The Santuari de Sant Salvador is a sanctuary and hermitage on a hilltop at 510 metres in the municipality of Felanitx, in south-east Mallorca. It dates from 1348, when it was founded as a plea against the plague. The complex holds a church, a courtyard and the former monastery buildings, now partly a hotel, with a café-restaurant alongside. Two large religious monuments stand on either side of the summit, one of them a giant cross on a rock outcrop, and a lookout gives panoramic views over the south-east of the island.
Santuari de Sant Salvador de Felanitx
Hilltop sanctuary founded in 1348, with a church, a hotel in the old monastery and views over south-east Mallorca
- Entrance
- Free to walk the grounds, courtyard and church; donations towards upkeep are welcome.
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible parking at the top.
- Parking
- Free asphalt car park about 60 m away, with a second parking area about 150 m off; wheelchair-accessible parking available.
- Difficulty
- None by car: the road runs to the summit and you park about 60 m away. By bike the road is a stiff 4.5 km climb in switchbacks.
- Transport
- No bus to the top; the nearest stops, República Argentina and Ernest Mestre, are about 3.6–3.8 km away in a straight line.
- Address
- Crta. de, Ctra. Porto Colom, s/n, 07200 Felanitx, Illes Balears, Spain
What makes it special
From the lookout the south-east of Mallorca spreads out in every direction, and when cloud drifts along the slope the summit feels like a ledge on a cliff face. A giant cross stands on its own rock over the valley below the monastery. A statue of Christ the King holds the other end of the summit.
Between them sits the sanctuary, founded in 1348 against the plague. Every block of it had to be hauled up this hill, which is easy to forget once you have driven the road. The courtyard and church are open to wander, and it is worth going inside before you settle at the lookout. It is calm up here. The view, the church and a coffee fill an hour or two.
Good to know
- The footpaths on the slopes are poorly signed and many end nowhere; one steep forest path stops at the foot of the rock under the cross, with no way up.
- Cyclists ride the road up in numbers, so expect them on the bends in both directions.
- A café-restaurant stands next to the monastery, and part of the old monastery is a hotel, so you can stay the night on the summit.
- At 510 metres the summit catches cloud and wind; bring a layer even when it is warm below.
Getting there
The access road leaves the Felanitx–Porto Colom road and climbs about 4.5 km in tight switchbacks, with steep drops at the side. It is narrow, and some passengers will not enjoy it. The same road is a popular climb by bike.
At the top there is a car park about 60 m away, and a second parking area about 150 m off. From there you walk across to the courtyard and the lookout.
The nearest bus stops are about 3.6 km away in a straight line, which leaves the climb on foot or by bike. If you walk up, the unsigned side paths are a gamble: many of them end in dead ends.
Best time to visit
Best: a clear afternoon, when the sun sits behind you as you look out over the south-east of the island.
Avoid: low cloud and hazy days; on a bike, the midday heat of summer on the climb.
The view is the reason to come, and cloud drifting along the slope can close it in completely.
Sun & daylight
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Santuari de Sant Salvador de Felanitx on the map
The road up is narrow and twisting, with steep drops beside it and cyclists on the bends. Drive slowly and keep to your side, above all on the way down.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you drive to the top of Sant Salvador?
Yes. A winding road climbs to the summit, and there is parking about 60 m from the sanctuary. The road is narrow with steep drops, so take it slowly.Can you stay overnight at the sanctuary?
Yes. Part of the former monastery is run as a hotel.Is there anywhere to eat or drink?
A café-restaurant stands next to the monastery, good for a coffee or a meal.Can you hike up to the sanctuary or the cross?
The slopes are crossed by unsigned paths, and many of them end in dead ends. One steep forest path ends at the foot of the rock under the cross, with no way up to it. The road is the one route that certainly reaches the top.How long does a visit take?
An hour or two covers the church, the courtyard, the lookout and a coffee.