Mallorca is one of the most popular of the Balearic Islands of Spain. The island is famous for its sheltered coves, beautiful beaches, stunning scenery and Roman and Moorish ruins. The island's capital, Palma, is renowned for its shopping, lively nightlife, restaurants and beautiful architecture, including the 13th-century Santa Maria Cathedral and the Moorish Almudaina royal palace. However, for those who want to avoid the big city,
Mallorca also features many quaint, traditional villages, dotted all over the island. Here we briefly explore Pollenca, Fornalutx and Soller, giving an idea of what they can offer visitors.
1. Pollenca
The lovely village of Pollenca has the best of both worlds as this charming village features a port, beautiful beaches and turquoise waters, and is backed by awe-inspiring mountains. Here, travelers can go off the beaten track to explore the gorgeous landscapes on the village's popular hiking trails. Thanks to the mild climate of the Balearic Islands, hiking is available pretty much all year round, especially in March as the rest of the world is still chilly and about to head into spring..
Image by Marco Verch/Flickr
The village itself features a good variety of shops and tourist amenities, as well as restaurants serving the delightful traditional Mallorcan cuisine. Watch out for that tiny cafe, nestled in one of the narrow, cobbled streets with stone-built shops and homes. For those wishing to stay in Pollenca, a variety of small, charming hotels and quaint bed and breakfasts are available. Alternatively, visitors can be more independent with a selection of properties, including apartments and luxurious holiday rental villas in Mallorca.
2. Fornalutx
Image by Rosa-Maria Rinkl/Wikimedia Commons
Fornalutx was named the prettiest village in Mallorca in 2012 by the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Spain (Los Pueblos mas Bonitos de Espana. The village nestles among the highest peaks of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range in the northwest of Mallorca.
This charming mountain village started out as a Moorish farmstead and features a history of more than 1,000 years. The layout of the village began taking shape in the 13th century, at around the time of the Catalan conquest.
Image by Rodrigo.Argenton/Wikimedia Commons
Fornalutx has also won several awards for preservation and conservation and also received the title of "Most Preserved Village in Spain." Exploring its ancient, cobbled alleyways is a pleasure, in this place that has changed very little in hundreds of years. Evidence of this can be enjoyed in the small Plaza de Espana, in the shadow of the beautiful 1639 Gothic church. The town has a selection of charming petit hotels and quaint bed and breakfasts, along with holiday rental villas and apartments.
3. Soller
Soller is a modernist village nestled in a valley among the Serra de Tramuntana Mountains, close to the northern coast of Mallorca. The traditional town is in the heart of the valley of oranges and, in fact, the village became wealthy due to its abundant citrus groves.
This beautiful village has much to offer both its visitors and residents alike, with its charming, stone-built houses, winding cobbled streets and pretty squares.
Soller also offers a number of excellent restaurants, including the Cason Blau at Gran Hotel Soller, or Casa Alvaro in a narrow street off the main square, Plaza de la Constitucion.
Meanwhile, the Plaza de la Constitucion is the main square of the town and is lined by cafes and bars, standing in the shade of the Sant Bartomeu church. Among the iconic sights of Soller is the tram, which links the town to the port and heads its way regularly through the square, pictured below..
Among the restored Art Nouveau architecture, fine art can be seen at Can Prunera. Meanwhile, those seeking the fresh air can enjoy the Jardin Botanic, a botanic garden featuring many of the island's plant varieties. Visitors can choose from a number of excellent hotels, as well as traditional and charming bed and breakfasts
Enjoy your next visit to Mallorca by exploring these, and many other charming villages on the island. |
