Mallorca island - Spain. Majorca

In this review, I will write about one of the islands of the Balearic archipelago - Mallorca. I will share photos and impressions. I'll tell you about the most memorable natural sights, about the roads on the island and the peculiarities of driving along mountain serpentines, about partying and quiet areas, about how you almost got lost. About must-see places. Where did you go for shopping and why you chose the hotel “Riu Palace Bonanza Playa”. What time of year is it better to visit the island. Not without an emergency.
Almost five years have passed, and we still fondly remember the fabulous Spanish island in the Mediterranean. It was this journey that turned our entire consciousness upside down. It was far from the first in our life; earlier we traveled in organized groups around the country and beyond. But only this time we felt all the charm of an individual tour, when you are your own boss, you yourself plan what, where and when you should do it. Ideally, of course, the first time you can be with a guide, and if you fall in love with the place and want to return on your own, then a lot of new things will open during a leisurely visit.
They decided to celebrate one of the family dates on the island, they began to choose a place with history, beauty of nature and a short flight. Mallorca fit perfectly.

The choice fell on Mallorca - a stunning island, there is something to see. Diverse nature - from rocky mountains to green pine forests, almond and olive groves. Everyone here will find a place to their liking. Incredibly beautiful sea, gentle sun, unique architecture and gastronomic traditions.
"Will I be dreaming about Palma de Mallorca too?" - I thought when the plane flew over the island, approaching for landing.
Flight 4.5 hours from Sheremetyevo to Palma de Mallorca with Nordwind Airlines. The entire flight took place in fine weather. All the way from a height of 10,000 meters I admired the clearly defined fields of Poland, the beautiful landscape of Germany, the French Alps.
When approaching the Mediterranean Sea, the weather began to deteriorate, the sky was covered with black clouds, and only when the plane was already descending, making its way through the clouds, it was possible to see the approaching outline of the island. The clouds were left behind, and the sun made it possible for passengers to take some photos of the island (although this is prohibited by safety rules, especially when landing, but few could resist taking pictures for memory). And suddenly, simultaneously with the flash, it shook very strongly, everyone was seriously scared and froze, listening to every rustle. The plane also began to descend suspiciously quietly, swinging its wings. As soon as the landing gear touched the runway, everyone shouted in unison: "Uraaaa!" After landing, it turned out that lightning struck the nose of the aircraft and damaged an impressive part of the outer skin. Our trip to Mallorca began with such an emergency.

In early June, the whole island is in flowers, lemons, oranges. The air temperature did not rise above +24. The water in the Mediterranean Sea for me, at that time, was cool +22, perhaps this is due to frequent short-term summer rains. During the rest period of several days, it rained briefly, but this did not affect our rest.

All along the coast there are villas and hotels, sandy and rocky beaches, marinas for yachts.

There are areas of the island, for example, Magaluf, Arenal - noisy, partying, where nightlife is in full swing until the morning. German and English youth like to relax here: pubs, beer stalls, bars, clubs, night discos.

We chose Illetas resort- a fashionable area seven kilometers from the capital of Mallorca, Palma, with picturesque bays, sandy beaches, clear water and a calm measured life. An ideal vacation spot for people who prefer rest in peace and quiet with the ability to easily get to the city center, airport, supermarkets and shopping centers. It literally consists of one street with 4 and 5-star hotels. Here is the summer residence of the Spanish royal family - Marivent.

All two weeks of rest were completely occupied with excursions and independent exploration of the island, since it is small, the farthest point is 80 km.
Majorca- one of the most beautiful places in the world for lovers of the sea and picturesque landscapes. Many famous people own villas on the island.
Mallorca is a favorite among water sports enthusiasts. On its shores there are 42 ports and marinas, more than 250 anchorages, bays and beaches. Various prestigious regattas are regularly held, including the Royal Cup and the Princess Sofia Trophy, as well as international sailing competitions.
Coves, most often with clear turquoise water, sandy bottom and white beaches framed by pine forests. Many beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag for environmental friendliness. The airport is in third place in Europe in terms of passenger traffic (20 million people a year).
The Port of Palma is one of the most important in the Mediterranean, located in the heart of Palma,

Near the labyrinth of medieval streets of the Old Town, where everything is permeated with the air of glorious urban history.

Of course, it was a great pleasure for us to walk around the capital of the island - the city of Palma with its magnificent palaces and temples. Visited Cathedral of La Seu... It took a very long time to build - about 400 years.

La Seu is located on the seashore - this is the heart of the city, its visiting card is a grandiose structure, a Gothic masterpiece, the main temple of all Balearics. It is one of the four most beautiful cathedrals in the world, rivaling Notre Dame in Paris and the Duomo in Milan. Outwardly, the cathedral looks quite familiar for such buildings, differing only in power and grandeur. But inside, the famous architect Gaudi worked with the interior, who went down in history with his unconventional appearance of lines and proportions. Our attention was drawn to the huge painted stained-glass windows and a rose window with the image of the Star of David, an area of ​​100 square meters, and a beautiful altar. The cathedral also hosts organ concerts once a month.
Royal Palace of Almudaina is the residence of the King of Spain in Mallorca during the period of official events on the island, there is also a military commandant's office. Unfortunately, the visit was postponed until later, but it was not possible to get there.
Among other attractions of Palma are the Arab Baths, the Gran Hotel, the Ramblas and Paseo del Born, the Colosseum, the round white-stone Bellver castle on a hill outside the city, the former residence of the king, now there is a historical museum with an observation deck.
Touched my heart Palma de Mallorca, immortalized in the song of Shufutinsky. And how wonderful are the walks along the viewing platforms on the rooftops during sunset and along the city's night embankment with a wide pedestrian zone.

If you rent a car, it is better to do it at the airport with full insurance. The roads are great! There are few gas stations, mostly near cities. There are entrances to almost all coves and beaches. Parking there is free, well, except for very popular tourist places, there are paid ones.
Most of Majorca's attractions are easy to see on your own, but you can also use the services of a travel agency.

We stopped at the Riu Palace Bonanza Playa. Our choice was influenced by the architectural design of the building, which was built in the rock and all the rooms were overlooking the sea.

We liked the hotel very much - good breakfasts with champagne and unmatched buffet dinners. The waiters are all solid men in tuxedos and bow ties. Wonderful territory, a beach with an emerald clear cove. The manager Tatiana Russkaya, attentive and friendly, helps with any question, the service is excellent. In the evenings, there is live music at the bar next to the pool, and a musician plays the piano in the lobby at the reception. The music is quiet and our rest did not disturb.

A bus stop next to the exit from the hotel, 15 minutes - and you can walk in a beautiful, charming city - Palma.
Liked the platform made of wooden planks with sun loungers by the pool,

Private access to the sea, which not all hotels in Mallorca have.
An excellent spa complex with three types of saunas, two hydromassage pools.
We loved to drink tea on the balcony or snack on delicious Spanish fruits while admiring the sea.

It is interesting to watch how huge cruise ships sail to the port. Small sailing ships are circling on the blue surface, yachts. Near the coast, diving enthusiasts have been observed more than once, and in the sky in the distance, a string of planes first went to land, then took off just as amicably. Even a rainbow after a warm summer rain created a mood.

The hotel's travel agency ordered a p a trip to the bay of Sa Calobra.
It included two excursions. One of them is a visit to the spiritual center of Balear, an ancient Luke Monastery in the Tramuntana mountains at an altitude of 525 meters above sea level.
There is a statuette of the Holy Virgin Mary of Luca, she is the patroness of Mallorca and is revered in the Balearic Islands. Being in this place, you really feel calm and grace. Every year in August, thousands of pilgrims from around the world walk from Palma to the monastery on foot to atone for their sins.
There is a legend associated with this place: a shepherd found a black statuette of the Holy Virgin Mary in the mountains, brought it to the church, but in the morning it disappeared. They found her in the same place in the mountains, returned to the church and again she disappeared, and this continued several times, after which it was decided to build a church and a monastery on this place to worship Our Lady of Luke.

The roads in the mountains are very narrow, but the drivers are polite, it is a pleasure to drive. True, you watch with bated breath as two large buses drive away between the rock and the abyss. Usually one of them looks for a wider place and then tries to drive a millimeter by folding the side mirrors.

Our path lay in the direction of the Sa Calobra bay, where a beautiful, fabulous gorge, with a wonderful pebble beach and clear sea water. A fairy tale about Sinbad was filmed in this place.
The road leads only to the bay, 15 kilometers of dizzying serpentine descent, sharp turns of 180 degrees. We were told that there are more than two hundred of them.

The bay is divided into two parts by rocks. In the first part there are cafes, shops, parking, an embankment, observation platforms, a pier.

The second part of the bay is a pebble beach with turquoise water, between huge rocks. You can get here only through two illuminated pedestrian tunnels.

The rain did not spoil our mood, and the colors of the sea did not fade at all.

Mallorca has a beautiful sea everywhere. At a depth of unrealistic blue, as if the blue was lit. Such colors are given to the sea by the plankton living in it, coloring its waters in an amazing color. Closer to the shore - turquoise, and in small bays water of all kinds of emerald shades. It is impossible to convey either in words or a photo, but the sea is simply mesmerizing.

On a pleasure boat arrived at the scenic port of Soller famous for the sweetest oranges.

Would definitely come back to see stunning Cape Formentor again. On the way to Formentor, the beauty of the views is breathtaking. On a boat we sail to the Formentor beach, famous for its crystal clear water and fine sand. No wonder this place is called "paradise".

The beach is decorated with sprawling pine trees that create a unique atmosphere. Barcelo Formentor is considered the most luxurious 5-star hotel on the island. Outwardly, it does not look pretentious, but the very fact that this hotel is an architectural monument, surrounded by a stunning botanical garden, along the alleys of which Elizabeth Taylor, Mikhail Gorbachev, Charlie Chaplin, Winston Churchill, Jacques Chirac, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Placido Domingo and many other celebrities are very encouraging.
It is unusually beautiful, quiet, calm and fabulous air mixed with citruses, flowers and eucalyptus.

Further, the road along a mountain serpentine leads to a cape, a lighthouse and an observation deck on a cliff 210 meters above sea level. And the beauty that opens up from such a bright blue color, harmony and tranquility cannot be conveyed either in words or in photographs! Crazy energy!

Interesting and memorable became Dragon caves... Three halls with high vaults, surrounded by stalactites, stalagmites and an underground lake illuminated, lamps with lighting effects with a small amphitheater. The musicians sailing along the smooth underground lake and performing Chopin left enthusiastic emotions, and two more boats whirl to music with good acoustics. After that you can go boating on the lake. The water is so clear, as if you are floating on air. You cannot take pictures there with a flash, and without it, the photographs did not work. For this fifteen-minute concert, I would visit the caves again.
V Safari Park we did not get there, it started raining heavily, although it is also quite interesting there. The animals walk freely and you can call in by car. You cannot get out of the car, for the sake of safety, it is also better not to open the windows. Zebras, giraffes, not to mention monkeys - in search of goodies, they will immediately put their heads in the car when the opportunity arises.
Due to the rain, the trip to the natural Galatzo park, which is located in a picturesque place in a mountain valley. This is an adventure park where you can admire the beauty of about thirty waterfalls and swim in them, walk on suspension bridges, practice rock climbing and descending on a rope, jump from a bungee. It is an ideal destination for those who love nature and animals. After the bungee, visitors are given a glass of sangria and marinated meat, which must be cooked on their own on prepared grills. At the end, there will be a show of birds of prey - eagles and falcons.

The weather could not spoil our mood, because we went to the pearl capital - Manacor... Here is the most famous organic pearl factory. The history of its production began in 1890. The entire process of the factory is kept in the strictest confidence. There was no excursion to the factory itself, everyone was in a 2-storey store, where one could see how the master applies a special organic composition to cultured pearls. The store has a lot of both cheap jewelry and items decorated with gold, silver and diamonds.
In memory of the wonderful trip to Mallorca, we also bought a piece of jewelry. Majorica pearls recognized as the closest in composition and properties to natural pearls, it undergoes careful control at 25 stages, is completely identical to natural and even surpasses it in strength.

We were issued a certificate guaranteeing the replacement of the product, if its quality suddenly deteriorates in some way, within 10 years. Not every jewelry manufacturer gives a guarantee for such a time. If a defect is found, the jewelry can be exchanged in any country in the world in which there is a Majorica branch.
I chose dyeing with a silver clasp, which is protected from blackening. The quality is amazing. But jewelry made of pearls, bought in a souvenir stall for 6 euros, became stained after 3 months.

The island is very interesting, we have visited many places, I would like to visit even more. Two weeks in Mallorca flew by as quickly as one day. During this time we took an excursion to, where we also spent a busy day. We flew there by local airlines, which is quick and convenient.
One of our free evenings went to performance at Es Foguero... This is a concert hall and a restaurant rolled into one, the ticket price includes dinner. In the first part of the flamenco show program, in the second ballet "Carmen". The show is bright, colorful, there are even horses dancing flamenco, we were satisfied. Dinner consisted of mineral water, juice, wine, salad, paella or meat to choose from, ice cream.
Wine cellars were not disregarded Winery Bodegas Macia Batle... We went on an excursion and tasted wine there, which wins prizes at major international exhibitions. Wine of different names, quite pleasant to the taste with a delicate aroma, after a snack from Sobrassada sausage (my husband did not like this sausage, which looks like a pate) and amazing olives, soon it seemed to us the same taste and insanely tasty. :)
Best shopping on the island in the six-story El Corte Ingles department store, the Porto Pi shopping center and in the shops on the streets leading from Placa Major. In the small town of Inca, a fair is held every Thursday, bringing together people from all over Majorca.

Rest here for every taste and budget. Water parks Aqualand and Western Park, Maryland Dolphinarium with various shows. Cactus park, Alfabia gardens, a miracle of Moorish park art, historical sites, architectural monuments, nature reserves, 40 of which are national, oak groves, orange orchards, pine forests on the slopes of mountains, endless valleys and incredibly beautiful bays, sandy beaches, everything this is Mallorca.
In addition to this, a high level of service, friendliness, a desire to help. We remember with gratitude the lovely old woman who helped us find our way. My husband and I walked for a long time, along the streets of Palma Nova, buried in flowers, it was already getting dark, we went quite far and realized that we did not know the way back. They took out a map and began to study it. A grandmother of about eighty came up to us, began to ask questions in the Catalan dialect, which even differs significantly from Spanish, we speak English to her - we do not understand each other. And then she took our map, we showed where our hotel was, she shook her head, smiled, took my arm and walked us two blocks to the stop.

Mallorca is an interesting island, despite the fact that we stayed there for two weeks, we could not cover everything interesting. And even just lazing around the pool to the sound of the waves of the Mediterranean Sea only had time to go early in the morning before breakfast. The beaches in Mallorca are all municipal, and hotels do not have their own private access to the sea. The beach of our hotel, due to its unique location in the rock, on one side of the pool is sandy, on the other, it is decorated with huge stones.

The air is filled with aromas of flowers, citrus and pine needles.

Everyone with whom I had to communicate were very friendly, good-natured, unobtrusive people. Although, I noticed one peculiarity - the locals do not like to speak English, if you ask something, they will definitely answer in Spanish. And only when they are convinced that you do not understand at all will they repeat it in English.

Our trip turned out to be interesting and informative.
And the largest and most beautiful island among the Balearic Islands will forever remain the pearl of our memories. It was unforgettable.
We got a great family holiday experience that makes us dream that someday we will return there again.

Well, first of all, I wish everyone to have a rest on the island at least once in their life!

• Time of year when to go to Mallorca. Definitely recommend the second half of May or the first half of June - the whole island is in flowers. Later, a lot of tourists arrive on the island, it gets hot, the grass burns out under the scorching Mediterranean sun, it will also be difficult to admire the sights without queuing.
• Best area, best hotel. Recommend area of ​​residence Illetas I can safely. AND hotel "Riu Palace Bonanza Playa" I would advise, but here I can’t say that you will not find a better hotel. The layout is, of course, above all praise. Even booking a standard room is already a guarantee that it will be with a sea view. That they will treat you like family for sure. The staff are Russian-speaking, which is also a big plus. The food is amazing. On our recommendation, friends rested in it last year and were completely delighted with the hotel's cuisine. Plus, the fact that they made repairs there, updated externally and internally. If I had the opportunity to visit Mallorca again, I would stay only at this hotel. The only very significant disadvantage for me is that the price of everything has grown very much. If during our vacation we paid 100 thousand rubles for accommodation, meals and a flight with a transfer in two weeks, now this amount will have to be paid only for 4-5 days of stay.
• Rent a car in Mallorca it is possible and necessary, at least for a few days to travel around the island. The roads are excellent, the permitted speed is 120 km / h outside the city. There are many parking lots, only you cannot park your car in a private area or a place marked with a yellow stripe. There are many pointers, everything is clear.
• Drive to Palma de Mallorca. In the capital it is better to walk on foot, everything is close there, the city is small. Public transport is convenient and runs frequently.
• What to eat in Mallorca. The Spaniards cook deliciously, the portions are large. For two, we could still eat one serving of paella with seafood, but without additional dishes. A lot of chic lobsters and shrimps are cooked. Fresh Mediterranean fish, for example: Dorada with Major-style fried potatoes, salmon in champagne with vegetables. We became there big fans of Iberico jamon and sangria, the one that is real in a jug of fresh fruit. Eh! And what a delicious ice cream, pastries, amazing fruits! No, I can't go there, otherwise goodbye figure, I will inevitably bring extra pounds.
• Weather. During our vacation it was raining for 8 days out of 14, this made the colors of nature even brighter, the air was fresh, and there were fewer people. Warm summer intermittent showers do not go for more than half an hour, in Mallorca there are not often, we are so "lucky" with the weather. But this once again confirms that you should not worry if the forecast for the trip is rainy, the rest will definitely not spoil.
• At trips to the Tramuntana mountains at least on your own, at least with an excursion, if you do not tolerate steep serpentines, stock up on pills for motion sickness, the road winds 360 degrees. But it's worth seeing. If you can't bear such a road at all, then you can swim by boat.
• Visa to Spain. The Spaniards are friendly and generous people, even if you get a Schengen visa for the first time, you will be given a cartoon for six months.
• Excursions and entertainment in Mallorca a lot, you can order anywhere, prices are the same everywhere, or you can create your own unforgettable route yourself, which we will do next time.

See you beautiful Mallorca! She left many pleasant memories in our hearts.

The island of Mallorca (or Mallorca) is the largest of the Balearic Islands. Translated from Spanish "Mallorca" means big. The island is located 200 kilometers from the mainland and 300 kilometers from Africa. Scientists have an assumption that the Balearic Islands are mountain peaks, a continuation of the current Pyrenees, many millennia ago, which have sunk to the bottom of the ocean.

Mallorca is a holiday destination for the rich and famous. But, if you look closely at it, you can see that not only they come here. It is not surprising that Mallorca is so popular among tourists (9 million tourists come here every year): the people here are friendly, the climate is warm, and the abundance of fresh products will make any gourmet happy. Turn off the beaten track and you will see ancient culture and landscapes of striking beauty.

Mallorca - video

Mallorca can be different - whichever you want: a natural paradise, a quiet rural idyll or a cultural center with the best restaurants and shops in Europe. The island has a typical Mediterranean climate - dry, sunny and warm most of the year. Mallorca is one of the most popular resorts in the Mediterranean. Frederic Chopin (he was the first to discover Mallorca for Europeans), Agatha Christie, Prince of Monaco, King of Sweden, King of Spain (he has his own estate here where he spends his holidays), Sean Connery (he bought a villa here), Brad Pitt, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Claudia Schiffer and Michael Douglas, all of them become residents of the island for the summer.

The waters of the Mediterranean around the Balearic Islands (which include Majorca) are distinguished by an incredible variety of marine life. Not surprisingly, several famous chefs have opened their own restaurants on the island. They not only have good customers here, but also an ideal source of fresh produce. Mallorca is renowned for its excellent cuisine. It is estimated that there are about 2,500 restaurants in Mallorca. Not bad for an island with less than 1 million inhabitants.

Majorca landmarks

The first thing passengers see when boarding at Mallorca airport is mills are the hallmark of Mallorca. They appeared in 1847. They were built by Dutch craftsmen in order to drain the soil from sea water, and then they were used as water pumps. Powered by the wind, the mills pump water from depths of up to 10 meters. And through specially designated canals, it goes to the irrigated fields. There are just mills, and there are mills-houses. There are more than 3 thousand mills on the island, of which 300 are operating. Their blades are always directed to the wind, and the angle of the tail, in some clever way, regulates the speed of the pumped out water.

In the very north of the island there is Cape Formentor. A casino was built here in the middle of the last century. But, in such a wonderful place - beauty fills the soul, and there is no room for excitement. The casino burned down and was converted into a hotel. And rich and famous people were drawn here. For example, Churchill. There is even his name number here. The Prince of Monaco spent his honeymoon at this hotel, Arab sheikhs brought their many wives here. Every year a European congress is held here with the participation of top officials of the EU.

Majorca attraction - town located on the shores of the Bay of Palma. The further to the west, the more mountainous the landscape becomes, and villages are scattered along the steep slopes.

Deia is a typical Mallorcan village, which is definitely worth a visit. This town is famous for the fact that the famous writer and poet Robert Graves lived here. Here he is buried.

People come to the west coast of the island in search of peace and solitude. Far from the popular resorts, there are secluded coves where you can find a quiet corner even in summer.

City of Soller lies in the valley next to the railway. In the city you can see how the islanders lived many centuries ago. Here the siesta is observed even now. This town has retained the typical Mallorcan charm. This place is called the boiling cauldron: here in the valley there is the highest temperature on the entire island. Soller, translated from Arabic, means the Golden Valley. The city was named so because of the huge number of orange trees.

Ufologists all over the world are going crazy with Soller, because the connection with alien civilizations is especially evident here. Firstly, unexplained noise off the coast is constantly recorded here. And secondly, planes do not fly over this territory, because all their instruments are out of order and show complete nonsense.

A 10-minute drive away is Port Port (Puerto) Soller. It is the only naturally protected bay in the west of Mallorca. Fishing boats sway on the waves, their quiet pace to match the unhurried rhythm of local life.

Majorca's main tourist attraction is Dragon Caves (Las Cuevas del Drach). These karst caves on the east coast of the island attract crowds of tourists all year round, but they never seem crowded due to their colossal size. There are thousands of stalactites and stalagmites in huge cavities. This strange and beautiful phenomenon is caused by slowly dripping water and mineral salts dissolved in it. Calcium carbonate and other minerals are gradually deposited on the ceiling and floor of the caves. These formations increase by only a millimeter per year. Such inclinations grow over the millennia. In fact, there are three caves connected to each other. Black Cave, White Cave and Luis Salvator's Cave, named after the Archduke who funded the first exploration of the caves in 1896. Concerts are regularly held in the caves with good acoustics.

Caver Eduard Alfred Martel discovered one of the largest underground lakes in the world - Lake Martel, named after him. The caves are beautifully illuminated and more than one trip is complete without a romantic boat trip on the lake. There are not many places in the world where you can go boating at a depth of several tens of meters underground. The water is crystal clear and you can see amazing formations that have formed over millions of years.

One of the tourist attractions of Mallorca - a trip along the mountain serpentine leading to the north of the island - is road Sa Calobra. The most difficult section is called "Three Mary". Either because several sharp turns resemble three letters "m", or because drivers in this place often commemorate the Virgin Mary. Previously, it was an absolutely impassable territory, it was in these regions, in a bay on the coast, that smugglers moored. To somehow control these places, this dizzying path was paved. And then the road became purely tourist: wider and more comfortable. The road was built by an engineer of Italian origin Antonio Poretti. At some point in the construction, he found himself at a dead end, it was completely impossible to continue laying the road: he ran into a mountain, and the technical means did not allow him to go further. For three months he racked his brains: how to get out of this situation? And, quite unexpectedly, the decision came by itself. Once, while tying a tie, he imagined how to untie the "knot" of the road. Now this place is called the "tie knot". Surprisingly, there are almost no accidents on Sa Calobra. Apparently, the drivers focus their attention so much that they pass this most difficult path without incident. And the most desperate at night arrange races here, and the police regularly come to catch these extremists.

The road leads to a place called "Paradise Gate". The main episode of the film "Sinbad the Sailor" was filmed here. It is a small sandy beach surrounded by towering cliffs.

Mallorca Island - "Paradise Gate"

Next to the legendary beach is Sa Calobra bay and the pier from which the boat departs for the port of Soller.

They say that February is the most beautiful month in Mallorca. It is also called the month of hot snow. Almonds bloom all over Mallorca- about 7 million trees. It all began in the 12th century, when Jaime II married a Norwegian princess. The girl was very homesick for the snow and Jaime ordered to cut down the pine groves and plant them with almond trees. When the next February came, the princess looked out the window: the whole island was covered with snow - snow-white almond flowers.

Another important tree in Mallorca, the olive, was brought to the island by the Saracens, who conquered the island in 903. Olive trees have lived for over a thousand years, so some today may remember those distant times. Today, almost all mountain slopes are buried in olive orchards.

Despite the fact that in Mallorca 95% are private property, nevertheless, 76 beaches are municipal, that is, free. And 22 of them are proudly decorated with a blue flag, which means that the beach fully meets the environmental requirements of cleanliness. Any major industry is prohibited on the island. Each bay of the island is unique and distinctive.

Galatzo National Park this is a private property. Earlier in this area, in the northwest, lived the first inhabitants of Mallorca. In 1982, it was decided to build an adventure park here for tourists. In addition to natural landscapes, 30 waterfalls were made specially along the walking route. The total length of the adventure trail is more than 3 kilometers. During its passage, you can feel like a pioneer. Anyone over the age of 8 can experience it. The bravest ones walk along suspended roads, overcome air bridges, climb a 25-meter wall or shoot from a bow. After an exciting adventure, tourists can prepare their own fresh meat barbecue.

Mallorca island on the map

The island of Mallorca (Mallorca or Majorca, in Russian transcription is often written as Mallorca) lies in the center of the archipelago and is the largest of the Balearic Islands (an area of ​​3.6 thousand sq. Km). It is a rather mountainous island, more than 70% of the territory of which is occupied by mountains up to 1445 meters high (Mount Mayor). The northwestern coast is entirely occupied by the Serra de Tramuntana ridges, in the center lies a vast remnant massif, and the southeastern coast is framed by a chain of low and heavily destroyed Serres de Llevant mountains. To the north of Palma lies the fertile plain of Es Pla, continuing on the northern coast, along the shores of the Pollença and Alcudia bays. The island is replete with bays and bays of various sizes, along the banks of which there are rows of beaches, both small and rocky (often found in the north-west), and long sandy (southern and northern parts of the island).

The capital of the archipelago and one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean, which is also considered one of the oldest. The main attraction around the capital of the island is undoubtedly the beaches. The first-class beaches of Palma Nova, Can Pastilla, Sarenal and others stretch along the coast of the Bay of Badia de Palma (the total length of the recreational coast on this small island is 554 km!). Life is always in full swing here, many fashionable hotels and boarding houses have been built, and the doors of restaurants and cafes practically do not close. You can also visit a pretty green town Andratx and nearby resort Sant elm with the bird's island of Dragonera. Interestingly, to protect against pirates, cities in Mallorca have been built since ancient times at some distance from the coast, so nowadays there is nothing stopping to build up the luxurious coast of the island with hotels and resort areas.

The hallmark of the northwestern part of the island is the imposing Serra de Tramuntana mountain range with beautiful peaks and sea cliffs, overgrown with olives and citrus valleys, as well as many picturesque towns and villages. Around the city Soller(Soller) you can see the picturesque mountain village of Dea at the foot of the majestic Mount Teix and the monastery of Valldemossa (Real Cartuja de Jesus de Nazareth, XVII-XVIII centuries) to the southwest, the monastery of Luc (XIII century) - the most important pilgrimage center on the island, old town Pollença with its monastery Ermita de Nostra Señora del Puig (18th century) and a first-class resort Port de Pollença with a picturesque horseshoe-shaped bay in the northeast.

In the bay lying in the north of the island, the small town of the same name is interesting. From here you can go on a boat trip along the coast or to the territory of the Sabufera Natural Park, which protects the last section of wild swamps that once covered the entire northern coast of the bay.

The southeast coast of Mallorca is almost entirely indented by narrow bays, which are the remnants of river valleys that formed at a time when the Mediterranean Sea was much lower than today. Now these beautiful and secluded bays have become areas of calm beach recreation, all development of which is constrained only by the relative inaccessibility of many of the shores. In the very center of the coast lies a town Porto Cristo, the coastal slopes near which are replete with magnificent caves - they even host concerts of classical music. 20 km to the north, in the hills, lies the ancient city Arta with its chaotic narrow streets, the famous shrine of Santuari de Sant Salvador and the excavations of the prehistoric settlement of Ses Passés.

The island has two official languages ​​- Castilian (Spanish) and Catalan, and the locals prefer to speak their Majorcan dialect. However, all the staff on the island, right down to the maids, speaks several foreign languages ​​passably. English, German and French are especially common.

Mallorca is especially famous for the fact that it is here, in the castle of Marivent, that the entire royal family rests every August. At this time, a sailing regatta is held with their participation for the King's Cup, and official receptions of the kings of Spain take place in the castle of Almudaina.

Where is Majorca located? This question is asked by travelers who once heard about the wonderful island resort. Majorca is the largest in the Balearic archipelago of the Mediterranean Sea, and the island of Mallorca stretches over a vast area with a coastline of 554 kilometers. These figures may vary as the coastal edge is heavily indented.

The part of the Mediterranean Sea where Mallorca is located is called the Balearic Sea. It washes the southeastern side of Spain from Cape Benidorm to the border with France. In this part of the Spanish coast, there are two large cities: Valencia and Barcelona, ​​which together with Mallorca form a regular triangle.

The island of Majorca is located at the intersection of the main trade sea routes connecting the Italian port of Livorno and Genoa, French Marseille and Spanish Barcelona. The shortest sea route to Mallorca is from the port of Valencia. The communication is well established. On the Mediterranean stretch of Mallorca, there is practically no stormy weather, so small pleasure boats run from Valencia to the island. For those who are used to appreciating their time, planes fly from Barcelona to Mallorca.

A bit of history

The Balearic archipelago, where Mallorca is located, originated in the Paleolithic period, as evidenced by excavations of ancient burials and numerous settlements in which the subjects of Carthage lived. After the fall of the empire, pirates settled on the island. However, in 123 BC. the Romans freed the island from the criminal community and annexed it to their possessions.

The best beaches in Mallorca

Currently, the island is one of the best recreational areas in the Mediterranean. Majorca resorts are located in two mountainous areas adjacent to the coast. The mountains, rich in tourist routes, allow visitors to feel like climbers. The ascent to the top of Massanella with a height of 1352 meters can be equated in difficulty to the mountains of the Elbrus region. Thus, the resorts of Mallorca are organically combined with the active rest of tourists.

But still, tourists are more attracted by fine sandy beaches, of which there are many on the island. All of them are equipped and completed with the necessary equipment, umbrellas, changing cabins, sun beds or wicker mattresses made of natural hemp.

Resort areas

The entire island is divided into 14 separate well-maintained regions with their own infrastructure. These are the following resorts in Majorca: Cala d'Or, Sa Coma, Paguera, Cala Rajada, Magaluf, Illetas, Can Pastilla, Arenal, Playa de Palma, Cala Major, Palma Nova, Santa Ponsa, Alcudia , Camp de Mar. Their level of popularity is different. The best beaches in Mallorca are located in the bay of Palma de Mallorca, the coastline of which stretches for exactly 20 kilometers on both sides of the city.

Cala d'Or resort

A popular resort on the south coast of Mallorca. You can communicate with the local service staff in three languages: English, Spanish or Catalan. Family-style resort, well suited for travelers with children. The city is buried in greenery, completely built up with villas and one-story houses. An atmosphere of well-being and tranquility is felt. Relict pines grow everywhere, and the air has a persistent aroma of a coniferous forest. The streets are full of shops and stalls for all tastes. And the Cala d "Or bay, together with the Cala Gran beach, amaze the imagination with its beauty.

Magaluf resort

The most famous resort in Mallorca is famous for its high-rise hotels and well-developed infrastructure. The resort is versatile, suitable for young people and equally for families. Magaluf is home to the largest water entertainment complex, Water Park. And lovers of real golf can compete on the "Poniente" course, equipped according to all the canons of professional golf clubs.

Paguera

A small resort area in the south-west of the island, a quiet, serene place, ideal for romantic and loving couples. A cozy atmosphere is created by shallow lagoons with many well-developed sandy beaches. Representatives of bohemians, artists and artists prefer to rest on Paguera, and the local port, located in the resort area, has become the main pier for the arrival of a rich tourist contingent from all over the world. The best spots for a holiday in the resort of Paguera are Cape Formentor and the bay of San Vicens with the purest water.

Alcudia

A combined tourist center consisting of the resorts of Picafort, Platja de Muro and Platja d "Alcudia. The main attraction of Alcudia is the ancient fortress, high walls of shell rock and the city of Pollentia with an amphitheater, preserved from the times of ancient Rome. Otherwise, the center corresponds to its purpose, are located everywhere comfortable hotels, shops, expensive restaurants and budget canteens.

Transport

The island has a train connection that is used for excursions. One line connects the capital - Palma de Mallorca - with the cities of Manacor and Inca. Another, longer one, runs to the port city of Soller through the Sierra de Tramontana mountain range, through thirteen tunnels. Railway stations are combined with stops on the city metro lines.

In addition to the railway service, buses and minibuses run on the island. Thus, excursions in Mallorca can be organized in any direction using public transport, and in this case, each of them will cost several times cheaper than the same visit to the sights, but in a sightseeing bus. The number of trips also depends on the choice of the mode of transport. Excursions in Mallorca become cheaper as you move inland from the capital.

Tourist boom

Since 1950, there has been a marked increase in interest in historical sites in the world. Single travelers and groups of tourists began to visit interesting places, see famous architectural monuments, museums and exhibition complexes. Resorts on the islands were in great demand, since in addition to contemplating the sights, they could have a good rest.

Majorca has become one of these resorts. The sea surrounding it on all sides, the blue cloudless sky and the pleasant mild climate contributed to the popularity of the largest island in the Balearic archipelago. Reviews of tourists about their stay on the resort island are the most positive. Having visited Mallorca once, Russian travelers come back again and again. The resort has long been popular with Russian tourists.

Members of the Spanish royal family spend the entire month of August in Mallorca every year. The island was chosen by many world celebrities, including the seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher, tennis players Boris Baker and Carlos Moya, the first racket of the world Rafael Nadal, top model Claudia Schifer, actor Michael Douglas and many others. All these famous people built villas and mansions on the coast.

Writer and composer

In Mallorca, a part of the life of the famous couple in love has passed. Georges Sand and Frederic Chopin settled on the island at the end of 1838, counting on the cure of Frederic, who was sick with tuberculosis. However, hopes were not justified - he felt worse. The climate of the resort, generally favorable, had the opposite effect, and the disease developed even more. The writer created one of her best creations in Mallorca, the novel "Winter in Mallorca". After the couple left, many things remained in their apartment, which are today kept in the monastery of the city of Valldemossa, located in the mountainous part of Mallorca.

The cost of rest in Mallorca

Accommodation is the first and most important item of expenses during your stay on the resort island. Holidays in Mallorca, prices for accommodation, services, food - all this interests travelers. In the high season, prices for accommodation are quite high and can range from 75 to 275 euros per day, and the category of the hotel does not play a role in this case, since there are no rooms in two- and three-star hotels at this time. When the seasonal rush is on the wane, rooms in a three-star hotel cost € 30-50 / day. Higher class hotels will cost 60-100 euros.

A middle class passenger car can be rented for 10-24 euros / day. A convertible will cost 40 euros, and a bus ride will cost 1.25 euros per person. In the high season, all these numbers just need to be multiplied by 0.4, that is, all prices are automatically increased by 40%.

As noted in the reviews, food in the resorts of Mallorca is not very expensive, and it is possible to take set meals for 7-10 euros. An alternative is visiting small restaurants, where a good meat dish will cost from 3 to 8 euros. Much depends on the choice of where to eat.

Basic moments

The Sierra de Tramontana mountain range with peaks rushing high into the sky stretches along the western coast of the island of Mallorca. It protects the land from the vagaries of the sea, at the same time yielding the corners of the coastal strip to miniature bays with magnificent sandy beaches, along which prestigious resorts are now located, where world celebrities like to stay.

The Sierra de Levante mountains "captured" the east of the island, they are not as high as the Sierra de Tramontana, but no less picturesque. The east coast with spacious gently sloping sandy beaches, focused more on mass tourism, is densely built up with hotel complexes and offers a classic set of services of a Mediterranean resort. It is especially crowded here in the summer months, which are the peak of the tourist season in Mallorca, when the air temperature exceeds +30 ° С, and the sea warms up to +25 ° С.

Between the mountain ranges there is a fertile valley, where ancient picturesque cities and monasteries are scattered, travel along which is one of the favorite entertainments of tourists.

Mallorca is also home to the capital of the Balearic Islands - Palma de Mallorca, the most beautiful city in the Mediterranean and a recognized center of international tourism. Located in the most enchanting bay of the island, it attracts travelers from all over the planet like a magnet, seducing them with its wonderful beaches and magnificent architecture, excellent cuisine and rich nightlife.

History of the island of Mallorca

Archaeological excavations indicate that people began to settle in Mallorca during the Paleolithic era. It is believed that the stone structures found here, called taliotes, were created by a people who migrated to the Balearics from the Eastern Mediterranean. In a historical era, a fertile island, occupying a strategic position, fell into the sphere of interests of neighboring powerful states, and this determined its further fate.

In the 7th century BC. NS. the island was a colony of Carthage. It is known that the locals, famous for their skillful possession of the sling, served as mercenaries in their army. After the fall of Carthage, the Baleares remained independent for a short time, but in 123 BC. NS. were conquered by the Roman consul Quintus Cecilius Metellus. During his reign, Palma de Mallorca was founded.

In 426, the Vandals invaded here, but after a century they were driven out by the Byzantines. Since the 7th century, the Arabs tried to conquer the archipelago, but only in 902 did they manage to conquer Mallorca, as a result of which it was annexed to the Emirate of Cordoba. The king of Aragon Jaime I conquered the Balearic Islands from the Arabs. In 1229, his fleet of 150 ships laid siege to Medina Majorica, as the current capital of Balearic was then called, and three months later the city was taken. Soon, the king promulgated a charter that proclaimed the principles of equality, freedom and self-government, a declarative document that became the most progressive of that era.

After the death of Jaime I, his son Jaime II became the ruler of the largest of the Balearic Islands, who received the title of King of Mallorca. During his reign, new cities were built here, majestic cathedrals and castles were erected, their own money was minted, shipbuilding developed, trade flourished.

Majorca lost its independence in 1344 when it was conquered by Pedro IV, King of Aragon and Count of Barcelona. Since that time, the Balears have become part of the kingdom of Aragon, together with which they later became part of the Spanish state - as a result of the marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile, who united the Spanish lands.

These events ultimately determined the direction of the development of the island's culture, which expressively reflects the influence of Catalonia. To this day, two languages ​​are spoken here: Spanish (Castilian) and Catalan, the local dialect of which is called Majorcan. This is also related to the difference in the sound of the name of the island - "Mallorca" and "Mallorca". In a conversation with the locals, you can call the island whatever is convenient for you, they will understand you in both cases, but keep in mind that you should not delve into the language issue here, since this is a problematic topic for Majorcans.

Foreigners began to discover the charms of Mallorca in the middle of the 19th century, and the stay of the famous couple Georges Sand and Frederic Chopin here marked the beginning of the era of tourism. Following them, an incessant stream of bohemians and aristocrats rushed here. The tourist boom of the 60s of the last century turned Mallorca into one of the most developed and attractive Mediterranean resorts, where both moneybags and budget travelers can relax. Not far from Palma, in the Marivent Palace, the royal family rests in the summer.

Can Pere Antoni beach

Palma, as the locals briefly call their capital, is the largest city and port of the archipelago. The modern quarters and resorts of Palma de Mallorca stretch along the coast of a picturesque bay, and the historical part begins behind the cathedral and the royal palace of Almudaina, majestically towering over the city's port. Here, in the old harbor, snow-white elegant yachts sway slowly on blue waves. This spectacular landscape is an integral part of Palma and the hallmark of the Balearic Islands, the renowned yachting hub of the Mediterranean. The sailing regattas, which are traditionally held in Mallorca every year, are attended by yachtsmen from all over the world, including royalty.

The main historical attraction of Palma de Mallorca is the cathedral. This magnificent structure looks especially impressive from the sea, resembling a colossal pink rock with its bizarre outlines. Work on the cathedral began in the 13th century and ended only in the 16th century. Over the next centuries, its appearance has changed several times. At the end of the 19th century, it was decided to renovate its facade, and by the beginning of the 20th century, the last stage of construction, to which the great Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi joined, was completed. Today, the cathedral's façade, adorned like a piece of jewelery, is an excellent example of Spanish Renaissance architecture.

The interior of the temple is laconic, and unlike most Catholic cathedrals, it is very light here. Streams of light pour through numerous stained-glass windows. During the day, the smooth play of multi-colored sunlight illuminates either one of the magnificent pulpits, or the portico of the old choirs, built in the Renaissance. The Holy Trinity Chapel contains the tombs of the medieval kings of Mallorca, Jaime II and Jaime III.

The land surrounding the cathedral was formerly occupied by an Arab city known in the Muslim world as Medina Majorica. Today, only the arch on Almudaina Street and the Arab Baths on Serra Street remind of it. On the foundations of the Arab fortress that existed here in the 13th century, the Almudaina Palace was erected, and to this day is the royal residence. For tourists, a part of the palace is open, where you can admire the beautiful interiors, luxurious tapestries, walk along the courtyard and a beautiful garden. The gothic palace galleries offer a magnificent panorama of the city and the cathedral. A visit to the royal residence will cost 7 €. Near the Almudaina Palace there is a parking lot for horse-drawn carriages, one of which you can take a tour of the old town.

The nearby Sanglada and Morey Streets contain stately buildings from the 16th and 18th centuries. It is interesting to wander here, looking into the old churches and admiring the facades and courtyards of the rich houses that belonged to the nobility and merchants.

The church of the same name is located in Piazza San Francisco, one of the oldest in Mallorca. It was founded during the reign of Jaime II, but the complete ensemble of the temple was completed only in the XIV century. In one of its octagonal chapels, decorated in the Renaissance and Baroque style, there is a sarcophagus where the remains of the medieval philosopher, theologian and writer Raimund Lull are buried. A saintly native of Palma de Mallorca, he is considered the creator of the Catalan language and a classic of Catalan literature.

One of the most beautiful buildings in the capital of the island of Mallorca, La Lonja, was built in the 15th century, at a time when Palma was one of the richest cities in the Mediterranean. This majestic Gothic building with splendid windows occupying the entire 40-meter façade facing the embankment was the location of the stock exchange where trade transactions were concluded. Today it houses the cultural center of the capital and an exhibition hall.

At the top of the mountain overlooking Palma, at an altitude of 112 meters, there is the majestic Bellver Castle, erected in the 14th century by order of the King of Mallorca Jaime II. One of the oldest round castles in Europe, it has an interesting architecture. Rising 25 meters, its central tower, twelve meters in diameter, points to the north. It is connected to the central building of the castle by a seven-meter arched bridge, under which a water moat is dug. The other three towers face south, west and east. The spacious circular courtyard of Belver is equal in size to the city square of a medieval city, and on the roof of the castle there is an observation deck offering beautiful views of the sea, Palma and its surroundings.

Banks and the most luxurious shops of Palma de Mallorca are located in its geographical center - the El Born quarter, from which it is pleasant to stroll to Porta de Santa Catalina, looking at the windows of boutiques and modest shops. A wonderful place for a promenade is the city's embankment, along which rows of palms and orange trees stretch, elegant hotels, restaurants and cafes, where you can spend more than one hour at the tables, refreshing yourself with pleasant drinks and enjoying the seascape.

The western side of the promenade and Piazza Gomila are well known for nightlife lovers who flock to the capital of the island of Mallorca, famous for its nightclubs, bars and discos.

Palma de Mallorca at night

In Palma itself and its surroundings, there are several beautiful sandy beaches with a gentle coastline and clear sea. Almost all of them are municipal. You do not need to pay for the entrance, but renting an umbrella and sun lounger will cost you 10 €. By the way, a beach umbrella can be purchased in the store for 15 €.

The beaches of Palma de Maorca have all the attributes of a prestigious resort - Blue Flags, excellent infrastructure, the opportunity to do water sports, but in season they are simply overcrowded.

Just a 20-minute walk from the cathedral is the Can Pere Antoni beach, arguably the most populous beach in Mallorca. But in this coastal area there are two paid club beaches - Nassau Beach Club and Anima Beach Club, where it is more comfortable and secluded. Further east, to the Arenal resort, stretches the seven-kilometer Playa de Palma beach. This corner of the island, popular among tourists, is completely built up with hotels, bars, restaurants.

Playa de Palma beach

West coast of Mallorca island

After driving 9 km west of Palma, you will reach the resort town of Illetas with its delightful coastal strip, lined by sheer mountains, reflected in the blue sea waters. There are many beaches that belong to hotels, but there is also a municipal one, where often an apple has nowhere to fall.

Palma Nova beach stretches 14 km west of Palma, a little further - Magaluf. Young people from northern Europe like to relax here, and it can be quite noisy.

The seaside highway leads to the resort of Andratx, which runs along the coast of the bay of Santa Ponsa, famous for the fact that it was here that the troops of Jaime I landed in 1229, who liberated the island from the Moors. After driving along the picturesque coastline, along which there are small beaches, you will find yourself in one of the most enchanting corners of Mallorca.

Port Andratx, a former fishing village, serves today as a haven for luxury yachts, but despite its tourist orientation, the city has retained its flavor. However, tour operators do not send organized groups of tourists here. Those who prefer to relax individually, as well as the lucky ones who own local real estate, stay here. There are many boutiques, expensive fish restaurants and several luxurious beaches, where world celebrities have been repeatedly spotted.

The city of Anrach itself is located a short distance from the coast, in the depths of the valley. Walk along its narrow, crooked streets, see the Gothic church, the ancient castle of Son Mas.

8 km from Andratx is the westernmost point of Mallorca - Sant Elm. There is a seductive but very small beach here. Opposite - the island of Dragonera, where you can go on an excursion boat. This uninhabited island, with its silhouette resembling a dragon, has the status of a nature park, and here you can spend a few hours walking along the trails laid out for tourists.

Northwest coast of Mallorca

From Andratx along the entire coast, to the north, stretches the Sierra de Tramontana mountain range, which, thanks to its fantastic beauty of natural landscapes and historical sites located in the foothills, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The serpentine road, laid through the mountain gorges of the Sierra de Tramontana, has long been chosen by venerable filmmakers who shoot action films. Despite its high-quality road surface, this narrow two-lane track, four meters wide, is not intended for the faint of heart: its steep turns, due to which it was called "Tie Knot", stir up the blood, and the rocks overhanging the road, from where at any moment can collapse stones, in places look menacing. However, the breathtaking landscapes passing through the window of your car or tour bus can make you forget about the risks!

To travel around this region by car, you can, of course, choose other routes, but while driving, you should always slow down in front of the signs in order to have time to figure out where to turn, as it is very easy to get lost here.

Following the west coast of Mallorca northward, stop at Banyalbufar, surrounded on all sides by terraced fields that slope down to the sandy coast. Here you can see the beautifully preserved church and take some great photos while climbing the old watchtower.

To the east of Banyalbufar, in a mountain valley, lies the legendary Valldemossa, famous for the fact that George Sand and Frederic Chopin spent the winter here in 1839. The city itself, surrounded by stone terraces and age-old olives, is a favorite summer vacation spot for wealthy Majorcans.

It is worth visiting the former monastery of the Carthusian order, secularized in 1835, to see the preserved monastic cells decorated with magnificent ceramics, the library, as well as the cells in which Chopin and George Sand lived. Here you will see the manuscript of the book "Winter in Mallorca" by the famous writer, and the piano played by the great Polish composer. Every year the monastery hosts the International Music Festival, during which famous pianists give concerts.

From Valldemoza, the road will lead you to the incredibly beautiful city of Deia, which somehow miraculously fits on the narrow terraces of the mountain slopes. It seems that the golden-ocher houses of local residents, lined with olives and conifers, have grown into the slopes, and their tiled roofs soar in the crowns of trees. At the top of one of the hills is the old church of St. John the Baptist.

Deia is well known in bohemian circles. Many artists come here in search of inspiration, and in its narrow streets it is quite possible to meet a celebrity from the world of cinema or show business strolling.

Not far from the city there is a charming bay with a beach, but you will have to go down there on foot (about an hour - down, and a little more - in the opposite direction).

Cove near Deia town

To the east of Deia is the town of Soller. It is spread among orange plantations that surround the mountains on all sides. It is the sweet citrus fruits, almost the entire crop of which is exported from Mallorca to the mainland, that is the main wealth of the city. The balconies of Soller's houses are decorated with geraniums, and the luxurious manor houses built in the 18th-19th centuries resemble the palaces of Cannes, Marseille and Toulon - the southern Mediterranean cities of France.

The resort of Port de Soller is located three kilometers from Soller. It is located on the shores of a semicircular bay, protected from the wind, and is connected to the city by an old tram line, the only one in Mallorca.

A few kilometers from Soller are the typical Mediterranean towns of Biniaraix and Fornaluc, with houses clinging to the slopes of the hills, between which the streets meander like snakes. They are connected by stone stairs and miniature stone-paved squares.

Many Majorcans consider Fornaluc the most beautiful city on the island, but perhaps they pay tribute to its location, because it "occupied" the slope of the highest mountain in Mallorca, the peak of which, Puig Mayor peak, is located at an altitude of 1445 meters.

From Soller and the towns adjacent to it, you can go on an excursion to the Sierra de Tramontana mountains. The most difficult route will lead you to a watchtower located at an altitude of 915 m, towering over the valley and the slopes of the mountains, where there are picturesque ancient settlements. Here you will find yourself surrounded by the four highest mountains of the island of Mallorca.

Near the small town of Bunyola is the Alfabia estate, famous for its gardens. It once served as a residence for one of the Moorish viziers. True, only the inlaid ceiling has survived from those times in this building. Walk down the magnificent poplar alley to discover the baroque façade of the palace, and then, beyond the Renaissance lobby, a patio surrounded by arched galleries. Wandering through the halls of this estate, you can admire the magnificent Majorcan setting, and a stroll through the romantic flowering garden with miniature ponds can give you the impression that time has stopped here.

The road heading north will lead to the Monastery of Our Lady of Lluha, which is the spiritual center of the island of Mallorca. It is located in a mountainous area, surrounded by bizarre limestone cliffs. The monastery was founded in 1250 and was rebuilt more than once. It acquired its present appearance in the 17th-18th centuries. Pilgrims who come to the monastery worship Morenete, a small sculpture of the Blessed Virgin, which the locals call the "Black Madonna". Every year at the end of August, a night procession takes place from Palma to it. The monastery has long been famous for its children's choir of boys, one of the best in the world.

In the Ethnographic Museum, located on the second floor of the main building of the monastery, you will find objects from the prehistoric period, as well as examples of Majorcan folk clothing, ceramics, religious objects and paintings by local artists. To the left of the monastery building are bas-reliefs by Antoni Gaudi.

Closer to the northwestern tip of Mallorca is the famous Calobra beach with fine sand and turquoise sea. The pristine beauty of this corner of the island, which seems to be guarded by majestic cliffs, is simply delightful. Unfortunately, in Mallorca, everyone knows about this, and there can be no question of a secluded vacation here.

On the northern tip of Mallorca is the resort region of Pollença, which includes the city of the same name, the Formentor peninsula, the resorts of Port de Pollença and Cala Sant Vicente. Pollença itself is located at the foot of the Sierra de Tramontana, in the center of a fertile plain. This rich city with beautiful villas and excellent shops, which has long been chosen by writers and artists, has a rich cultural life, as can be seen by visiting its many galleries. In July-August in the covered gallery of the monastery of St. Dominic, erected in the XVI-XVII centuries, international festivals of music and painting are held.

Pollença, Mallorca

The most famous landmark of the north of Mallorca, which is at the same time the pride of the locals, is the double-arch bridge built by the ancient Romans. Tourists are also impressed by the staircase with 365 steps, along which, inhaling the smell of the dark green cypress trees that surround it, you can climb the hill, where there is a beautiful Baroque chapel built in the 18th century. Its porch offers a beautiful view of the surroundings.

The picturesque coves of Port de Pollença and Cala Sant Vicenta are home to wonderful beaches, while Cape Formentor is a masterpiece of Majorcan nature. It can be conventionally divided into two parts: from Porta de Pollença to Formentor beach, and from the beach to the lighthouse. You can get here by the only road - from Porta Pollença. Halfway there is an observation deck offering stunning panoramas, captured by professional photographers more than once, and adorning the pages of millions of tourist brochures and magazines with information about the island of Mallorca. Many tourists prefer to hike around the cape. The old road, which was once used for donkeys, is now an excellent walking route.

A picturesque mountain promontory, cutting like a wedge into the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, separates the Bay of Palhena from the spacious Bay of Alcudia, on the coast of which are stretched seductive beaches. But first, take a look at the city of Alcudia, located a short distance from the coast. In the 1st century A.D. NS. on this place already stood a small fortified city, which the Romans called Polentia. For some time it was the capital of the Balearic. In the 5th century it was destroyed by vandals, but the Moors who conquered Mallorca built a new city here, which they called Alcudia.

Alcudia captivates with its distinctive appearance, in which history and modernity are intertwined. Wandering along its narrow stone-paved streets, you can admire the luxurious facades of the old buildings bordering them, look into pretty shops selling original souvenirs. There are many elegant cafes and restaurants in which it is especially pleasant to sit in the evening, when the old city quarters are illuminated by illumination.

Three kilometers from the city, on the shores of the Alcudia Bay, is one of the most popular resorts on the island of Mallorca - Puerto de Alcudia. Along the sea coast there are restaurants, cafes, hotels crowding each other, in which you cannot find vacant places during the season. This resort is ideal for families with children, because its spacious beaches with a gentle entrance to the sea are absolutely safe.

Puerto de Alcudia

Southeast coast of the island of Mallorca

The Sierra de Levante mountain range stretches along the eastern coast. These mountains are no less picturesque than the Sierra de Tramontana, but they are not so high and steep. Start your tour of the region with a visit to the ancient city of Arta, which retains the charm of the so-called colonial style architecture. It is located in the middle of a valley, surrounded by hills, the top of one of which is crowned with the Church of Christ the Savior. This picturesque place offers an amazing view of the surrounding spaces. Not far from Arta, at the foot of the hills, there is another picturesque town - Capdepera, whose houses are crowded around the ancient castle. Next to it is the excellent Cala Mesquida beach, which is especially popular among German tourists, and the resort of Cala Ratjada.

Arta town in Mallorca

In this part of the island of Mallorca, the famous Arta grottoes are located. A visit to the grottoes, whose height in some places reaches 40 m, invariably makes a strong impression on travelers. Climbing the stairs leading to the grottoes, it is sometimes worth turning around to capture in your memory the incredibly beautiful views of the sea, which appears in a completely unusual perspective. These caves have been inhabited since the 16th century, and if they are not the most striking in the world, as the Majorcans are sure, then at least they are grandiose.

Continuing your journey along the east coast to the south of Mallorca, you will find yourself in the city of Porto Cristo, next to which there are other famous caves - Harms and Drak. The Kharms caves are small in size, you can see them in half an hour, but they are very interesting for their transparent harpoon-shaped stalactites. The length of the Drak caves is 2 km. The five lakes located there brought them fame. One of them, Martel, is considered the world's largest cave reservoir. Its length is 177 m, width - 40 m. During a two-hour excursion, which includes a boat trip, you will admire the beauty of the underworld and the musical and light effects. The cost of the excursion is 12 € per person.

The beaches in this part of the coast are surrounded by pine trees, for which they received the name "Pine Coast".

Along the coast, from Porto Cristo to Porto Colon, there is a strip of resorts and beaches, one more beautiful than the other. There are about two dozen of them here.

The closer to the southern tip of the island of Mallorca, the more winding the coastal strip becomes. It is cut by narrow bays, turned into beach recreation areas. Some of the most attractive beaches are difficult to access and can only be reached by boat.

Es Trenc, the largest "wild" beach in Mallorca, which stretches for 2 km and does not belong to any resort, is very popular among tourists and locals. It should be said that this popularity is expensive for vacationers: for a pair of sun loungers under a straw umbrella you will have to pay 19 €, for a glass of mojito with ice - 7 €, for parking - 6 € (fortunately, per day).

Nearby is the Colonia Sant Jordi resort, which is quite quiet and cozy. Opposite it is the tiny islet of Cabrera, which has the status of a national park, which can be reached by ferry.

Central areas of the island of Mallorca

Traveling around the central part of the island is no less interesting than relaxing on one of its coasts. There are picturesque valleys here, the most famous of which is Es Pla. They are surrounded by mountain spurs, covered with oak and pine forests, hills, whose terraces are overgrown with almonds, olives, orange and lemon trees.

Visit the quiet villages of Sa Pobla and Miro to admire the old Gothic buildings. Passing the fields, here and there you will see romantic mills, look into Algaida, famous for traditional Majorcan cuisine. The city is also famous for its fig plantations and glassware.

The town of Felanitx has retained its medieval charm. Wandering through its old streets, you will get real pleasure. Connoisseurs of architecture should visit the St. Augustine Monastery, built in the 16th century.

Don't miss Albufera, the wettest corner of the island, home to some 230 bird species among lush vegetation. The main decoration of the flora of this place is the orchid "orehis palustriea".

The large (of course, relatively) cities of the island of Mallorca are also very attractive. The Inca is worth visiting not only for its 18th century monastery and Baroque church. This city is famous for its numerous shoe factories. High-quality products from local producers are displayed in the windows of all shops located in the city center. Local sausages and pastries are also excellent.

The second largest city in Mallorca, after Palma, is Manacor. From a distance, it does not give the impression of an ancient city - high-rise buildings obscure the historical buildings that have survived here. Its glorious past is reminiscent of a Gothic temple with an elegant belfry, a 17th century monastery building, which today houses the City Hall, an old tower overlooking the main square.

Enterprises and workshops where artificial pearls are produced have brought international fame to the city. Traditional Balearic furniture is also made in Manacor.

In the historic town of Llucmajor, where the 14th-century battle took place that ended the island's autonomy, see the San Buenaventura Monastery and the huge sculpture depicting the fighting Jaime III, the last king of independent Mallorca.

Leisure

The fabulous underwater world of the island's sea area attracts diving lovers here. Here you can endlessly swim among the coral reefs, view mysterious underwater caves, wrecks of sunken ships, exotic seaweed, bizarre invertebrates and fish. Almost every resort has its own dive school, where you can get training, rent diving equipment. The cost of the initial course is about 50 €.

From mid-July to mid-August, when a light breeze blows in Mallorca, surfers flock here. The best schools for teaching this sport are in Alcudia and Puerto Pollense. The cost of lessons for beginner windsurfers is about 20 € / hour.

Kitesurfing

Mallorca has 22 golf courses. The courses of varying degrees of difficulty are located mainly in Cala Mayor, near Palma, in Illetas, Magaluf, and the main golf resort is located in Santa Ponsa, on the southwestern coast of the island.

Paragliding is also well developed in Mallorca. The main centers are in the districts of Alcudia, Cabo Blanca and Betlen. A duet flight with an experienced instructor will cost € 85 for 20 minutes.

National cuisine

Traditional Mallorca dishes are a gourmet's dream! Excellent liquid meat and fish soups are prepared here. Hearty thick soups made from cabbage, slices of homemade bread soaked in broth, paprika, tomatoes and garlic are no less tasty.

Pork is most often the basis of second courses. It is fried or baked, stuffed with cookies, eggs, bread, spices, apples and plums. From the same meat, Majorcans prepare "sobrasada" - soft orange sausages, thanks to paprika, color. These sausages are especially tasty when fried.

Majorcan tombet is made with potatoes, eggplant, bell peppers and tomatoes. This assortment, which looks like a batter, is poured over with tomato sauce. Eggplant stuffed with meat or fish and baked in the oven is also very good.

In restaurants with national cuisine, try a dish called "Frit Mallorqui" - a mix of vegetables and meat. In the classic version, it should be the meat of a ram fried in its own blood, which is cooked whole, along with offal (brains, tongue, liver, kidneys).

Another "strong point" of Mallorca is fish and seafood dishes. Mostly they are grilled here.

Of the many sweet and salty dishes also common in Mallorca, chicken stuffed with pomegranate seeds, white turkey meat with almond sauce, pigeons with chestnuts are especially good. Try Soller-style eggs baked and topped with milk and vegetable sauce, empanadas of tuna, vegetables and meat - a dish reminiscent of pizza.

Among the sweet dishes, the most popular is ensaimada - snail-shaped pastries, stuffed with cream and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Equally delicious are puffy apricot pies, almond pies, cooked without the addition of flour, which are often served with ice cream.

In Mallorca, good wines are produced, but in insignificant quantities. The best light red wine comes from Benisalem, Inca, Arta. And be sure to try the Mallorcan liqueur - palo.

Prices in cafes and restaurants on the island vary, as does the range of dishes served. A set lunch in an average cafe costs 8 € per person, and a meal in a fish restaurant will cost you no less than 50 € per person.

Mountain lake Gorg Blau in the north of Lake Mallorca

Hotels in Majorca

The most luxurious hotels in Mallorca are located along the coast, and the further from the sea, the lower prices become.

If you are on a budget, you can stay at a hostel for about 25 € per day. In three-star hotels, where the rooms are equipped with everything you need, and the buffet meals include seafood, fresh vegetables and fruits, daily accommodation costs from 40 €.

For a more comfortable room and additional services in one of the four-star hotels in Mallorca, you will have to pay from 70 €, and accommodation in a five-star hotel will cost at least 130 € per day.

If you are traveling in a large company, it will be convenient for you to rent a villa. Depending on the number of rooms and the services provided, the price starts at 520 € per week.

In small towns, you can stay at farms (fincas), which are restored estates. The level of service here is quite decent, and the surrounding atmosphere is delightful. Daily accommodation in a double room - 90 €.

How to get there

You can get to Mallorca by air or sea. During the season, Palma de Mallorca airport receives planes from Moscow, which carry out direct charter flights. In the off-season, you will have to travel with transfers in Barcelona or Madrid. It is worth saying that the internal communication is excellently developed here. From Barcelona, ​​planes leave for Palma almost every hour (the flight time is about half an hour, the ticket price is from 50 € one way). It will take about an hour to fly from Madrid.

Buses run from the airport to Palma, the fare is 3 €. A taxi ride to the center of the capital will cost 20 €.

Vessels from the mainland of Spain arrive at the seaport of Palma de Mallorca every day. From Barcelona, ​​for example, you can get there in 4-5 hours. The cost of the ticket, depending on the class of the vessel and the time spent on the way, is from 40 €.

The main public transport on the island of Mallorca is buses. They are all comfortable and air conditioned. The fare is from 1 to 10 €, depending on the length of the route. Taxis can be called by phone or stopped on the street. All vehicles are equipped with meters (1 km = 1.25 €). You will need to pay 4 € for boarding.