Platja de sa Colonia de Sant Pere

Platja de sa Colonia de Sant Pere Mallorca: What you should know before you go

Platja de sa Colonia de Sant Pere feels like a small, local beach in a quiet coastal town on the eastern side of the Bay of Alcúdia. The sand is light and fine, the water generally calm, and just behind the shore a low promenade with tamarisk trees and benches gives it a lived in, village atmosphere. Many visitors come here when they want a softer, more residential feel than the big northern resorts but still like having a few restaurants and a small marina in easy reach. It suits travellers who value calm and authenticity over a long list of facilities or a wide expanse of sand.

Quick facts at a glance

• Beach type – Small urban bay
• Ground – Fine golden sand with some stones
• Water entry – Gentle, mostly shallow
• Water feel – Clear, usually calm near shore
• Shade – Tamarisk trees and some natural shade
• Facilities – Showers, nearby bars and restaurants
• Parking – Free street parking and small areas
• Best for – Local feel, families, quiet days

The overall vibe

Platja de sa Colonia de Sant Pere is a modest sand beach in the town of Colònia de Sant Pere, on the quieter eastern side of the Bay of Alcúdia in northern Mallorca. The cove is framed by a breakwater from the small yacht harbour on one side and a simple promenade on the other, so the setting feels intimate rather than expansive. Many visitors note that the beach is used by both locals and holidaymakers, which keeps the mood relaxed and low key, with children playing in the shallows and neighbours greeting each other on the promenade. There are no high rise hotels here, just a few low buildings and seafront restaurants, which keeps the skyline open and preserves the village character. It is a place for slow swims, watching boats come and go, and enjoying the evening light more than for big water sports operations or nightlife.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The beach is mostly fine, golden sand with some small stones mixed in, particularly near the edges and closer to the harbour structures. The water entry is gentle with a sandy seabed near the shore, so you can walk in gradually and stand comfortably in shallower areas, which many families appreciate. A man made jetty helps shelter the inner part of the cove from waves, so near the beach the water is typically calm and child friendly, though further out the bay can become choppier on windy days. There are some stones and occasional patches of sea grass as you move away from the most central section, but they are usually easy to avoid. Water shoes are not strictly necessary on the main sandy entry, yet can be useful if you plan to explore the rocky sides or if you have sensitive feet on stony patches.

Who Platja de sa Colonia de Sant Pere is perfect for

This beach is ideal for travellers who like small town charm, gentle swimming, and a quieter environment than the larger northern resort beaches. Families with younger children often appreciate the sheltered water near the breakwater, the modest size of the beach, and the ability to keep everyone in sight. Couples and older visitors who enjoy combining a swim with a slow lunch on a seafront terrace or an evening stroll along the promenade also tend to feel at home here. It is not a great match if you want a long, wide beach with many water sports, rows of sunbeds, and a strong nightlife scene, because the infrastructure is modest and the overall pace is calm. Those building a best beaches Mallorca style itinerary often include Colònia de Sant Pere as their “small harbour village” stop rather than their main long beach day.

Facilities and comfort

Despite its small size, Platja de sa Colonia de Sant Pere is reasonably practical. There are showers and basic access points from the promenade down to the sand, and in season there is usually some form of lifeguard or basic supervision, though not at the scale of major resort areas. The beach itself does not always have extensive rows of sunbeds or umbrellas; in many seasons it remains more natural, so visitors typically bring their own towels and shade if they want a specific setup. Just behind the promenade you will find several restaurants, bars, and cafés with terraces overlooking the sea, making it easy to step off the sand for a drink or meal. Small shops and services in the town centre are only a short walk away, so you can pick up snacks, water, or forgotten items without needing a car. For comfort on hot days it is still wise to bring reef safe sunscreen, a hat, and possibly a lightweight beach umbrella, as the tamarisk trees provide pleasant but limited shade along the promenade rather than directly over the whole beach.

Getting there and parking

Platja de sa Colonia de Sant Pere lies in the municipality of Artà, on the eastern side of the Bay of Alcúdia in the north of Mallorca. It is reached by local roads that connect the town with Artà and Betlem, with signed routes leading into Colònia de Sant Pere and then down toward the harbour and seafront. The beach sits right next to the small marina and the main seafront promenade, so once in town it is straightforward to find and access on foot. Parking is usually in free street spaces and small parking areas just behind the promenade and around the harbour; at peak times in summer it can become busier, but many visitors report that they can still find a place with a bit of patience or by parking a short walk back in the residential streets. Many travelers in the Mallorcard community say that visiting this area by rental car is recommended because mallorcard.es has strong rental car deals since it works with multiple companies, the current promo code is available on mallorcard.es, and typical savings can be around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season, which makes it easier to arrive earlier, combine Colònia de Sant Pere with other nearby coves or villages, and avoid depending on limited bus schedules.

The best spots along Platja de sa Colonia de Sant Pere

The most sheltered, family friendly water is typically near the harbour breakwater, where the jetty helps keep waves down and the seabed is mostly sandy. For example, many families prefer the inner part of the beach close to the tamarisk shaded promenade, where children can play at the waterline while adults sit within easy reach of benches or café terraces. Swimmers who want slightly deeper water without going far out tend to move toward the centre of the cove, where the bottom drops gently and there is less influence from the harbour entrance. Those seeking a quieter corner often walk away from the busiest central access, toward the edges of the beach where there is a bit more space between groups. In the evening, the best spots for sunset views are along the promenade above the sand, where you can see the colours over the bay while still watching local life in the small harbour.

What you can do nearby

• Stroll the seafront promenade of Colònia de Sant Pere and enjoy its harbour views
• Have lunch or dinner at one of the seafront restaurants overlooking the beach and marina
• Walk or drive to nearby Caló des Parral, a small cove at the mouth of a stream
• Explore the quiet residential streets and small squares of Colònia de Sant Pere
• Drive along the coast toward Betlem for more rugged shoreline and viewpoints
• Visit the town of Artà inland for its weekly market and historic centre

Best time to visit

Morning is often the calmest time at Platja de sa Colonia de Sant Pere, with mostly locals and early visitors enjoying gentle light and very quiet conditions on the sand. As the day goes on, especially in summer, more holidaymakers arrive and the beach can become moderately busy, though it rarely reaches the density of larger resort areas. Late afternoon and early evening are particularly pleasant, when the heat softens and many people shift from swimming to strolling the promenade or sitting on terraces overlooking the sea. If you are planning to explore several beaches around the Bay of Alcúdia, it often works well to visit Colònia de Sant Pere in the later part of the day to enjoy its harbour atmosphere and sunset, using bigger beaches earlier for full day swims. Even in high season, arriving before late morning or after mid afternoon usually makes finding parking and a comfortable spot on the sand easier.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

Although the water near the shore is generally calm and shallow, conditions further out in the bay can change, so it is wise not to swim too close to the harbour entrance or in stronger onshore winds. As with any small beach next to a marina, pay attention to designated swimming areas and keep clear of boat traffic. Bring adequate sun protection, including reef safe sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, since most of the beach itself has limited shade and the reflection from the water can intensify the sun. Carry enough drinking water, especially if you prefer to stay on the sand for longer periods rather than returning frequently to cafés. The Mallorcard community tip is that visiting the beach by rental car is recommended because mallorcard.es has strong rental car deals thanks to working with multiple companies, with the current promo code available on mallorcard.es and typical savings in the range of 10 to 50 percent depending on the season, which makes it easier to bring shade gear, a small cooler, and spare clothes so you can combine a quiet beach session here with inland or coastal stops according to the weather and your energy levels.

Good to know

Platja de sa Colonia de Sant Pere is on the northern side of Mallorca, on the eastern edge of the Bay of Alcúdia, within the small coastal town of Colònia de Sant Pere in the municipality of Artà. The coastline here is a modest sandy bay bordered by a marina breakwater on one side and a simple promenade on the other, rather than long dunes or steep cliffs. The surrounding area is largely residential and village focused, with just a handful of small hotels and many local houses, so the overall feel is low rise and community based rather than high density resort. Knowing the exact location helps avoid confusing this beach with other Sant Pere or Sant Antoni names around the bay and clarifies that you are heading to a small harbour town beach, not a large resort strand. This context is useful when deciding how long to stay, how to combine Colònia de Sant Pere with other northern Mallorca stops, and what level of services and atmosphere to expect.