Highlights Mallorca

by palma | Feb 23, 2020 | Highlights

Highlights

1. The Road to Sa Calobra
2. Palma Catedral
3. Platja des Coll Baix
4. Deià
5. Touring the Coast of Cap de Formentor
6. Taking the Slow Train to Sóller
7. Eating at a Celler in Inca
8. Cruising to Illa de Cabrera
9. Birdwatching in Parc Natural de S’Albufera
10. Water Sports
11. Staying on a Farm
12. The Pollença Sanctuaries
13. Palma’s Art Trail
14. Cala Ratjada’s Hidden Beaches
15. Cycling in the Serra de Tramuntana
16. Valldemossa
17. Medieval Artà

Road to Sa Calobra

Even local drivers mutter three Hail Marys before braving the scenic helter-skelter of a road to Sa Calobra. It translates as ‘The Snake’ and slither it does, for all 12 brake-screeching, hair-raising, white-knuckle kilometres. Drivers teeter perilously close to the edge to glimpse a ravine that scythes through the wild, bare peaks of the Tramuntana to arrive at a sea of deepest blue. But if you think the looping hairpin bends are tough behind the wheel, spare a thought for the mountain bikers that grind it up here!

Palma Catedral

Resembling a vast ship moored at the city’s edge, Palma Catedral dominates the skyline and is the island’s architectural tour de force. On the seaward side, the flying buttresses are extraordinary. A kaleidoscope of stained-glass windows and an intriguing flight of fancy by Gaudí inhabit the interior, alongside an inventive rendering of a biblical parable by contemporary artist Miquel Barceló. You’ll find yourself returning here, either to get your bearings, or simply to admire it from every angle.

Platja des Coll Baix

Isolated coves are the most alluring of Mallorca’s many charms, but few can rival the Platja des Coll Baix. Accessible only by sea or on foot through fragrant woods, this hidden beach on the pine-draped headland of Cap des Pinar is a stunning white crescent, backed by cliffs and pummelled by sea that shimmers unfathomable shades of cobalt blue and turquoise. Here the soundtrack is an increasingly rare one – water lapping against the shore, the trill of birdsong and (if you time it right) complete silence.

Deià

The mountains of Serra de Tramuntana rise like a natural amphitheatre above Deià, a bird’s nest of a village perched high above the iridescent Mediterranean. Mallorca has countless pretty towns, but none surpass this peach: its gold-stone buildings climb a pyramid-shaped hill and glow like warm honey as day fades to dusk. It has long been the muse of artists and writers, not least the poet Robert Graves. Head to nearby Son Marroig, once the romantic abode of an Austrian archduke, to see the Mediterranean aflame at sunset.

Touring the Coast of Cap de Formentor

The narrow, precipitous peninsula of Cap de Formentor is one of the most dramatic mountain ranges in southern Europe. Here, peaks thrust upwards like the jagged ramparts of some epic Mediterranean fortress, while forests of Aleppo pines add light and shadow to austere rocky outcrops that drop abruptly to some of the most beautiful and isolated beaches and coves on the island. However you travel the road running its length, prepare for drama and photo ops on every sweeping bend.

Taking the Slow Train to Sóller

Palma and Sóller rank highly as attractions in their own right, but the antique wooden train that rattles between them is like rewinding 100 years. Scenes of rural Mallorca flash past like film stills, as the train zips through fertile valleys and climbs languidly into the foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana. Traversing tunnels and narrow valleys before emerging high above pretty Sóller, this memorable ride is a poignant reminder that it is the journey itself that matters.

Eating at a Celler in Inca

A suckling pig turns slowly on a spit, the burble of animated conversation rises above the clamour of pans and the chink of glasses, waiters bustle between tables, bringing generous helpings of conill amb ceba (rabbit with onions), frit mallorquí (a lamb offal fry-up) and llom amb col (tender pork loin in cabbage parcels). You eat heartily and drink deep of local wine below the beams and next to giant barrels in Inca’s celler restaurants – this is Mallorcan dining at its most authentic.

Cruising to Illa de Cabrera

The only national park in the Balearics, Parc Nacional Marítim-Terrestre de l’Arxipèlag de Cabrera is a special place and Illa de Cabrera is the jewel in its crown. The largest of 19 uninhabited islands that make up the marine park, Cabrera is blissfully peaceful – its wild headlands and secluded beaches are protected by laws that limit the number of daily visitors to sustainable levels. Boat excursions to the island from Colònia de Sant Jordi stop off at Sa Cova Blava, an exquisitely blue marine cave of rare beauty.

Birdwatching in Parc Natural de S’Albufera

Twitchers flock to Parc Natural de S’Albufera, a tranquil nature park and one of the Mediterranean’s premier sites for birdwatching, as the home of 300 bird species, including 64 who breed here. The trails that wind amid the wetlands of this protected area are best explored on foot or by bike. Look out for herons, osprey and egrets from the observation decks discreetly tucked between the reeds, and bring binoculars for the best chances of spotting waterbirds in the marshes.

Water Sports

One look at Mallorca’s unfathomably blue sea has water-sports enthusiasts itching to slip into a wetsuit or leap on a board. Scuba divers are in their underwater element in Formentor’s caverns and around the southern islands – Illa de Sa Dragonera and Illa de Cabrera (for divers with requisite permission) – where wrecks, cave drops and waters swirl with rays, octopuses and barracuda. Coasteering, kayaking and – deep breath now – cliff jumping lure adventure seekers north. Kite surfers go with the winds off the Badia de Pollença.

Staying on a Farm

Light years away from the busy coastal resorts, Mallorca’s hinterland is sprinkled with fincas (estates) where it can be peaceful enough to hear an olive hit the ground. Whether endearingly rustic or revamped in boutique-chic style, properties such as Ca N’Aí take you that bit closer to the spirit of rural Mallorca. Days unfold unhurriedly here, with lazy mornings by the pool, strolls through olive groves and citrus orchards, and dinners under the stars to the tinkling of goat bells.

The Pollença Sanctuaries

Of all the towns of the Mallorcan interior, it is Pollença that rises above the rest. Its two hilltop sanctuaries and pilgrimage points look down on a medieval roofscape of stone and terracotta. Climb the 365 steps of the Calvari or walk through woods of holm oak and pine to Santuari de la Mare de Déu des Puig for spirit-lifting views. At ground level, wander the town’s tangle of lanes, mooch around its Sunday market and watch the world go leisurely by from a front-row cafe on the Plaça Major.

Palma’s Art Trail

The crisp Mediterranean light drew some of Europe’s most respected painters throughout the 20th century, but two in particular – Joan Miró and Mallorcan Miquel Barceló – will be forever associated with the island. Miró’s former home, the Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró, contains a fine range of his works, while Barceló adorned Palma’s cathedral with flair and distinction. Elsewhere, works by Picasso and Dalí can be found in Palma’s galleries, Es Baluard, Palau March or the Museu Fundació Juan March.

Cala Ratjada’s Hidden Beaches

Amid the overdevelopment that blights so much of eastern Mallorca, beautiful bays and half-moon coves peek out to remind us why people eternally come here in search of the perfect stretch of sand. The beaches within striking distance of Cala Ratjada – particularly Cala Agulla, Cala Mesquida, Cala Mitjana and Cala Matzoc – are some of the best on the island, with pearly white sand and turquoise waters set against a backdrop of pine trees and sand dunes.

Cycling in the Serra de Tramuntana

The winding, climbing, plunging and largely smooth roads of the Serra de Tramuntana, where road and track racing professionals like to limber up for the Tour de France, are a cyclist’s wonderland. This wild mountainscape of pockmarked limestone peaks, serpentine bends and cliffs that sheer down to the Mediterranean offers the most challenging terrain on this bikeable island. Among the top rides are the 55km loop from Pollença to Monestir de Lluc and, for the fast and fit, the awesome 12km ascent from Sa Calobra.

Valldemossa

In any poll of the prettiest villages in the Balearics, Valldemossa is always a contender, if not outright winner. Draped like a skirt around the eastern foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana, the village has the usual Mallorcan cobblestone lanes, flowerpots, pretty church and stone architecture. But Valldemossa gains extra cachet with its former royal monastery, which once housed Frédéric Chopin and George Sand; aside from giving Valldemossa’s residents something to gossip about in perpetuity, their stay bequeathed to the town one of Mallorca’s most uplifting music festivals, Festival Chopin.

Medieval Artà

Set back from eastern Mallorca’s busy summer coast, Artà has enduring year-round charms. Its stone buildings line narrow medieval streets that gently climb up a hillside before ascending steeply to one of the island’s most unusual church-castle complexes. The far-reaching views here are compelling, while back in town fine restaurants, hotels and an agreeably sleepy air make it an ideal base for your exploration of the island, including nearby Parc Natural de la Península de Llevant.

Alcúdia Mediterranean essence

by palma | Feb 7, 2020 | Cyclist Interest, Excursions, Top Destinations Mallorca

Alcudia offers a journey of new experiences to discover
and enjoy 365 days a year.

Alcudia, the essence of the Mediterranean

Alcudia offers a journey of new experiences to discover and enjoy 365 days a year.

Located in the far northwest of Mallorca, between the bays of Alcúdia and Pollença,
it is one of the most fascinating landscapes on the island,
a peninsula where the whimsical forces of nature have coloured and sculpted the landscape.

This unique enclave, with its temperate Mediterranean climate and where history, legends and traditions converge,
has hidden wonders that further accentuate its beauty and havens where silence has not yet been dethroned.

Alcúdia is full of character, rooted in its origins and the essence of the place, and capable of enticing generations of travellers from all over the world in search of authenticity.

Sun & Sea

Alcudia is one long exquisite suntrap, with 30 km of coastline and 18 magnificent beaches, each one different from the last. Together they encompass an extraordinary array of possibilities, from absolute tranquillity and relaxation to exciting leisure activities.

Ideal wind conditions and optimal infrastructures both on land and in the water make this is one of the best bays in Europe for both amateurs and professionals wishing to practice their favourite water sports.

Every water activity you could dream of is catered for here, from snorkelling, scuba diving and sailing in all its forms,
to kayaking, windsurfing, paddle surfing, kite surfing and fishing, to name a few.

Extensive pine forests, miles and miles of fine white sand, small coves with crystal clear waters and a gentle sea breeze.

Visiting Alcúdia and not seeing birds is practically impossible. Birds here are omnipresent.
Given the wealth of existing habitats and protected nature reserves, there are now more than 200 species of birds; marine, coastal, urban, forest, agricultural, mountain and wetland, some common and ubiquitous, others very scarce and localized, present in our environment at different times of the year.

Alcudia Sports

Alcúdia`s trails and mountains are perfect for hiking and cycling. For the active sports lover, Alcúdia has the high end infrastructure needed to provide all kinds of training camps and sporting events throughout the year.
Countless activities are on offer, for any type of training both individual and collective, as well as to prepare and take part in competitions and races.

A temperate climate, good connections with the rest of the island, a varied terrain and full calendar of events throughout the year make this a unique destination for outdoor sports. The Townhall and local hotels have adapted their facilities and services to make the town more sport-friendly.

For cycling enthusiasts, we have 24 cycle routes of varied degrees of difficulty and distance, for every level from beginner to pro, from the coast to the interior of the island and among some of the most beautiful and changing landscapes of Mallorca. Thousands of athletes, both professional and amateur, visit us every year from all over the world.

EXCURSIONS HOLLYDAY

by palma | Jan 31, 2020 | Highlights

EXCURSIONS

Mallorca is the perfect place to plan your holidays.
It is not only the paradise of beaches. Mallorca can offer you a large number of activities and excursions that will make you enjoy your holidays in Mallorca and make them unforgettable days.

What to do in Mallorca?
You can visit Cathedral, nice beach days, go shopping, adventure sports, play golf, visit cellars and much more…

BEACH IN MALLORCA

BEACH IN MALLORCA There are 262 beaches in Mallorca with a total length of 50 km. You can find lonely calas, sandy family beaches or rocky bays…enjoy Mallorca’s amazing coastline!
These are some of the top beaches in Mallorca:
Cala Agulla, Cala Mesquida, Cala Torta, Portals Vells, Formentor, Illetas, Son Serra de Marina, Cala Llamp, Cala Estellencs, Cala Tuent, Puerto Pollensa, Cala Estreta, Cala Mitjana, …

MALLORCA CELLARS

MALLORCA CELLARS In recent years Mallorca has become a reference in terms of the quality of its wines and the number of wineries, here we present a list of all wineries in Mallorca

CAVES OF THE DRACH

The caves of the Drach are four large caves found on the island of Mallorca, archipelago of the Balearic Islands, Spain. They are in the municipality of Manacor, near the town of Porto Cristo

GOLF IN MALLORCA

GOLF IN MALLORCA Mallorca has 25 golf courses of great quality
The current offer of golf courses in Balears is 25 courses, of which 23 are in Mallorca. The great majority are 18-hole courses, being Pollensa and Golf Santa Ponsa III of 9 holes.There is also a pitch & putt tour at Golf Son Quint.

BIKE IN MALLORCA

BIKE IN MALLORCA RIDE THE BEST OF MALLORCA!
Enjoy different routes visiting villages, nice places and gastronomy

MARKET DAY IN MALLORCA

MARKET DAY IN MALLORCA The markets in Mallorca are a great way to get to know the island and the people who live here.

Every day from 9:00 a.m. to 13:30 p.m., there are several markets, the most important being the Sunday market in Pollença. This market is visited by thousands of people from all over the island.

Other good markets to visit are the markets of Santa Maria (also on Sundays), Sineu (Wednesdays) and Inca (Thursdays).

The markets in Mallorca are an excellent place to buy fruit and vegetables, local products such as Mallorca sobrasada or butifarrón and cheese. There are also markets that offer various handicrafts, leather handbags, handmade jewelry, accessories and clothing.

PALMA’S CATHEDRAL

PALMA'S CATHEDRAL The Cathedral-Basilica of Santa Maria de Palma de Mallorca also called Mallorca Cathedral is the main religious building on the island of Mallorca. In Mallorcan, it is known as La Seu.

BELLVER CASTLE

The Bellver castle is a fortification of Catalan Gothic style. It is located about three kilometers from the city of Palma de Mallorca

SERRA DE TRAMUNTANA

SERRA DE TRAMUNTANA The Serra de Tramontana is the main mountain range of the Balearic Islands. The sierra is located in the northwest of the island of Mallorca, hence its name, since the tramontana is the wind that arrives from that direction

PALMA SHOPPING

PALMA SHOPPING A visit to Palma, the cosmopolitan capital of Mallorca, will reveal the reason for which it is considered as one of the jewels of the Mediterranean.

Palma has many narrow and interesting streets to stroll around and visit the local shops, where you can find artisan products from the island. Here we present the guide for shopping in Palma de Mallorca.

Palma’s shops are open on Sundays and public holidays from April to October

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