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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.
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.
In early September the Feria del Meló celebrates local melons with contests, lanterns, markets and shows. The Festa de la Beata in July features dance, theatre, processions and communal meals. December’s Santa Bárbara festival combines mass with bunyols, muscatel wine, concerts and cultural events. Other highlights include Sant Antoni in January, Día de les Illes Balears on 1 March, the Easter pilgrimage to Bonany and an annual book market in April.
Jazz Voyeur Festival, established as the point of reference for high-quality jazz music in the Balearic Islands thanks to its remarkable track record, presents an artistic line-up that once again manages to bring great national and international artists to Mallorca.
Want to play golf, soak up the sun, watch exciting matches, and maybe even swing a club yourself. This could be the event for you.
Puerto Portals has become the port with the largest fleet of Dragons in Spain and a benchmark on the international circuit.
Head to Palma's city centre for the switching on of the Christmas Lights. Live music and more will liven up the streets of the vibrant city.
Get into the festive spirit at Palma's annual Christmas Fair.
The German community in Santa Ponsa celebrate their very own 'Weihnachtsmarkt' every year at the Polígono Son Bugadellas.
Vilafranca de Bonany sprang to life in the early seventeenth century as an agricultural settlement in Mallorca’s fertile central plain. Its name combines two meaningful parts - Vilafranca (literally “frank town”) signifies the tax privileges granted to its early inhabitants, while Bonany (“good year”) refers to the local sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Bonany, a symbol of hope for good harvests
It wasn't until the 1990s its official name was set as Vilafranca de Bonany.
The parish church of Santa Bárbara, dating to the eighteenth century, dominates the town’s 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.
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.
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 minutes’ walk to get there, this beach is well worth your visit.
Cala Romantica is a picturesque cala with turquoise water and golden sand on the east coast of 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 – tiny perfect white sandy coves with easy access to the turquoise sea.
Stretching along the coastline between Son Serra de Marina and S’Estanyol, is one of Mallorca’s 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.
Situated between the towns of Can Picafort and Colonia de Sant Pere at the eastern end of Alcudia’s bay, lies the small seaside resort of Son Serra de Marina. The beach here is called ‘Sa Canova’ and is often referred to as a ‘Dreamland’ thanks to its hazy mountain views and luminescent sea.
The beach at Son Baulo is a good antidote to the heaving masses and consumerism of neighbouring Ca’n 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 is a simple, down-to-earth experience that reflects the village’s agricultural roots.
Small cafés 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 village’s famed melons, often woven into menus, giving visitors a genuine taste of the land that defines this rural community.
An easy ride if you are used to road biking and at 44km this route could be a good challenge for a beginner!
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.
An easy route more suited to someone with a bit of road cycling experience due to the nature of the hills and busy roads.
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.
Combining nature, bird spotting and a bit of exercise with a cycle round the nature reserve by the holiday resort of Puerto Alcudia.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Explore one of the most spectacular caves on the island in a unique corner where very few are lucky enough to know about.
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.
Enjoy great diving in Mallorca with Albatros Diving, based on the east coast in Cala Bona.
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.
Enjoy an unforgettable vacation in this villa! 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.
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.
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.
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!
Villa Bassa is a wonderful rustic country villa, sleeping up to 10 people near the popular resort of Cala D’Or, Mallorca. It is only a short distance from beaches, restaurants and shops in Cala d’Or. 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.
Just outside Vilafranca de Bonany is the prettty rural hotel.
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.
There are no direct buses from the airport, you have to change buses in Palma.
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.
The only British taxi driver in Mallorca, offering airport transfers to destinations throughout the island.
This taxi company offers 24-hour service from the airport to your accommodation all around Mallorca.
Multilingual company offering transfers from the airport to your destination.
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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