Petra
Accommodation in Petra
Petra combines a protected Old Town with notable traces of the later Junípero Serra and routes for walking and cycling. It also has a weekly market featuring agricultural produce. Those considering culture, exercise and local products when choosing a holiday destination will find a range of options here to consider when planning their trip.
Old Town and sites associated with Serra
Petra’s Old Town is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural for its historical and urban-planning value, as well as its traditional buildings and monuments. The building history of the Iglesia Parroquial de Sant Pere can be traced through several periods: it is the town’s third parish church since the 13th century. Construction began in 1582 and was completed towards the end of the 18th century. The church is predominantly Gothic; the Rosary Chapel is an exception, with its Baroque design dating from 1689.
The life of Junípero Serra is also connected with Petra. Sant Pere contains the stone baptismal font created by Miquel Abraham and Juan Antiguo in 1588, at which the future Junípero Serra was baptised. As a child, Miguel José Serra received his first religious instruction and education at the Convent de Sant Bernardí. In 1731, at the age of 17, he joined the Franciscan Order there. The Museo Casa de Junípero Serra houses the Centro de Estudios Junípero Serra, which opened in 1959, and a significant collection of works associated with Serra.
Walking and cycling routes
The Clásica de Petra a Bonany walking route starts and ends at Petra railway station. Among other places, it passes the parish church, Pater Serra Square, the Convent de Sant Bernardí, the museum and birthplace of Pater Serra, and the Bonany Sanctuary. The route thus connects several places of interest for a trip focused on history. If you include the walk in your day’s plans, you can use these stops to help orient your visit.
Another walking route, the Torrent de Petra, is 14 km long and also starts and ends at Petra railway station. The routes therefore differ in ways that may be relevant when choosing between them: the Clásica passes several of the sights mentioned, while the stated length of the Torrent de Petra is a practical factor for planning. There are also several signposted trails on Mount Bonany near Petra. The Término de Petra Sur cycling route starts and ends at Plaça Ramon Llull and/or Plaça Juníper Serra in Petra; it runs entirely on public roads within the municipality of Petra.
The Santuario La Mare de Déu de Bonany stands on Puig de Bonany, with a history dating back to 1606. The present-day historicist church was built between 1920 and 1925 over an earlier Baroque temple, which was demolished in 1919. Visitors following the routes around Bonany can therefore also encounter an architectural history spanning several centuries.
Market and regional produce
A weekly market for agricultural produce takes place in Petra every Wednesday morning. Products on offer include fruit, vegetables, Sobrasada and artisan cheeses. The market day is a useful point of reference if you want regional products to be part of your stay. In the surrounding area, Petra is part of the Pla i Llevant protected designation of origin. You can visit vineyards nearby and sample the wines produced there.
Petra may be particularly worth considering when looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home if you want to include the protected Old Town, sites associated with Serra, one of the routes described or the Wednesday market in your trip. Your interests may guide your choice—for example, towards a stay focused more on culture and history or on routes through the countryside. Consider Petra as a destination based on which of these experiences matter to your trip.
More destination pages
You can also explore the destination pages for Alcudia, Torrenova, Vallgornera, Puigpunyent, Santa Ponsa, Binissalem, Son Ferrer and Andratx.
For the broader travel overview: Mallorca.
