Attraction Reviews from Mallorca

A trip to Deià on the north coast of Majorca is a must for anyone wishing to experience the diversity that this beautiful island has to offer.

The mountains that surround the Soller valley met their conqueror 100 years ago. The thinkers of the hidden valley knew that progress was going to be impossible unless they ended Soller's mountain isolation. At the turn of the century Soller was a boom town trading in cotton and oranges and moving these goods other than by sea was, quite simply, impossible. The majestic mountains and, in particular, the Alfabia mountain range prevented passengers and goods being transported to the island’s main port in Palma de Mallorca.

We live in the hidden valley of Mallorca, in the heart of Soller surrounded by the majesty of the Tramuntana Mountains. We have a perfect horse shoe bay in our Port with glorious swimming and beaches to lie upon. We are experts at lazing our afternoons away talking to friends on the beach in our favoured spots.

Tourists and history students alike flock to the archaeological site of Ses Paisses to marvel over the remains of the 3000 year old Talayotic settlement. Located on the outskirts of Arta town, Ses Paisses is one of Mallorca’s best preserved historical sites of its type and the most important one on the eastern shore.

Having been invaded by just about everyone, it isn't altogether too surprising to find that a certain amount of suspicion is embedded into the psyche of the Mallorquines. Let us take a look at the ancient coastal towers of Mallorca and their role in protecting its inhabitants during these dangerous times.

Located on Carrer de Roca in the heart of Pollenca, the Casa-Museu Dionis Bennassar is the 17th century former home of the artist which now houses a permanent collection of his work.

At the top of the Puig de Randa mountain, with spectacular views of the vast plains of central Mallorca, the monastery of Santuari de Cura provides a retreat from it all. It is looked after by the Franciscan Tertiary order who restored it in the early 20th century.

September in the ‘hidden valley’ of Mallorca – my favorite season of the year. There is something about the light in Mallorca at this time, especially the light over the mountains. It is so clear that you seem able to reach out and touch the pine forests that dot the mountainside and you know you are basked in the painter’s aura. At least that’s what the artists say, the ones that sit with easel poised, drinking in the scene before putting it down on canvas.

Located outside of the town in a 14th century building, Manacor Museum of History has been open in its current location since the 1980’s but has been a part of Manacor since 1908.

Es Fangar is a beautiful estate located just outside Felanitx which specialises in breeding and showing Hanoverian horses. It also produces some amazing wines, a range of natural products and is home to a wide range of local wildlife.

The Caixa Foundation hosts exhibitions all year round in the fabulous Gran Hotel. 

Situated within the World Heritage Site of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, the tiny village of Estellencs offers an authentic taste of rural Mallorca. 

The following is the first of a 3-part guest article from Jo Rothenberg, who can usually be found writing snow reports and other updates from Chamonix, France, for Chamonet.com.

The hidden valley of Soller is where I live. Until 1997, the only access to Soller and its villages and hamlets was by the old wooden train from Palma, or by taking the Coll road with it's fifty hairpin bends - hence the hidden valley. Mass tourism and over building has therefore passed Soller by. In ages gone by, it had thrived on the sea and its trading links with France. Oranges and cotton had been exported from the Port of Soller and the people grew rich on trade. The Mallorquin language spoken here was with a definite French accent.

The joys of February in the Soller valley must be experienced. The blossom is appearing on the trees, and the orchards are a mass of pink and white. The grass has been overtaken by yellow sorrel, providing a carpet for the blossom. This truly is a special time of year and an early indication that spring in Majorca comes sooner than in England.

The Soller road from Palma cuts through fertile lands of almond and olive groves. The odd goat and flocks of sheep graze in the surrounding fields. A straight road that gives no clue of the vast estates that lie on either side of the road and the interesting stories they have to tell. A few years ago Jill Sander, the German fashion designer, was prepared to spend 8 million euros on one of these estates and her interest sparked government intervention.