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Andratx

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Overview

Andratx (Catalan pronunciation: [ənˈdɾatʃ]) is a municipality on Mallorca, one of the Balearic Islands, along the Mediterranean east coast of Spain. It is located on the western tip of the island. Port d'Andratx, located a few miles south of Andratx, is an exclusive resort.

Facts

Rank

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Coordinates

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Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage Wikipedia

Media

From Wikipedia760 words

WBP editorial3

Seasonal rhythm of the fishing harbour

The tiny harbour at Andratx transforms with the tide of the fishing calendar rather than the tourist timetable. Early mornings in autumn see fluffy, silver‑scaled canaries dotting the water as local pescadors unload the day’s catch – a bounty that underpins the town’s modest seafood restaurants. In winter, the harbour quiets, and the surrounding cliffs become a favourite spot for local climbers seeking sheltered routes. By late spring, the sailboats gather for a low‑key regatta, a social event more about neighbourly banter than competition. Timing a visit to coincide with these subtle shifts lets a traveller experience the organic pulse of a community that lives by the sea, not the brochure.

Beyond the promenade: inland trails and olive groves

While most guests linger along the waterfront, the interior of Andratx offers a network of footpaths that wind through ancient olive groves and stone farmhouses, many of which date back to the Moorish period. Walking these routes you’ll pass tiny "sagreras" – communal winter rooms where villagers once stored harvests and now host modest tastings of locally pressed olive oil. The paths also intersect with the dry‑stone terraces that characterise the Serra de Tramuntana, offering panoramic snapshots of terraced agriculture unlike any other Mediterranean island. Pack sturdy shoes and a bottle of water; the inland walk rewards the curious with a glimpse of Andratx’s agrarian heritage that is seldom highlighted in guidebooks.

A comparative look: Andratx and neighbouring Portals Nous

Travelers often compare Andratx with the glitzier Portals Nous across the bay, but the contrast is instructive. While Portals Nous leans on upscale yachts and designer boutiques, Andratx retains a quieter, family‑oriented rhythm, reflected in its modest market square and low‑rise architecture. The price differential is noticeable: a dinner of grilled dorada in Andratx will cost roughly half of a comparable plate across the water, yet the quality remains anchored in the same fresh catch. This juxtaposition offers an easy way to gauge the range of Mallorcan experiences – from cosmopolitan polish to laid‑back authenticity – without the need to travel far from the same coastline.

Introduction

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: "Andratx" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (July 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Municipality in Balearic Islands, SpainAndratxMunicipalityTown of Andratx Coat of armsAndratx shown within MallorcaAndratxLocation in MallorcaShow map of MallorcaAndratxAndratx (Balearic Islands)Show map of Balearic IslandsAndratxAndratx (Spain)Show map of SpainCoordinates: 39°34′15″N 2°25′17″E / 39.57083°N 2.42139°E / 39.57083; 2.42139Sovereign state SpainAutonomous community Balearic IslandsProvince Balearic IslandsIslandMallorcaComarcaSerra de TramuntanaAdministrative HQAndratxGovernment • TypeMunicipal corporation • BodyAjuntament d'Andratx • MayorKatia RouarchArea • Total81.46 km2 (31.45 sq mi)Population (2025-01-01) • Total12,195 • Density149.7/km2 (387.7/sq mi)Time zoneUTC+1 (Central European Time) • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (Central European Summer Time)Websitewww.andratx.cat Andratx (Catalan pronunciation: [ənˈdɾatʃ]) is a municipality on Mallorca, one of the Balearic Islands, along the Mediterranean east coast of Spain. It is located on the western tip of the island. Port d'Andratx, located a few miles south of Andratx, is an exclusive resort.

History

[edit] The town of Andratx is ancient and until recently[when?] was mainly inhabited by local Majorcan people.[citation needed] The area was occupied by the Romans, who called the town Andrachium, in the 2nd century BC and pottery and coins found there give evidence of this. The town was built inland from the coast as a precaution against the constant threat of raids from Barbary pirates. In the 16th century a system of observation towers was erected on the island as a means of protection against pirates. From 14 towers in the municipalities of Andratx and Calvià, 12 still exist. The municipality also includes the towns of Port d'Andratx, Sa Coma, S'Arracó, Sant Elm and Camp de Mar. It also includes the uninhabited islet Sa Dragonera. The municipality has undergone a transformation since 2004,[citation needed] following the input of EU finance which has resulted in a facelift for the town and also brought in foreign investment.

Geography

[edit] Andratx municipality is located in the southwestern corner of the Sierra de Tramontana, the most significant mountains of the island of Majorca. In the southern part are a number of valleys, which are the most densely populated areas. The northern part of the municipality is mountainous and rugged, and is virtually uninhabited. The highest point is at 927 metres. Off the coast of the municipality is the islet of Sa Dragonera, declared a Natural Park in 1995. It can be accessed by sea from Puerto de Andratx or Sant Elm.

Demographics

[edit] Demographic evolution 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1981 1991 2001 2005 2007 6,516 6,262 6,113 5,778 5,077 3,768 4,113 6,043 6,336 6,869 9,034 9,906 10,939 Throughout the twentieth century the population gradually declined to a low in the 1950s. Since then the population has been recovering steadily except in 1960 when the population increased by 2,000 people. In the early twenty-first century the pace of growth has accelerated again. with 2,200 new inhabitants between 2001 and 2005 and increasing urban pressure on the environment, especially in the capital-population centers Andratx and Puerto de Andratx. Andratx is one of the municipalities of Mallorca with the highest percentage of foreign residents. According to the 2001 census about 15% of the population was foreign and among them 43% were EU nationals, including roughly 15% German, 15% British and 10% French.

Art

[edit] The main monuments in the municipality are Church of Santa Maria de Andrach, Iglesia de la Virgen del Carmen del Puerto de Andratx, Church of s'Arracó, the Castell de Son Mas (Now City Hall), the Andratx Castle, and the former Trappist monastery, now in ruins. The legendary Teatro Argentino, dating back to 1912, belongs to former symbols of the municipality that have disappeared. Contemporary art is shown in the CCA Andrax Cultural Center (Centro Cultural Andratx), in Sa Coma, north of Andratx; in the Sa Taronja Cultural Association, west of Andratx; in the Liedtke Museum in the Port; and in the architecturally remarkable Studio Weil.

Notable people

[edit] Stephen Gately (1976–2009), singer Guy Hamilton (1922–2016), film director; married to the (below) Kerima Peter Hook (born 1956), musician (Joy Division, New Order) Kerima (born 1925), actress; married to the above Guy Hamilton Mark Lawrenson (born 1957), footballer and broadcaster John Noakes (1934–2017), television presenter Baltasar Porcel (1937–2009), novelist José Luis de Vilallonga (1920–2007), actor