If you are looking for what to see in PetraPetra is one of those towns that doesn’t compete for attention: it lets itself be loved when you slow down, look at the details and sit down to eat the way it is done here, calmly. Petra is one of those towns that do not compete for attention: it lets you love it when you slow down, look at details and sit down to eat as it is done here, calmly. In this guide I propose a very easy to follow route for a day trip: what to see, what is worth stopping to look at, what to try and how to adapt the visit if you come with children or as a couple. And at the end you have a checklist so you don’t forget the important things.
What to see in Petra in one day: cultural and gastronomic route (recommended order)
If you want a clear idea, without eating your head off, this order works great:
- Historic center and Plaça de Ramon Llull.
- Junipero Serra House Museum.
- Parish church of Sant Pere.
- Weekly market or stroll through downtown streets.
- Majorcan food.
- Santuari de Bonany.
Now we look at it in detail.
The historic center: Plaça de Ramon Llull and the most authentic Petra
Start in the heart of the village: the Plaça de Ramon Llull. It is the typical place where, in ten minutes, you understand Petra: unhurried terraces, village conversation, grateful shade and that point of “here you live well”. The square is also a good base to orient yourself and decide your first short walk.
What to watch:
- The facades of marès (typical stone), with its beautiful imperfections.
- The Mallorcan shutters and the old portals: Petra has details that are enjoyed at a slow pace.
- The “background sound”: more than a checklist site, it is an ambient site.
Mini plan as a couple: coffee + walk without exact route, just following quiet streets and returning to the square.
Mini plan with children: “detective challenge”: how many old doors with a different knocker can you find?
In the footsteps of Junípero Serra: the museum that explains Petra
One of the most powerful reasons to come and what makes Petra different is its link to Junipero Serra. The most direct visit is to the Museo Casa de Junipero Serra, in the house where he was born.
The interesting thing here is not only to “see things”, but to understand what a traditional dwelling of the peasantry of the Pla de Mallorca was like in the 17th and 18th centuries, and how the figure of Serra is articulated from a cultural and historical point of view. In the same space is located the Junípero Serra Study Center, created in the late 50s.
Practical tip: go in with a question in your head.
- “What was daily life like here 300 years ago?”
- “What makes a local figure become universal?”
With children: give them simple “missions”.
Couples: slow visit + two minutes of silence in the courtyard or quiet areas (if open): Petra is well understood in pause mode.
Note: schedules may change according to season; it is advisable to confirm them before going.
Sant Pere parish church: the big surprise (and why it impresses)
In a village of contained size, finding a church of this caliber is a shock. The Parish Church of Sant Pere was built over a long period of time: it was begun in the sixteenth century (1582) and completed in the eighteenth century, which helps to explain its scale and presence.
What is worthwhile inside:
- The contrast between the simplicity of the exterior and the feeling of spaciousness upon entering.
- The play of light.
- The idea of “center of life”: in villages like Petra, the church was not just a building; it was a community.
Quick plan: go in, walk through a single ship/chapels unhurriedly and come out with a mental picture, not just a cell phone photo.
Mercado de Petra: la parada más sabrosa
If your visit falls on a Wednesday, note this: Petra’s weekly market is held in the morning (usually from 9:00 to 13:00) in the center of town, in streets near the main squares.
It is not a gigantic market, and that is precisely why it is enjoyable: it allows you to browse without being crowded and find very local products.
What is usually worthwhile:
- Seasonal fruits and vegetables.
- Sausage and local products for an edible souvenir.
- Some sweet treat for the afternoon snack.
Tip to make it round: go into the market with a mini list of “things I want to try”:
- Sobrasada
- Cheese/cured
- Traditional sweets (depending on the stand)
Dónde comer en Petra: qué pedir para que sepa a Mallorca
Here it’s not about “eating something and that’s it”, it’s about making the food part of the plan. If you go to a Mallorcan table, there are classics that work almost every time:
To share and get it right:
- Pa amb oli well done, it seems simple, but when it’s good, you understand it).
- Table of local sausages.
Dishes with soul:
- Some traditional stew or spoon dish if you see it.
- Lamb or grilled meat if you are in the mood for something hearty.
With children: ask for a simple base + an “adventure snack” to try. This way they participate without frustration.
As a couple: bet on after-dinner dining. Petra is not a place to eat quickly and run away.
Santuari de Bonany: a brooch of calm and views
If there is a place to end the day with a feeling of “how well I have done this”, it is the Santuari de la Mare de Déu de Bonany, in the puig de Bonany. Its origin dates back to the early seventeenth century (1606), and the present church was built in the twentieth century (first third), with historicist aesthetics.
The most powerful thing here is not only the building: it is the context. The enclave is in a large natural environment, very much in the Pla, which offers a panoramic view and a silence that is appreciated.
Plan as a couple: quiet stop, short walk in the surroundings and a moment “without a screen”.
Plan with children: observation game: “what villages can you see?”, “what shape are the fields?”, “how many different colors do you find in the landscape?”
What to do in Petra according to your plan
If you come with children
- Prioritize square + museum + something sweet.
- Visit the church in “look at 3 things” mode.
- Bonany as a final “prize”: air, views, rest.
If you come as a couple
- Do Petra in slow mode: square, walk without map, cultural visit and long lunch.
- Bonus: ask for local products and take one home “to remember”.
If you are looking for authentic and quiet villages
- Avoid turning it into a “list”. Petra is enjoyed in detail.
- If the market coincides, use it as an excuse to talk to stalls and discover local produce.
Common mistakes when visiting Petra
- Go with a “scratch things off” mentality: Petra is not a theme park. Better a few stops, well lived.
- Skip the historical context: the museum is not just “for connoisseurs”; it is the key to understanding the town.
- Do not look at the menu with curiosity: ask for the dish of the day or local specialty.
- Walking through the square without sitting down: five minutes on the terrace can be the best photo of the day.
- Leave Bonany “in case there is time to spare”: if you can, use it as a closure. It changes the rhythm.
Quick checklist to enjoy Petra
- A leisurely stroll through the center
- Cultural visit: Junípero Serra House Museum
- Enter Sant Pere
- If it is Wednesday: morning market
- Local food
- Closing with Bonany
- A small purchase of local produce to “take Petra home”.
Frequently asked questions about Petra (Mallorca)
What to see in Petra if I only have half a day?
Centro histórico (plaza + paseo), museo de Junípero Serra y una parada gastronómica. If you have any margin left, enter Sant Pere.
Is the Junipero Serra House Museum worthwhile?
Sí, especialmente si te interesa entender el Petra “de antes”: la casa tradicional y el contexto histórico están muy bien para situarte.
When is the market in Petra?
Normally the weekly market is on Wednesday mornings, in the center of town.
What is so special about the church of Sant Pere?
Su escala y su historia constructiva: empezó en el siglo XVI y se completó siglos después, y eso se nota en la presencia del edificio.
Is Bonany a must?
Si te gusta terminar el día con vistas y un punto espiritual/calmado, sí. It also has a documented history dating back to the 17th century.
Is Petra a good plan with children?
Sí, porque es un pueblo manejable: plaza, paseos cortos, visita cultural “en modo juego” y un cierre en un entorno abierto como Bonany.
