Mallorca will capture your heart……
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Discover the charm of its quaint villages, picturesque fishing ports, fine sandy beaches and breathtaking scenery. Mallorca is an island of diverse landscapes and scenic coastline. Drive through the spectacular rugged mountains of the Serra de Tramuntana in the north west and enjoy the various panoramic viewpoints and dramatic sea cliffs along the way. Virtually untouched by tourism is the rural heartland of Es Pla, where olive and almond groves dot the hinterland and only goat bells interrupt the tranquillity.
TRAVELLING TO MALLORCA
The island of Mallorca is one of the most popular destinations for UK tourists which means there is a good selection of flights to Palma from all over the UK. Follow this link to find out more information on airports and airlines that serve Mallorca.
When you get there there's plenty of travel options available; whether you're looking to rent a car or take public transport, read our guide to driving and getting around Mallorca.
BEACHES
Majorca has in the region of 74 official beaches, of which just under half have been awarded the European Blue Flag for being safe, clean and well kept. The cales (coves) tend to have invitingly clear water and are less crowded than the platjes (beaches) and ideal for snorkelling. Here's a selection of some of our favourites:
Best for Diving
Mallorca is an ideal destination for diving enthusiasts. Head to the beautiful Cala Sant Vicenç where you will discover crystal clear water, an abundance of marine life and some unusual rock formations. Great for snorkelling too!
Port de Pollença - A long beach stretching all the way round the Bay of Pollença to Alcúdia. In Port de Pollença the beach is white sand, while around the bay there is more shingle and sand. Windsurfing and kitesurfing are very popular in the bay nearer to Alcúdia.
Formentor - A beautiful beach with golden sand and lovely views – however, it becomes very busy during the height of the summer. (Parking is available at a charge.) Alternatively, there is a regular ferryboat from Port de Pollença to Formentor.
Cala Sa Nau – Fine sand beach in a small cove with a beach bar. Sunshades, sunbeds and changing rooms are available.
Cala Mondragó - A beautiful little cove on the south east coast. The beach is situated within a national park and has picnic areas and a children’s adventure playground. It has crystalline clear water and a sandy beach with facilities. See here for our fantastically appointed villa Finca Mondrago S’Amador which prominently stands overlooking the sparkling seas!
Cala Sant Vicenç - Cala Sant Vicenç has two bays - Cala Carbó and Cala Molins - with beautiful clear blue waters, ideal for snorkelling when the sea is calm. Due to the undercurrents in this area it is advisable to take notice of the flag warnings. Beach bars, parking, cafés, restaurants and some facilities for the disabled.
Cala d’Or - Based round a multitude of narrow bays called cales, there are several to choose from but they get crowded in the main months.
Read our guide The Best Beaches & Coves of Mallorca for a full list of our favourites
TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF MALLORCA
A FEW FUN FACTS!
- Mallorca covers 1,405 square miles, is approximately the same size as the English county of Devon and is the largest of the Balearic Islands. It lies 82 km off the Spanish mainland, in the Mediterranean Sea. The other Balearic Islands (Illes Balears) include Menorca, Eivissa, Formentera, Cabrera and a few smaller islets.
- Serra de Tramuntana, the mountain range running along the north west of the island, is a continuation of the Baltic Cordillera Mountain Range running south west from Andalucía.
- Puig Major is the island’s highest peak at 1,445 metres (it's great to cycle up!)
- Serra de Llevant mountain range is lower and runs along the south east of the island.
- Es Pla is the flat agricultural plain lying between the two mountain ranges.
Mallorca is home to an abundance of towns and villages offering something different for everyone. Whether looking for a small traditional village or a more bustling seaside towns, our villas in Mallorca offer something for all types of holidays. Check out our Mallorquin destinations below for help finding the perfect location for you.
Portocolom
The town of Portocolom is well worth a visit. Our favourite part is the cluster of fishermen’s houses that form the old village, as it was a century or more ago. There are a number of good restaurants here, and you will find several hostals along by the old harbour, which serve good food. Beyond the harbour are a couple of small sandy bays, one with a beach bar (where our property Ses Crestes resides).
Cala d’Or
Cala d’Or will supply all the night-time entertainment you may want. It is developed but is a pleasant criss-cross of impeccably kept streets and avenues (some pedestrian only) and avoids the horrors of high-rise. Along the palm-flanked waterfront there are a number of popular restaurants specialising in fish. Also of note is the marina at Cala d’Or, Porto Cari, an exclusive area which serves as the mooring for many smart boats (where our popular property Marinella Blanca stands just metres away). View our villas in Cala d'Or.
Felanitx
The town of Felanitx is the market centre of the south east. The local market takes place on Sunday mornings from 09:00 to 13:00 and this is when the town really comes to life. It is centred round the old church, and sells everything from ceramics to cabbages! Alongside the church is an interesting pottery shop that sells the pretty hand painted ceramics with which the island is associated. There are surprisingly few restaurants in the town, although a number of pleasant bars and cafés are situated around the main square. View our villas in Felanitx.
Best for History and Culture
The cosmopolitan capital city of Palma. There are many important sights worth seeing such as the Gothic cathedral known as La Seu, the Arab and Gothic Palau de l’Almudaina beside it, the Banys Àrabs, Ca’n Sólleric which is a 17th century manor house, Poble Espanyol and the 14th century Castell de Bellver.
Santanyi
The town of Santanyí is particularly well worth a visit on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, when the colourful local market lines the streets in front of the town hall. Local farmers come here to trade, and a wide range of products can be bought, from fresh fruit to clothes. There are a number of banks, a chemist, a couple of antique shops, supermarkets and restaurants. Most of the bars also serve food, and these are generally open from 07.00 until midnight.
Port de Pollenca
In Port de Pollença the wide sweep of bay is well sheltered by the Formentor Peninsula and boasts a fine man-made beach. The local market takes place here every Wednesday morning. From the marina, the way westward is pedestrian access only and known as the Pine Walk (where our fabulous Pine Walk Apartment is located). It provides a very pleasant early evening walk, or paseo, amongst the waterfront cafés. Motorboat hire is possible from Port de Pollença as well as scuba diving and sea kayaks. View our villas in Port de Pollenca.
Pollenca
The lovely old Roman town of Pollença, founded in the 13th century, is a tranquil little settlement nestling among a trio of hillocks where the Serra de Tramuntana fades into coastal flatland. The Sunday morning market in the Plaça Major by the church and in Plaça de Ca les Monnares is a lively affair with stalls filling the squares and surrounding streets, selling a whole range of produce from fresh fruits and vegetables to jewellery and leather goods. Pollença is best enjoyed on foot. Bordering the central square is a cluster of informal cafés, many of which serve a good selection of tapas, whilst a meander through the narrow back streets between the old stone houses is quite fascinating. View our villas in Pollenca.
Find out more about villages and towns in Mallorca.
ACTIVE MALLORCA
Best Views
Serra de Tramuntana – best way to see it by train and tram! Take the quaint old-fashioned train ride through the mountains and tunnels from Palma (or Bunyola) to Sóller, then catch the tram through the orange groves to Port de Sóller, and finally a boat to one of the most stunning and grandiose enclaves on the north coast, Sa Calobra Gorge and Torrent de Pareis.
There are a number of delightful walks which can be undertaken on the island. These vary from short, gentle strolls to arduous full day treks. There are several books with maps indicating the walks in Mallorca.
Majorca is an ideal setting for cycling, be it professional, amateur or simply as a way to enjoy yourself. The network of bicycle routes for tourists allows you to discover and take a close look at the diverse scenery and environment. There is a series of routes, varying in difficulty, throughout different parts of the island. Due to the diversity of the terrain, you can ride short routes in which you can visit many towns – the average distance between towns is 10 to 15 km – or tackle long routes of 150 to 200 km. There are routes that are completely flat and others with hills and steep slopes, or even high mountain trails that go around the Serra de Tramuntana.
Explore some of our favourite cycling routes in our guide.
FOOD AND DRINK
Mallorcan food is a simple affair, traditionally based on soups, stews, seafood dishes and spiced meats, with vegetables straight from the garden served with locally reared meat and fresh fish.
A Vintage Travel Top Tip
The Spanish like to eat late - many restaurants do not even open in the evening until 19:00, and fill up an hour or two later. It is a good idea to book a table in advance. Formal dress is rarely necessary except at the very smartest of establishments. Children are always made to feel welcome.
Many restaurants offer a Menú del Día at lunchtime - a set-price three-course meal with water and wine included. You won't get a huge amount of choice (typically soup or salad, meat or fish and fruit or ice cream) but the food will be freshly cooked, filling and often surprisingly tasty. Mallorca offers an excellent and varied choice of restaurants catering for all tastes and budgets. Generally speaking, the tourist resorts offer less traditional cuisine. Often the best local food can be found in the outlying villages or tucked away in a side street.
To have a taster, why not try a tapa – a snack of your choice served with a drink in a bar, usually consisting of a small plate of food ranging from olives to meatballs. Tapa, meaning lid, is the name given to this type of snack due to the custom of serving a drink in a bar with a small plate of food on top of a glass.
Read our Guide to Food & Drink in Mallorca for more information on what you can expect to sample if you're keen to eat and drink as the locals do.
