Guide to Mallorca

Your Gateway Into The Island

Mallorca or Majorca, You Choose

The jewel in the crown of the Balearics. As the name suggests Mallorca is the largest of the four islands. Bathed in sunshine for most of the year this exquisite destination offers everything from sophisticated city centres to secluded coves and lush green countryside. Swathed in history and culture the seafront capital, Palma de Mallorca possesses a singular beauty. Named the best place in the world to live by the ‘Sunday Times’ UK, Palma is a cosmopolitan city centre, overlooked by a majestic cathedral begun by King James I of Aragon in 1229 but only finished in 1601.

The old town displays influences of its many ancestors, including Roman, Byzantine and Muslim and is a strikingly vibrant jumble of narrow streets and historic homes. Property prices in the city centre are higher due to its exclusivity. Demand for real estate also reach optimum levels in the market district of Santa Catalina with its selection of cosmopolitan bars and restaurants, the old fishing village of Portixol and the quieter area of Palma, Calatrava. Bellver and the northern suburbs of Palma offer more affordable options for property purchase.

Just a short drive from the capital is the illustrious marina of Puerto Portals and no fewer than three excellent golf courses, inspiring the development of luxury homes in secluded locations boasting magnificent views. The town of Andratx in the southwest of Mallorca is rich in both culture and local amenities and except on the Wednesday market day, offers a peaceful environment and slow pace of life. Properties here range from contemporary apartments and townhouses in the centre to ancient fincas on the outskirts.

 

Cities, Villages & Mountains

Port d’ Andratx is fast becoming one of the most sought-after areas on the island. The prestigious yachting harbour plays hosts to many exclusive bars and restaurants, whilst designer shops and live music concerts cater to the international clientele during the summer. In winter, the port reverts to being all about fishing. A place where modern tourism and ancient industry work side by side all year-round. Boasting excellent transport links to the capital, Palma, it is of little surprise that demand here is high whether it be for a centrally located holiday apartment or a luxurious villa in the surrounding countryside.

Overlooked by the Tramuntana mountain range the bustling market town of Sóller enjoys a picture-perfect setting, year-round activity, and a deep sense of community in the heart of the countryside. The quaint old buildings in the valley give way to historic fincas enjoying generous private plots in desirable hilltop settings. These command some of the highest prices on the island.

Port de Sóller offers a good variety of harbour front, beach and sea facing apartments but enjoys the same close-knit neighbourly atmosphere as the town. Both the town and port have a large international community yet retain an authentic Mallorquin identity. The scenic north of Malllorca boasts many attractions, particularly during summer seasons, largely attracting those wanting holiday or retirement homes. Cap de Formentor, the island’s northern tip is where Mallorca’s Serra de Tramuntana Mountain range ends and a photographer’s dream.

Stunning Beaches, Marinas & Boating

The peninsula of Formentor, which lies at the most northerly tip of the island boasts a prestigious history of visitors including royalty and Hollywood stars who flocked to the iconic Hotel Formentor.

Very few properties are fortunate enough to claim this location and fewer still are available to purchase. Puerto Pollensa is a favourite destination for visitors from around the world. Starting life as a rustic fishing village, its stunning seafront first attracted tourism back in the 1920s. Tastefully developed for holidaymakers Puerto Pollensa has retained its historic charm alongside its original accommodations such as the Hotel Miramar and Hotel Illa d’Or which both remain perfectly preserved. Inland, the town of Pollensa is graced by 17th and 18th century houses, a handsome church dating from around 1236, and a magnificent 17th century convent. Idyllic Cala Sant Vincens, to the west of Pollensa features an incredibly picturesque bay and, with fewer winter residents offers a secluded off-season getaway.

At the northernmost point of Mallorca Alcudia was founded by the Phoenicians and is believed to be the most ancient settlement in the Balearic Islands. It boasts a picturesque old town featuring a myriad of narrow, pedestrianised streets. By contrast Puerto Alcudia was largely developed in the 1980s and provides many hotels alongside a wealth of facilities for holidaymakers along the length of its sweeping stretch of fine sandy beach which covers 14km to the resort of Can Picafort. This area tends to be popular with the British market looking for holiday homes, due to the excellent range of facilities including golf courses, water sports and cycling routes.

There has, however, been a recent surge in demand for property in this region from the Spanish market. As we journey down the east coast of Mallorca, we see a number of more established holiday resorts such as Cala Ratjada and Cala Millor in the northeast and Porto Colom, Cala D’Or and S’Arenal to the south.

Idyllic Coves & Rugged Coastline

The stunning harbour town of Porto Cristo on Mallorca’s East Coast is steeped in history. It somehow manages to combine a thriving fishing and tourism industry with a glorious blue flag beach and plays host to the magnificent caves of Drach.

Properties in coastal areas of Mallorca will inevitably be higher priced, however, moving inland to places such as Arta or Santanyi, will give better value for money whilst remaining accessible to the tourist attractions. Arta and Capdepera in the north-east offer a taste of the real Mallorca alongside excellent transport links to the town of Manacor. Property in these regions is enjoying increasing demand from foreign investors due to affordability and location. Close to several beaches and golf courses. Arta, with its Medieval fortress and its smaller neighbour Capdepera both feature a wide range of large-scale restoration projects and property for renovation, as well as turnkey luxury villas.

Rural Santanyi is famed for its rustic charm, art galleries and twice weekly market, as well as its proximity to some of the best beaches on the island. There are a variety of properties in this region, including some of the most exciting development projects. All things considered It is probably rural Mallorca that offers the most authentic, affordable experience in island living. The southwestern municipalities of Santa Maria with its popular Sunday market, the colourful commercial town of Inca with its quirky restaurants and the vineyards of and Binissalem are further options to be explored when considering the purchase of a new home on this sun-drenched Mediterranean island.

Mallorca, A Real Jewel of the Mediterranean.
A Fabulous Place to Call Home

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