmas market (Mercadet de Nadal) in the second week of December.
Discover Sant Llorenç – from your finca
Finca Alzinar is just 5 km from Sant Llorenç, set in 15 ha of nature reserve. Private pool 10×6 m, 350 m² country house, up to 6 guests (up to 10 with apartment). The ideal base for the entire east coast.