GENERAL MALLORCA INFORMATION

Source: Lonely Planet

There's far more to Mallorca than the holy triumvirate of sun, sea and sand. Fight your way past the army of tan-seeking tourists, and you'll discover Gothic architecture, hilltop villages, olive groves and hidden beaches. If you're after something a bit crazier, there are 24-hour parties galore.

Visitors can fan out in the direction of either Palma de Mallorca, the main centre, or the northwest coast with the Serra de Tramuntana mountain ranges, or the north and east coast beaches. Whatever your poison, you can find it here.

Environment

The Balearic Islands sit in the Mediterranean sea just off the northeast coast of mainland Spain; floating in between Menorca and Ibiza, Mallorca is the largest. The capital, Palma de Mallorca, is surrounded by rocky inlets and harbours on the southern side, while most of the high-rise tourist resorts line the east coast. Sa Dragonera is the large, uninhabited island off the island's westernmost point. The northwest is defined by the dramatic Serra de Tramuntana mountain range and Mallorca's highest peak, Puig Major (1445m/4740ft). The northeast coast is made up of two sweeping bays: the Bahia de Pollença and the larger Bahia d'Alcúdia. The fertile plain known as Es Pla makes up a large part of inland Mallorca.

Mallorca's flora and fauna is rich. Trees such as the Aleppo pine, the evergreen holm oak and the carob tree are common, while the dwarf palm mainly grows around Pollença, Alcúdia and Andratx. Attractive orange and lemon orchards grow around Sóller. The tree heather and wild flowers (hyacinths, violets, gladioli, etc) are also stunning.

Reptiles (snake and gecko), mountain goats, wild sheep, rabbits and toads are all residents on the island. Birds of prey, including ospreys, kestrels and the rare black vulture, inhabit the mountainous northwest, and migratory birds flock to the marshes in summer. The Parc Natural de l'Albufera and Cabrera Island are both protected areas.
The Mediterranean climate of the Balearics keeps Mallorca's winter comfortably mild (around 15°C/59°F). Summer temperatures of around 27°C (85°F) are perfect for swimming (the water is also warm) and other outdoor activities.

Facts for the Traveler
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +1

When to Go

The island boasts 300-out-of-365 days of sunshine, but Mallorca's peak season is summer (June, July and August). At this time the resorts are packed, beaches are bursting and accommodation and restaurant prices are upped. You will get the best weather though, with sunny tan-friendly temperatures and a pleasantly bath-tub-like sea.
In May-June and September-October prices are lower, the island is less busy and the weather is still pleasant. Even in winter (December, January and February) the sun sometimes makes an appearance, but be warned - many businesses shut between November and April.

Events

The first big bash of the year is January's festival of San Sebastián, the patron saint of Palma. San Antonio Abad, the patron saint of animals, is also celebrated in January, with pet processions and animal blessing ceremonies. The weekend before Lent, Sa Rua, is carnival time characterised by people wearing fancy dress and dancing on coloured floats. Semana Santa, holy week, is an even bigger do: Palma holds processions every day and the smaller towns have festivities too. In July the party moves to Valldemossa, where the Carro Triunfal commemorates Santa Catalina Tomàs, the patron saint of Mallorca. Also in July, battles from the 1229 Christian invasion are re-enacted in Pollença. Harvest festivals are observed all over the island in September/October.

Public Holidays

1 January - New Year's Day
6 January - Epiphany
19 March - St Joseph's Day
1 May - Labour Day
24 June - St John's Day
29 June - St Peter & St Paul's day
25 July - St James's Day
15 August - Assumption of the Virgin
12 October - America Day
1 November - All Saints' Day
6 December - Constitution Day
8 December - Immaculate Conception
25 December - Christmas Day

Attractions

Alcúdia

Set between two huge bays, Badia de Pollença and Badia d'Alcodia, this busy town was once a Roman settlement. Although you can see remnants of its ancient past, the town has a slightly sanitised feel and most of the medieval walls encircling it are a modern copy.

Just outside the walls are the remains of the Roman city of Pollètia, 1200 sq m (2150 sq ft) of which have been excavated and opened to the public. The Pollètia Museum in Alcúdia exhibits archaeological finds from the site. You can also play gladiators in the ruined amphitheatre.

For a change of scenery, the Parc Natural de l'Albufera nature reserve nearby is excellent walking, cycling and bird-watching country. Look out for moorhens and coots in the grass, and herons and flamingos in the reeds. You can pick up a map and list of birds to spot at the reception centre. Buses go to the park from Port d'Alcúdia (the seaside resort around 2km (1mi) from Alcúdia), and from Alcúdia to Palma.

Coves del Drac (Caves of the Dragon)

With almost 2000m (6550ft) of caves and six subterranean lakes, this attraction is not for the claustrophobic. The caves were discovered near Porto Cristo on the east coast in 1896, and today crowds of visitors come for the hour-long multilingual tour - be prepared to queue if you come at a weekend. Entrance fee 10.50 euros.
The beautifully illuminated clusters of stalactites and stalagmites are named after things they resemble, though inevitably some labels are more obvious than others. The highlight of the tour is classical musicians playing from boats on a large underground lake. Inspired by this evocative spectacle, you can take a boat ride across the lake before you leave the caves.

If you want to stay in the dark for a bit longer, Porto Cristo's large aquarium is not far from the caves. Kids particularly enjoy the deadly sea creatures on display.
The principal coastal road runs through Porto Cristo; from here buses run to Palma and Port d'Alcúdia. We organize daily excursions to the Caves for 24.50 euros.

Deià

The idyllic town of Deià has a bohemian feel: the setting is stunning and it has attracted a large number of artists, writers and musicians over the years. English poet Robert Graves died here in 1985 and is buried in the hillside cemetery. The town's main street is lined with artists' workshops and galleries selling locally produced work, and plenty of bars and cafes. Beside the church is the Museu Parroquial, which has an interesting collection of religious effects, icons and old coins. The Archaeological Museum & Research Centre displays artefacts found in the Valldemossa area. On the coast, Cala de Deià has popular swimming spots and bar-restaurants.

Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca is the island's only true city. Traditionally the haunt of celebrities and royalty, it combines natural beauty with glamour and is a perfect jumping off point for exploring the rest of the island. It's a stylish city that buzzes by day and sizzles by night.

Palma's imposing Gothic cathedral, La Seo, is the town's main feature and worth at least an afternoon. When you've roamed over it, it's time to turn your attention to musuems full of religious artefacts, the town's fine Gothic architecture and the last remaining traces of Turkish occupation. Trips to the Palma Market are on Saturday mornings and cost 11.00 euros.

Sóller

To really appreciate Sóller, take the old train from Palma; it twists and turns past trees and olive groves, through the stunning Tramuntana mountains. The journey takes about an hour, and the views are spectacular. Many people use the town as a base for walking in the surrounding area, but it's also a charming place to explore, with attractive old buildings, lush gardens and open plazas. Bars and restaurants border the main square, Plaça de la Constitució. The 16th-century Església Parroquial de San Bartolomé is also here, its modernist facade belying a beautiful Gothic interior. Trains depart from Palma (Plz Espana) at 0800, 1040, 1300, 1515 and 2005 and return 0800, 0915, 1150, 1410 and 1900. The touristic train leaving Palma at 1040 has a photostop enroute.

Valldemossa

This attractive town owes its fame largely to Frédéric Chopin and his lover George Sand, who spent their famous 'winter of discontent' (1938-39) in Cartuja de Valldemossa. Today you can visit the gardens and monastery rooms: highlights are Chopin's piano, his death mask and original manuscripts.

In spring 2000, the Costa Nord show opened in Valldemossa. It has two parts: a documentary on the history of that part of the island, and a mock-up of the master's quarters on the ship Nixe, which belonged to Archduke Luis Salvador, who was so enamoured of Mallorca he bought up large chunks of it. The Costa Nord is open on Mondays from 0900 – 1500 and the rest of the week from 0900 – 1700hrs.
Organized Half Day Trips to the Costa Nord cost 27.50 euros.

Off the Beaten Track

Cala Mondragó

Trying to find an unspoilt beach on Mallorca's developed east coast is not an easy task. If you get to Cala Mondragó quite early in the morning, however, you're likely to bag a top spot on one of the most attractive. Pine trees and rocky outcrops shelter this protected sandy cove and accommodation is limited to a couple of houses and a large hostel. One beach bar surrounded by deck chairs serves refreshing cocktails and soft drinks.

About 2km (1.2mi) south of Porto petro, a mini train takes people from Porto petro to Cala Mondragó and the other resorts along the coast.

Cap de Formentor

Right in the north of Mallorca, this rocky promontory is an out-of-the-way paradise. The lighthouse on the northernmost point is out of bounds, but the area surrounding it is great for walking, lizard-spotting and bird-watching. If you have the time and the money, stay at the elegant Hotel Formentor , whose previous guests include Winston Churchill and Grace Kelly. The terrace has fantastic views of the bay and the gardens are lovely. By the hotel the sandy beaches of Platja de Formentor are sheltered by shady pine forests. Nearby are facilities for golf and horse riding.

Illa de Cabrera

In the middle of the tourist mayhem that hits the islands every summer, Cabrera is a haven of isolation. The entire island was made a nature preserve in 1991 and access is controlled by the Spanish National Institute for the Conservation of Nature. The wiley tourist may be able to finagle a permit.

As an island with a strong military history, certain parts of it are off limits due to unexploded armaments, so the best way to visit is to join a tour. As far as sights go, the castle overlooking the harbour is about it; the real appeal of the island lies in its stunning wildlife and vegetation.

You can reach it by a daily excursion boat from Colonia de Sant Jordi. The boat leaves at 9:30 a.m. and arrives back at 5:00 p.m.

You can also visit with your own yacht, but you'll need to obtain permission in advance, and only 50 boats are allowed in the harbor (the island's only legal mooring place) at any one time.

Manacor

If you're after the island's famous pearls, Mallorca's second largest town is the place to come. This industrial city has been cultivating pearls since 1890, and numerous shops here flog the little gems. Head to the factory on the outskirts of town, where you can also take a tour.

Don't come looking for a bargain though; artificial pearls, such as those cultivated in Manacor, look very like (and last longer than) the real thing so they can be quite expensive. After your shopping you can refuel with a taste of the local speciality, sobrasada, a spicy sausage. There's not much to see in the town itself (which is pretty unattractive) except the church, Esglesia dels Delors de Nostra Senyora, built on the site of the former mosque. Our Caves of Drach tour also visits the Pearl Factory.