History of Majorca towns and regions

Many people only know Palma as the capital of Mallorca. Still, it would be wrong to reduce the largest island of the Balearic Islands to its capital alone, as there are so many great towns and villages, each more enchanting than the next.

The island of Mallorca alone accounts for 75% of the surface area of the Balearic archipelago, well ahead of Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. Because of its Spanish seaside resorts and turquoise coves, it is easy to forget that the island is permanently inhabited by just under a million people. Mallorca is also home to quaint picturesque villages that are lively all year round. Simply great to stroll, learn, eat, and enjoy. From north to south and east to west, every corner of the island will infuse you with its diverse and authentic character.

Boats on the largest island of the Balearic Islands

The Bay of Palma: the nerve centre of Mallorca

Brown rock formation beside body of water and crashing waves in Mallorca

The Bay of Palma, situated in the island's southwest, is occupied in its centre by the majestic capital and its port. The place is followed by seaside resorts such as Palmanova and Magaluf, mainly frequented by a German and English clientele who come to party on the seafront. Visitors in search of peace and quiet should therefore move away from the Bay to more authentic lands after visiting the splendid Palma.

Palma de Mallorca (440,000 inhabitants): a charming old town

The capital of the Balearic Islands is both a beach resort and a major tourist attraction thanks to its rich cultural past where Roman, Byzantine and Moorish influences intermingle to deliver their architectural wonders to the eyes of passers-by. Strolling through the old town is a delight in itself. The cobbled streets of Palma de Mallorca lead to sumptuous palaces and religious buildings as well as lively cafes, bringing together past and present in true harmony.

Things to do in Palma :

Admire the Mediterranean from the terraces of La Seu, Mallorca's main religious building and the largest cathedral in Spain after Seville. Built on the Medina Mayurqa mosque's site, it is built on an ancient Roman temple proudly dominating Palma. Impossible to miss!
Then visit the Royal Palace of the Almudaina, located a stone's throw from the cathedral. Built-in 903, it is still one of the residences of the King of Spain.
enjoy the shade of the King's Moorish gardens (S'Hort del Rei) to relax and recharge your batteries

Admire the collections of sculptures by Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore or Eduardo Chilida and the Neapolitan nativity scene with 2,000 santons in the Palau March Museum, located in the colonial home of Juan March, a patron of the arts with a colourful past who died in 1962.
stroll through the Mercat Santa Catalina and take the opportunity to have a gourmet break in this covered market, the most popular in the city
Visit Beller Castle, built on top of a hill outside Palma. Its circular shape is surprising, as it is one of the few Gothic castles built in this way in Europe.
Dive into the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean while enjoying a superb view of the cathedral from Palma's beach, C'an Pere Antoni.

The Serra de Tramuntana: a hiker's paradise

La Serra de Tramuntana along the Mediterranean Sea

The Serra Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most fabulous mountain ranges in Europe. It dazzles visitors with its rocky landscapes and natural variations around caves, cliffs, chasms and precipices. A natural paradise, also known as the dry stone route, can be walked north to south along the GR221. You will find a few hiking trails in Europe that can compete with this. The GR221 can be divided into several stages to take the time to stop at the most beautiful villages in the Serra de Tramuntana.

Sóller (13,800 inhabitants), the heart of the Tramuntana

The village of Sóller and its harbour is located in a valley of orange, lemon and olive trees, 3 km away. Particularly isolated but also particularly popular, Sóller is considered by its inhabitants to be an island within an island and the ideal starting point for discovering the charming sites and villages that populate the valley of orange trees. But first of all, take some time to visit this village, which deserves more than any other, whether to enjoy a coffee on the terrace of the beautiful Plaça de Sa Constitutió, which is particularly lively on market days, or to take the great century-old tramway that will take you smoothly to the port, which is as picturesque as it is charming. Everything here is reminiscent of the Mallorcan way of life.

Things to do in Sóller :

access to the city by the wooden train which leaves 27 km earlier at Palma station
visit the Casal de Cultura to admire a typical Mallorcan house from the early 20th century
Go to the hamlet of Biniaraix, 2 km from Soller, and then continue to the old Moorish village of Fornalutx. In 2017, it joined the shortlist of the most beautiful villages in Spain and is the only one in the Balearic Islands.

walk around the Castillo de Alaro and finish with a visit to the building if you feel like it

Visit the hamlet of Llucalcari, made up of twenty or so ochre-coloured houses, some of which are former defence towers. It is a natural postcard setting with the sea in the background.

Climb up the narrow streets of Deià and let yourself be carried away by the tranquillity of this town straddling a rocky promontory overlooking the sea. Many painters, writers, actors and musicians have stayed here and sought inspiration, so much so that Deià is considered the artists' village of Mallorca.

Andratx (10,900 inhabitants), on the rise

Hikers and cyclists will find Andratx the perfect place to indulge in their favourite activities. This small town and its port, located in the extreme southwest of the island, offer charming little coves and a rich and varied mountainous landscape that encourage the practice of water sports and hiking and cycling. Numerous routes start in Andratx, such as the Corniche route, which leads to Cape Formentor and offers superb views of the sea and the mountains.

Things to do in Andratx :

Follow the GR 221 route from the port to La Trapa, passing through San Elm. This stage, which lasts 4 hours and is of medium difficulty, allows you to enjoy a magnificent view of the island of Sa Dragonera.
Stop to taste one of the most memorable wines of the Mallorcan vineyards at Bodega Santa Catarina.

Visit the CCA, the Andratx Cultural Centre dedicated to contemporary art, covering more than 4000 m2. It is one of the most significant contemporary art centres in Spain and includes works by Balearic artists.

Buy your fish at the marina market in the port of Andratx. Every day of the week, at 5 pm, you can choose from the day's catch, straight from the trawlers.

Have a drink on the seafront or dine in one of Mallorca's best restaurants, surrounded by celebrities. The port of Andratx is known for attracting some of the biggest names in the jet set.

Pollença (16,500 inhabitants), a place of culture and history

Art continues to be a significant attraction in Pollença, a village that has attracted many painters and writers since the beginning of the 20th century. Also known for its crafts and numerous religious buildings, Pollença is full of sites and places of interest worth a visit. And among these sites is the mysterious Roman Bridge. Historians struggle to agree on its origins, Roman for some, medieval for others. It is up to you to make up your mind about it, especially as it is the starting point for the pilgrimage to the monastery of Lluc, considered the spiritual centre of Mallorca. People come from all over the island to soak up the serene atmosphere of the basilica and admire the few traces of Gaudí's work.

Things to do in Pollença :

Stroll through the market on Sunday mornings to take the pulse of the city and enjoy its joyful bustle
Admire the mandala offered to the people of Pollença by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1990 on the occasion of the closing of the exhibition of Tibetan Buddhist art held at the convent church
Drink a coffee on the port while reading Agatha Christie's short story, The Intriguing Woman of Pollensa. Her stay in the port of Pollença in 1932 inspired this text, published in 1935

Climb the 365 steps, one for each day of the year, leading to the Calvari, a small 18th-century chapel. And if you are not very motivated, you can tell yourself that pilgrims climbed this massive staircase on their knees in the past.

Drive along the spectacular roads leading to Cap de Formentor and stop at Mirador es Colomer, a lookout point with breathtaking views of the sea and the cliffs

Valldemosa (2300) to meet its illustrious inhabitants

A typical village in western Mallorca, Valldemossa is a little jewel surrounded by lush landscapes. It will charm you with its steep streets and golden buildings as its history and the characters who have illustrated it. Valldemossa is the birthplace of Santa Catalina Thomàs, a saint born in the 16th century. The village inhabitants still worship her, as shown by the ceramic tiles illustrating her life that adorn the façades of the houses. But the greatest pride of the villagers is hidden in the Cartoixa (or Cartuja) monastery. In this former monastery, which stands proudly in the centre of the village, Frederic Chopin and George Sand lived in 1938. Their apartment is now open to visitors, as is the rest of the monastery. You can admire letters and scores from their life in this Mallorcan village and, above all, the piano that inspired some of the composer's preludes.

To do in Valldemosa:

Visit the Carthusian monastery and not only the flat of the two lovers. The whole monastery is worth visiting, from the superb and perfectly preserved monastic pharmacy to the library and the Prior's apartment. With its collection of paintings of the Serra de Tramuntana, the municipal museum is also located here.

Take a stroll through this beautiful village before immersing yourself in Un hiver à Majorque, George Sand's book about her life there. You'll find that Mallorcans don't hold grudges, as this book is sold everywhere, even though the author paints an unflattering picture.

Taste a "chocolate a la Taza" (hot chocolate) by dipping a "coca di patata" in it. This small sweet potato bun is the unmissable speciality of the village.
Enjoy the incredible view of the village from the Miranda des Lledoners located near the Ruben Darío square

Attend a concert during the Chopin Festival held every summer in August and featuring local and international musicians.

Raiguer: the authentic side of the island

Es Raiguer is the region located in the central North part of Mallorca

Located in the north of Mallorca, above the Bay of Palma, between the Serra de Tramuntana and the Pla de Mallorca region, the county of Raiguer offers an authentic face of the island. It is a side marked by a past rich in vestiges that you will enjoy contemplating during your strolls through the narrow streets of Alcudia or Inca.

Alcúdia (19,800 inhabitants), the oldest town in Mallorca

Through the Puerta de Mallorca, an imposing mediaeval gate, the old town of Alcudia welcomes visitors from Palma de Mallorca. From that moment on, the tone is set, as the former capital of the island has nothing left to offer passers-by but the remains of its former stately homes, ramparts, churches and chapels in the Baroque style. A walk along the ramparts is a delightful experience not to be missed. You will be carried away by the city's atmosphere and enjoy strolling through its cobbled streets.

Things to do in Alcúdia:

Go to the market on Tuesday and Sunday mornings at the bottom of the ramparts
Admire the remains of the Roman city of Pollentia from the ramparts. This city, built-in 123 BC, is the only one that can be visited in Mallorca.

Go for a walk in the La Albufera nature park, where you can admire over 200 species of birds.

Visit the Sa Bassa Blanca Museum of Modern Art for its building on the heights of Alcudia, facing the sea and for its gardens and its collection of sculptures and paintings.
Take a boat tour of the Bay.
Swim on the fine sandy beach of Alcudia, located 2 km from the old town

stroll through the seaside town of Puerto de Alcudia, which serves as both a fishing port and a marina, and soak up its festive atmosphere

Inca (32,000 inhabitants), the shopping temple

Considered the capital of the leather industry, particularly footwear, the third-largest city on the island attracts many tourists who are happy to shop there. The perfect day to visit Inca is Thursday, market day. This is one of the most critical markets in Mallorca, and you will find many handicrafts and the usual seasonal fruit and vegetables. You can then take the Calle Mayor, the town's main shopping street, and wander through the streets of Comerç or Jaume Armengol in search of an authentic souvenir of your visit and stay in Inca.

To do in Inca :

Enjoy a traditional Mallorcan dish in a Celler, a typical restaurant set up in old wine cellars, often with huge oak barrels

Visit the Museo Del Calçat i de la Industria dedicated to leatherwork and shoemaking

Have a drink near the Church of Santa Maria la Mayor to admire its typical Mallorcan Baroque façade

Llevant: the wildly charming peninsula

Old houses along the Peninsula of LLevant in Mallorca

With its natural park and reserves of the Capes de Ferrutx and Free, its pristine beaches, caves and steep cliffs, the Llevant peninsula offers the image of a land preserved from the tourist onslaught. Far from the hustle and bustle of the cities, people come here to enjoy outdoor sports, respecting the nature that man has left untouched. People can also visit charming villages such as Artá or Cala Ratjada more than staying in Manacor, Mallorca's second-largest city, whose main tourist interest lies in its birthplace and childhood home of tennis player Rafael Nadal.

Artà (7500 inhabitants), the authentic beauty

An agricultural town, a mediaeval village, but also a typical Mallorcan village, Artà thrives on authenticity and does not need glitz and glamour. Here you can walk in the shade of the trees along the main street, where one of Mallorca's significant markets is held every Tuesday. You can contemplate the stately homes that have been transformed into charming hotels, shops or museums, such as Can Cardaix, the city's main cultural attraction. You can enjoy the freshness of the gardens while admiring the mediaeval fortress of Sant Salvador and its oratory, which stands proudly at the top of the hill. And you can appreciate all the richness, characteristics and subtleties of this little corner of paradise, which seems to have emerged straight from the Middle Ages.

Things to do in Artà :

Take the time to explore the historic centre and visit the Can Cardaix Museum of Modern Art, which is partly dedicated to the work of its founder, Aina Maria Literas. In addition to the interesting paintings and sculptures on display, you will discover a splendid, typically Mallorcan stately home.
Climb the 180 steps that separate the esglesia de la Transfiguració des Senyor from the Santuari de Sant Salvador. This former mosque transformed into a Christian sanctuary offers a beautiful view of the area.

Have local, simple lunch and, by all accounts, delicious, on the shady terrace of Art Artà. Neither a restaurant, nor a museum, nor a shop selling local crafts, but all three at once, this high point of Artà will surprise you with its originality and the welcome of its owners.

Hike in the Llevant Peninsula Natural Park. You will find archaeological remains and traces of the Spanish Civil War on your way. You can take the GR 222, a long-distance hiking trail that leads to Lluc, in the centre of the Serra de Tramuntana, 130 km from Artà.
Enter the Coves d'Artà, the natural caves that inspired Jules Verne to journey to the centre of the earth
Go back 3,000 years by visiting the Talayotic village of Ses Païsses. This prehistoric site is one of the best-preserved in the Balearic Islands.

Go dancing in one of the many discos in Cala Ratjada or relax on one of the beautiful beaches surrounding this former fishing port

Porto Cristo (7900 inhabitants), the fishing village at the gateway to the caves

If you are looking for the port of Manacor, you will find it best known by the religious name of Port of Christ. This name had followed it since 1260 when survivors of a shipwreck offered relics to the locals in gratitude for their help. Now a popular seaside resort, Porto Cristo remains, above all, an important place of passage for its proximity to numerous caves, including the incredible Coves del Drach (Dragon's Cave) and the Coves dels Hams (Harpoons Cave).

A view of the Porto Cristo town in Mallorca

Things to do in Porto Cristo :

Go shopping or have a drink on the Paseo Maritimo or the Passeig de la Sirena
Take part in the festival on 16 July, which celebrates the Mare de Deu del Carme with fireworks, a boat procession and a night market
A Sunday morning trip to the local produce market

Go to the Torre Del Serral dels Falcons to enjoy the view over the sea and the village

Porto Cristo, a fishing village on horseback

Swim in Cala Varques, a cove of white sand and turquoise water sheltered by pine trees. A little jewel

Visit the Coves del Drach, made up of four limestone caves and six underground lakes, including the largest in Europe, Lake Martel, 177 metres long and 40 metres wide. Each visit ends with a great Spanish classical music concert played by an orchestra on boats crossing the lake. Sounds and lights in the middle of stalactites and stalagmites contribute to the enchantment of this place.

Where to stay in Mallorca?

The largest island of the Balearic Islands is accessible by car with a good road network and reasonable distances. It is therefore easy to discover charming villages, hike in the hinterland, spend a day visiting all the architectural treasures of Palma or enjoy the atmosphere of a small fishing port without having to change rentals. You can succumb to the charm of one of our villas: it is bound to be the ideal starting point for an exceptional stay in Mallorca.

Do you own a villa in Mallorca? Let's work together!

We are always on the lookout for high-quality properties in the Balearic Islands. If you own a villa or a house of character by the sea or inland on the island of Mallorca, do not hesitate to contact us. We will discuss with you the possibility of including your property in our catalogue and present our innovative seasonal rental management solution.

Mallorca towns and villages

The most picturesque in Spain