Son Servera is a town, a municipality and a beautiful village of Mallorca in the Llevant comarque, known for its combination of traditional Mallorcan settlements with important coastal centers such as Cala Bona and Cala Millor. Founded in the 14th century and located about 65 km from Palma, it maintains a historic charm characterized by its traditional architecture, surrounded by nature and close to important tourist attractions. The municipality combines its rich agricultural and fishing history, its geography and its important culture with a growing focus on tourism, offering beaches, coves, golf courses and a weekly market.
Son Servera: Population Centers
The municipality of Son Servera is made up of several population centers, with Son Servera being the main inland center, along with important coastal centers such as Cala Bona, Cala Millor, Port Verd, Port Nou, Port Vell and Costa de los Pinos. The coastal centers are mainly focused on tourism.
Toponymy of Son Servera
The place name “Son Servera” comes from the Catalan “Ço de ‘n Servera“, which means “property of Servera”, referring to a family that owned land in the area. The word ‘son’ (meaning “house of” or “property of”) was used to designate a large agricultural area. The word “Servera” may be related to the domestic rowan tree (Sorbus domestica), which in Catalan is called “cervera,” which is the motif on the town’s coat of arms.
The place first appeared in 1354 as Benicanella and later split into two areas, Son Fra Gari and Ca l’Hereu and over time the name “Servera” became established.
History and evolution
The area has been inhabited since pre-Talayotic times, with sites such as the caves of Sa Font Gata and the talayots des Puig. During Muslim rule, the area was part of the district of Yartan (Artà) and agricultural and irrigation practices were developed.
With the arrival of James I in 1229, Son Servera became part of the territory granted to the conquerors. Since then, Son Servera evolved from its feudal origins related to the conquest of Mallorca by James I, existing under the name of Binicanella in ancient times. It became administratively independent from Artà in 1820, losing and regaining its autonomy until 1837 and its economy shifted from agriculture, livestock and fishing to focus mainly on tourism during the 20th century.
For centuries, the area depended administratively on Artà. It became independent for the first time in 1820, thanks to the Constitution of Cádiz of 1812, which allowed the creation of municipalities with more than 1,000 inhabitants. It lost this autonomy in 1824, but regained it definitively in 1837. The plague caused widespread death in the village, decimating the population in just a few months. Of the 1,808 inhabitants, 1,040 died, leaving 768 survivors.
The economy was mainly based on agriculture (almond and olive trees), livestock farming and, to a lesser extent, fishing, but it underwent a fundamental change when Son Servera (and its coastal towns) became important tourist centers on the island, with tourism becoming the main economic driver.
Economy
Historically, it has had a strong agricultural base, especially with almond and olive crops. Currently, the economy has diversified and tourism is an important driver, complementing agriculture and fishing.
Location and how to get to Son Servera
Son Servera is located in the east of Mallorca, about 65 km from Palma and can be reached by car via the Ma-15 motorway towards Manacor, turning off at San Llorenç onto the Ma-4030. Access by public transport is possible via various bus lines that have stops nearby, such as the A42 line.
How to get to Son Servera? Arriving by car
To get to Son Servera by car from Palma, take the MA-15 motorway towards Manacor, pass Manacor and then take the MA-4030 in Sant Llorenç des Cardassar. The route is approximately 68 km long and takes around 1 hour, depending on traffic.
How to get to Son Servera? Getting there by bus
To go from Palma to Son Servera by bus, the most common route is to take the 412 line from the Estació Intermodal, which requires a transfer in the Rambla Rei en Jaume area. The entire trip takes approximately 2 hours and 11 minutes.
Bus route to Son Servera
Departure: Palma Intermodal Station.
First part of the journey: Take the 412 bus to the city center.
Transfer: Change buses at the Rambla Rei en Jaume stop.
Second part of the journey: Take another bus (which could be the same 412 line or a connection) from Rambla Rei en Jaume to get to Son Servera.
Duration: The total journey takes approximately 2 hours and 11 minutes.
Other bus lines to Son Servera
The main bus lines that go to Son Servera are the 412 (which connects with Manacor, Cala Millor and other nearby towns) and the 401 (which goes from Palma and the airport, passing through towns such as Manacor and Sant Llorenç). The A42 line also offers service to and from the airport, passing through Cala Bona, Manacor and the airport and connecting with Son Servera.
Main Lines
Line 412: Connects Son Servera with Manacor, Cala Millor, Cala Bona and Sant Llorenç, among other destinations.
Line 401: Connects Son Servera with Palma and Palma Airport (PMI), passing through Manacor and Sant Llorenç.
Line A42: Connects with Palma Airport via Cala Bona, Cala Millor, sa Coma and Portocristo and also passes through Manacor.
Additional considerations for the bus to Son Servera
Cost: The ticket price can range from 8 to 12 Euros.
Connections: To get to Son Servera from other parts of the island, such as Llucmajor, it may be necessary to change buses. One example is to take line 504 from Llucmajor to Palma and then changing to line 411 or 401 to reach Son Servera.
Alternative buses: There are also other services that involve a transfer in Cala Millor Centre, with a duration of almost 2 hours and 37 minutes, although line 412 is generally more direct and economical.
Timetable: It is important to check the specific timetables for line 412, as departures may vary.
How to get to Son Servera? Arriving by taxi
You can also get to Son Servera by taxi if you are looking for a faster option. A taxi ride to Son Servera can cost around €40-€50 from Manacor and take about 16 minutes. A taxi service from Calas de Mallorca to Son Servera costs around €36 and takes about 27 minutes. From Palma de Mallorca (Airport), the taxi ride can cost approximately €95 (during the day) or €105 (at night and on weekends). You can request a taxi through well-known mobile apps or from this website in the corresponding section.
Important: All of the above prices and times are estimates. They may vary depending on the service provider and time of year. We recommend checking directly with providers before booking.
Places of interest in Son Servera: Heritage
Església Nova: An unfinished Gothic church that stands out for its architectural appearance open to the sky.
Church of Sant Joan Baptista: Built from a 16th-century defense tower, it is the most important religious building and the center of numerous events.
Parish Church of Sant Joan Baptista: Built from a 16th-century defense tower, it is the most important religious building and the center of numerous events.
Ca na Violina: An old music school that has been restored and annexed to the town hall, preserving its cultural value.
Ca s’Hereu and Son Fra Garí: These are the old estates that gave rise to the town and today they are valuable examples of traditional architecture.
Els rentadors: An old public washhouse with a water fountain, which today has become a place of cultural interest.
What to see and do in Son Servera? Beaches and leisure
Coastal towns: These include Cala Millor (famous for family tourism), Cala Bona (a fishing port) and Costa de los Pinos (known for its villas). Leisure on the coast of Son Servera offers a mix of beaches, nature and activities, combining tranquility with vibrant tourist options. The main attractions include beaches such as Cala Millor and Cala Bona and the possibility of renting vehicles to explore the area. In addition, you can enjoy services such as “biblioplaya” (beach library) and tourist trains in Cala Millor, or explore the Vía Verde (Greenway) for outdoor activities.
What to see and do in Son Servera? Nature and Landscapes
Nature: Son Servera combines active nature with a cultural and relaxed environment. Its surroundings offer hiking and cycling trails through landscapes with almond groves and sea views. The most notable nature reserve in Son Servera is Sa Punta de n’Amer, an area of great scenic and natural value between Cala Millor and Cala Bona. This place offers an unspoiled natural environment ideal for exploration and hiking, far from mass tourism and inside it is the Castell de sa Punta de n’Amer, a 17th-century defensive tower.
What to see and do in Son Servera? Sports
Son Servera combines tourism and sports with an offering that includes golf at Pula Golf and Club de Golf de Son Servera, water sports such as sailing, paddle surfing, diving and kayaking and other activities such as tennis and hiking. The municipality also has a variety of cultural and leisure attractions, such as its port in Cala Bona, beaches such as Na Marins…
What to see and do in Son Servera? Activities and culture
Weekly market: The Son Servera market is held on Friday mornings in the town center, stretching from Plaça Sant Joan to the old railway station. It offers a wide variety of products, including fruit and vegetables, textiles, local crafts, gifts and leather goods. It is a popular market with over 200 stalls and a wide range of food, clothing and decorative items.
Gastronomy: The cuisine of Son Servera is characterized by traditional Mallorcan cooking, with fresh fish from the area, rice dishes and dishes such as “frit mallorquí”. Also noteworthy are the local sausages (Sobrasada), the wine of the region and desserts such as ensaimada. In the surrounding area and in the town itself, there are restaurants offering both traditional cuisine and more contemporary options and other international cuisines.
Festivals: The Son Servera Festivals are annual events that combine tradition and fun, with notable celebrations such as the Sant Joan festivities in June (patron saint festivities) and the Sant Antoni festivities in January. The festivals include concerts, traditional dances, street parties, theater, sporting events and activities for all ages. Also noteworthy are the Tourist Festivals in September and the Christmas celebrations, including the arrival of the Three Kings by boat to Cala Bona.
Hospitality in Son Servera
Tourism: Son Servera offers a wide variety of accommodation and hospitality, notable for its boutique hotels, apartments, vacation rentals and agrotourism, with options for different tastes, such as adults-only establishments and charming houses. The town is complemented by a gastronomic offering focused on local products and its proximity to tourist areas such as Cala Millor and Cala Bona.
Accommodation in Son Servera
Hotels and apartments: The area has hotels of different categories, from comfortable resorts and boutique hotels such as the Pula Suites Boutique Resort, to simple and well-equipped apartments such as the Apartamentos Sema.
Agrotourism: For a more rural and peaceful experience, there are agrotourism establishments such as Agroturismo Ses Cases de Fetget.
Vacation rentals: It is possible to find houses and villas for rent, such as Ses Oliveres in Port Verd, which are valued for their spaciousness, cleanliness and the hospitality of their owners.
Adults-only hotels: For those seeking a more peaceful atmosphere, there are adults-only hotels designed to offer calm and relaxation.
And that’s it for this brief guide to Son Servera, 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
