Mallorca: A dream island in the heart of the Mediterranean

Mallorca is the largest island of the Spanish region of Illes Balears.

Along its more than 500 kilometers of coast there are beautiful beaches, spectacular cliffs, and intimate and secluded coves bathed by a clear and transparent sea. These are the main reasons behind Mallorca’s enormous success as a tourist destination.

It is an ideal place to bathe and practice water sports, such as scuba diving, windsurfing, fishing and sailing.

 

A natural paradise

The island is proud of its protected natural spaces, including the Natural Parks of Mondragó, Península de Llevant and S´Albufera de Mallorca, and its many Natural Areas of special interest, including the Sierra de Tramontana, the coves of Manacor, the Cap de Ses Salines, S´Albufereta, Marina de Lluc Major, the mountains of Artá and many more.

Tourist areas spread to the west and east of the capital, Palma de Mallorca, in Andratx, Peguera, Magaluf, El Terreno…

The Bays of Pollensa and Alcudia are in the northern part of the island; to the east, Cala Ratjada, Cala Millor, S´Illot, Porto Cristo, Cala D´Or and Cala Santanyi.

In the mountains of the Sierra de Tramontana is the remarkable Ensenada de Sóller

Other ‘must-see’ places on the island are the Puig Major in the Sierra de Tramontana; the Puig Son Morell and the Puig Sant Salvador in the Sierra de Levante. The karstic caves of Artá and Drach make for a breathtaking visit.

Other important cities are Manacor, Capdepera, Deyá, Sa Pobla and Inca.

Not to mention the diverse megalithic monuments of the Talaiotic Culture, which has its roots in the Balearic Islands, including the village of Ses Païsses and the circular Talaiot of Sa Canova, in Artá.

Palma de Mallorca, the capital city, sits in the Bay of Palma, an unbeatable location.

Historic and cultural monuments

Amongst the most significant historic and cultural monuments of Palma and the rest of the island are:

• The gothic cathedral, with its beautiful flying buttresses and its large rose window.
• The church of San Miguel, which was built on the site of an old mosque.
• The Lonja, one the best examples of a gothic civil building in Spain.
• The Consulado del Mar, seat of the regional government of the Illes Balears.
• The Almudaina, a restored Arab palace used for official receptions and cultural events.
• The Arab Baths of the 11th century, which are the only Muslim remains to have been preserved.
• The Castillo de Bellver, of gothic style, with its circular courtyard.
• The Museo de Mallorca, with an interesting collection of Mallorquín art.
• Several gothic and renaissance palaces in the old town center.
• The Cartuja de Valldemosa, in the Sierra de Tramontana, which was built by the king Jaime II of Mallorca for his son Sancho.

A high standard international airport

The Airport of Son Sant Joan is 8 kilometers away from the city center of Palma. It is the third largest airport in Spain in terms of passengers, after the Airport of Madrid-Barajas and the Airport of Barcelona. Many charter flights from Europe (especially from Germany and the United Kingdom) land here.