| Interesting Places to Visit |
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For many people Mallorca is all about the Beach and the Nightlife! However there is so much more to Mallorca if you look a little deeper. If you are looking for popular and loud then perhaps Magaluf or Arenal are the ones to go for. If you are looking for the laid back style then go further afield into places like Cala d'Or on the east coast or Port de Sóller over on west coast. Palma, the capital of Mallorca is also a wonderful place to go with some brilliant shopping opportunities and great nightlife as well as the perfect place for sightseeing with its wonderful historical buildings.
Cala d’Or
Situated on Mallorca’s rocky southeast coast, Cala d'Or is more cultured than certain other, brasher resorts on the island. Originally a fishing village, it is best known for its secluded little coves that dot the immediate coastline as well as being a popular family destination. It has two lovely beaches, Cala d'Or and the larger Cala Gran. Castell de Bellver
 Palma’s stark Gothic 'Castell de Bellver' offers fantastic views over Mallorca's capital and harbour area. The ancient sandstone castle is well preserved with its three tall towers and moat remaining intact. There is also an inner courtyard and a museum onsite with many archaeological artefacts, yet the stunning views are what the majority of people come for. Deià  Located between Sóller and Valldemossa on the mountainous west coast of Mallorca, the laid back town of Deià is one for the more discerning holidaymaker and artsy type. It has a bohemian feel about it with its many resident artists, writers and musicians and subsequent galleries and terraced cafés. There are also a couple of very good museums in town, such as the the Museu Parroquial, as well as some great walking. This really is an amazing town and has a couple of really good restaurants. The drive up is absolutely amazing but please take care as it is a very 'long and winding road'.Illa de Cabrera
If you are looking for a break, well away from the hectic beaches of the holiday resorts the there is a little haven just off the southern tip of the island, Mallorca’s Illa de Cabrera. This is a nature preserve where you can usually see of dolphins and impressive birds of prey, however it can only be visited on an organised tour or with special council permission. There is a castle and some walking paths on the island although a lot of it is off-bounds due to military installations. Magaluf/Palmanova
Located in the South West, Magaluf and Palma Nova are Mallorca’s two main purpose-built holiday resorts and probably among the biggest attractions on the island. They are separated by a natural headland although the have grown so much over the years that they seem almost like one resort. If you are looking for sun, sea, activities, eating and drinking then they are all in these two resorts. Magaluf is the louder and I would say a venue for the young or 'forever young' whereas if you are looking for all of the resources above but on a more laid back quieter style then Palmanova is your best bet. Porto Cristo
One of the most popular visitor attractions on Mallorca is the Coves del Drac (Cavern of the Dragon) to be found near Porto Cristo on the east coast. There are many caves, which were home to the early settlers on the island. Only a handful of the caves are open to the public due to safety reasons and accessibility. The well lit Coves del Drac is certainly the most impressive of them, featuring as they do over a mile of caves and six subterranean lakes. For more information and their website check out our 'Things to do' page. Manacor
 Manacor is Mallorca's second largest town and is the perfect spot if you are looking to visit the pearl shops. Manacor is on the main route to the east coast resorts from Palma and is worth a stop to check out the pearl factory. There is a guided tour to show you around the factory. The Mallorca pearls have, over the years, become famous although they are not actually real pearls. Its worth going on this tour to get the background into their success. The Esglesia dels Delors de Nostra Senyora church is the other attraction in Manacor. Palma de Mallorca
Palma is the cultural and economic heart of Mallorca and is its biggest and busiest city on the island. All roads lead to Palma and the popular resorts of Magaluf, Palma Nova and Arenal are only a short trip away. The city itself has excellent shopping and nightlife, with its wonderful narrow winding streets of the old town amid a hustling bustling very modern city centre. When wandering around take a look at the amazing architecture of the buildings, so many different styles old and new, absolutely fascinating. Then there are the wonderful historic buildings all over Palma such as La Seu Cathedral and the Almudaina Palace. There are also a few cafes sitting right on the marina so you can sit and watch all of the wonderful yachts coming and going while you relax and enjoy a very tasty Spanish coffee. Placa Major Palma de Mallorca’s main square is the place to come for shopping, especially for those staying in the big beach resorts where shopping options are not really what Mallorca is really about. The historic Placa Major dates from the 19th century and is totally pedestrianised, meaning one can shop and dine unhindered from the manic traffic of Mallorca. Market stalls, performing musicians and an underground shopping centre add to the appeal. From the square you can wander into the old town down the quain twinding streets full of wonderful little shops selling everything and anything, a real delight. Sóller
 The hillside town of Sóller is in northwest Mallorca. It has a magnificent setting amidst some of the island’s highest mountains and offers something altogether different from the rest of Mallorca. Olive groves surround the town, which is directly accessible by the 'Soller Train', dating back quite a few years but an experience you really shouldn' miss, from Palma, as well as a long and winding road. Many of its small streets are lined with art nouveau buildings and its centre has an array of different cafés.. If you are an avid hiker then this area, because of its terrain, is perfect. However, be warned at certain times of the year - high summer - you will find tour companies have no hiking tours and it is not recommended that you hike alone. The temperatures are really too much for any sort of hiking activity, so if this is what you would really like to do make sure that you come over either in April, May or at the end of the summer September, October when the temperatures have subsided enough to make hiking a pleasure. Just down the hill, you can walk, drive or take the tram, to Port de Sóller a nice little holiday resort and marina which has had a lot of work done in recent years to the benefit of locals and visiting tourists.
Valldemossa
 Mallorca's highest town is near to Sóller so if you are in the vicinity then Valdemossa is a wonderful town to visit. Its setting is even more dramatic than Sóller and is an ideal daytrip from the beaches. The city's careful layout is filled with steep streets, stone façades and important religious buildings, set amidst a luxuriant vegetation. The mountains of this area fall down deep into the ocean, to form beaches and coves so deep that it is possible to anchor any vessel. The port of Valldemossa preserves the fishing-town character of yester-year. Fresh fish and inland produce are exquisitely combined into succulent recipes that will delight visitors. One of the main attractions of Valdemossa is the 14th century La Cartuja (one time home of Frédéric Chopin). |
