Ses Salines is a town, a municipality and an important village in Mallorca located in the south of the island. It is known for its salt production and for being the starting point of the route to the Cabrera Archipelago Maritime-Terrestrial National Park. Its name comes from the ponds used for salt production and it is home to the Colonia de Sant Jordi, a tourist destination with a fishing port, coves and beaches such as the Es Trenc-Salobrar Natural Park.
Ses Salines is approximately 52 km from Palma, about a 40-minute drive. As part of the Migjorn comarque, the municipality borders Campos to the west and Santanyí to the east and is known for its southernmost point, Cap de Ses Salines. This picturesque Mallorca town combines a quiet, residential atmosphere with outdoor activities, including hiking, cycling, diving and snorkeling.
Toponymy
The place name “Ses Salines” comes from the numerous salt flats in the municipality, where salt has been extracted using traditional methods since Roman times. The name literally means “the salt flats”. These salt flats, located in a protected natural area, are the source of the town’s wealth and identity.
Geography and economy of Ses Salines
Location: It is located in the southeastern part of the island of Mallorca, in the southernmost part of the island. The village of Ses Salines is inland, while Colonia de Sant Jordi is on the coast.
Salt production: The municipality is famous for its salt flats, which date back to Roman times and have been exploited ever since. Today, traditional salt extraction is still carried out, including the production of Es Trenc fleur de sel.
Culture and heritage: The municipality is home to archaeological remains such as the Talayotic settlement of Els Antigors. It is also a destination with a rich offering of leisure activities and local cuisine.
Nature and leisure: The coastal area has coves and beaches and the municipality is located in the Es Trenc-Salobrar Natural Park. It offers numerous opportunities to enjoy nature through hiking, cycling, kayaking, diving and snorkeling.
Ses Salines: Historical overview
The history of Ses Salines is linked to the exploitation of its salt flats since ancient times, with origins dating back to the Punic and Roman periods. Salt was a vital resource for the Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines and Arabs, giving its name to the municipality and the Colonia de Sant Jordi. Administratively, Ses Salines became independent from Santanyí to become a municipality in its own right a century ago, in 1925.
Origin and history of Ses Salines
The first inhabitants arrived on the island during the Early Bronze Age, followed by the Talayotic people. The salt flats of Sa Vall, in Colonia de Sant Jordi, are among the oldest in the world, having been exploited by Punic merchants around the 4th century BC. During Roman rule, salt continued to be a key resource. The Roman conquest in 123 BC also left its mark on the area, with a possible Republican military fort identified in the center of the village. During Muslim rule, the marshes were also exploited and the settlement was called “Jussana”.
After the Christian reconquest, Ses Salines was sometimes known as “Salines de Santanyí.” From the Middle Ages onwards, salt exploitation went through different periods, marked by ownership by families such as the Dezcallar family and royal and local administration. The Colonia de Sant Jordi emerged as a small fishing port and is now an important tourist center.
How to get to Ses Salines
Getting there by car
By car: The municipality of Ses Salines is located at the southern tip of Mallorca. To get there from Palma, take the Ma-19 highway to Campos and then the Ma-6040 and Ma-6101 to the village. Access to the coastal area, such as Es Cargol beach, is via roads from the Ses Salines lighthouse or from Campos, while the Ses Salines Natural Park is located between Ibiza and Formentera (encompassing both the south of the island of Ibiza and the north of the island of Formentera and including the Es Freus strait that separates them). The village of Ses Salines is in the south of the island, about 32 miles from Palma and about 4 miles from the coast. It takes about an hour to get there by car.
Getting there by bus from Palma
Summary: To get to Ses Salines by bus, the main option is to take the 501 line from Palma de Mallorca (Estació Intermodal), which may require a transfer to the 517 line at the “La Verge” stop. The journey from Palma takes approximately 2 hours and costs between €7 and €9. Another option is to take the 501 bus to Manacor, from where you can transfer to the 517 line to reach Ses Salines.
Route: Take the 501 line from Palma’s Estació Intermodal to the “La Verge” stop in Campos, then take the 517 line to Ses Salines. This trip requires a transfer between bus lines.
Duration: Approximately 2 hours.
Cost: Between €7 and €9.
The 517 line of the TIB is a bus route that connects Santanyí with Colònia de Sant Jordi and Campos. It transports passengers between these towns in Mallorca.
Getting there by bus from Manacor
Route: Take the 501 bus to the “Mossèn Alcover” stop in Manacor, then take the 517 bus in Campos (La Verge) to Ses Salines. This trip requires a transfer between bus lines.
Duration: Approximately 1 hour and 22 minutes.
Cost: Between €8 and €11.
Additional tips
Purchasing tickets: You can purchase 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.
Please note that some lines are express and do not make all stops.
To plan your trip, we recommend checking the timetables on the TIB (Transport de les Illes Balears) website.
Getting there by taxi
You can also get to Ses Salines by taxi, if you are looking for a faster option. A taxi from Palma de Mallorca to Ses Salines takes around 40-50 minutes and the estimated cost is between 60 and 80 euros, as it is a journey of about 50 km. The time and price may vary depending on the route, the time of day and the taxi company, as there may be a slight increase due to the meter or supplements, so it is always recommended to check directly with the provider beforehand.
Places of interest in Ses Salines
Ses Salines is a municipality known for its historic salt flats, its proximity to unspoiled beaches such as Es Trenc and its archaeological importance. The municipality includes the town of Ses Salines and the tourist resort of Colonia de Sant Jordi and is ideal for those who enjoy nature, outdoor sports such as hiking and cycling and local cuisine.
Natural attractions and activities
Natural Park: The municipality is included in the Es Trenc-Salobrar Maritime-Terrestrial Natural Park of Campos, a protected area in the southeast of Mallorca that stands out for its beach-dune, wetland and salt flats system. It is a paradise for birdwatching, home to numerous species and combines ecosystems such as dunes, posidonia oceanica meadows, marshes and pine forests. The park includes the iconic Es Trenc beach, known for its natural beauty and crystal-clear waters.
Beaches: The municipality of Ses Salines has several white sand beaches with crystal clear waters, such as Es Dolç, Es Carbó and Es Trenc, surrounded by dunes and pine trees. It also includes small coves such as Cala Galiota and Es Port. The beaches are located near Colonia de Sant Jordi and in a protected natural environment. From Colonia de Sant Jordi you can also organize a visit to the Cabrera Maritime-Terrestrial National Park.
Hiking: Hiking in the municipality of Ses Salines is characterized by coastal and inland routes, notably the trail from the Ses Salines Lighthouse to Cala Mármols (about 9.7 km, moderate). Other popular options include the route from Colònia de Sant Jordi to the Ses Salines lighthouse and the route from Cabo Ses Salinas to Playa des Caragol (about 8.9 km, moderate). Hiking in the area is diverse, with flat paths and coastal trails along cliffs and you can also explore the interior of the municipality, passing by dry stone walls and the Talayotic site of Els Antigors.
Cycling: Ses Salines offers a mix of nature, culture and history through cycling routes that allow you to explore the landscape of the salt flats and beaches, such as Es Trenc or Ses Salines and visit charming villages such as Ses Salines itself and Colonia de Sant Jordi. You can enjoy easy rides on flat terrain or more demanding routes that combine the coast with the interior, passing through landscapes of dry stone walls, farmland and even the Cap Salines lighthouse.
Birdwatching: The area is a paradise for birdwatchers.
History and heritage
Salt flats: The municipality took its name from the salt flats, which are among the oldest in the Mediterranean, dating back to the 4th century BC. Artisanal salt extraction continues today. The salt flats of s’Avall are among the oldest in the Mediterranean, having been in operation since the 4th century BC. You can visit them and try their “fleur de sel”.
Archaeological sites: Remains of ancient settlements have been found, such as the Talayotic settlement of Els Antigors (c. 1000 BC). This discovery, together with the age of the salt flats, which date back to the 4th century BC, reflects very early and strategic human occupation in the area.
Civil architecture (historic buildings): The village of Ses Salines has a Balearic architectural style with two- or three-story houses. There are historic mansions in the area, such as the old Can Bonico estate, which is now a boutique hotel. The historic civil buildings of Ses Salines in Mallorca also include the Old Church (now a cultural center) and structures related to the salt flats, such as the fortified house of s’Avall. In addition, defense towers to protect against piracy and windmills for grinding wheat have been preserved.
Defensive architecture: This focuses on a Roman Republican military fort from the 2nd century BC (120-100 BC), which functioned as a castellum and housed a cohort, according to recent archaeological findings. This fort, strategically located in the south of the island, is part of Mallorca’s long military history, with defenses dating back more than 25 centuries, according to some documents from the period. The municipality also has a late 18th-century tower called Ses Salines Tower or Regana Tower, which was used for coastal surveillance and connected to the 16th-century network of defense towers.
Hotels and accommodation in Ses Salines
Tourism: In Ses Salines, the range of hotels and accommodation includes options such as boutique hotels, rustic estates, vacation rentals and agritourism, as well as apartments and bed & breakfasts. The area also benefits from the wide range of hotels in nearby Colonia de Sant Jordi, which includes hotels and resorts for families and adults. The tourist activity is complemented by the local cuisine, bars, restaurants and nearby attractions such as the beaches of Es Trenc and the Botanicactus botanical garden.
Gastronomy
The cuisine of Ses Salines is characterized by a combination of Mediterranean flavors with local products, notably fresh fish, rice and seasonal vegetables. Signature dishes include bullit de peix (fish soup with potatoes and rice), local versions of paella and seafood stews, while local products such as olive oil, sobrassada and Mallorcan wines are essential.
And that’s it for this brief guide to Ses Salines, 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
