Tourist in Mallorca
For many, will the holiday mainly be about long days at the beach with swimming and various water activities such as swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, deep sea fishing or maybe water skiing? However, there is much else one can experience in Mallorca.
Palma in Mallorca
Majorca’s capital Palma is located on the south-west coast and is often called the tourist capital or “little Barcelona “. Palma lives up to both characteristics. Palma feels like both an authentic Spanish city and a cosmopolitan metropolis. Here are modern avenues of tourists from all over the world. Palma has just over 350,000 residents.
The Old Town or Casco Antiguo is located in the middle of Palma and has the sea as its nearest neighbor. The Cathedral Catedral O la Sea is the natural center of the old town. Most of the sights are in this district. Originally, the old town was surrounded by city walls that protected it, but in the early 1900s these walls were destroyed. In some places you will still find traces of them. The Old Town is the area for relaxation, leisurely strolls and a cup of coffee or a glass of wine at the many outdoor and tapas restaurants.
Read our travel guide on Palma here.
Manacor in Mallorca
About a mile from the east coast lies Mallorca’s second largest city. Manacor has around 36,000 residents and is the center of Mallorca’s traditional production of artificial pearls, which are so lifelike that almost only experts are able to see the difference. The factory is called Majorica and has a large outlet west of the city, on the main road to Palma. Here you can join a free tour to see how the beads are made. Manacor is perhaps the most economically diverse city in Mallorca, and it is not as dependent on tourism as other cities. Here also furniture, porcelain and the popular spicy sausage Sobracada de cerdo negro are produced.
Of attractions we must mention the 19th century church Nostra Senyora and Dolors, with its 75 meter high minaret-like bell tower. This is a landmark in the city and there has been a church or mosque on the site since the 13th century.
Alcúdia district
On the north coast of Mallorca lies the small town of Alcudia, with about 16,000 residents. Alcudia is located on the peninsula that separates the two great bays of Badia d’Upollenca and Badia d’Alcúdia from each other. The Alcudia district is considered by many to be the most varied area of Mallorca, with both the island’s longest sandy beach, its exciting dripping caves and close proximity to the S’Albufera National Park.
The Phoenicians had Alcudia as their residence, but when the Romans conquered Mallorca, the city was named Pollentia and became the capital of the island. The name Alcudia dates from the 8th century when the Moors built a castle here under the name Al-Kudia, which means on the hilltop. When Mallorca was conquered by Spanish Christians in 1229, Alcudia became an important trading center, a position the city held to well into the 19th century. You can still see the remains of the ancient Roman amphitheater, and the old town is surrounded by over 700 year old city walls. Take with you the giant Gothic church of Sant Jaume, and the nearby archaeological museum Museu Monographic, which exhibits Roman artefacts.
The most visited places in the district are, naturally, the charter destinations of Puerto Alcudia (where there are ferries to Barcelona and to Menorca), Puerto Pollensa and Ca’n Picafort, which are nice enough with its marinas, beaches and countless small eateries and bars. But if you want to get away from all the other tourists, then head to some of the other small towns around Alcudia. Both Betlem, Buger and Campanet are small and very charming towns with frequent festivals or village parties, virtually devoid of other Scandinavians.
You should also make sure to visit Pollenca, located in the hills west of Alcudia. This small town with around 15,000 residents has preserved much of its medieval appearance, with narrow, crooked streets, small natural stone houses and a 365-step staircase leading up to the El Calvari Chapel at the top. Every Good Friday, the Jesus statue in the chapel is carried down to the 13th-century church of Nostra Senyora’s Angels in a ceremonial torchlight train, with hundreds of the city’s residents in robes and masks and a gloomy big drum beat. This is so popular to watch that the parade is transmitted on the big screen in the square for everyone to see.
The S’Albufera National Park just south of Puerto Alcudia invites you to hike on marked trails, with brilliant bird watching opportunities. This former swamp area is home to over 200 different bird species, including pink flamingos, osprey, purple heron and leonore falcon. Get in touch with the Sa Roca Park Office first, who can help you with maps, route suggestions and other information.
Valldemossa in Mallorca
On the northwest coast of Mallorca, about two miles north of the capital Palma, lies the small and idyllic village of Valldemossaat the foot of the 1025 meter high Puig Galatzó mountain. Here you will find old stone houses along cobbled alleys and narrow alleys, and a very fresh mountain air that caused the asthmatic King Sancho to build a castle here in the 13th century. In the 19th century, the monks’ monasteries were sold, and the new owners leased them to wealthy foreigners. One of the foreigners was the Polish composer Frédéric Chopin. He spent the winter of 1838-39 here with his mistress, the controversial and feminist writer George Sand. Their home, Cartuja de Valldemossa, is still the city’s foremost attraction. It draws busloads of tourists every day who come to see Chopin’s residence and piano, but also to admire the beautiful gardens and the spectacular views of the valley.
In the monastery you will find a modern art museum, the Museu Municipal Art Contemporani, with works by Spanish artists. Among international celebrities who have lived in small Valldemossa, we have Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges, poet Ruben Dario of Nicaragua and Hollywood star Michael Douglas, who is also behind the cultural center Costa Nord.
Soller in Mallorca
You will find the village of Soller on the northwest coast of the island. Soller is located in a valley with orange trees at the very heart of the Sierra de Tramuntana mountain range. Soller is the place for relaxation. You eat ice cream, go to tapas bars and enjoy life. Find Placa Constitucio, the natural center of the city. In Soller you can also admire good architecture and, for example, look at the church of Saint Bartomeu and its “needlepoint”. Soller also lures with several museums. If you do not have a rental car then know that to Soller you will just as well take the veteran train from Palma town and Placa Eapanya. This tour is a very own tourist attraction, not least because of. that the itinerary offers fantastic views and that the train is about 100 years old.
Binissalem in Mallorca
If you are interested in wine, take a trip to the quaint and quaint inland village of Binissalem, located in the middle of Mallorca’s wine district. The city is only three miles from Palma, but is so quiet and tranquil that it is difficult to believe that you are on one of Europe’s most popular tourist islands. Binissalem has around 5000 residents, and many of the houses are from the 18th and 19th centuries. Notice the magnificent Gothic church of Santa Marina de Robines, which began in the 16th century. The bell tower is visible from miles away in the flat landscape surrounding Binissalem.
Wine has been grown here for around 2000 years, and when the grapes are picked in September, a large fiesta is held that draws people from all over the island. Here both red and white wines, sparkling and rosé wines are produced. The wineries do not really live by tourism, but a visit can often be arranged by contacting through their website.