Mallorca

• Destinations
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• Spain - Balearic islands: Mallorca

Mallorca an island located in the Mediterranean Sea, one of the Balearic Islands. Like the other Balearic Islands of Ibiza, Formentera and Minorca, the island is a highly popular holiday destination, particularly for tourists from the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland and the Scandinavian countries. The name derives from Latin insula maior, "larger island"; later Maiorica, "the larger one" in comparison to Minorca, "the smaller one".

The capital of the island, Palma, is also the capital of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands. The Cabrera Archipelago is administratively grouped with Majorca (in the municipality of Palma). The anthem of Mallorca is La Balanguera.

• Public holidays

  National & Regional Holidays

  • January 6th: Epiphany
  • Holy Thursday and Holy Friday (date varies but its usually on April)
  • August 15th: Assumption of the Virgin Mary
  • May 1st: Labour Day
  • August 15th: Assumption of the Virgin
  • October 12th: National holiday
  • November 1st: Day of all Saints
  • December 8th: Immaculate Conception
  • December 25th: Christmas

  Local Holidays

  • January 20th: San Sebastian
  • Marzo 1st: Day of the Balearic Islands
  • June 25th: San Juan 

• Top things to do

  Castell de Bellver

  This unusual circular 14th-century castle, surrounded by forests and shady paths, offers breathtaking views. Formerly a royal residence it now houses the excellent City History Museum and a collection of classical sculpture.

  Cathedral de Mallorca

  Cathedral de Mallorca is a splendid example of Gothic architecture, remarkable for its height which is comparable to that of the great French cathedrals. Construction began 1306 and continued for four centuries. It was remodelled by Gaudí from 1902 to 1914.

  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 Sierra de Tramuntana

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

  Palau de l'Almudaina (Palace of the Citadel)

  Originally home to the island's Moorish rulers and expanded for the Catalan kings, the Palace of the Citadel is a graceful mix of Moorish, Gothic and Renaissance styles. It is now the official Mallorca residence of King Juan Carlos I.

  Real Cartoixa de Valldemosa

  The medieval Royal Monastery complex of Valldemosa is indelibly associated with the (female) French writer George Sand and composer Frédéric Chopin who shared a room here in 1838-39. It's an atmospheric place in a beautiful setting.

  S 'Albufera Nature

  The S 'Albufera Nature Reserve in Alcúdia bay is the place to get away from it all. This marshy coastline formed by lakes and natural and artificial canals is a birdwatcher's favourite. There is a visitor centre in Can Picafort.

  Sineu market

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

  Sa Foradada

  “Sa Foradada” or “Na Foradada” is in the municipal district of Deià. It is situated between Cala Deià and Caló de s’Estaca. Its image has been captured by thousands of cameras every year and is one of the most well known geographical accidents on the island.

• Getting there

  Remember that Mallorca is mostly a beach destination, so you should pack light it you are coming during the summertime. You should always have sun protection available and if you are planning to go the beach for more than 2 hours, an umbrella is a must have item. But try not to bring it with you, it’s only and inconvenience and you can buy one here from 6 Euros up.

  The currency in Spain is the Euro. When changing money, you should always use official money exchange offices or banks.

  If you are travelling from a country outside the European Union you must declare any cash of over 10,000 Euros or more (or the equivalent in other currencies) to HM Revenue & Customs.

  When buying goods in Spain with credit/debit cards, all al customers, regardless of nationality, must show ID. You may be able to use a driving licence or a photocopy of your passport, but you may be required to show your passport.

  If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. As a general rule, if you require hospital treatment in Spain you are more likely to receive appropriate care in a public healthcare facility (although in some tourist areas there may be no public healthcare facility nearby). Your insurance/medical assistance company will be able to provide further details.

  Spanish law defines anyone under 18 to be a minor, subject to parental control or adult supervision.

• Did you know...?

  • La sierra de Tramuntana has been declared patrimony of the humanity by UNESCO, in the category of cultural landscape on 26/06/2011.
  • A significant number of the tourist population speaks German as a native language, so much so that in Germany, Majorca is jokingly referred to as the 17th Federal State.
  • Part of the 1982 film adapting Agatha Christie's mystery “Evil Under the Sun” was shot in Sa Dragonera (uninhabited islet off the west coast of Mallorca), presented as an island of the fictional Tyrania by the Adriatic.
  • In Puerto Rico, another Spanish colony until 1898, the ensaïmada is called “mallorca” and is traditionally eaten for breakfast or as an afternoon snack.

• Trips, Tours & Activities

  Caves Drac / Hams: Departure to Manacor, is one of the most important villages on the island, where we will see the production of the famous pearls in one of the best factories. Immediately afterwards going to visit the Hams caves, to admire the tree formations. Then we will go towards Porto Cristo to visit the world-famous caves of Drach. Inside we will enjoy an unforgettable concert of classical music in the Martel Lake, Europe's largest underground lake. Finally we will make a visit to a glass factory blown, where you can delight watching the craftsmen and his wonderful works of art.

  Island Tour: Full day excursion, we will start from Palma in a beautiful train trip to Soller. It is a wonderful viewpoint on wheels where you can admire the beauty of the landscapes of Mallorca, during 30km of trip between the cities. Immediately afterwards going out towards Sa Calobra, where you can enjoy the wonderful natural surroundings and crystal clear waters with immense cliffs that plummet over a deep blue sea, After lunch we will be back to the hotels.

  Valldemossa / Granja: departure to the romantic and historic village of Valldemossa is 425m over the sea level and 18km from Palma, in Valldemossa we will visit the Real cartuja which was the place of residence of the famous musician and composer and his colleague the writer George Sand between 1838 and 1839. Then we will have free time to get to know the beautiful and quiet streets of the town. Below we will continue our journey along a road between mountains and valleys and you can see the millenarian olive trees until arrive to La Granja, is an old Majorcan palace, where you can see the typical old works of the farm and taste the typical Majorcan food, like Sobrassada or different kind of cheese.

  Formentor - Port Pollença: we will go toward the north area of the island; trough the Inca village, where a fun boat is waiting for us, to make an attractive half-hour cruise to Formentor, one of the best beaches in Mallorca, there you will have free time to enjoy the wonderful beaches of crystal clear waters in a pine forest environment. On the road to come back we will stop in the viewpoint of Es Colomer, is a stunning cliff of 232m. Finally after lunch, visit to the most important leather products factory in Inca. If the departure is from the North zone we will replace the visit to Inca by the beacon of Formentor and if it is from the East the Inca's visit is replaced with Sineu's market.

  Cruise Shipping: pick up and transfer to the Palma’s port to go to the South west of the island on a nice boat, around the coast we can admire the beautiful landscapes of rocks and hidden coves. There you will have free time to enjoy the wonderful beaches of crystal clear waters, after you will taste a typical Spanish lunch (paella, sangria, ensaimada and cava). Finally the guides made a little animation. Don’t forget your camera……. will be a funny and unforgettable day.

  Market Inca half day: since the old times the Inca’s people made the weekly market every Thursday, the largest of all Mallorca, there you can see, taste and buy handicraft articles of the area and leather products. This market is the biggest one on the island, their sale counters are from the train station until the Plaza Oriente, crossing the Plaza Sa Quartera, Gran via de Colom or Plaza Santa maria, you can visit also the trees and animals market in the Plaza Bestiar.

  Son Amar: located on the outskirts of Mallorca is the beautiful possession of 16th Century “SON AMAR”, where you can enjoy the wonderful and ever-changing show with dinner style Las Vegas, which now offers two impressive performance each week, “WE ARE THE WORLD” transfer us around the world not in 80 days, but 80 minutes with his song, music, dance, comedy and acrobatics and show us someone of the best example of flamenco created by the world famous choreographer Carlos Vilan, with scenes from many cultures (Africa, India, Ireland and London and New York theatres). The set is an incredible and unforgettable spectacle.

  Blue Paradise: departure from the pier located in the hotel Marques Del Palmer in Colonia Sant Jordi, we will sailing with sail until the wonderful Es Trenc beach where you can swim in crystal clear turquoise waters. Immediately afterwards we going around the south west coast until the beautiful Es Cargol beach, there you will have free time to swim, relax or snorkelling and the crew offers you a delicious

  lunch with different kind o salads, barbecued meats, desert and drinks (water and sangria).

  Festival Shopping: if you want to Discovery the best outlet in Mallorca, come with us and spend a fantastic day! In Festival Park you have a lot of stores, restaurants and fun areas for all the family. It will be open 365 days a year and is renowned like a international touristic point and a fun place. We will give you a discount book to enjoy the best brands.

  Carmen “Foguero”: The most important room shows in Mallorca provide you the dinner with show, the first one GIPSY KINGS show performed by the Sinai group with their famous songs as Bamboleo, Djobi-Djoba, Vamos a Bailar, Amor Gitano, Sevillanas; una mezcla de rumba y  flamenco. As new exclusive for this new season we can admire some scenes from the show "tabladito". And the CARMEN DE BIZET'S show performed by Victor Muro's ballet, is a love story famous worldwide, presented for the first time in March of the year 1875, with acrobatics, live guitar, Horses and much more. During the show you taste the special dinner.

• Accommodation

  Luabay Galatzo (4*)

  The Mediterranean, relax, open spaces... Ideal for couples and with spectacular views of the Mediterranean, Luabay Galatzó (Mallorca) located over a hill between Santa Ponça and Paguera, unbeatable starting point for discovering this Mediterranean island. Luabay Galatzó offers you all the services and facilities for maximum enjoyment during your stay, including a spa, gym with sea views, theme restaurants, bars in an exclusive Chill-Out area and much more.

  Luabay Costa Palma (4*)

  Sun, beach, exclusivity. The Luabay Costa Palma (Mallorca) is located on the very beach of Cala Mayor, ideal for enjoying fantastic sea views. If you're seeking a holiday where the sun, sand and sea are top-notch, but you also want a fantastic culinary and cultural offer, the Luabay Costa Palma is your ideal destination.

  Luabay Marivent (4*)

  The Luabay Marivent (Mallorca), located right on the beach of Cala Major offers you a unique chance to enjoy all the advantages of being just a few steps from the beach and just minutes away from the centre of Palma, where art galleries, commercial centers and theatres abound. Luabay Marivent with its modern rooms and fabulous views is waiting for you to enjoy a well-deserved rest.

  Luabay La Cala (4*)

  a fully refurbished beachfront boutique hotel is perfect for adults seeking a holiday to enjoy the sun, sea and beach in an exclusive and pampered setting. Here, in addition to peace and quiet, just a few minutes away you'll find the best restaurants and hottest bars of Mallorca.

  HSM Don Juan (3*)

  situated in Magalluf, one of the most popular and well known resorts of Majorca. The beautiful sandy beach boasts of blue flag thanks to its high quality year after year and is only 400 m away and it offers the possibility to practice water sports. Nearby there are countless bars, restaurants and shops, which turn Magalluf into one of the most vibrant and attractive resorts on the island. Attractions such as: water park “Western Park”, carting or famous “Pirates” show, just steps away from the hotel, complement the wide resort´s offer. There are also various golf courses close by: Golf Poniente (2 km away), Real Golf Bendinat or Golf Santa Ponsa, therefore the hotel is an ideal place to stay for golf lovers. In the area there are many possibilities to practice other sports, even on professional level: Magalluf offers the following facilities: athletics tracks (certified, class A), grass football pitch, rugby pitch, tennis and paddle tennis courts, etc. Palma de Mallorca is situated 15 km away, the airport 22 km. There is a public bus service to the capital; the bus stop is only 100 m away.

  HSM Reina del Mar (3*)

  located only 300 m from the popular “Arenal” sandy beach and fabulous beachfront promenade. The hotel with modern interior decoration is just a few steps from the shopping and tourist area. Nearby is “Aquacity”, one of the largest water theme parks in Europe. Water sports facilities are available in the area and a bus stop to Palma is close by. International bars and restaurants are just around the corner and discotheques are also closeby for national and international public.

   

  HSM Alejandria (3*)

  The hotel has been partially refurbished in winter 2010 to offer better service and much fresher and modern look to our clients. Its attractive location, in one of the most popular resorts of the island, with its beautiful sandy beach (400 m), the proximity to well known attractions of Playa de Palma (such as Mega Park, Bierkönig, etc.) and its nightlife and leisure centre with numerous bars, restaurants and discotheques, makes the hotel a perfect choice for those looking for fun and comfort at a very good price. The proximity of the airport and Palma city, with an efficient bus service, is another advantage of the hotel. A myriad of sports facilities are available on the beach. Bus stop to Palma and Arenal is nearby.

• Transfers

  Private transfer can be booked during the whole year and shuttle transfers are offered from March to October. The clients will receive information about pick up time for departure transfers 1 day before they leave.

• Meetings and events

  Majorca can offer a grand variety of conference centers all over the island. And combined with the different activities, such as paella cooking, competition in go carting, sailing and different kind of land excursions, Mallorca is the perfect destination to celebrate meeting & Incentives!

• What we recommended

  In Palma city you can find a lot of shops, since the spanish famous brands like Majorica, Zara or Massimo Dutti, and also the most famous world shops, like Boss, Uterque, Louis Vuitton.

  The island offers a great variety of Majorcan restaurants, like Son Termes, Celler de Sa Premsa or Caballito del Mar, but also international restaurants as Hard rock café.

  El Auditorium is the most important theatre in mallorca to enjoy concerts, musical and theatre performances, besides the main theatre and Trui theatre.

• Special events

  Social

  Mallorca is the summer residence of the spanish king, Juan Carlos I, and his family, reason why it’s wellknown all over the world as they receive many important visitors during the summer.

  Cultural

  Since the XVII century, the Palma city has celebrated the patron saint festivities for Sant Sebastià every year around the 20th of January. The program of activities, organized by the Town Council, usually begins the previous Saturday with a street parade and the reading of the official proclamation.

  The most popular celebration of the fiestas is the Eve of Sant Sebastià, on January 19th, including bonfires and many performances in different parts of the centre of Palma.

  On January 20th, the day of Sant Sebastià, in the morning there is a mass in the Cathedral, at midday there is a cyclist day and on the evening the price giving ceremony of the "Premis Ciutat de Palma" is held.

  The program, features many other activities, such as the fire show "Atiarfoc", concerts and theatre performances, art exhibitions, a photographic marathon and the traditional procession "Beneïdes de Sant Antoni" (animal blessing).

  Sports

  The King's Cup sailing competition is held in the waters of the bay of Palma de Mallorca. It is one of the major cruiser class regattas in the Mediterranean, and has become a top-level fixture on the international calendar.

  Religious

  LLUC A PEU: At the beginning was a catholic holiday. On the first walk, over 30 persons participated. The leader himself, Tolo, had said that the first 6 or 7 years only 4 brave man joined him. En 1980, Antoni Mas, from CAJA DE AHORROS SA NOSTRA, got interested by this walk and decided to speak with the famous Tolo. Together they have created a grand project, SA MARXA DES GUELL A LLUC A PEU. The story of walking to Lluc was an old tradition of a local family, to give thanks to Mare de Deu (mother of god), a proof of faith and pray for the less fortunate.