It is around 35 km (22 miles) from Palma and the airport. Similar to the other coastal towns in Mallorca, Andratx is around 5 km (3 miles) inland from its port area otherwise known as Puerto Andratx.

Although Andratx is not exactly tourist-orientated, it is a popular choice among foreigners who have bought their second homes in the area. Its secluded location as well as its friendly atmosphere had allowed it to continuously attract the rich and famous for many years now which may have contributed to the area’s thriving expat community.

Esglesia de Santa Maria, Andratx – Photo by Aisano, Wikimedia Commons

Below we feature an expat interview with Javier Arriola of First Mallorca who covers the Andratx area.

Specifically, we asked Javier on the advantages of choosing Andratx as a place to live and the value for money that one can get if you decide to stay permanently in the area.

Javier, thanks for helping our readers. I guess we should start off by asking what would you say would be the advantages to living in Andratx compared to other Mallorca towns?

There are lots of advantages, but to keep it short and to pick out the main ones:

There is no other place where landscapes are so beautiful, views are so spectacular, mountains and the Mediterrenean Sea are within one´s reach and people are so friendly and nice to each other but everybody still enjoys such a high quality of life and get their money´s worth.

People in Port Andratx are very multifarious, diversed, open and tolerant as well as aware about the safe investment opportunities and the healthy property market situation.

Old Watchtower, Andratx – Photo by Carschten, Wikimedia Commons

Would the area not suit certain types of people, i.e. are there any possible downsides?

People who love to live close to big beaches and want to share them with lots of tourists will never be happy in Puerto de Andratx.

What proportion of the local population are Spanish?

Approximately 30 percent.

What are your favourite things to do in the area?

Having dinner in one of the most amazing Italian restaurants.

Can you give us some insider tips to the best bars or restaurants?

I definitely recommend Miji Mij for a sundowner and Made in Italy or Osteria de Sandro – the two best pizza bakers in town.

For the calm evenings at home, there is a delivery service of a very delicious Thai restaurant called Tuk Tuk which delivers their food with a proper autorick.

Are there many facilities such as doctors and dentists, shops etc?

There are international doctors, dentists, a pharmacy and plenty of shops, like supermarkets, fashion and souvenir shops.

Are there smaller villages nearby that you might also recommend?

Yes, the very pictoresque St. Elm or San Telmo is a beautiful fishing village overlooking the Dragonera island, which is a Nature Reserve.

There is also S´Arraco with its bohemian atmosphere and weekly markets.

What are the nearest international schools and how good are they?

All the international schools tend to be centered around Palma, the nearest of Andratx being probably BIC near El Torro.

There are several in Portals Nous (Agora and King Richard´s), one is San Agusti (Bellver College), one in La Bonanova (Queen´s College).

Then there are Swedish and French in El Terreno and 15 minutes North of Palma The Academy in Marratxi.

Is crime an issue for expats?

Mallorca is a safe place due to several factors. One of the main factors is the clientelle it attracts – vast majority of the people coming to the island are well off people who are coming to enjoy the luxurious island.

People who live here tend to be professionals or families, not impoverished or unemployed.

Having said that, petty crime exists everywhere. The difference is that Mallorca being an island, it is not so easy for the criminals to get off.

Coming onto buying property, what is the market like now in terms of prices going up, or down or staying the same?

The market has been steadily climbing 10 percent year on year, but for very special or unique properties even more. No signs of the market slowing down, on contrary. The prediction for 2017 is a growth of just over 12.5 percent.

Is this a good time to buy and are there any repossessions or very cheap properties still available to buy?

Yes, a very good time to buy, although the market is going up. There are still good value properties, especially if one is prepared to do some renovations.

How much are the typical property prices in Andratx for apartments, villas etc?

There are no typical prices. A 2-bedroom apartment can be 250,000 Euros but it can also be over two million.
Houses can start at 500,000 and can go up to 30 million.

Javier, thank you so much for taking the time to help our readers with your experiences in Spain. If you want to contact him, you can find his details below.

First Mallorca

Central Office
Avda Tomás Blanes, 41
07181 Costa d’en Blanes
Tel. +34 971 679 445
Website: www.firstmallorca.com

Javier Arriola
Office Manager of Puerto de Andratx
Email: [email protected]

Here is an interesting tourist video on Andratx.

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