Cala Bona

Majorca or Mallorca(Mediterranean Lady)  is a naturally beautiful Mediterranean island. Its early reputation for cheap mass tourism emerged from the large scale developments on the island’s south west coast.

Early resorts which still remain popular include Magaluf and Palma Nova to the west of Palma and Can Pastilla to the east.

However, Majorca has reinvented itself with an emphasis on more upmarket tourism, encouraging visitors to explore the island’s beautiful coastline and interior.

The east coast consists of more than fifty beautiful secluded coves. Cala Millor or Cala Bona are ideal bases from which to discover this region.

Puerto Pollensa

The north east coast has an enormous bay which is home to the popular resorts of Can Picafort and Alcudia. Nearer the island’s most northerly point at Cap de Formentor is Puerto Pollensa which has long been a firm favourite with holidaymakers. This whole area is very popular with cyclists, walkers and birdwatchers.

The Serra de Tramuntana is the mountain range running parallel with Majorca’s north west coast. The rugged terrain and mountain peaks present a dramatic contrast with the gentle east coast. It is definately worth hiring a car and heading out to Soller, Deia and Valldemossa as well as the lesser know villages inland.

Some things to do

Palma Sóller

Palma Sóller Railway
This is a 1912-vintage narrow-gauge locomotive which takes you on a scenic 17 mile trip through mountains, forests and olive and orange groves to the lovely town of Sóller.

La Sierra de Tramuntana
La Sierra de Tramuntana covers about a third of Majorca’s area and is a series of craggy mountains and tranquil, fertile valleys. The coast begins and ends at two spectacular settings, Dragonera Island and Cape Formentor.

S ‘Albufera Nature
The S ‘Albufera Nature Reserve in Alcúdia bay is on a marshy coastline, formed by lakes and natural and artificial canals and is a birdwatcher’s favourite. There is a visitor centre in Can Picafort.

Tapas in Palma
Palma is perfect for discovering tasty traditional tapas bars. Also in Palma is the over-the-top restaurant Abaco. This restaurant is set in the candlelit courtyard of a 17th-century palace with huge bouquets of fresh flowers and tropical birds singing in a fragrant garden.

Sineu market

Sineu market
The market in Sineu is perfect for getting a taste of local rural life. Vendors bring their fresh vegetables, flowers, other produce and livestock from all over the island to this market.

Pirates Show
Mallorca’s top show is Pirates, with its buccaneer-themed acrobatics, gymnastics and dancing. This show has played to over 3 million customers for 21 years and caters both to families and to adults with a special Pirates Uncut (18) show.

Clubbing
Majorca has many ‘super clubs’ such as Abraxas (formerly Pacha) or Tito’s, both in Palma’s trendy Paseo Maritimo district, or at BCM Planet Dance.

Watersports
The crystal clear waters around Majorca are perfect for swimming, snorkelling and diving.

Some things to see

Palau de l'Almudaina

Palau de l’Almudaina (Palace of the Citadel)
This was originally home to the island’s Moorish rulers and expanded for the Catalan kings. The Palace of the Citadel is a mixture of Moorish, Gothic and Renaissance styles. It is now the official Mallorca residence of King Juan Carlos I.

Cathedral de Mallorca
Cathedral de Mallorca is a great example of Gothic architecture and is remarkable for its height. Construction began in 1306 and continued for four centuries. It was remodelled by Gaudí from 1902 to 1914.

Real Cartoixa de Valldemosa
The medieval Royal Monastery complex of Valldemosa is associated with the (female) French writer George Sand and composer Frédéric Chopin who shared a room here in 1838-39.

Castell de Bellver
This is an unusual circular 14th-century castle, surrounded by forests and shady paths. Formerly a royal residence it now houses the City History Museum and a collection of classical sculpture.

Palma Aquarium
This spectacular marine park is home to 55 different sea and oceanic habitats and ecosystems. It also features an exceptional range of flora and fauna from the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Cuevas del Drach

Cuevas del Drach (The Dragon’s Cave)
Walk through the fairy-tale world of The Dragon’s Cave, past fantastically shaped stalagmites, beneath a million needle-shaped stalactites, to an amphitheatre where the visit climaxes with an unforgettable concert on an underground lake.

La Granja
This rural hacienda in the mountains is surrounded by tranquil gardens. La Granja has craft demonstrations, folk dancing, displays of antique furnishings and costumes, food tasting and farm animals.