Spain travel guide
Browse by Region:
Andalucía
Aragón
Asturias
Balearic Islands
Canary Islands
Cantabria
Castilla-La Mancha
Castilla y León
Cataluña
Extremadura
Galicia
La Rioja
Madrid Community
Murcia
Navarra
País Vasco/Basque Country
Valencian Community
Browse by Option:
Paradores of Spain
Spain Travel Guide
Spain Photo Galleries
Contact Us
Join Us
Maps of Spain
Spanish Blog
Booking.com

Tradition and beauty in Mallorca, Spain

Travel Articles

Mallorca (or Majorca as it is popularly known in the UK) is one of the Balearic Islands of Spain, nestling out in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is famous for its beach resorts, its capital, Palma de Mallorca and gorgeous, sheltered coves with turquoise water. However, it is also known for its historic Roman and Moorish ruins, beautiful mountains and quaint and pretty inland villages.

Mallorca views - Balearic Islands, Spain

There are plenty of accommodation options to choose from including everything from modern resort hotels to cosy bed and breakfasts. There is also a great choice of apartments and villas in Mallorca, many with swimming pools and glorious sea views. Here we visit some of the quaint, traditional villages and towns of Mallorca and find out about their attractions and the activities available.

1. Pollença

Pollença is a beautiful town of stone-built houses and art galleries. It is located in northern Mallorca, close to the Cap de Formentor and the town of Alcúdia. While the main part of the village is inland, the Port of Pollença lies 6 km (4 mi) away on the coastline. The name of the town comes from the original Roman settlement of Pollentia and the remains of that settlement are located close by in Alcúdia.
Most of the streets of the original, Medieval town are narrow and winding with pretty stone-built houses dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. 
 
Pollenca, Mallorca
Pollenca, Mallorca
Pollenca, Mallorca

The main square of the town is Plaça Major, with its many outdoor cafes and bars, and the Esglèsia de Nostra Senyora dels Àngels (Church of our Lady of the Angels), which was constructed by the Knights Templar. Pollença is particularly known for the chapel at the top of Calvary hill, with its 365 steps to climb, pictured below and not for the faint-hearted!

Calvary Steps, Pollenca, Mallorca
Photo by Adam Loader/Wikimedia

2. Fornalutx

This authentic Mallorcan village is located deep in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, at the top of the Soller Valley. The charming village received a Silver Plate award from the Promotion of Tourism of Mallorca in 1983, due to the well-maintained streets and all other aspects of Fornalutx. 
 
Streets of Fornalutx, Mallorca
Streets of Fornalutx, Mallorca
Streets of Fornalutx, Mallorca

Set on the side of a hill, the narrow streets include stone steps and pretty potted plants. The town also has citrus and olive groves and a wonderful mountain backdrop. Enjoy the walking and cycling trails up to the foothills of Puig Major, the highest mountain in Mallorca. Retail therapy is available in the form of traditional Mallorcan arts and crafts, sold at many of the small shops. Outdoor cafes and restaurants are also to be found.

Fornalutx, Mallorca, Spain
Photo Mike Lehmann/Wikimedia

Fornalutx started out life as a Moorish farm, but after the Catalans took it back in the 13th century, the village started to take shape, with the stone-built houses and narrow streets we can visit today. The streets also house the town hall, with its 17th-century defence tower, while the Gothic church in the town also hails from the same era. The church is a charming mixture of the original Gothic, mixed with Baroque elements in later years.

3. Deià 

Located in the Serra de Tramuntana, Deià sits on steep cliffs among olive and orange groves and overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. This pretty village is known well for its musical and literary residents of the present and past, including English poet and writer Robert Graves, who died at the age of 90. The Robert Graves House is open for visitors and has his original furnishings and a pretty garden. There is also an auditorium where a presentation of Graves’ life can be enjoyed. 
 
Deia, Mallorca
Robert Graves' house in Deia, Mallorca
Deia, Mallorca
Photo by Anna & Michal/Flickr
Photo Robert Graves' house by Retogenes/Wikimedia
Deià views

The Archaeological Museum and Research Centre is housed in an original, converted mill, which is one of the oldest buildings in Deià. Exhibits include finds from many of the archaeological sites on the island, including Son Mullet Caves. Stroll down to the beautiful cove, with its rocky beach and turquoise sea. There is a restaurant and bar for refreshments after a day of swimming.

Cala Deia - Deia Cove, Mallorca
Photo Cala Deià by Chixoy/Wikimedia

For those with sufficient energy, head off down a hiking trail from Deià to Sóller. The hike takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes and heads through gorgeous scenery in the Serra de Tramuntana.

Enjoy your stay in lovely Mallorca, exploring the pretty villages and enjoying the beach and lovely turquoise water!

Top

Travel Articles  -  Home