Towns & Villages in Mallorca

Sant Elm (also known as San Telmo in Spanish) is a charming coastal village in the far south-west corner of Mallorca. With the foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains behind it and the uninhabited island of Sa Dragonera in front, you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful spot.

Banyalbufar is one of the last remaining authentic coastal villages in Mallorca. It clings to the western coastline of the island on a steep hillside at the edge of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. Most people come to Banyalbufar to see one thing, its ancient terraced hillsides descending down to the sea, but glorious views of the Tramuntana mountains and amazing sunsets also await you here.

Fornalutx, at the top of the Sóller Valley and deep within the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, calls itself the prettiest village in Spain and it's hard to disagree!

The small rural town of Petra lies in the middle of Mallorca, surrounded by agricultural land.

On the north coast of Mallorca lies the Bay of Alcudia, a gorgeous coastline comprising of turquoise shallow waters and long, soft golden sandy beaches. It is therefore not much of a surprise to find Majorca's biggest beach resort here. From Port d'Alcudia, in the west, to Can Picafort 10km down the coast, you will find a strip of apartment blocks and resort style hotels that offer everything from budget self-catering to luxurious five-star accommodation.

Port Adriano is a luxury marina perched on the southwestern coastline of Mallorca. Designed by French architect Philippe Starck, it opened in 2012 and currently stands as one of the most modern marinas in the Mediterranean.

A purpose-built holiday resort, Cala Millor is a major family holiday destination on Mallorca’s east coast. Its main attraction is the fine sandy beaches met by turquoise shallow waters, behind which you will find a promenade lined with hotels.

This fishing village, once the port for Felanitx, was named in honour of Christopher Columbus, who is said - without much evidence - to have been born here. Popular with Mallorcan and Spanish visitors and set inside a deep natural harbour, Portocolom still has the feel of a small fishing port, with boats around the quay and pastel-coloured houses lining the waterfront, each with its own landing-stage.

Porto Petro or Portopetro can be found within the district of Santanyí. This fishing village which retains much of its traditional charm, with most of its buildings, developed in the early 20th century, being handsome, colourful houses with authentic Mallorcan shutters.

Ses Salines is a small village in the south east of Mallorca. It and its associated port Colonia St Jordi have a rich history thanks to its location on fertile land. Known for its salt flats, slow pace and understated charm, think stone houses, palm-lined streets and easy access to beautiful beaches like Es Trenc. With relaxed cafés, creative shops and a quietly cool atmosphere, it’s ideal for travellers seeking an authentic, unhurried slice of island life.

Sitting between Llucmajor and Santanyi, it’s a mere 8km away from the coast. Constructed from the famous local blonde stone, Campos is rather pretty and, whilst it remains a sleepy rural place, it acts as the administrative centre for this corner of the island which is most famous for its long sandy beaches and turquoise waters.

Santanyi is a historic rural town famous for its gold stone architecture. It’s charming, with quaint cobbled streets and a majestic church - all appealing for its slow pace of life.

The neighbouring villages of Portol and Sa Cabaneta, between Palma and Santa Maria del Cami, have become something of an artists colony. Unlike in Deia and Banyalbufar, though, the artists are Mallorcan - potters taking advantage of the rich local soil.

There are still people who can remember when Palma Nova was just a village. Then, along came the tourist boom and the 'new Palma' was established as one of the first purpose-built tourist destinations on the island. Now we see Palma Nova moving towards high-quality tourism, becoming ‘the’ up-and-coming spot on the southwest coast. 

People argue over whether the mountains or the coast represent 'the real Mallorca', but the heart of the island is to be found in villages like this. The bars are frequented by local farmers and make few concessions to tourism; there is nothing to see as such, just marvellous views across to the Tramuntana where the mountains rise out of the plain.

Inca lies halfway up the motorway between Palma and Alcudia, almost at the centre of the island and at the foot of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range.

Sineu is a traditional inland town located geographically at the centre of Mallorca. Visitors looking to immerse themselves in the ‘real’ Mallorca, or seeking solitude away from the touristy side of the island will find Sineu an attractive destination.

Mallorca’s second city, Manacor, sits around 10km from the eastern coastline. It used to be an agricultural town but, with the help of the railway line that was opened in 1879, it became the industrial and commercial centre of the area.