Mallorca's character is shaped, above all, by it's climate. The people of the Mediterranean know how to take life slowly - They still have time to sit in the shade and chat, to take siestas rather than rushing back to work, to enjoy the outdoors whether it is the mountain or the sea.The warm climate has long attracted outsiders, whose influence can still be felt; .. read more (Home)
If You only have a short time to visit Mallorca, or would like to get a really complete picture of the isand, here are the essentials. Spend a day in Palma exploring the old city, then join the evening passeig along the waterfront for a drink in one of the island's trendiest bars. Take the joyride to Soller on a vintage electric train through the mountains. Enjoy a boat trip around the .. read more (Top 10 places in Mallorca)
A perfectly restored walled city on the site of a Roman settlement, with remains of Roman houses and an amphitheatre. This is a gem of a place, a maze of narrow streets enclosed by medieval ramparts, carefully restored as a mode of Mallorca's new tourist image. There were Phoenician and Greek settlements here, but the town reached its heyday in the 2nd century BC, when the Roman invaders made it their capital, .. read more (01: Alcudia)
The good, the bad and the ugly sides of Mallorcas tourist development meet along a 25-km stretch of coast.The former villages of S'Arenal and Magalluf sit facing each other across palma Bay. Once upon a time, a fisherman casting his net into the sea at S'Arenal could have gazed around an empty coastline where the only buildings to stand out would have been Palma's cathedral and castle. Nowadays he would barely be .. read more (02: Palma Bay)
This wild peninsula on Mallorca's northeast tip has stunning views, sandy beaches and the island's original luxury hotel.The 20-km drive from Port de Pollenca to Mallorca's most northerly point has scenery as dramatic as anyone could wish for. Cliffs 400m tall jut into the sea, their weird rock formations attracting nesting seabirds, while pine trees seem to grow out of the rocks. The drive is also famously scary .. read more (03: Cap de Formentor)
A popular walk to a ruined castle and hilltop chapel offering spectacular views all the way to the sea. A castle has stood on this site since Moorish times; it was so impregnable that the Arab commander was able to hold out for two years after the Christian conquest. Later, in 1285, two heroes of Mallorcan independence, Cabrit and Brassa, defended the castle against Alfonso III of Aragon and were burned alive on .. read more (04: Castell d' Alaro)
A well-preserved l4th-century royal fortress with fragrant pine woods, an interesting museum and superb views over Palma Bay.Looking up at this castle, so perfectly maintained, it is hard to believe that it has been standing for almost 700 years. Begun by Jaume II in 1300 and built by Pere Salva, the architect of the Almudaina Palace, it is unique among Spanish castles in being entirely round. Three large towers .. read more (05: Castell de Bellver)
Fascinating network of underground caverns, whose weird stalactites and stalagmites conjure up mysterious images of Heaven and Hell.If you only have time to visit one set of caves on the east coast, this is the one to see. Now that they are a sanitised tourist attraction, it is hard to imagine how French geologist Edouard Martel felt when he first stepped into these caves, dark, mysterious and terrifying, in .. read more (06: Coves d' Arta)
An idyllic village of green-shuttered, orhre-coloured houses has become a millionaires' hideaway in the shadow of the Teix mountain.Deia could have been just another pretty Mallorcan village had Robert Graves not decided to make it his home. The English poet and novelist first moved here in 1932 with his mistress Laura Riding and returned in 1946 with his second wife. Muses followed, friends came to stay, and .. read more (07: Deia)
Mallorca's most sacred site - a former monastery in a spectacular setting in the Serra de Tramuntana. Lluc has been a centre of pilgrimage since the 13th century when an Arab shepherd boy, newly converted to Christianity, discovered a dark wooden statue of the Virgin in a cleft in the rock. The image was placed in the local church but three times it returned miraculously to its cave, whereupon the villagers .. read more (08: Lluc)
The glory of Palma - a magnificent Gothic cathedral whose sandstone walls and flying buttresses seem to rise out of the sea.Anything you see inside Palma cathedral will come as a disappontment once you have stood on the seafront and gazed up at its golden sandstone exterior climbing above the old city walls. La Seu stands out uttery from its surroundings, a demonstration of the might of Mallorca's Christian .. read more (09: Palma Cathedral)
The small town in the mountains where Mallorcan tourism began one cold, damp winter in 1838. Try as it might - and it doesn't try very hard - Valldemossa cannot escape its connection with Frederic Chopin and his lover George Sand. They arrived in 1838, having rented a former monk's cell, planning to carry on their affair away from the gossip of Paris and hoping that the climate would benefit Chopin's health (he .. read more (10: Valldemossa)
It may be said that the history of Mallorca is as long as its coastline. Were it not for the 5,547km (3,439 miles) of coast, we can be very sure that the island's past, present and future would be very different. Mallorca, like other major islands of the Mediterranean, has attracted a cornucopia of conquerors, invaders, settlers and tourists, who have all contributed to its richness and vital history. The .. read more (History and famous people)
1300-1000BC Height of the Talayuiic culture Warring tribes carry on primitive trade around the eastern Mediterranean.700-145Baleares dominated by Phoentians then Carthaginians. 123Mallorca conquered by Quinto Cecilio Metelo, the Baleares join the .. read more (Historical highlights)
Ramon Llull Ramon Llul (1235-1316) was a wealthy courtier n Palma until a disastrous seduction attempt led him to retire to Puig de Randa in isolation. Devoting himself to prayer and study, he wrote in Catalan and Latin on every thing from algebra to metaphysics; he is widely seen as the father of the Catalan language Recalled to the court by Jaume II, he established an Oriental language school at Valldemossa .. read more (Famous people)
The language that you hear on the streets is most likely to be Mallorquin, a version af Catalan, which itslef shares features with both French and Spanish but sounds nothing like either and is emphatically a language, not a dialect. Below are some words in Mallorquin (written language Catalan) to help you get along. .. read more (The language)
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Palma comes as a surprise to many people - it is stylish, sophisticated, intimate yet bursting with life. Half of Mallorca's population live here, enjoying the island's best restaurants, shops and nightlife as well as a thriving arts scene and a lively cafe society.Palma's masterpiece is its Gothic cathedral, rising out of the city walls which once marked the edge of the sea. Close to here is the old Arab .. read more (The city of Palma)
BANYS ARABS (ARAB BATHS) ** These 10th century baths are virtually all that remain of the Arab city of Medina Mayurqa. They were probably part of a nobleman's house and are similar to those found in other Islamic cities. The tepidarium has a dome in the shape of a half orange, with 25 round shafts for sun light, supported by a dozen columns. Notice how each of the columns is different - they were probably .. read more (What to see in Palma)
You will need this Map of Palma de MallorcaModern art; Arab baths; ancient cloisters; hot chocolate in an 18th-century cafe; a walk among the flower sellers; a langosta in Bar Bosch; ancient shipyards; a king's garden.Start at the Parc del Mar, built in the mid-1980s, a home to a collection of modern sculptures, as well as a gigantic mural by .. read more (A walk through Palma)
The main shopping areas in Palma are Avinguda Jaume III and the Passeig des Born for up-market boutiques and the pedestrian streets around Placa Major for small specialist shops. There is also a modern shopping mall and hypermarket complex, the Centro Comercial Porto Pi, 2km from the centre. For the shopper, the relatively small size of Palma is of great advantage. Avinguda Jaume III, as well as .. read more (Shopping in Palma)
Each region of Mallorca has its own particular appeal - the northeast for history, the east coast for beaches and caves, the north and west for spectacular mountains and picture-postcard villages. And you haven't seen Mallorca until you have driven across es pla, the fertile plain at the centre of the island, with its almond groves, windmills and old market towns. Try to do a bit of everything - one monastery, .. read more (Towns and villages)
ALCUDIASee Top 10 places in MallorcaALGAIDA Algaida is a typical Mallorcan town, all green shutters, narrow streets without pavements and a central square dominated by a sandstone church. Few visitors make it into the town centre; the attractions are all on the outskirts, on the Palma-Manacor road. The main one is Ca'n Gordiola, a .. read more (Starting with ALC - BIN)
CABRERA'Goat island' is the largest in a rocky archipelago lying 20km off the south coast. Pliny claimed it as the birthplace of Hannibal; during the Napoleonic Wars it became a notorious prison camp. Since 1916 it has been a military base and since 1991 a protected national park as well. You can only get there on a day trip by boat, with time to walk up to the 14th-centuny castle above the harbour and look out .. read more (Starting with CAB - CAL)
CAMPOSMidway from Llucmajor to Santanyi on the C717, Campos was founded by Jaume II in 1300 on the site of earlier Roman and Arab settlements. A painting of Christ by the Sevilian artist Murillo hangs in the parish church of Sant Julia. Next door to the church is a museum with a large collection of offertory bowls. To vsit both the church and the museum, collect the keys from the Casa Rectoria - follow the .. read more (Starting with CAM - COV)
COVES DEL DRAC (DRAGON CAVES)Dark and humid, these limestone caves on the edge of Porto Cristo have become one of Mallorca's top tourist sights. Groups of several hundred people at a time are herded along 2km of slippery paths by guides who tell you in four languages how to interpret the bizarre stalactite formations - a cactus here, a flag there, the Fairies' Theatre, Diana's Bath .. You might just think they .. read more (Starting with COV - GAL)
LA GRANJAThis country house, just south of Banyalbufar, is on a site known since Roman times for its natural spring. When Jaume conquered Mallorca he divided the island into four feudal estates, giving one to Count Nuno Sanc, who settled at La Granja. In 1239 the Count handed the estate to Cistercian monks to found Mallorca's first monastery. Since 1447 it has been a private house owned by various noble .. read more (Starting with GRA - MON)
MUROThis small town between Inca and the S'Albufera marshes has one overriding attraction - the Museu Etnologic de Mallorca. This museum, housed in a former mansion, gives fascinating glimpses into Mallorca's past. The kitchen contains pottery similar to what you see in the markets today, the recreated pharmacy has a pair of scales in the shape of a crucifix. Upstairs there is a fine Collection of siurells .. read more (Starting with MUR - POR)
PORT DE POLLENCAThis genteel, old-fashioned resort at the mouth of Pollenca bay is particularly popular with families, and with older visitors in winter. There is also a large community of foreign residents, mostly retired British. The promenade along Passeig Voramar, all whitewashed villas and pine trees leaning into the sea, is perfect for an early evening walk. Look out for the bust of Hermen .. read more (Starting with POR - PUN)
LA RESERVAOn the slopes of Puig de Galatzo near the village of Puigpunyent, this nature reserve describes itself as 'Mallorca's paradise' A 3-km trail of waymarked paths leads you through Mallorca's mountain scenery in less than two hours, past waterfalls and springs, olive trees and charcoal stoves A series of boards provides background information on wildlife and mountain industries. Well laid out and .. read more (Starting with RES - SAN)
SERRA DE TRAMUNTANAThe 'mountains of the north wind' which run the length of Mallorca's north coast are home to the island's most spectacular landscapes. Pine-covered slopes almost lean into the sea; as you climb higher, forested hills give way to barren crags and peaks. The people of Mallorca have good reason to be grateful to the mountains in winter they act as a buffer, shielding the plain from the fierce .. read more (Starting with SER - VIL)
All accommodation in Spain is strictly classified and graded by the government. Hotels are graded from one to five stars; hostals, with fewer facilities but often just as comfortable, from one star to three. A hotel residencia or hostal residencia is one that does not serve evening meals.Several of Mallorca's former monasteries rent out old monks' and pilgrims' cells to travellers. You may not get a shower but .. read more (Accomodation in Mallorca)
* = under 75 Euros : ** = 75 - 150 Euros : ***= over 150 Euros.Prices are for a double room, excluding breakfast and VAT (IVA - 17.5%).Arabella Golf Hotel *** The most expensive hotel on the island, with all the luxuries you might expect. Five .. read more (Staying in Palma)
BanyalbufarBaronia * Two-star hostal in a former mansion with courtyard, watchtower, swimming pool and sea views. A:Carrer General Goded 16 T: 971618146 Open: Apr-OctMar i Vent * Wonderful views from the .. read more (Staying around island)
Mallorcan cuisine, based on pork, fish and vegetables with generous use of garlic and olive oil, is hearty peasant fare steeped in tradition and rooted in local ingredients.Not long ago every village would celebrate the matanca, the winter slaughter of pigs, with songs and dancing and the making of hams and sausages for the coming year. Sausages come in several varieties - sobrasada (raw minced pork with hot red .. read more (Food and drink)
The Spanish like to eat late - many restaurants do not even open until 1.30 at lunchtime and 8:30 in the evening, and fill up an hour or two later. It is a good idea to book a table in advance, especially in summer and at weekends. Formal dress is rarely necessary even at the best establishments smart casual is the rule. And children are always welcome!CellersA celler is an old winecellar converted into .. read more (Eating out)
* = Under 15 Euros ** = 15-30 Euros *** = Over 30 EurosPrices based on a three-course meal without drinks and serviceAsador Tierra Asanda .. read more (Dining in Palma)
Algaida Cal Dimoni ** Meat and blood sausages grilled over an open fire at the 'house of the devil'.A: Carretera Palma-Manacor, km21 T: 971665035 Open: Lunch, dinner. Closed WedCa'n Mateu ** Roast suckling pig .. read more (Dining around the island)
Mallorca, a word that talks of warmth, affection, a place of inspiration; a wealth of feeling, culture and beauty ready to awake your sixth sense and cause you to fall in love all over again. Within its seams it hides treasures of:architectural history walk through its capital Palma town and try to visualize life as it would have been in Roman times whilst you have a coffee outside in one of .. read more (Activities and excursions)
The walk around PalmaThis walk starts in Placa d' Espanya and passes close to all of Palma's main sights. Begin by heading for Mercat Olivar, where you can look round the market.Leave via Placa Olivar and turn left into Carrer Sant Miguel.Soon you reach Placa Major with its outdoor café and street entertainers. .. read more (Walking excursions)
Camp de mar - Sa MolaBus.Playa Sol Departure from Palma: Plaza de España ad plaza Joan Carles IFrom Camp de mar you take the road marked PM120 in the direction of the Port d'Andratx, which provides some magnificient views of the coastline. A bit before arriving at the Port you have the choice of continuing on to the cove "Cala Llamp" and to the "Cap des Llamps" or passing over .. read more (Hiking excursions)
Europeans are discovering a new facet of the Balearic Islands. The Islands are the shinning example of sun and sand, and millions of people enjoy this every summer. But the Balearic Islands are also a paradise at other seasons of the year, and for many reasons. The benign winters, the intense light and colour that pervades the spring and the pleasant temperatures all year round make the Islands ideal for active .. read more (Biking excursions)
The WestThis drive gives an excellent introduction to the mountain and coastal scenery of western Mallorca.Start in Andratx, taking the C710 to Estellencs about halfway up the main street.Immediately the road begins to climb. You pass a mirador sign, go through a tunnel and the sea comes into view. Follow this beautiful twisting coast road between the sea .. read more (Driving excursions)
The opening of a railway line from Palma to Soller in 1912, and a tram linking Soller to its port the following year, brought the northwest coast within easy reach of the capital. The vintage carriages are still in use, providing a joyride for tourists and a relief for locals from the terrors of the Palma-Soller road. Five trains a day leave from Placa d'Espanya in Palma - the 10:40 is labelled the 'turistico' but all .. read more (Train excursions)
Sailing in MallorcaMallorca has 41 marinas, 30 clubs nautics and mooring for 10,000 yachts. Yachts can be chartered locally and most marinas also have facilities for water-skiing and windsurfing. Highlights of the sailing year include the King's Cup in August, the Princess Sofia trophy at Easter, and the Rei en Jaume regatta in July when a flotilla of yachts will recreate the 185-km journey made by Jaume the .. read more (Water Sports)
Bull FightingBullfighting is considered an art form as much as a sport; the leading matadors are national celebrities and there are fights most days on TV. A bullfight begins with a horseback procession, or Corrida, followed by the fight itself; the bull is softened up by picadores and then the matador moves in for the kill. Many foreigners detest the spectacle - but it is undoubtedly an important aspect of .. read more (Spectator sports)
The fact is that you can take children anywhere in Mallorca. Like the Spanish and other Mediterranean people, Mallorcans love and indulge children and even if you take an unruly toddler into a first class restaurant the only request from the waiter is likely to be for a cuddle.Mallorca is well geared up for family holidays. There are lots of good sandy beaches with safe, shallow water and first and stations, and .. read more (For kids and families)
Check out our weekly "What's on in Mallorca this week" page to see the wonderful events happening this week - the listing includes cinemas, theatres, town festivals, fairs, and weekly markets.Mallorcan FestivalsFind yourself swept along by the atmosphere of a traditional fiesta and you will get a completely different .. read more (What's on where, when ...)
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Almost every town in Mallorca has a weekly market; most start early and wind up by lunchtime. The larger markets all follow a similar pattern - fresh produce around the main square, specialist food stall is fanning out from there, then cheap clothes, household goods and craft stalls for the tourists. The biggest market is on Thursdays at Inca; the most traditional is the Wednesday agricultural and livestock .. read more (Markets)
Sóller is a botanist’s and enthusiast’s paradise. The Botanical garden is found in a country estate known as “Camp d’En Prohom”, on the outside of Sóller. Its primary purpose to preserve rare or endangered species of the Balearics, result of many years of study and hard work, which is why it is host to one of Spain’s existent wild flora seed banks. Preserving frozen .. read more (Botanical Garden Sóller)
Mallorca is rich in popular handicrafts, and has turned traditional pieces of the island's culture into souvenirs to sell to visitors. A good example are the popular siurells, ancestral earthenware figures painted in bright colours. Also part of the local handicrafts are ceramics, costume jewellery, earthenware, wrought iron and artistic glassware.PalmaAlpargateria Llinas The .. read more (Arts and crafts)
To find out what's on while you are staying, ask any tourist office for a copy of Events, published quarterly. The Forigen newspapers also have daily listings. A monthly guide to events in Palma is published in Spanish and Catalan and available at tourist offices and hotels. Remember that everything starts late in Mallorca - opera at 9pm, theatre around 1Opm and music any time up to midnight.Centro .. read more (Theatres, cinemas and concerts)
Discos and night clubsBars in the main resorts change their names and identities so frequently that recommendations are useless - just follow your nose and you wil soon find one that you like. Many bars are foreign owned, with German or British names, imported beer and satellite TV. A stretch of the Platja de Palma is known as Carter de la cervesa ('Beer Street') owing to the predominat on of German bars; you .. read more (Party in Mallorca)
Golf is given special attention in Majorca. Enthusiasts and visitors have at their disposal 11 official standard golf courses to practise this sport. Many golf competitions are held in Majorca, Such as the Spanish Professional Championship, The Balearic Islands Trophy, the Challenge H.R.H. Count of Barcelona among many others.Below we have listed a few popular Golf courses in Mallorca.Real Golf .. read more (Golf in Mallorca)
Weather JAN - FEB: 15º C - Cloudy - Low Season (average temp)MAR: 17º C - Wet - Low Season (average temp)APR: 19º C - Cloudy - Mid Season (average temp)MAY: 22º C - Sun - Mid Season (average temp)JUN - AUG: 27º C - Sun - High Season (average temp)SEP - OCT: 25º C - Showers/Sun - Mid Season .. read more (Practical information)
Beach SnacksThey say you only get what you pay for. Well, that's true as a general rule, but if you decide to eat from one of the many beach stalls you'll probably find that this is the exception to the rule. The prices will certainly be in the first-class category, but more often than not, the food is of very poor quality.DrivingIf you do decide to hire a car to drive along the coast, remember .. read more (Things to know)
TrainsThere are two railway lines in Mallorca, connecting Palma to Inca and Soller. Palma's two stations are close together beside Placa d'Espanya. Fast trains to Inca take 35 minutes and leave at least hourly throughout the day (first train 6.00AM), stopping at Marratxi, Santa Maria de Cami, Consell, Binissalem, Alaro and Lloseta (information Telephone: 971752245). The train journey to Soller takes 55 minutes .. read more (Public transport)
Getting to Mallorca is pretty easy - almost all the budget airlines fight to Palma de Mallorca. It is believed that during the height of the holiday season, Palma airport is the busiest airport in the world - a plane a minute taking off or landing. Well it show you how wonderful the island is - so many things for so many people. Enough talk - to experience it book your flight at one of these websites - .. read more (Flights to Mallorca)
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It’s everybody’s favourite holiday island, but Mallorca has offered much more than a fortnight in the sun for successive waves of settlers for the last 5,000 years and today’s new residents are part of a society that is the wealthiest in the whole of Spain.Visit properties in Spain - great .. read more (Property in Mallorca)
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