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

© J. Rains

© J. Rains

© J. Rains

© J. Rains

© J. Rains

© J. Rains

© J. Rains

© J. Rains

© Ajuntament de Ses Salines
Traditional rural town in the south east of Majorca
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.
There are ancient salt mines here dating back to Roman times. The salt produced has become a major industry for the area, with gourmet flavoured salts being produced for export. The sea salt is extracted during August using traditional methods.
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.
A significant celebration in Mallorca, this annual holiday, observed on March 1st, commemorates the date when the Balearic Islands' Statute of Autonomy was officially enacted in 1983.
Discover the natural beauty of Mallorca and its idyllic landscapes. The Galatzó trail is held at the Finca Pública Galatzó, in the municipality of Calvià, starting and finishing in the little town of Es Capdellà. The 99% of the race runs inside the Finca Pública Galatzó part of the Serra de Tramuntana (UNESCO World Heritage).
Parades of carapunats, or hooded penitents, take place all around the island from Monday to Easter Sunday to mark the Passion of Christ.
The discovery of Roman remains in Ses Salines has led to the belief that Roman troops, under the command of Cecilio Metellus, arrived here in the year 123 BC to exploit the S'Avall salt flats. In fact the name of the town means ‘source of salt’. Salt mining grew considerably during the Roman period until the 6th century AD.
During the Islamic occupation that followed it seems the exploitation of Ses Salines continued. After the Christian conquest, led by King Jaume 1 in 1229, the salt mines were considered to be royal property, until 1255 when he gave them up to Arnau de Cruilles.
In the 1300s the area became the property of the Torrella family, followed by the Dezcallar family which still preserves it today. They have protected and exploited the salt flats here, either directly or through lease management, over the centuries through to modern times.
Aside from the salt production you will be interested in the nearby Bronze Age settlements which date back to the 9th century.
There are many historical building in Ses Salines including the Church of St Bartholomew, there is of course the golden sandstone architecture to admire.
Botanicactus is one of Europe's largest botanical gardens, with bamboo and palm trees and dozens of varieties of cactus.
Head to Colonia St Jordi for watersports and wonderful beaches.
If you are looking for a beach where you can get away from it all, then Es Carbo may be the one for you. A 30 minute walk east from Colonia St Jordi in the south of Mallorca, it is a vast stretch of white sand that sits in a protected bay.
Unassigned to any of the island’s numerous holiday resorts, the stunning beach of Es Trenc is geographically fairly isolated with a wonderful wild and natural feel. With 2km of bleached white sand and transparent water, it's often referred to as more Caribbean than Mediterranean in characteristics.
With beautiful views and crystal clear water it's a great place for swimming and snorkelling. Picturesque and quiet, it's no surprise that it's popular with the locals.
Es Calò des Moro is one of those picture perfect calas that takes your breath away. 'One of the last paradises of Mallorca,' claims the foundation 'Amics d'Es Calò des Moro' which has been looking after it for the last fifteen years.
Found on the west side of Mallorca’s most southern tip, Es Caragol is wonderful if you enjoy sunbathing somewhere a little more remote than your usual tourist spot.
Also known as Platja de Sa Ràpita, an alternative to Es Trenc is the beautiful neighbouring beach at S’Arenal de sa Rapita in the southeast of Majorca. It is much quieter than Es Trenc, and is popular with families, surfers and windsurfers.
Cassai Gran Café is located in the heart of Ses Salines, offering a unique dining experience where traditional Mediterranean cuisine meets contemporary innovation. Housed in a Majorcan property over three hundred years old, the restaurant retains its rustic charm with stone walls, native plants, and a welcoming courtyard, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere. Soft lighting and carefully chosen materials enhance the inviting and elegant space, perfect for an evening of relaxed fine dining.
An unusual spot on Mallorca and very welcome because of that. It looks like it should be on the beach, and has a laid-back, cool, hippy vibe, with lots of wooden furniture and paper lanterns.
Welcome to Lola, your ultimate summer hotspot in the heart of Cala d'Or, Mallorca! They're all about creating incredible experiences under the sun during the day and stars in the evening.
HPC Restaurant in Portocolom offers a relaxed Mediterranean dining experience with stunning sea views. Situated inside the Hostal Porto Colom Hotel, this stylish restaurant serves fresh, locally sourced ingredients with international and creative touches. Guests can enjoy a wide variety of dishes, including paella, fresh fish and seafood, local meats, carpaccio, gourmet burgers, creative salads, and homemade pizzas.
Located just 15 minutes from the city of Palma, this clifftop bar provides a relaxing oasis away from the buzz of the city. In the evening, their terrace bar serves incredible cocktails while the sun sets, offering a breathtaking spectacle.
If you are looking for a bar on the beach-front with fantastic view that can be enjoyed with a delicious cocktail, look no further.
This club was born in 2010 in Cala Estancia, a very popular spot with tourists, and has become one of the must-visit places for electronic music lovers.
The nearby saltpans act as a magnet for migrant waders and wildfowl on their way from Africa to their breeding grounds in Europe each spring. Cap de Ses Salines, Mallorca's southernmost point, is another good spot for birdwatching.
The town itself makes a pleasant place to stroll, with an abundance of local Santanyi sandstone which turns golden in the sun. Just outside Ses Salines, on the road to Santanyi, is Botanicactus, one of Europe's largest botanical gardens, with bamboo and palm trees and, extraordinarily diverse in form, dozens of varieties of cactus.
You can also get the boat from nearby Colonia St Jordi to the protected Cabrera Islands off the south east coast.
Founded in 1998, this is a small piece of Africa in Mallorca, between Campos and Colonia de Sant Jordi. A perfect place for the whole family to visit and learn more about the largest birds on the planet.
The Mondragó Natural Park is one of our favourite places on Mallorca. It is situated in the south, close to Santanyí, down tiny winding lanes lined with immaculate stone walls.
Explore the magical island of Mallorca on horseback with an experienced local guide.
Fall in love with horseriding as you explore the beautiful island of Mallorca with an experienced local guide.
Fall in love with horseriding as you explore the beautiful island of Mallorca with an experienced local guide.
For those who want it all, combine show jumping lessons, trail riding, and luxury accommodation for a fantastic holiday.
There are several cycle routes in the area, on mainly flat ground making cycling an excellent way to explore the area.
22km point to point but a longer day out at 44km if you do the return journey by bike instead of catching the bus.
A flat road cycle but at a distance of 60km this could be a long ride for a beginner so be prepared!
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 great way to explore this part of the coast and easy enough for the whole family to enjoy...especially with beach breaks along the way.
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.
There are also several coastal walks you can enjoy, the tourist office will be able to direct you.
Ses Salines is located on the south-east coast of Mallorca. This is a summer walk which you can start from Ses Salines itself, or at the beach resort of Colonia de Sant Jordi.
Felanitx is located in the south-east of Mallorca.
Good Friday is often a great opportunity for a spring time walk, especially in Mallorca where there was not a single cloud in the sky and temperatures were in the mid 20s.
Algaida is located towards the middle of the island, about 15 km east of Palma. This hike can start from the town of Algaida, walking towards Castellitx, where there is a beautiful hermitage, the "Ermita de la Pau" that is well worth visiting, and then on to Aubella, where the climb to Cura starts.
Petra is located towards the middle of the island, about 8km west of Manacor. The walk up to the hermitage starts in Petra, following the paved road and involves a walk of a little over an hour, you can also get there by a trail going up from Vilafranca.
Inca can be reached either by train from Palma or by car. If you go to Inca on a Thursday, you'll be able to enjoy one of Mallorca's biggest and best markets.
Coasteering combines adventure swimming, abseiling, climbing and rock scrambling to explore some incredible locations in Mallorca.
PADI International certifications are recognised all over the world. This school offers a number of courses for you to learn new skills and progress.
Explore one of the most spectacular caves on the island in a unique corner where very few are lucky enough to know about.
Enjoy great diving in Mallorca with Albatros Diving, based on the east coast in Cala Bona.
An exhilarating rock and water activity suitable for families and adrenaline-junkies, a great way to explore the coastline of Mallorca.
Enjoy an exhilarating day trekking and scrambling through gorges, waterfalls and jumping into giant rock pools.
From such a privileged position, snuggled between two of Mallorca’s most esteemed sandy coves (Cala Mondragó and Cala S’Amarador), this resplendent country home is immersed in the pure, natural setting of the legendary Mondragó National Park, abundant in local fauna and shady pine trees that provide a welcomed respite from the midday sun.
Perched along the craggy coastline of Cala Egos, this recently renovated home is light, bright and airy in true Mediterranean style.
Having undergone a complete renovation for 2025, Riviera offers modern, spacious accommodation on the water’s edge of Cala Longa, one of a series of craggy inlets, affording uninterrupted sea views along the rugged coastline and across the water to the shores of picturesque Calo Ses Dones.
This is a lovely house in a location that, quite simply, offers the best of both worlds - a private swimming pool surrounded by picturesque gardens, yet within walking distance of one of Mallorca's prettiest sandy cove beaches.
This beautiful, stone clad country home set amongst the undulating countryside surrounding the small village of Buger, offers spacious grounds as well as a generous, convivial interior with wooden flooring, high ceilings and contemporary furnishings that create a light, bright & airy ambiance throughout.
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.
Close to the coves and to the beaches with fine white sand in the south-east of the island, you´ll find a country estate with 35 acres of open fields, an exclusive, comfortable, quiet and charming hotel.
There are several lovely rural hotels in the area, converted farmhouses offering traditional accommodation close to the sea.
In the south of the island, between fields of almond and fig trees, near the village of Ses Salines and 6 km from the sea, stands the ancient stone house of Sa Carrotja, one of the oldest in the village.
This is a superior five-star hotel located in Campos, in the south of the island of Mallorca.
This hotel is located in a manor house dating back to the 13th century. Recently the house has been reformed and converted into a luxurious hotel, preserving great part of its architectural original structure.
Close to the coves and to the beaches with fine white sand in the south-east of the island, you´ll find a country estate with 35 acres of open fields, an exclusive, comfortable, quiet and charming hotel.
The hotel is located only 100 m away from a beautiful beach, in front of the salt lakes. These salt lakes are in a protected nature reserve area and told to be the second oldest of the world.
This hotel is ideally located in Colonia de Sant Jordi, a former fishing port in the southeast of the island. The hotel is just 10 minutes from Colonia de Sant Jordi city centre and has beautiful views of the nearby beaches.
Car hire is a viable option in Mallorca, and Ses Salines is only a 35 minute car journey from Palma airport. Or take the worry out of getting from the airport by booking a private transfer.
Experience luxury and convenience with this company. Arrive at your yacht charter, sunset tour or boat trip in unparalleled style in a Rolls Royce Ghost.
The established company have been offering a reliable, reasonably priced, private transfer service in Mallorca since 1993.
This transfer company offers cheap and reliable Airport Transfers to all destinations in Mallorca with official vehicles and professional drivers.
This taxi company offers 24-hour service from the airport to your accommodation all around Mallorca.
A group of taxi drivers with many years of experience in the sector of airport transfers in Mallorca. You can book online in advance or call to book last-minute.
With offices in Alcudia and the airport, Majorca Airport Transfers has a large fleet of taxis, minibuses and coaches to suit all group sizes.
Set on an 8,300 m² flat, sun-drenched plot, this fully renovated finca blends authentic Mallorcan charm with modern comfort - complete with two beautifully appointed guesthouses, a saltwater pool, solar power, and breathtaking views of the Tramuntana mountains. Located just outside the historic village of Binissalem, in the heart of Mallorca’s celebrated wine country, this is a rare opportunity to purchase a tranquil rural home that’s move-in ready and built to a high standard.
Located in the tranquil urbanisation of Crestatx in Sa Pobla, this property is perfect for those seeking a natural and well-connected environment. With a functional design, the home is spread over two floors, offering comfortable and practical living spaces for families or friends to enjoy.
Experience the ultimate in comfortable living with this exceptional property located in the desirable urbanization of Crestatx, nestled between Sa Pobla and Pollensa. Boasting a prime location in a residential area with high demand, this fabulous plot features a charming small house that offers plenty of possibilities for extension to meet your future needs.
Large 3-floor townhouse in the historic centre of Alcudia for sale.
In the municipality of Alcúdia, the construction of a villa is underway with a building permit already granted. The project has commenced, with completion anticipated for 2026.
Golf Marina is a beautiful, warm and welcoming property situated near the golf of Pollensa.
Find out all about what is happening in Mallorca and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, fabulous beaches, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see, and experience on the island.
See allLatest News & ReviewsThe island hosts all sorts of events, including agricultural fairs in the spring and autumn, live music and DJs in the summer, religious fiestas and international sporting events. Some of the most popular are the Mallorca 312 cycling race in April, the Copa del Rey sailing regatta in July and the Moors vs Christians mock battle in September.
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