We’re sure you’ve seen a thousand photos of Mallorca, of its coves and its beach bars. That’s the coastal side, and we can’t take anything away from it, but the interior of Mallorca deserves just as much recognition. That’s why today we’re here to talk about Sencelles, a village surrounded by almond groves, vineyards and dirt tracks.
Charming? Well, yes, much more than you think.
Where is Sencelles?
It’s in the center of the island, in the comarca of Es Pla, a plain that almost nobody includes in their itinerary when visiting Mallorca. And that’s also part of the charm, because you won’t find any queues or crowds.
On top of that, from here you can reach almost any point in Mallorca in no time, so it’s a more than smart base to stay in. Another typical question from those who don’t know the area: is Sencelles just the village? Not exactly. The municipality also includes small hamlets such as Biniali, Jornets, Cascanar and Ruberts, known for their rural architecture. It’s well worth stopping by Biniali at least, to admire its stone houses and vineyards.
What to see in the village of Sencelles
The center is the Plaça de la Vila, and everything important is right around it. Here you’ll find the parish church of Sant Pere, a Baroque building raised in stages between the 17th and 19th centuries. It’s very sober on the outside, while inside its altarpiece stands out, featuring an enthroned Saint Peter.
Right next to this church is the Town Hall and, very close by, Sor Xiroia’s house, both of which are part of the route through the village’s historic center.
As you wander through the old town, you’ll also come across the monument to Sister Francinaina Cirer, a much-loved nun here, who founded a convent in the village in 1851 and whom locals call “la Beata” (the Beata).
What to do in Sencelles
The weekly market is held on Wednesdays. It’s the best way to see how the village comes to life and to buy local produce, so go in the morning, as it runs from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
And besides the market, there are plenty of excursions and routes you can do too — take a look!
Excursions to nearby towns and cities
As we mentioned at the beginning, Sencelles is also a perfect starting point for exploring the center of the island, since everything is just a short drive away:
- Inca: the capital of the comarca, famous for its leather and footwear tradition, and for its “cellers”, old wine cellars turned into restaurants where you can eat like a true Mallorcan.
- Petra: a quiet, charming village, birthplace of Friar Junípero Serra, the Franciscan who founded missions in California, and of Sant Pere de Petra, the church where he was baptized.
- Búger: a tiny, very authentic village with narrow streets and stone houses, where you’ll probably run into more cats than tourists.
And if you’re left wanting more, there are many other charming villages in Mallorca to visit.
Hiking routes
Don’t expect a rugged landscape like the one on the coast. No. Here it’s open and gentle, nothing like the cliffs and coves along the shore.
To get to know this landscape, what we recommend most is taking a walk around Biniali and exploring its vineyards, tracks and country lanes. You can do it on foot or by bike, we’ll leave that up to you. But don’t leave it out of your route.
And if you want to take in the landscape from a lookout point, there are two spots you should note down. One of them is Puig de Santa Magdalena, next to Inca, a hill with a small chapel at the top that you can reach with a short walk — you don’t need to be a mountaineer. The other is Puig de Bonany, near Petra, home to the ermita de Bonany. From here, on a clear day with no clouds, you can see half the island.
Typical Mallorcan cuisine… you'll find it in Sencelles too!
Wine carries a lot of weight in this comarca, and yes, Sencelles is part of the Binissalem Designation of Origin, together with Santa Maria del Camí, Consell, Binissalem and Santa Eugènia.
This recognition was granted in 1990 and brings together small and medium-sized family wineries, with the Manto Negro grape taking center stage.
There’s a wine route that links fourteen wineries. You can do the whole thing during your holiday, or pick a couple of them and get to know at least part of the area’s winemaking tradition.
Not in the mood for a route-and-tasting plan? You can also try these wines at the table in one of the restaurants around Sencelles.
None of them will be short of the classic sobrasada, tumbet, arroz brut, bread with olive oil and, in season, almonds and figs, which for years have driven the local economy.
If you can, take advantage of the set menu at a bar in the village, or head to Inca, to a celler. Mallorcan cuisine is incredibly varied, and you should try it from several angles.
Festivals you can't miss in Sencelles
The local festivals are another great reason to visit.
- If you visit Mallorca in February, Santa Àgueda, the patron saint’s day, is celebrated on the 5th.
- And if you travel to Mallorca in May, on the second Sunday there’s a pilgrimage in honor of the Beata, with pilgrims arriving on foot, on horseback or by cart.
- The third Sunday of May is the Fira Major, with a market selling local and organic produce, crafts, music and an exhibition of farming tools.
- And if Mallorca in June suits you better, Biniali hosts the Fira dels Jocs Tradicionals.
The schedule for these festivals is published on the Town Hall’s website shortly before each event, so just take a look and jot down everything you don’t want to miss.
A holiday in Sencelles is a great idea
Sencelles isn’t the village tourists usually pick when they come to Mallorca, but don’t let that stop you from being the one who does.
Discovering the Mallorca that doesn’t make it into the brochures, with Inca, Petra, Búger, Puig de Santa Magdalena and Puig de Bonany leading the way, is a fantastic idea, and at Ideal Property we want to help you make it happen with houses, villas and country estates for rent in Mallorca, so you can settle into the island’s interior, with a garden and pool, and get to know it from a whole new angle. Shall we book one for you?