Illetas

The Fiesta Sant Sebastià is one of the biggest festivals in Mallorca. It takes place every January to celebrate the patron saint of the capital, Saint Sebastian.

Spain, being predominantly Catholic, worships its saints devoutly. Every day of the year has a saints name associated with it and some are honoured with celebrations. January is a busy month, with Saint Anthony's day on 17 January and Saint Inés following shortly after, on 21 January.

This edition of the Womens Mallorca Cycling Challenge sees an international line up of top cyclists competing in three separate races.

This edition of the Mallorca Challenge sees an international line up of top cyclists competing in four separate races.

In late January, the almond trees on Mallorca start to blossom. The beautiful white blossoms cover the countryside until mid February. Son Severa hosts this country fair in honour of this important Majorcan crop.

Twice a year, the sun casts an image of the rose window that presides over the main altar in Palma Cathedral on the opposite wall, just under another rose window, the one that decorates the main façade. Thus, for a short period of time, two tangential rosettes can be seen, one made of glass and the other made of light, forming a figure of eight.

Only 9km from the capital of Palma, Illetas is a holiday resort claiming three picture-perfect beaches. Illetas beach is the main beach, and is more sheltered than the huge stretch of sand that makes up the beach in front of Palma's cathedral, making this one of the nicest beaches in the Bay of Palma.

Playa Oratori is the popular local beach for Portals Nous and Puerto Portals.

Cala Major is located within Palma Bay, around four kilometres to the west to the city of Palma.

Attracting thousands of tourists annually and especially popular with Brits and package holiday makers, Palmanova is a purpose built resort next to Magaluf in south west Majorca. Palma Nova actually hosts three separate ‘Blue Flag’ beach areas, Playa de Palmanova, Playa Son Matias and Playa Es Carregador.

The closest beach to Palma is at Ca'n Pere Antoni. This stretch of golden sandy beach starts just beyond the cathedral. A promenade and cycle path runs along its length but behind these lies the main road that takes you to Palma airport.

Cala Falco is a very pretty and small beach, surrounded by rocky outlets and pine. It is most famous for the trendy beach bar and restaurant that sits in the middle, attracting some of Mallorca's most affluent clientele. situated in the south west of Mallorca. The sea is clear and shallow, and the beach is narrow but deep,

Appearing as if it arose from amid the waves, this matchless location of the historical Hospes Maricel, where the Senzone Restaurant is located.

This is an exclusive fine dining experience within the Luxury Portals Hills Boutique Hotel.

Arrels by Marga Coll Restaurant in Mallorca offers a dining experience rooted in Balearic tradition, with a clear philosophy of taking ingredients straight from the market to the table. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all given equal importance, each reflecting the restaurant’s commitment to local produce, careful preparation and respect for the island’s culinary heritage.

This cosmopolitan beach club is located in a beautiful spot in Illetas. Their large terrace overlooking the sea features comfortable sun loungers and day beds.

Beneath Mallorca’s beautiful pine trees, BeLive La Cala Hotel offers stunning seafront views from its stylish lounge and restaurant. 

Modern restaurant with a varied menu serving fresh, tasty and traditional Italian food and Mediterranean specialities including local favourites like paella, wood-fired pizza and traditionally grilled meats.

This cosmopolitan beach club is located in a beautiful spot in Illetas. Their large terrace overlooking the sea features comfortable sun loungers and day beds.

This stylish modern poolside bar is situated within the Portals Hills Boutique Hotel.

Balneario Illetas Restaurant and Beach Club, located on the stunning Illetas beach just a ten-minute drive from Palma, offers a complete Mediterranean dining and leisure experience. Set against the backdrop of crystal-clear waters and a rocky cove, the restaurant transforms the finest local produce into dishes full of flavour, simplicity and quality. Each plate is carefully prepared to surprise and delight, making it a must-visit for discerning food lovers.

Whiz around the local coastline with friends and family

The Bendinat Royal Golf Course is magnificently situated 7 kilometres west of Palma, in an extensive wooded valley and in the heart of the Bendinat Housing Estate.

Why not have an adventure and try the new water sport, Flyboard? Located in Port Calanova which has the perfect conditions to try this fun and exciting sport.

An area designed and intended for young adventurers. Sport, fun and adventure, it has 50 platforms and games divided into 6 circuits of different levels and heights.

A nice quiet route, if you stay away from the main roads and enjoy these resorts in a more laid back fashion.

Enjoy a flat route by the sea that is completely on purpose made cycle paths so that it is safe for all the family to cycle. It takes you from the capital city of Palma to the beach resort area of Playa de Palma.

Palma is a really bike friendly city. The giveaway is the prominent red cycle route running all along the Paseo Maritimo and through the city centre. The weather is perfect for it too. Despite the obvious benefits of urban exploration on two wheels, Palma on Bike was my first experience of cycling in the capital. 

On Saturday we hired bikes and set off on a hot afternoon to explore the beaches of Palma Bay. A shoreline cycle path runs from the northern end of Palma docks all the way to the resort S’Arenal in the south.

A fairly easy cycle with a few hills to get the lungs and heart going - be careful of the midday sun!

A flat road cycle but at a distance of 60km this could be a long ride for a beginner so be prepared!

Once again, using my trusted hiking book ‘Mallorca, the finest coastal and Mountain walks’ by Rolf Goetz, I found a wonderful coastal hike from Portals Vells to Cala Figuera Lighthouse. A lovely, short and relatively easy hike makes it a contender for the best year-round walk in Mallorca.

Puigpunyent is located on the south-west of the island. This walk provides some magnificient scenery without having to leave the road, which goes from Capdellà to Puigpunyent. The route takes in a series of ascents and descents, and cuts across woods and fields, with different views at each curve of the road.

From a distance this mountain looks like an impossible challenge, but the route is well graded with a handful of paths leading to its summit.

Camp de Mar is a purpose built beach resort with a really lovely beach, located on the south-west coast of Mallorca. This walk takes you along the coast and then over to Port Andratx, with an optional continuation to Sa Mola on the peninsula.

When a post for the Mallorca Hiking Club popped up on Facebook on a miserable February day, it immediately grabbed my attention. My New Year's Resolution to get fit was but a distant memory, and this sounded too good an offer to pass up. I have always fancied mooching around the pretty part of Mallorca that I knew existed, but with a hopeless sense of direction, I was nervous to go off on my own in case I got lost and ended half way up a mountain in the middle of nowhere.

Andratx is located in the south-west of Mallorca. From Andratx, the walk begins in the direction of S'Arracó, three kilometres away. A short rest in this delightful village gives you enough time for a visit to the parish church, where there is a statue of the Virgin "Our Lady of la Trapa".

Whiz around the local coastline with friends and family

Why not have an adventure and try the new water sport, Flyboard? Located in Port Calanova which has the perfect conditions to try this fun and exciting sport.

Spacious five-bedroom villa with private heated pool, classic Mallorcan features, and a wealth of thoughtful facilities.

This elegant villa, set within the private Son Bunyola Estate, combines modern comforts with a serene atmosphere to ensure a truly relaxing holiday in Mallorca.

Historic four-bedroom villa with a unique bedroom set in a turret, private heated pool, and stunning coastline views.

With every attention to the utmost details, the property has a beautiful harmony of Mallorcan architecture and Dutch interior designed with exquisite taste, this stylish and modern villa in Moscari exudes class and good taste.

Designed with exquisite taste, this stylish and modern villa in Moscari exudes class and good taste. With every attention to the utmost details, the property has a beautiful harmony of Mallorcan architecture and Dutch interior design.

This is a luxurious villa that has been restored from old ruins with great care to incorporate the original architecture with a modern design. 

This charming hotel is located in the historical old town, in the very heart of Palma de Mallorca. It is within easy walking distance of attractions such as the 10th century Arab baths and Palma's breathtaking gothic Cathedral.

Set in a medieval townhouse in the centre of Palma de Mallorca, this luxury hotel takes you back to the time when the city was home to nobles, merchants and travellers who brought exotic products from distant lands.

Hotel Tres lies at the crossroads of elegance and comfort; effortlessly blending old and new, modern comforts complement the remnants of a 16th century palace. Rustic Mallorcan style and contemporary design combine to form a space built for comfort.

The Sant Jaume Boutique Hotel stands in the heart of the old quarter of Palma, nestled between two important historic buildings: the Church of Sant Jaume and Santa Magdalena Convent.

This is a luxury boutique hotel promises personalised services that will exceed your wildest expectations.

At the Hotel Palau Sa Font vibrant colours, modern artwork and designer furniture welcome guests to a hotel with charm and personality that offers a warm and familiar kind of service. The hotel has a real connection with its local neighbourhood from the local shop to the farmer supplying the organic olive oil.