Mirador de na Miranda: Viewpoint at Sa Dragonera reopens after renovation

Mirador de na Miranda: Viewpoint at Sa Dragonera is open again

Platform renewed, views of the dragon island and the Sant Elm coast restored

If you drove past the cliffs near Sant Elm in recent years, you probably noticed the closed path to the Mirador de na Miranda: barrier tape, deserted benches and a fenced-off steel support. Now the viewpoint in the Sa Dragonera Natural Park page is open again — with a freshly refurbished platform where visitors can comfortably stand to look at the small dragon island and the opposite coast.

The work, overseen by the Consell de Mallorca official site, lasted more than three years. On the roughly 70 square metre area, parts that were considered at risk of collapse were removed. A damaged concrete slab was taken out, the surface was renewed and the barriers were removed. The official figure: around €10,000. For island conditions a modest investment, but important for safety and accessibility.

Early in the morning, when the fishing boats are still quietly motoring in Sant Elm's harbour and gulls circle over the waves, the mirador is a special place. Later in the day you meet dog walkers, cyclists coming from the Ma-10 and families making a short detour. The air smells of pine resin, the rocks warm up, and on a clear day the view reaches to the rocky edge of Sa Dragonera — often accompanied by shoals of small fish and occasional dolphin sightings frequently reported by locals (and even cultural attractions nearby such as the Miró exhibition in Palma attract visitors to the island).

For neighbouring villages it's more than just a photo stop: the viewpoint combines a nature experience with easy accessibility. Sant Elm is only a short walk away; there are parking spaces at the village entrance, and the path to the mirador is easy to walk. Anyone wanting to watch the sunset should set off a little earlier — the last minutes, when the light turns the cliffs reddish, regularly attract people.

The reopening also brings practical benefits: safer surfaces and removed hazard zones reduce the risk of injury. Local walkers will notice this; tourists who visit outside the high season also benefit from a usable viewpoint again. The natural park remains protected: visitors are still asked to stay on marked paths, take their litter with them and keep dogs on a lead (see local safety reporting such as the parapente accident at Mirador de Sa Torre).

A few simple tips make the excursion more relaxed: comfortable shoes, binoculars for birdwatching or a closer look at yachts off the coast, and water — shade is limited. In winter it can be windy; a light jacket should be packed. Those arriving by public transport can find bus connections to Andratx from some places on Mallorca and from there services to Sant Elm (TIB bus services to Andratx).

The renovation of the mirador shows how small, targeted investments can improve the quality of stay along the coast. It is not a major construction project or a new visitor centre, but a well-executed restoration: safer, cleaner, usable again. That fits an island whose charms often lie in modest, well-maintained spots.

And there is still room for good ideas: a simple sign with information on flora and fauna, a numbered panel pointing out landmarks on Sa Dragonera or a seat on the wind-sheltered side would complement the mirador without overburdening it. Such additions could be supported by local initiatives or volunteer conservation groups — an opportunity to involve the local community (for examples of regional mountain infrastructure see refuges re-open in the Serra de Tramuntana).

Those seeking peace go in the morning. Those who want a photo of the dragon island plan for late afternoon. And anyone simply wanting to stretch their legs can park in Sant Elm, listen to the sea and walk up to the Mirador de na Miranda in a few minutes. For Mallorca it is a small, fine return of a viewpoint many know and appreciate — now safe again and ready for the next sunsets over the sea.