Majorca (Mallorca) is the largest of the Balearic Islands and one of the most visited islands in the Mediterranean. With almost a million inhabitants, half of them in Palma, it has very varied landscapes: the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range in the north-west, the farming plains of the centre, the Pla, with windmills and almond trees, and dozens of coves and beaches along its coasts.
Areas of the island
- Palma, the capital, with its Gothic cathedral by the sea, the Llotja, the Almudaina Palace and Bellver Castle.
- The Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO cultural landscape, with the villages of Valldemossa, where Chopin and George Sand stayed, Deià, home of the poet Robert Graves, Sóller with its vintage train, Fornalutx, the scenic road down to Sa Calobra and Cap de Formentor.
- The north, with Pollença and Alcúdia, their bays and Roman and medieval towns.
- The east coast, with the Drach and Artà caves, Cala d'Or and the south-east coves.
- The south, with Es Trenc beach, the Cap de Ses Salines lighthouse and Mondragó park.
- The interior, with villages such as Felanitx, Petra, Sineu and its market, Inca and Lloseta.
- The south-west coast, with Andratx, Port d'Andratx, Magaluf and Llucmajor.
What to do
See the beaches, nature and Tramuntana hikes, the Manacor pearls, entertainment and nightlife. Majorca is great for cycling, much loved by professionals for spring training, trekking on the GR 221, diving and sailing.
Food
Majorcan cooking offers ensaïmada, the spiral pastry of laminated yeasted dough, sobrassada, pa amb oli with ramellet tomatoes, vegetable tumbet, frit mallorquí, trempó and wines from the Binissalem and Pla i Llevant appellations (see Spanish cuisine).
When to go and getting around
Palma airport is one of Spain's busiest, with direct flights from all over Europe; ferries run from Barcelona, Valencia and Dénia. Spring and autumn are perfect for hiking and cycling, summer for the sea, when the island is very crowded. Hiring a car is best; TIB buses link the main villages and trains run to Inca, Sa Pobla and Manacor. See also Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.