Capdepera is a town, a municipality and a village in Mallorca located in the northeast of the island. It is known for its rich historical heritage, notably the Castle of Capdepera, a 14th-century fortress that dominated the fortified town founded by King Jaume II. The municipality combines this historic center with its coastal towns and tourist resorts, such as Cala Rajada, Cala Mesquida, Canyamel and Font de sa Cala and offers a spectacular natural environment with coves, beaches and hiking trails. It is located on the eastern end of the island of Mallorca, in the region of Llevant, about 50 miles from Palma.
Toponymy
The toponymy of Capdepera comes from the Latin Caput Petrae, which means “Cape of the Stone.” The name evolved into medieval Catalan as Cap de la Pera, which can be literally translated as “Head of the Rock” or “Cape of the Rock.” The place name is related to the rocky promontory in the area and was first documented in King James I’s chronicle, the Llibre dels Feyts.
Geographical location
Capdepera is located in the northeast of the island (Llevant comarque). To get there, you can use public transportation by taking bus line 411 from Palma and then connecting with other local lines or requesting a taxi. You can also rent a car at the airport and drive using the main roads.
How to get to Capdepera?
Capdepera is accessible by car, taxi and public transport. The options are detailed below.
Getting there by car
Getting to Capdepera by car: This is the most direct way. From Palma, you can access it via the main road network. The municipality has parking, although in high season it can be limited in tourist areas. The journey from Palma takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Getting to Capdepera from the airport: Capdepera is in the northeast of Mallorca, about 80 km from Palma and is easily reached by car on the main road from the airport. The most common route is to take the Ma-13 towards Inca and then follow the Ma-12/Ma-4040 towards Artà, then follow the signs for Capdepera or Cala Ratjada.
Parking in Capdepera: To park, it is recommended to arrive early, as parking is limited, mainly on the sides of the road and in some small areas.
Getting there by taxi
You can also arrive by taxi to Capdepera if you are looking for a faster option. A taxi from Palma to Capdepera takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes and the estimated price is around €100-120. Travel time may vary depending on traffic and the exact price depends on the hourly rate (weekday or holiday/nighttime) and possible surcharges (airport/port, number of passengers). You can request a taxi through well-known mobile app services. It is recommended to book in advance, especially during high season.
Getting there by public transport (bus)
Capdepera is accessible by public transport with bus lines 411 and 424, which have their closest stops at Cala Agulla 1 (14036), just a 5-minute walk from the town center.
Getting to Capdepera by bus: You can take line 411, which connects with Palma and other towns in the area. The nearest station is Cala Agulla 1, which is about a 5-minute walk from Capdepera.
Transfer: Once you arrive at a main bus station (such as in Artà), you can take a taxi or local bus to the town center.
The main bus lines serving Capdepera are the 411 and the 424. The closest bus stop to the town is Cala Agulla 1 (14036), about 5 minutes’ walk away. Line 411 is one of the first to start running, at around 5:40 a.m. while line 411E is one of the last, with service continuing until around midnight.
Other lines connecting with Capdepera
The bus lines that go to Capdepera are the 325 (Alcúdia-Cala Rajada), the 411 (Cala Rajada-Manacor), the 411E (Cala Rajada-Palma) and 424 (Cala Rajada-Portocristo), among others that connect with nearby towns such as Cala Mesquida (422) and Font de sa Cala (423). For detailed information on schedules and exact routes, you can consult the official sources of the TIB (Balearic Islands Transport).
Line 325: Connects with Alcúdia and Cala Rajada.
Line 411: Connects with Cala Rajada and Manacor.
Line 411E: Connects with Cala Rajada and Palma.
Line 424: Connects with Cala Rajada and Portocristo.
Line 422: Connects with Cala Mesquida.
Line 423: Connects with Font de sa Cala.
Additional information
Purchasing tickets: You can buy tickets directly from the driver on board the bus, but it is important to note that only cash tickets up to €10 are accepted. Another option is to purchase a prepaid card in advance at authorized points of sale. Payment can also be made directly with a contactless bank card and up to five people can travel with the same card, benefiting from discounts per user. In this case, it is essential to validate the card both when boarding and alighting from the bus so that the system can calculate the cost of the journey correctly.
Timetables: The timetables for the different lines and stops can be consulted on the official TIB website.
Stops: Some key stops in Capdepera are “Capdepera centre 1” (14033) and “Capdepera est 1” (14028).
What to see and do in Capdepera?
Capdepera is a municipality on the eastern tip of Mallorca, famous for its Castell de Capdepera, a medieval fortress built in the 14th century to protect the population from pirate attacks. The village combines an authentic historic center with narrow streets and stone houses and is surrounded by a diverse landscape that includes beaches and coves such as Cala Agulla and Cala Mesquida, as well as a golf course. Other points of interest include the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza inside the castle and the Medieval Market held in May.
Main attractions
Castell de Capdepera: Visit this 14th-century medieval fortress, which offers spectacular panoramic views of the Menorca Channel. Inside you will find the church of Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza and an exhibition of local llata craftsmanship in the Casa del Gobernador.
Tower of Canyamel: A historic tower in the vicinity that offers a guided tour priced at €3 for adults (free for children under 12), lasts approximately 45 minutes and offers panoramic views from the top.
Caves of Artà: A tour of these caves is another of the most popular activities in the municipality. The Caves of Artà offer guided tours of about 40 minutes with prices of €15 for adults, €8 for children (7-12 years) and free for children under 7. Rates for residents of the Balearic Islands are €12 for adults and €6 for children (7-12 years), requiring ID. The caves are open all year round, with hours varying by season (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from November to April and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from May to October). They are closed on December 25 and January 1.
Capdepera Lighthouse: A point of interest to visit and enjoy the views of the coast. The Capdepera Lighthouse, located at the easternmost point of Mallorca, is a historic lighthouse dating back to 1861. It is easily accessible by car, offers spectacular views of the Mediterranean and Menorca can be seen on clear days. It stands out as one of the best places on the island to watch the sunrise.
In the Vila
Historic center: Explore the cobbled streets, stately homes and historic buildings. The historic center of Capdepera is dominated by the Castle of Capdepera, a 14th-century fortress built by order of King Jaume II to protect the population from pirate attacks. Around the fortress, the town center is made up of cobbled streets and houses from different periods, including Plaza de Sitjar. The church of Sant Bartomeu, which is located within the castle grounds, is also a notable point of interest.
Sports and activities
Beaches and coves: Capdepera is known for its beaches and coves, notably Cala Agulla, popular for its fine sand and crystal-clear waters and other options such as Cala Mesquida and Cala Moltó. The offerings include enjoying the sun and sea, practising water sports such as diving and sailing, as well as exploring the surrounding nature through hiking and cycling. Enjoy these beaches and coves or others such as Canyamel or Font de sa Cala.
Hiking: Capdepera offers a wide variety of trails, from easy routes to high-difficulty challenges, which cross landscapes such as coves, forests and mountains. Some of the most popular routes include the Cala Agulla to Cala Mesquida traverse, the climb to the Talaia de Son Jaumell and shorter routes such as the Cala Mesquida circular route. In addition to route signage, Capdepera has an annual hiking event that offers organized routes, refreshments and a festive closing.
Water sports: Capdepera offers a wide variety of water sports, including diving in the Llevant Marine Reserve, surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing, board sports such as stand-up paddle (SUP) and wakeboarding. Activities such as kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing and light sailing can also be practised at local sports centers.
Golf: Capdepera Golf is a golf course in Mallorca, designed by Dan Maples, which offers a mix of flat holes in the valley and more challenging ones in the hills, with a Mallorcan-style social club and the Roca Viva restaurant. The course is ideal for players of all levels and its facilities include a large driving range, practice areas, a golf shop and a golf school.
Commercial offers and events
Capdepera market: Held every Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. It is an opportunity to shop at local stalls.
Mercat Medieval: During the third weekend of May, the Castell de Capdepera becomes a medieval fortress. This event attracts many visitors, who can enjoy staging, historical reenactments and themed stalls.
Sant Bartomeu Fair: The patron saint’s festivities are held every August 24, offering cultural activities and celebrations.
Hospitality and accommodation
Capdepera offers a wide variety of accommodation options, ranging from tourist establishments such as hotels and apartments to rural options. The municipality is divided into the more historic town area with its old town (which offers more traditional accommodation options, often in smaller establishments such as rural houses or small boutique hotels) and the coastal area of Cala Rajada, which has the majority of tourist accommodation, such as vacation apartments, hotels and villas for tourists seeking sun and beach and a lively nightlife.
Accommodation aspects to consider
If you are looking for a quieter, more cultural stay, the village of Capdepera is ideal. If you prefer to be close to the beaches and nightlife, Cala Rajada is the best option. The high season is during the summer months, so it is advisable to book in advance, especially for accommodation.
Capdepera cuisine
Capdepera is known for its traditional Mallorcan cuisine, which uses local products such as fish, sobrasada, ensaimada and olive oil. Some of its most notable dishes include seafood stew, cuttlefish with mussels and various dishes made with local vegetables, such as coca de verdura (vegetable pie) or cocarrois.
Sweets and pastries
Ensaimada: a traditional sweet with centuries of history and uncertain origins, probably influenced by the Arab period on the island.
Drinks
Wine: Capdepera has a good wine production, so it is recommended to try a tasting of local wines.
And that’s it for this brief Guide to Capdepera, Mallorca. We hope it helps.
By the way: Are you coming to Mallorca on a tourist trip? If you find it helpful, you can also check out our travel guide to Mallorca and more tourist information about the island
