S’Arracó is a peaceful valley village in the municipality of Andratx in southwest Mallorca, home to 531 residents in its urban core and 797 across the wider entity according to the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE, January 2025/June 2026). Renowned for its late-19th-century Modernist townhouses and rustic country fincas, S’Arracó offers an authentic Mallorcan lifestyle just 8 to 10 minutes from coastal Sant Elm and 34 minutes from Palma de Mallorca Airport.
Where is S’Arracó located and how well connected is it?
Nestled in a verdant valley in the foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana, S’Arracó forms part of the municipality of Andratx in south-western Mallorca. According to municipal data published by Ajuntament d’Andratx, the village offers a sheltered, rural environment while maintaining direct road connections to the island’s premier coastal spots.
Travel times from S’Arracó are remarkably short. According to transit data from Rome2Rio (October 2026), the coastal village and beaches of Sant Elm lie just 5 km to the west along the Ma-1030 road, taking between 8 and 10 minutes by car. The natural harbour and bustling marina of Port d’Andratx are located 7 to 11 km to the south-east, reaching the waterfront in 10 to 15 minutes via the Ma-1. Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) is 40.3 km away, reachable in approximately 34 minutes via the Ma-1 and Ma-20 motorways.
For non-drivers and eco-conscious residents, the TIB interurban bus network connects S’Arracó directly to Sant Elm, Andratx town, and Palma, making daily commutes and airport transfers straightforward year-round.
What types of property can you buy in S’Arracó?
The property market in S’Arracó is defined by two primary architectural styles: characterful village townhouses and secluded valley fincas. Unlike purpose-built resorts, S’Arracó has preserved its traditional footprint, making real estate in this micro-market a rare commodity for buyers seeking authenticity.
The most distinctive architectural feature of S’Arracó is found along Carrer de França. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a wave of local residents (arraconers) emigrated to France in search of economic opportunity. As recorded by Ajuntament d’Andratx, the financial remittances sent back by these successful emigrants funded the construction of grand, French-influenced Modernist townhouses along the village’s main thoroughfare. These homes boast high ceilings, tiled floors, wrought-iron balconies, and private rear courtyards or citrus orchards.
Beyond the village core, rustic fincas dot the valley slopes among groves of almond, carob, and olive trees. These estates often combine original stone facades and exposed wooden beams with contemporary living spaces and private swimming pools. At the heart of the village stands the Església del Sant Crist. Founded in 1704 by Antoni Ferrandell Verí and elevated to a parish in the mid-19th century, Visit Andratx notes that the church features a bell tower with pointed arch windows and Baroque altarpieces dedicated to Sant Crist and the Mare de Déu de la Trapa.
What is everyday life like in S’Arracó: culture, dining and the GR 221 trail?
Life in S’Arracó revolves around Plaça Weyler, the central square fronting the parish church. Every Saturday morning from 08:00 or 09:00 to 14:00, according to Visit Andratx, the square transforms into a vibrant weekly market selling seasonal fruit, vegetables, artisanal cheeses, olive oils, and local crafts. Local cafés and restaurants along the surrounding streets provide welcoming meeting points for both long-term residents and visitors.
S’Arracó is renowned for its cultural calendar. As detailed by Ajuntament d’Andratx, the village hosts the celebrated Nit de l’Art at the end of July (scheduled for 30 July in 2026), converting streets and courtyards into open-air galleries showcasing over 120 artists accompanied by live musical performances. Late August and early September bring the Festes Patronals, celebrating Sant Agustí on 28–29 August and culminating in the traditional procession for the Mare de Déu de la Trapa on 8 September.
Outdoor enthusiasts benefit from immediate access to the Serra de Tramuntana UNESCO World Heritage site. S’Arracó connects to the famous Dry Stone Route via ‘Variant 1: s’Arracó’. According to the Consell de Mallorca’s official GR 221 Variant 1 guide, this 6.2 km medium-difficulty trail requires approximately 1 hour and 55 minutes to ascend 315 metres to the Coll de Ses Basses (340 m altitude), where it links to Stage 1 leading towards the historic ruins and coastal overlook of La Trapa.
What taxes, rental rules and visa regulations apply to buyers in S’Arracó?
Acquiring property in Mallorca requires a clear understanding of Balearic tax obligations, local holiday-let restrictions, and Spanish immigration laws.
When purchasing a resale home in S’Arracó, buyers pay the Property Transfer Tax (Impuesto sobre Transmisiones Patrimoniales, ITP). The Agència Tributària de les Illes Balears (ATIB) applies a progressive scale based on the property value:
For buyers seeking yield through short-term holiday lettings, strict regulations apply across the island. Under the 2022 moratorium and Balearic Decree-Law 4/2025 (enacted in April 2025), new tourist rental licences (ETV) are prohibited for apartments in multi-family residential buildings. In S’Arracó, new ETV registrations are limited to detached, semi-detached, or terraced single-family houses (or primary residences under ETV60). Owners must acquire tourist places from the Consell de Mallorca temporary pool under a 1:1 replacement rule, such as the 2026 allocation of 1,069 places priced at €3,500 per place. Investors interested in residential lease dynamics can review our broader guide on owning a rental property in Mallorca and Ibiza.
Regarding residency rules for non-EU investors, the Spanish Ministry of Inclusion investor visa rules state that Organic Law 1/2025 (effective 3 April 2025) officially repealed the real estate Golden Visa scheme. Purchases of €500,000 or more no longer qualify foreign buyers for Spanish residency visas. Prospective purchasers should consult our detailed guide to buying property in Spain for alternative visa pathways.
To navigate this highly constrained micro-market, real estate professionals and private investors rely on advanced market intelligence. Tools such as CASAFARI Area Insights provide neighbourhood-level pricing analytics, while Property Sourcing helps agents discover off-market and historical listings across the Andratx municipality. For accurate home pricing, our property valuation and market study solution allows detailed comparative analyses. Developers and tech platforms can also review the Area Insights API documentation (in English). To explore live inventory and valuation tools, sign in to the CASAFARI platform.
Frequently asked questions
How far is S’Arracó from Palma de Mallorca Airport and the beach?
S’Arracó is situated 5 km from the beach and coastal village of Sant Elm, which takes approximately 8 to 10 minutes by car via the Ma-1030 road. The marina at Port d’Andratx is between 7 and 11 km away, reachable in 10 to 15 minutes. Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) lies 40.3 km to the east, taking roughly 34 minutes via the Ma-1 and Ma-20 motorways (Rome2Rio, October 2026).
Can I get a holiday rental licence (ETV) for a property in S’Arracó?
Under Balearic Decree-Law 4/2025 enacted in April 2025, new tourist rental licences (ETV) are prohibited for apartments in multi-family buildings. In S’Arracó, new ETV registrations are restricted to detached, semi-detached, or terraced single-family homes (or primary residences under ETV60). To register, property owners must acquire tourist places from the Consell de Mallorca’s 1:1 replacement pool, such as the 2026 allocation priced at €3,500 per place.
What are the property transfer tax (ITP) rates when buying a resale home in S’Arracó?
Resale property purchases in S’Arracó are subject to the progressive Balearic Property Transfer Tax (ITP) administered by ATIB (2025/2026). The rates are 8% on the first €400,000; 9% for the portion between €400,000.01 and €600,000; 10% between €600,000.01 and €1,000,000; 12% between €1,000,000.01 and €2,000,000; and 13% on any amount exceeding €2,000,000. Reduced rates or exemptions apply exclusively to qualifying primary residences.
Does buying property in S’Arracó still qualify for a Spanish Golden Visa?
No, real estate purchases in S’Arracó no longer qualify foreign investors for a Spanish Golden Visa. Organic Law 1/2025, which came into effect on 3 April 2025, officially repealed the investor residence visa scheme for real estate acquisitions of €500,000 or more. Only transitional renewal applications submitted prior to that date continue to be processed under the previous rules.