Vilafranca de Bonany
Traditional rural town in central Majorca
Vilafranca de Bonany is a rural town just off the main road from Palma to Manacor.
As you drive through this small town you cannot help noticing the strings of vegetables hanging outside several of the shops - peppers, aubergines, garlic and, above all, tomatoes. These are the famous tomatigues de ramallet, sold on their stalks to be spread over pa amb oli.
Vilafranca is also known for its honeydew melons, whose harvest is celebrated with a large melon festival each September.
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- History & Culture in Vilafranca de Bonany
- Sights & Attractions in Vilafranca de Bonany
- Beaches in Vilafranca de Bonany
- Dining in Vilafranca de Bonany
- Events in Vilafranca de Bonany
- Cycling in Vilafranca de Bonany
- Hiking in Vilafranca de Bonany
- Yachts & Sailing in Vilafranca de Bonany
- Watersports in Vilafranca de Bonany
- Families in Vilafranca de Bonany
- Villas in Vilafranca de Bonany
- Hotels in Vilafranca de Bonany
- How to get to Vilafranca de Bonany
History & Culture in Vilafranca de Bonany
Early history
Vilafranca de Bonany sprang to life in the early seventeenth century as an agricultural settlement in Mallorcaโs fertile central plain. Its name combines two meaningful parts - Vilafranca (literally โfrank townโ) signifies the tax privileges granted to its early inhabitants, while Bonany (โgood yearโ) refers to the local sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Bonany, a symbol of hope for good harvests
Recent history
It wasn't until the 1990s its official name was set as Vilafranca de Bonany.
Sights & Attractions in Vilafranca de Bonany
History, architecture and culture in Vilafranca de Bonany
The parish church of Santa Bรกrbara, dating to the eighteenth century, dominates the townโs main square and serves as both spiritual and social focal point.
Not far away, the Ermita de Bonany, built in the 1600s atop a nearby hill, was erected in thanks for a prosperous harvest and offers remarkable views over the countryside.
Local museum
A good reason to stop here, apart from food, is to visit Els Calderers, a manor house between Vilafranca and Sant Joan. This was once at the centre of a great wine estate but like so many others it fell victim to the phylloxera disease. Reopened in 1993, the 18th century house is now a museum of Mallorcan furniture and traditions; you can visit the wine cellar, granary, bakery, chapel and wash-house as well as wander around the main house with its paintings, guns and toys.
Beaches in Vilafranca de Bonany
Beaches in Mallorca
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Cala Varques Beach, East Mallorca
Cala Varques (also known as Cala Barques) is a quiet, untouched beach about 12 km south of Porto Cristo, on the east coast of Majorca. This beach continues to grow in popularity, with more visitors now than ever before. Despite the summer crowds and 15 minutesโ walk to get there, this beach is well worth your visit.
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Cala Romantica, East Mallorca
Cala Romantica is a picturesque cala with turquoise water and golden sand on the east coast of Mallorca.ย
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Playa de Son Real Beach, North Mallorca
There is a 5km patch of isolated coast between Playa Son Baulo and Son Serra de Marina in North Mallorca that is known as Playa de Son Real. It is a rough stretch of coastline that is mostly made up of pebbly inlets and rocky outcrops, but interspersed with them is a scattering of the holy grail of beaches โ tiny perfect white sandy coves with easy access to the turquoise sea.
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Sa Canova Beach, North Mallorca
Stretching along the coastline between Son Serra de Marina and SโEstanyol, is one of Mallorcaโs most beautiful and natural beaches. Due to its slight inaccessibility and the fact that it is relatively unknown by tourists this gem of a beach is quiet even in the peak of summer.
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Son Serra de Marina Beach, North-East Mallorca
Situated between the towns of Can Picafort and Colonia de Sant Pere at the eastern end of Alcudiaโs bay, lies the small seaside resort of Son Serra de Marina. The beach here is called โSa Canovaโ and is often referred to as a โDreamlandโ thanks to its hazy mountain views and luminescent sea.
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Son Baulo Beach, Ca'n Picafort
The beach at Son Baulo is a good antidote to the heaving masses and consumerism of neighbouring Caโn Picafort. Still busy and still boasting everything you need, Son Baulo has managed to retain some character and a bit more class than its larger and better-known neighbour.
Dining in Vilafranca de Bonany
Dining in Vilafranca de Bonany is a simple, down-to-earth experience that reflects the villageโs agricultural roots.
Small cafรฉs provide relaxed spots for coffee, breakfast or a light snack, often spilling onto terraces where locals gather. For heartier meals, modest eateries serve traditional Mallorcan and Spanish fare with generous portions and a homely touch, offering excellent value in unfussy surroundings.
Local produce plays a central role, with seasonal fruit and vegetables, especially the villageโs famed melons, often woven into menus, giving visitors a genuine taste of the land that defines this rural community.
Events in Vilafranca de Bonany
Things to do whilst you're here is visit the weekly market held on Wednesdays, which brings fresh local produce, artisan goods and a lively atmosphere to the central square.
Festivals
In early September the Feria del Melรณ celebrates local melons with contests, lanterns, markets and shows. The Festa de la Beata in July features dance, theatre, processions and communal meals. Decemberโs Santa Bรกrbara festival combines mass with bunyols, muscatel wine, concerts and cultural events. Other highlights include Sant Antoni in January, Dรญa de les Illes Balears on 1 March, the Easter pilgrimage to Bonany and an annual book market in April.
Events in Mallorca
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Doggie Race at Port Adriano, El Toro
Port Adriano opens its doors to the Doggie Race a unique and family event where everybody will enjoy and where the pets will be the real protagonists.
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Festa des Vermar (Wine Fair), Binissalem
La Festa des Vermar is the annual grape harvest festival that includes parades, celebrations, grape-crushing competitions and a wine tasting contest. Don't miss the grape battle!
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Nit de l'Art
Palma hosts its Nit de l'Art every year in the middle of September. The museums and galleries of Palma open their doors to visitors for free during this evening.
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Open-Air Cinema Nights
This summer, immerse yourself in the magic of cinema beneath the stars at one of Mallorcaโs most exclusive locations, the terrace of the Castillo Hotel Son Vida.
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Deia International Music Festival
In 1978, a group of professional and amateur musicians came together under the name โParamusical Workshop' and began performing concerts in Llucalcari and the Deiร church. This marked the humble beginnings of what is today known as the Deiร International Music Festival. The quality and quantity of the guest artists have been growing steadily ever since.
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Multihull Cup Regatta, El Toro
Held over a long weekend in Port Adriano, the Multihull Cup is comprised of three races: two approximately 30Nm on Friday, with a longer โrecord runโ race on Saturday.
Cycling in Vilafranca de Bonany
Cycling Routes in Mallorca
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Puerto Pollensa to Sa Pobla Cycling Route
An easy ride if you are used to road biking and at 44km this route could be a good challenge for a beginner!
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Cycling C'an Picafort to Pollenca & Alcudia
100,000 cyclists cannot be wrong. Mallorca is one of the most popular and idyllic islands for cycling with it's plentiful flat farm roads and challenging hill climbs.
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Puerto Pollensa to Campanet Cycling Route
An easy route more suited to someone with a bit of road cycling experience due to the nature of the hills and busy roads.
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Cala Millor to Porto Cristo Cycling Route
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.
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Parque de S' Albufera Cycling Route
Combining nature, bird spotting and a bit of exercise with a cycle round the nature reserve by the holiday resort of Puerto Alcudia.
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Cycling Tour Through Central Mallorca
A cycling tour with Mills and Honey isn't just about cycling, it's about immersing yourself in the landscape, culture and flavours of the island.ย
Hiking in Vilafranca de Bonany
Walking Routes in Mallorca
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Hike from Petra to Hermitage of Bonany
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.
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An Uphill Walk from Felanitx to Monastery of San Salvador
Felanitx is located in the south-east of Mallorca.
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Hiking up the Puig de Randa Review
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.
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Hiking from Algaida to Cura Sant Honorat Gracia & Randa
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.
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GR222 Trail from Son Serra de Marina to Colonia de Sant Pere
This is a small part of the GR222 walking route which will eventually link Arta and the Llevant Peninsula with Lluc and the world heritage site that is the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range.ย
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Hike from Son Baulo to Son Serra de Marina
A beautiful 6km coastal hike from Can Picafort to Son Serra de Marina taking in stunning sea views, archaeological sites, deserted beaches, ecological areas and the occasional nudist.
Yachts & Sailing in Vilafranca de Bonany
Watersports in Vilafranca de Bonany
Watersports in Mallorca
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Sea Caving, East Mallorca
Explore one of the most spectacular caves on the island in a unique corner where very few are lucky enough to know about.
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Coasteering
Coasteering combines adventure swimming, abseiling, climbing and rock scrambling to explore some incredible locations in Mallorca.
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PADI Diving Courses
PADI International certifications are recognised all over the world. This school offers a number of courses for you to learn new skills and progress.
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Albatros Diving School, Cala Bona
Enjoy great diving in Mallorca with Albatros Diving, based on the east coast in Cala Bona.
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Families in Vilafranca de Bonany
Villas in Vilafranca de Bonany
Villas in Mallorca
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Sa Rota Villa
Beautifully located amongst pine and wild olive trees on the edge of the pretty rural town of Lloret lies Sa Rota de Ca'n Blanc, a charming and comfortable country hideaway from which to experience and explore the rural heartland of Mallorca.
Price: โฌ1,162
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Finca Puig Blanc Villa
Enjoy an unforgettable vacation in this villa!ย Imagine this: Waking up to the sound of birds singing and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air. Go out to the terrace to enjoy breakfast with views of the impressive mountains of Mallorca.
Price: โฌ2,016
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Can Alou Villa
Can Alou ist located on the crest of a hillside in this verdant valley amidst a setting of total tranquility - no cars, no planes, there is only the sound of migrating birds and sheep bells in the surrounding almond groves.
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Mel Villa, Sa Pobla,Buger
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.
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Casa Catalina Villa
Beach Villa Catalina is a delightfully pretty, holiday home with private pool located within easy walking distance to the sandy beach and shops of Can Picafort. Sleeping up to 8 guests in 4 bedrooms, the villa offers unbeatable value for money in a location where a car is not essential. The interiors are welcoming and beautifully decorated, the gardens are inviting, the newly installed swimming pool inviting: all the ingredients for an unforgettable holiday!
Price: โฌ903
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Bassa Villa
Villa Bassa is a wonderful rustic country villa, sleeping up to 10 people near the popular resort of Cala DโOr, Mallorca. It is only a short distance from beaches, restaurants and shops in Cala dโOr. This property offers a spectacular outdoor area with a luscious lawn, outdoor shower, large dining area and a gated pool; ideal for families with young children.
Hotels in Vilafranca de Bonany
Just outside Vilafranca de Bonany is the prettty rural hotel.
How to get to Vilafranca de Bonany
By car
Car hire is a viable option in Mallorca and Vilafranca is a 35 minute drive from Palma airport. Or take the worry out of getting from the airport and book a transfer.
Public transport
There are no direct buses from the airport, you have to change buses in Palma.
Transfers for Mallorca
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Luxury Chauffeur Services & Airport Transfers
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.
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Janer Bus Airport Transfers
The established company have been offering a reliable, reasonably priced, private transfer service in Mallorca since 1993.
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Balearic Airport Transfers
This transfer company offers cheap and reliable Airport Transfers to all destinations in Mallorca with official vehicles and professional drivers.
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Mallorca Taxi Car
This taxi company offers 24-hour service from the airport to your accommodation all around Mallorca.
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MajorCabDriver Taxis
The only British taxi driver in Mallorca, offering airport transfers to destinations throughout the island.
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Mallorca Private Airport Transfers
Great quality service at rates that are irresistible.ย This company exclusivelyย transfer you around Mallorca without having to pay an excessive price.ย