Guide to Mallorca – The largest Balearic Island

Mallorca also known as Mallorca is one of the Balearic Island which is known for coves, beach resorts, Limestone Mountains and its Moorish and Roman remains. The capital of the island is Palma which is home to the 13th century Santa Maria Cathedral. The Cathedral is more commonly referred to as La Seu, it’s Gothic in style and is a Roman Catholic Cathedral that sits in the capital of Mallorca, Palma. It has to be said the Cathedral is more beautiful outside than its interior. The walls are made of sandstone and it literally looks as though it rises from the Mediterranean Sea in a golden shimmering haze. Palma lies on the south coast of Mallorca on the Bay of Palma and is the largest city on the island of Mallorca. It´s classed as the most cosmopolitan capital of the Balearic Islands and is a major tourist destination in the Mediterranean.

Exploring Mallorca

Visiting Mallorca is like exploring a paradise island, because there are plenty of breathtaking views, attractions and untouched beaches around the island. There are 7 cities on the island but Palma is the only city where the majority of the population is found. Other cities and small towns of the island include Migjorn, Pla de Mallorca, Llevant and Raiguer as they are a source of attraction for the tourists who love nothing more than to visit these beautiful locations.

Pollença is a great example of a stone built village with music festivals and art galleries galore. It’s close to both the popular resorts of Formentor and Alcúdia and lies inland 6 km of the Port de Pollença. Fornalutx is a village set in the mountains on a hillside and is surrounded by plantations of aromatic citrus groves.

The town of Sóller and the hamlet of Binibassi are close by and you can reach them by scenic pathways and trails against the backdrop of the Alfabia Mountain range.

Why families visit Mallorca

Basically, Mallorca covers all bases with some of the cleanest and safest waters to swim in, with some of the most picturesque white sandy beaches that can be found anywhere in the Mediterranean. It’s dotted with coves and caves along its 550 km of stunning coastline and families love this paradise island. The rugged terrain of the north of the island with its cliff tops and pine groves with forests make for a lush green backdrop to the intensity of the deep blue Mediterranean Sea. Of course it’s not just about beaches there are an array of water sports along the coast and beach clubs that offer a relaxing day in the sunshine. Avid golfers come here to play the wonderful game along with a whole host of activities and let’s not forget the historic culture of Spain, its cuisine and entertainment.

Things to do in Mallorca

Water sports include surfing, sailing and boat trips around the bays, windsurfing, scuba diving and fishing. The well designed golf courses suit all levels of abilities and the weather is a huge draw for visitors to take golfing holidays in Mallorca. Walking, trekking and cycling are all main activities one can do in the countryside. The island is looked after and around 40 percent of its landscape is protected and cherished such as the Sierra de Tramuntana Mountains to the north of the island, where its peaks reach 1,400 m above sea level. Further afield is a group of islands where you can find the Cabrera Marine and Terrestrial Nature Reserve just one hour away and can be reached by boat. Artists have flocked to this golden island for centuries and have been captivated by its natural outstanding beauty. This accounts for the amount of galleries that can be found on the island, its landscapes captured forever in art work.

Mallorca’s culture

The island comes alive especially in the summer months when the islands atmosphere is electric. Events, exhibitions, concerts and festivals take place everywhere across the island. Celebrations centre on the culture of Spain in the historic old towns and it’s just the beginning of the day’s entertainment that starts in the morning and ends in the early hours with pulsating night life.

Language

Like other Balearic islands, Catalan is the language spoken in Mallorca. The island has two official languages which include Spanish and Catalan. The dialect of the language however differs throughout the island. The students in the island are required to be bilingual, they have to learn Spanish, Catalan and English. Saying that, many locals speaks English so you don’t need to worry about any language barriers.

Top Landmarks of Mallorca

Castell de Bellver

It is located to the North-West of the city of Palma. It is a circular gothic in style castle belonging to the 14th century having round towers at the four sides. This unique building is located in the hillside of Spain. It took 10 years for the castle to be constructed on the top of the Puig de Sa Mesquida Hills. It sits just 3 km from the centre of Palma and is one of the few round castles in Europe.

Son Morroig

Son Morroig is located in Deia, it was a medieval mansion which was constructed in 1276. After its construction and it was acquired by an Austrian aristocrat in the 19th century. Today, this building is host to a museum which contains remains from the time period of Ludwig Salvator. This mansion is located above sea level and it offers the most mesmerizing views of Mallorca.

Valldemossa Monastery

Valldemossa Monastery is located in Valldemossa, it’s a village which was constructed on the order of King James II. He wanted to gift this palace to his son. All the possessions from the ancient times which were transferred to the Carthusian Monks are stored in this village. It is now converted into a museum which consists of ancient collections between the 15th and 20th centuries.

Eating out in Mallorca

The island consists of 2,400 restaurants which is a combination of small bars and large restaurants. Almonds and olives are always included in whatever food is prepared. The favourite food items include saffron rice with chicken, vegetables and pork. However it’s not only traditional dishes served in Mallorca, international menus and restaurants are everywhere across the island.

Getting to Mallorca

London to Mallorca is a 2 hour and 15 minute flight. Palma de Mallorca Airport is located just 8 km (5 miles) east of the centre of Palma. Transfers are quick throughout the island and there are scheduled boat and ferry services from the ports of Palma and Alcúdia.

Best time to visit Mallorca

Spring is the best time to visit the island because the beach holiday season begins in May. Early spring is quite beautiful and July and August are the hottest months seeing temperatures of 31°C. January is the coldest month with temperatures of 15°C and almond trees between January and February are worth seeing across the plains and valleys of Mallorca.

Mallorca has a typical Mediterranean climate with sizzling, dry summers and mild winters. It can get hot but the sea breeze across the island is cooling and welcoming. July has the most daily sun with 12 hours per day. Mallorca is an island that sees abundant sunshine and is visited by around 8 million visitors per year.

Many who visit, invest in property for sale in Mallorca and the popular locations are Santa Ponsa, Cala Dor Mallorca and Cala Mesquida Capdepera, plus Camp De Mar are the favourites.

Apartments for sale in Mallorca
Villas for sale in Mallorca
Property For Sale In Mallorca
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