An island of contrasts - from the courteous, proud and self-sufficient people with their relaxed Mediterranean ways, to the excitement of the cosmopolitan city of Palma, Mallorca blends breath-taking natural scenery with the fast-beating heart of modern culture, internationally acclaimed restaurants, a wonderful array of superb hotels and so much more.
With a picturesque historic old city, a friendly and easy-going community, an affordable cost of living and a great Mediterranean climate (reaching highs in summer over 30 °c , and temperatures in winter rarely below 5°c) and boasting 300 days of sunshine - Mallorca has everything you could possibly want in a relatively small and unassuming Mediterranean island.
Offering an excellent infrastructure, the capital Palma is also only a short drive (10 minutes) from the airport, with plenty of flights taking you to mainland Europe and the UK in about two hours, making it easily commutable. It is hard to find another tourist destination close to Europe's major cities that is equivalent.
Awarded the honour of World Heritage status by UNESCO in 2010, its rich and diverse landscape offers beautiful pine-clad mountains (1445m at it's highest peak Puig Major), and a flat fertile wine country in the interior and a stunning coastline that stretches for 550km with over 367 beaches. Ancient culture and rich traditions, year-round festivities rich in tradition, and a wide array of entertainment intertwine with Michelin acclaimed gastronomy, award-winning wines, and sailing, hiking and diving amongst a multitude of other exciting outdoor activities.
Slowly becoming the "Riviera" of Spain, the Island has one key factor missing - low serious crime levels. Mothers needn´t constantly be on alert everywhere they go, able to instead relax and enjoy their holiday knowing that their child is safely playing close by.
Mallorca covers a vast area of over 3,640km² of land, with almost half of the island (40%) protected green zone, with building strongly controlled. Real Estate in Mallorca covers a broad range of tastes, styles, designs and budgets. As a generalisation property is more expensive than the mainland, but with the strong protection measures of its natural environment conserving vast stretches of beautiful habitat, and its diversity, culture and wonderful way of life, Mallorca offers everything one could wish for in a home-away-from-home.
The beautiful, exclusive north-east region ranges from the Tramuntana Mountains in the north and out across the long sandy beaches of the east.
The north-east has more than the well-known tourist resorts of Alcudia and the surroundings areas. The ultra-exclusive climbs of Formentor, with it's secluded sandy beach and stunning views, offers some of the most valuable properties on the island while the enchanting market towns of Pollença and Alcudia and their respective port towns offer a village ambience alongside traditional restaurants, plentiful shops, picturesque marinas and relaxing beaches.
Here you'll find a wealth of traditional, rustic finca property alongside a selection of the most modern, contemporary and luxury villas that Mallorca has to offer - some of which are still being built.
In the highest part of the Tramuntana Mountains, with its soft hills to the south and steep, impressive coastline to the north, you'll find the north-west region of Mallorca.
With enchanting traditional villages like Valldemossa, Deiá and Soller, and views of dark blue Mediterranean coastline, green hills and olive fields and bright orange and lemon groves, the north-west provides a feast for the eye, not to mention the palette.
With most of this area classed as a natural reserve, and having been designated a World Heritage Site, construction is limited leaving only a scattering of houses outside of the main villages. The properties available are typically Mallorcan, stone-faced country houses featuring both traditional design and renovated, modern style.
The flattest stretch of the island may have a lower population than the south-west, but the peaceful south-east region of Mallorca still manages to offer a selection of small harbours, a stunning array of coastal coves and even the most beautiful beach in Mallorca, Playa D'es Trenc.
The properties of the south-east region range from rustic finca propery inland to modern, contemporary luxury villas and apartment complexes by the sea. The towns of Porto Colom, Port Cristo and Cala D'Or provide lively, bustling entertainment, while the enchanting shops, fine restaurants and charming local markets of the surrounding villages make the south-east full of undiscovered secrets.
Stretching down towards the sea, south-west Mallorca provides both secluded bays and long beaches, with waters that lie cool and transparent, surrounded by a shore of verdant pine and fig trees.
An abundance of up-market developments, golf courses, jet-set marinas, breathtaking ocean views and a good road network make the south-west not only the most popular region of the island, but also the most exclusive. Catering for every level of tourist and taste, the most exclusive areas of Andratx and Puerto Andratx are home to high-profile celebrities, with Puerto Portals and more recently Port Adriano harbouring some of the most-expensive yachts - and their owners - on the island.
From ultra modern coastline apartments to traditional luxury villas of Mallorca, property of every style to suit every taste can be found in the south-west.
The centre of Mallorca stretches from the foothills of the Tramontana Mountains to the flatter centre of the island. Rich and fertile, the hilly central region is home to orange, clementine and lemon trees, long hillside terraces of olive trees, blossoming almond groves and vast grape-bearing vineyards - producing some of the most highly acclaimed wines of Spain.
With it's traditional villages, weekly markets and stunning natural vistas, the central region, or 'Es Raiguer' as it's locally known, offers a truly rustic taste of Mallorca. The traditionally Mallorcan style of property captures the old spirit of the region, although many of these properties have been renovated internally to infuse more modern designs.
In the south-west of Mallorca, the huge Bay of Palma protects and shelters the former kingdom's capital.
Palma is the capital of Mallorca and the Balearic Islands. It is, perhaps surprisingly, the eight most populous city in Spain with around 400,000 inhabitants - the remaining 530,000 being dispersed around the rest of the island. The city itself is modern, and well maintained with high-end shopping and entertainment. Some of the well-known landmarks in the old town include La Seu Cathedral, Almudaina Palace and the Arab Baths, new hospitals and one of the largest airports in Europe, making it fully prepared to receive the more discerning tourist. The old town is full of historic palaces, many of which have been renovated into modern apartments and offices to create a perfect blend of the traditional and the contemporary.
In the surroundings of Palma lies the exclusive Son Vida; the 'Bel-Air' of Mallorca. Built around several golf courses, this idyllic resort houses a range of contemporary luxury villas and apartment complexes, all built using a combination of contemporary design and rustic, finca-style Mallorcan features.
Read below for further information on the highlights of Mallorca.
Below is a selection of hotels in and around Palma and the Southwest - the preferred choice for many when first arriving on the island the buy a property.
The rustic beauty of Mallorca was first formed when the island was discovered by the Romans in the 8th century.
There are an almost infinite variety of options to choose from when wishing to find a beach. From the most popular and busy beaches in the Southwest, to completely unspoiled beaches offering white sand and turquoise waters. Plenty to choose from when wishing to immerse yourself in the waters of Mallorca and engage in the blue Mediterranean. For my favourites …. Well you’ll just have to come over yourself and I’ll tell you personally.
The Spanish are known for their love of fiestas, and the Mallorcans are no exception. As each town or village has its own Saint's day, celebrated by villagers and locals for miles around, you'll never be to far from a fiesta!.
With a coastline of 623 km, Mallorca offers a wide variety of Marinas right around the island. Of the 49 marinas and ports sprinkled mainly throughout the south-west and eastern coast of Mallorca, Puerto Portals has become a firm, and exclusive, favourite. Port Adriano was expanded in 2017 to become a superyacht Marina and has been designed in a very chic and sophisticated manner. A full renovation project on Club de Mar is also planned in the near future. The north coast, although equally plentiful in coves and great sailable waters, is home to only one port - Port de Soller - so be sure to plan your trip carefully.
Mallorca is a paradise for golfers offering 24 courses across the island, with a golf friendly climate 365 days a year. It’s not necessary to be a member and prices vary
There are a wide array of excellent international schools in Mallorca, with the majority in the Southwest and Palma. Prices are a lot more reasonable than UK and other international private schools.
