Campos, Mallorca

Founded by Jaume II around the year 1300 on the site of earlier Roman and Arab settlements, Campos is rich in history with many buildings of historical significance. The Church of Sant Julia is the most recognised, sitting in the location of a chapel dating back to 1248. The current church was finally inaugurated in 1873, although the bell tower was built between 1584 and 1597.

The 21st century has seen the revival of the dairy industry in the area, with the restitution of many windmills in the surrounding countryside used for irrigation. Although the town has long been famous for producing ‘Piris’ cheese, which is matured in a mixture of brine and paprika for approximately 3 months before it is ready to eat, plenty can be found on market days if you want to sample the goods.

Church of Sant Julia
The Church of Sant Julia is a mish-mash of styles. Its façade is Neoclassical but do step inside to take a look at its detailed ceiling and the Gothic altarpiece made by famous Mallorcan sculptor Gabriel Moger. You will also find a painting of Christ by the famous Sevillan artist Murillo hanging in the chapel. The Museum of the Parish of St Julia, or the Sister Mary Rafela Museum, is dedicated to a legendary 20th-century nun. It displays items from her home such as the chair on which she sat to listen and guide people. It’s also a great way to learn about convent life of the period.

Es Trenc Beach & Las Salinas
Outside of the town is where the main attractions of this region reside. With the beautiful natural beach of Es Trenc on its doorstep, it’s no surprise the town receives some ‘through-traffic’. There’s also a salt farm, 'Las Salinas’ which produces salt following the same method first used by the Phoenicians a couple of thousand years ago. The salt from here is a prized souvenir, and it can be purchased from shops all around the island as well as in the shop next to the farm. If you are interested in the ancient process, then you can take a guided tour of the salt pans.

Capocorb Vell
The Bronze Age settlement of Capocorb Vell isn’t far away from Campos, on the road towards Cala Pi. It is one of the most highly excavated Talaiotic sites in the Balearic Islands. You can see five talaiots and wander around the ancient village.

The beaches at Es Trenc and Sa Rapita are among the best on Mallorca. They are long stretches of semi-wild natural beach, with fine golden white sand and shallow turquoise waters. The beach at Es Trenc, in particular, is not very deep. It is a popular place for boats to anchor.

Campos hosts not one, but two market days per week. Every Thursday and Saturday morning, the whole town comes to life as market stalls pop up selling fresh local produce. Traditional agricultural fairs are also popular amongst the locals. The May Fair, commonly referred to as La Fira de Ses Vaques (the 'Cattle Fair'), features local livestock and stalls selling local produce. The Harvest Fair in October is a trade and craft festival that includes the popular Sobrassada Fair (Mallorcan sausage meat), a great chance to try the local delicacy – best served on bread with a drizzle of olive oil or honey.

Sant Julià, the patron saint of Campos, is celebrated on the 8th and 9th of January. The dance of St Julia is held and the bonfires are lit. A summer festival also takes place in the middle of August when locals put on street parties, food and dancing over the course of a few days.

The beaches are the biggest draw to this part of the island. Other than this, the area is popular with cyclists in the cooler months as there are lots of routes available to explore some of Mallorca’s most unspoiled countryside.

For such a small town, there’s a surprisingly good choice of restaurants in and around Campos, many of which use fresh, seasonal produce from the local area. Hotel Es Lloquet - The Secret Place’s restaurant provides a beautiful tranquil oasis for dining where its patrons feel at one with their natural surroundings. There is something wildly romantic about this restaurant as the sun goes down and, whilst the menu is predominantly Mediterranean, it caters to a wide range of tastes.

Moli de Vent is housed in a beautifully restored mill dating back to the late 19th century. Tasting menus are the thing here, where you can expect to find Mediterranean food with a modern twist in the shape of some Asian touches. To eat with the locals, head to the traditionally styled Sa Canova Restaurant. It has built a solid reputation amongst its fellow islanders, so you can try some authentic home cooked Mallorcan dishes knowing it has their seal of approval.

Good things await you at some of the 5-star hotels in the area. Sa Creu Nova Art & Spa Hotel has a selection of wonderful restaurants. Kairiku is a contemporary Japanese restaurant based on the ‘Omakase’ ('I will leave it to you') way, i.e letting a chef choose your 9-course tasting menu. Tess de Mar offers a more traditional Mediterranean experience when it comes to the food although expect modern dishes and presentation. The 5-star Fontsanta Hotel & Spa also puts on a spectacular gastronomic extravaganza at its Fontsanta Restaurant. This establishment is particularly popular for its innovative tasting menu, served in a stunning setting.

Campos remains an authentic Mallorcan town so there aren’t many places to stay within the centre. Segles Hotel is the one and only in the heart of town. Housed in a 16th-century townhouse, it offers a home-away-from-home vibe featuring traditional style and antique furnishings. Although it is small, it does have an indoor swimming pool.

On the other hand, there’s a great choice of hotels scattered around the countryside, from 5-star experiences to more modest agrotourism style places. Hotel Es Lloquet - The Secret Place is a hidden gem found outside Campos on the way to Sa Rapita. Within its rural setting, the old finca and its newish out-buildings claim classical Mallorcan design. The hotel is well-liked for its spacious rooms and homely vibe. Hotel Es Lloquet is particularly popular amongst families looking for a relaxed environment away from the touristy resorts but still within reach of some of Mallorca’s best beaches.

Es Revellar Art Resort Hotel is an adults-only boutique hotel just outside of Campos with its very own art museum onsite. This luxurious property offers rooms, suites and private villas with access to its lush gardens. Each room is individually decorated with traditional s Mediterranean theme, using good quality furnishings and infused with some interesting pieces of art.

Hotel Son Cosmet is another lovely rural escape in a stylish 17th-century building which retains many of its original charms. Its defining features are the impressive gardens with a prehistoric cave and medieval monument. The large swimming pool and outdoor space make it popular in the summer months. Agroturisme Son Barceló Mas provides a more authentic Mallorcan experience, owing to its traditional décor and furnishings. You can expect local food for breakfast and dinners can be arranged upon request. Although this hotel provides a more humble stay, it does feature 2 large outdoor swimming pools.

By car
Campos is an easy half an hour drive from Palma Airport. Just head towards Llucmajor/Santanyi on the Ma-19. This road takes you all the way into Campos.

Public transport
The TIB A51 is a direct bus travelling between the airport and Campos a few times per day and only takes half an hour. If this doesn’t fit in with your timings, you can catch bus number 1 to the bus station at Plaça d'Espanya, then take the 501 TIB bus which travels between Palma and Campos more regularly. Please check the latest timetable carefully as it changes throughout the year. The 501 also connects Campos to Llucmajor, Santanyi, Porto Petro, Cala d’Or and Cala Egos.