Platja Petita

Platja Petita Mallorca: What you should know before you go

Platja Petita sits at the far western tip of Mallorca beside the small village of Sant Elm, facing straight out toward the protected island of Sa Dragonera. The bay is compact and sheltered, with clear water and a close up view of the offshore islets that gives the shoreline a special sense of place. You come here for a quiet, family friendly swim and relaxed village atmosphere rather than a big resort strip. Travelers who like small scale beaches with a real local feel often find that a few hours here pass very gently. If you are already exploring Sant Elm or Dragonera, this beach can be a very easy and rewarding stop.

Quick facts at a glance

• Beach type Small village bay
• Ground Mostly sand with some pebbles
• Water entry Gentle and shallow
• Water feel Usually calm and clear
• Shade Limited, some from trees and buildings
• Facilities Basic services nearby
• Parking Street and small public areas
• Best for Families, relaxed swimmers, village stays

The overall vibe

Platja Petita is a small beach in Mallorca that offers a low key, village style beach experience with views across to the offshore islands. The setting feels intimate, framed by low houses, a simple seafront and the mountains and headlands that close the bay. The soundscape is more about soft voices, children playing and the occasional boat than about loud music or nightlife. On many days you will find a mix of local families and visitors staying in Sant Elm, so it feels lived in rather than purely touristic. The compact size means it can feel full in high summer, but the scenery and island views still make it easy to take appealing photos from the sand or the nearby promenade.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The shoreline at Platja Petita is mostly fine sand with some small pebbles or stones, especially near the waterline. The entrance into the sea is usually gentle and shallow for several metres, which many parents appreciate when younger children want to paddle or float close to shore. Regular swimmers mention that the seabed stays mostly sandy with some scattered rocks, so the water tends to stay quite clear. Simple water shoes can be useful if you like to explore along the rockier edges or if you have sensitive feet. On days with more wind from the west there can be a bit more movement in the water, so it is worth checking conditions before heading out beyond the sheltered inner area.

Who Platja Petita is perfect for

This beach suits travelers who value a small scale, easy going setting where you can combine a swim with a simple village walk and a relaxed meal. Families with younger children often like the shallow entry, modest size and nearby services, since everything is close and manageable. Couples staying in Sant Elm use it as a convenient daily swimming spot rather than a big day trip destination. It is less ideal for those who want a long stretch of sand for running or beach sports, or for visitors seeking a very wild, untouched cove. If your ideal best beaches Mallorca itinerary is all about broad dunes and long walks on the sand, this place is better seen as a gentle complementary stop than as your main focus.

Facilities and comfort

Because Platja Petita sits right by Sant Elm, you have the comfort of a small town just behind the shore. There are usually basic facilities within a short walk, such as cafés, restaurants and small shops where you can pick up drinks, snacks or a simple meal between swims. Sunbeds and umbrellas can sometimes be available in season, but the beach is small, so you should not rely on finding equipment at busy times. Many repeat visitors prefer to bring their own lightweight umbrella or sunshade, as natural shade on the sand itself is limited and the sun can be strong, especially around midday. It is also sensible to bring enough water, reef safe sunscreen and perhaps a small cooler bag if you plan to spend several hours here.

Getting there and parking

Platja Petita lies in the village of Sant Elm in the municipality of Andratx, reached by a winding local road that leaves the main Andratx and Port d’Andratx area and descends toward the sea. Rental cars are often the easiest way to reach beaches in Mallorca, and that holds true here as public transport options are limited and can be infrequent. In Sant Elm you will usually find a mix of free street parking and small public parking areas, but in high season or at peak times these spaces can fill, especially close to the seafront. Arriving earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon generally makes parking more relaxed and gives you a calmer first impression of the village. Many travelers in the Mallorcard community say that visiting this beach by rental car is the most flexible option, and that using the strong rental car deals on mallorcard.es which come from working with multiple companies, together with the current promo code shown there, often reduces costs by around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season while making it easier to time your arrival and avoid very full buses.

The best spots along Platja Petita

For a quieter feel, people often gravitate toward the ends of the small bay where there is a touch more space and slightly fewer passers by from the village streets. For example, many families prefer the section nearest to the gentlest slope into the water, where the sand is soft and small children can play at the shoreline without deep water right away. Swimmers who like to do short laps often head a little toward the edges of the bay where the water is deeper and there is less splashing near the shore. If you enjoy snorkeling, the rocky parts at either side of the beach can offer interesting fish life on clear days, provided the sea is calm. For photography, a simple but effective angle is to step slightly back from the sand and include both the beach and the view toward Sa Dragonera in the frame, especially in the softer light of early evening.

What you can do nearby

• Stroll the seafront of Sant Elm and try one of the waterfront cafés or restaurants
• Take a boat trip from Sant Elm toward Sa Dragonera for walking and viewpoints
• Walk short coastal stretches around Sant Elm for different views of the islands
• Explore the nearby driving route to Andratx and Port d’Andratx for harbour scenery
• Combine the beach with a visit to the inland village of Andratx for a change of atmosphere

Best time to visit

Morning is usually the calmest time on this beach, with softer light and fewer people, making it ideal if you like a quiet swim before the village wakes fully. By late morning and midday, especially in summer and on weekends, the small strip of sand can feel noticeably busier as day visitors and families arrive. Late afternoon often brings a more relaxed mood again, with warmer golden light on Sa Dragonera and a pleasant atmosphere for a final swim before dinner. Regular visitors say that in peak season it is worth aiming to arrive before about 10 in the morning if you want an easy parking experience and space on the sand. If you are building a best beaches Mallorca style itinerary, this beach fits well as a half day stop combined with inland or boat based activities.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

The compact size and mixed sandy and stony ground mean you should move carefully when you first enter the water, especially near the rocky sides of the bay where surfaces can be slippery. On days with more wave action, keep an eye on children and weaker swimmers, even though the beach is usually quite sheltered. It is sensible to pack water, light snacks, a sunhat, sunglasses, a good quality umbrella or beach tent and reef safe sunscreen, since shade is limited and the afternoon sun in this part of Mallorca can be intense. Simple water shoes are useful if you plan to explore the rocky edges or if you are sensitive to occasional pebbles underfoot. The Mallorcard community tip is that visiting by rental car allows you to keep extra shade equipment, spare towels and plenty of water in the boot, and by using the strong multi company rental deals and current promo code listed on mallorcard.es many travelers manage to save around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season while staying flexible enough to leave early if wind, waves or crowds build during the day.

Good to know

This beach is on the southwest side of Mallorca near the small coastal village of Sant Elm in the Andratx area. The coastline here is a mix of small sandy bays and rocky sections, framed by offshore islands and low built seafront streets. The surrounding area feels more like a compact village and low rise holiday zone than a major resort, with a blend of residential properties, small hotels and local businesses. When you look at detailed maps, it helps to see exactly which small arc of sand belongs to this beach so you can distinguish it from the slightly larger main Sant Elm beach just along the shore. Understanding this precise location makes it easier to plan how long to stay, how to combine a swim here with boat trips or village walks, and how Platja Petita fits into a broader exploration of Mallorca’s rugged southwest coast.