Mallorca,experience the Mediterranean

Parc de la Mar. Palma

Mallorca,experience theMediterranean

4 Mallorca, many islands in one

6 Long stretches of sand, coves, secluded beaches

11 Sailing landscapes

14 Art, concerts, monuments of the past

18 Protected nature

22 A meeting pointfor business

24 Golf, a different kind of tourism

26 Geographical map of Mallorca and tourist information

If travelling means discovering, acquiring newknowledge, what could be better than a regioncapable of offering you numerous possibilities.A place where you can switch frommountain landscapes to enormous beaches,from tourist resorts to absolute solitude,from shops and bars to the remote silence ofa prehistoric monument in a very shortspace of time. Often travelling does notmean going very far in terms of kilometres,but living out different experiences. Distanceis not always geography.

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Bay of Palma

Mallorca,many islands in one

calm

The great advantage of Mallorca lies in howeasy it is to reach it and travel around it.Strategically set in the heart of the WesternMediterranean, it is barely two hours awayfrom the main European airports. Maritimeconnections communicate it with the nearestports of the Spanish mainland.

And a complete network of infrastructures,roads and means of transport enable one tomove easily from one point to anotherwithin the island’s 3,640 square kilometres.Mallorca is an extensive island not only insize, but also in variety of landscapes. In theSerra de Tramuntana mountains we can findwoods, water cascading over rocks, cliffsand gullies.

By contrast, the south or ‘Migjorn’ ischaracterised by the long stretches of sand,the rocky plains, the omnipresent line of thesea. Two opposing landscapes you can enjoyin a single day.

And anyone who speaks of landscape mayalso do so of culture, leisure and sportingactivities – of sensations. Mallorca holds allthis and much more. It is inexhaustible forthe traveller.

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Mallorca, with over 550 kilometres ofcoastline, contains a huge variety of beaches.Everyone has heard of the more tourist-oriented ones - Platja de Palma, s'Arenal(Llucmajor), Palmanova, Magaluf (both inCalvià), the large belt of sand that joinsAlcúdia to the Muro area... One could saythey are the prototype of the Mediterraneanbeach. Broad beaches, with warm, brightsands, clean water, complemented by a lineof hotels, services, bars and restaurants.

The “Mallorcan-style beach” is a classicalbeach, consolidated, well-kept, highlyaccessible. Large enough to make everyonefeel comfortable.A place for relaxation, for letting one’s hairdown, for enjoying a chilled drink on thesea shore.

Some visitors prefer the beaches that are stillin a natural state. They can be found all overthe south of the island, for example thebeaches of Ses Covetes or Es Trenc. Here thedune system is still intact, the water acquiresshimmering hues because of the presence ofsand on the seabed. One feels one is returningto nature. Enjoying all the senses. Othersimilar, but smaller beaches can be found

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Longstretches ofsand, coves,

secludedbeaches

Cala Deià

blues

around the Colònia de Sant Jordi or Cap deSes Salines area, as in the case of the beach ofEs Caragol.

We can also find enclosed coves, formed bythe torrents that flow out into the sea. Someof them look like authentic film sets, like Calade Deià, encircled and reminiscent of amythological landscape. In the Mondragóarea (Santanyí), there are numerous medium-sized coves, with sand, rocks and pine trees.All of them are extremely picturesque. Thedunes lend Cala Mesquida (Capdepera),which faces north, a peculiar beauty.With trees and bushes twisted by thewinter winds.

The landscape of the east of Mallorca has awhole chain of little beaches, frequented byfew, where rocks and sand combine indelightful settings. Some of them areauthentic jewels, perfect landscapes. Like theexquisite Cala de S'Almunia, with a line ofhouses and a boathouse on the seafront, andvery close to the spectacular Caló des Moro.

Those seeking even more rugged, solitarybeaches can choose from amongst those thatlie in unsuspected nooks and crannies,beaches you have to walk to. Like the beachof Es Canyaret, in Llucalcari.

Brilliant beaches like jewels,perfect sceneries

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Cala Sa Nau

On this Tramuntana coastline we can enjoysmall, secluded, quiet beaches. This is thecase of Port des Canonge (Banyalbufar) forexample, where only a few boathouses flankthe dark, deep water which is always cool.

Areas such as the Llevant natural parkcontain other truly unspoilt spots, such as thebeach of Aubarca, with the defence tower inthe background, as though this was still the16th century. Or the remote Cala Figuera andCala Murta, on the Formentor peninsula.Surrounded by high crags, with crystalclear waters.

Bathing on the beaches of Mallorca is a kindof medicine for healing the spirit. It awakensmemories of paintings, of films. It moves andrelaxes you at the same time. It offers a rangeof possibilities as extensive as itsgeographical variety.

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Banyalbufar

landscape

Port d’es CanongeFormentor

Cala Pi

nautical

Mallorca’s sea offers many possibilities forenjoyment. The island has over 50 ports andmarinas, with more than 20,000 berths. Andthis means there is a range of other servicessuch as sailing schools, diving courses andboat hire.

The existence of a powerful nautical sectormakes Mallorca one of the most importantcentres in the Mediterranean in terms ofwinter storage, care and maintenance ofvessels. A reference point for all sailors.

In this regard Mallorca offers an infinity ofpossibilities for sailing, Thanks to the benignweather conditions, one can sail herepractically every day of the year.

Proof of this lies in the important internationalregattas and sailing events held in Mallorca,some of which are quite spectacular.The Princesa Sofía Trophy, the AlmiranteConde de Barcelona Trophy, the Copa del Rey,the Superyacht Cup and the Hublot Palmavelaare the most famous.

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Sailinglandscapes

There are other ways of enjoying the coast.For example canoeing, diving andwindsurfing, for which there are some perfectspots due to the wind and wave conditions,such as the beach of Son Serra de Marina(Santa Margalida) or the bay of Pollença.

Mallorca has a polygonal shape, but itscoast is by no means homogenous. If wetravel along the coastline from Cap de SesSalines the first thing we see is the nationalmaritime-terrestrial park of Cabrera.A protected archipelago, a unique nauticalexperience.

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Ses Salines lighthouse

An emblematiclandscape for sailors

Mediterranean

The north coast is rugged and mountainous.Its only harbour is Port de Sóller, which hasanother yacht club in its waters. Thenortheast can boast the splendid bays ofPollença and Alcúdia, open areas, frequentedby the vessels heading to the neighbouringisland of Menorca. Between the two theyhave a total of five marinas.

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The nautical centre of the south coast is inColònia de Sant Jordi, whereas the bay ofPalma has 12 yacht clubs, many with a longtradition behind them. Towards the west, thecoast of Calvià and Andratx are very pleasantfor sailing, with another six nautical centres.At the westernmost tip of the island, the isletof Sa Dragonera constitutes anotheremblematic paradise for sailors.

Palma, the capital of Mallorca, is a veryMediterranean city. It has that fascinatingcontrast between the legacy of the past and themost advanced aspects of the modern world.

Palma is an artistic city in all its aspects. Onthe one hand, it has always been a source ofinspiration to painters, and on the other it isfull of art galleries, museums and exhibitions.

The city has nooks and crannies that look likethey have emerged from a landscape artist’sbrushes. Its imposing cathedral overlookingthe bay, the huge houses of the nobility withtheir spectacular patios, the convents, thechurches, the labyrinthine streets chequeredwith shadows.

The ‘Seo’, or Cathedral of Mallorca is themost important monument of Balearicheritage. Externally, it stands out for itsprominent verticality – the bell tower, thebuttresses, the flying buttresses, the Gothicwindows. But on entering one feels one isinside an immense space, criss-crossed by thelights from the sky. It is one of the greatexamples of Mediterranean Gothic, whereeach generation has left the very best of itself.The last contributions were the alterationsmade by Antoni Gaudí, in the early 20thcentury, and the spectacular chapel of SantPere with the intervention by the Mallorcanartist Miquel Barceló, which has become oneof the biggest attractions.

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Art, concerts,monuments

of the past

Saint Sebastian Day, Palma Bellver Castle Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró. Palma

culture

Bellver castle, overlooking the whole bay ofPalma, is another extremely emblematicGothic construction. Its circular cloister,elegant and almost palatial, serves as thesetting for concerts and cultural events.La Lonja, too, in exquisite late Gothic style,is currently a venue for important eventsand exhibitions.

The old town offers one the chance toexperience traditional Palma. With hotchocolate shops families visit everyafternoon, silent churches, a walk on the citywall, benches like the one in Plaza de Cortwhere the ‘Ayuntamiento’ (city hall) is, wherepensioners and the contemplative sit andwatch time go by.

The pace of the old town has hardly beendisrupted by tourism.

At the other extreme is cosmopolitan,modern Palma. With broad avenues, manyshops and bars; an active, international,colourful city. With the tastes and services ofany European capital.

Palma has a wide range of cultural itineraries.These walks, led by a cultural guide, offer onea direct experience of the past. Visiting thestreets of the old town at night, listening tothe legends, or discovering Modernist Palma,or the Jewish legacy, seeing the mostremarkable monuments of the city – thisformula is becoming increasingly popular.

Ethnography is another extremely importantasset. Mallorca was always an eminentlyagrarian island. Two places, La Granja inEsporles and Es Calderers in Sant Joan,reconstruct life in a "possessió", a rural estate.This rural system hardly changed at all fromthe 15th century to the early 20th century.

The Ethnographic Museum of Muro alsoretains that memory of those times. Thewealth of popular culture is very extensiveindeed. It speaks to us of a hard, self-sacrificing life, but at the same time a life fullof strength and solid values. This traditionalworld lives on in the agricultural fairs andmarkets, like the one held every Wednesdayin Sineu.

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Chapel of Sant Pere. Mallorca Cathedral

One legacy of that world is the rich Mallorcanfolklore. The tradition of the popular danceslike "ball de bot" is very much alive. In thebig festivals, such as Sant Antoni in January,the ancestral rituals of the "foguerons"(bonfires) combine with the music of the"xeremiers" (pipers), the "gloses" or rhymingimprovisations, and traditional songs.

Gastronomy is another strong point. Oneadvantage of Mallorca is that it has anextremely wide range to offer. In thetraditional terrain, products like the‘ensaimada’ or ‘sobrasada’ have beenpreserved, along with the olive oil andalmonds, famous the world over. And alsosimple, delicious cuisine, based on dishes

such as "sopes" (made using meat, vegetablesand bread) or "frit" (meat with vegetables).And social events, gatherings or card gameswould be inconceivable without the typical"herbes", a very characteristic herb liqueur.

But Mallorca also offers a totally cosmopolitanrange of cuisine from all over the world,enabling one to visit many countries andstyles without leaving the island.

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“Ball de Bot” traditional dancing Fiestas of Sant AntoniEnsaimada

gastronomy

Mallorca is the setting for many culturalevents. From opera in the Teatre Principal toclassical music festivals held in exceptionalvenues. In this way the Carthusian Monasteryin Valldemossa hosts the Chopin Festival, thecloister of Sant Domingo is the venue for theFestival of Pollença, and the majestic Torrentde Pareis is the setting for choir concerts.Other annual events are the Historical OrganWeek, the Sa Pobla Jazz Festival or the WorldFolkdance Festival in Palma. The existence ofnumerous auditoria on the island multipliesthat range that also covers theatre, dance andpopular music.

Mallorca gives rise to a large number ofdifferent routes; the romantic travellers’route, following in the footsteps of Chopinand George Sand in Valldemossa, and that ofthe Archduke Ludwig Salvator in Deià.

The route of the chapels, centres of populardevotion, always in high places such asRanda (Algaida). The pottery route in Pòrtoland Sa Cabaneta, the route of the "cellers"which offer traditional food in Inca or Sineu,the route of the large "possessions" or ruralestates, like Raixa, Son Real or Galatzó...

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Jazz Voyeur Festival MallorcaRaixa

Mallorca gives riseto a large number of cultural routes

Flowering almond trees

Nature is Mallorca’s great asset. Ever sincetourism on the island began, travellers havebeen surprised by its landscapes. Someimages have become famous and even serveas a symbol of the island. This is true of thealmond trees, for example, when theyblossom in January and February and fill thelandscape with an ethereal, fragile whiteness.Or those twisted olive tree trunks, ancienttrees that constitute an authentic spectacle inthe Serra de Tramuntana mountain range.

The care taken over Mallorca’s naturalheritage has resulted in the island havingseveral different protected spaces, coveringup to 40% of its territory.

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Protectednature

Mallorca’s wetland

nature

The archipelago of Cabrera is a nationalmaritime-terrestrial park, comprised of 18islands in a state of total conservation, withno human intervention whatsoever.Travellers can discover its values in theinterpretation centre in Colònia de Sant Jordi,and visit the largest island on a boat trip.

The ‘Albufera de Mallorca’, situated in themunicipality of Muro, is an extensivewetland in the north of the island. It, too, hasan interpretation centre and offers differentroutes between the lagoons, which housearound two hundred species of birds. It actsas a port of call for many of them during theirlong migrations, and is an extremely pleasantplace for walking in, amidst the shimmering

waters and vegetation. In the south, borderingon Colònia de Sant Jordi, some salt marsheshave been preserved that were exploited asfar back as by Punic navigators.

Sa Dragonera is the island off the westernmosttip of Mallorca.In 1977 it was a symbol of the first ecologistactions, and today it is a natural park. Onecan visit the islet on the boats that leave fromSant Elm.

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Sa Dragonera

Another natural treasure of Mallorca is theSerra de Tramuntana, nominated fordeclaration as World Heritage by UNESCO.

This mountain range, with the peak of PuigMajor which reaches an altitude of 1,445metres, contains a diverse wealth oflandscapes, ranging from stony ground,mountain tops, gullies inhabited by theendemic “ferreret”, or Mallorcan Midwifetoad species, to cliffs towering above the sea,caves, the reservoirs of Cúber and Gorg Blau,and the dense holm-oak woods of Lluc. Thisprotected area conserves a significantproportion of the island’s endemic species.

Mallorca is also the island of caves.The ground composition has favoured theformation of these immense caverns, boredout by the course of the water. Classic visitsare those to the caves of Artà, the Drac Cavesand the Hams Caves in Porto Cristo, or thoseof Campanet.

Another singular phenomenon related towater is found in the so-called Fonts Ufanes,when water gushes up from the ground in themiddle of a wood located on the Gabellíestate (Campanet).

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Cycling TourismFonts Ufanes

A large number of the protected areasconserve the island's endemic species

hiking

These natural attractions are combined with thepossibility of taking part in numerous activities.

There are GRs or long-distance trails throughthe Serra de Tramuntana, Nordic Walkingcircuits, bicycle tourism routes, excursions onhorseback, balloon flights and a network ofmountain refuges.

We can't forget to mention all the touringcycling events, such as the BalearicInternational Clycling Week, the Challenge,Majorca Road Race Cup, Ciudad de PalmaTrophy, and the Volta Cicloturistainternacional a Mallorca.

Enjoying this extremely varied nature is one ofthe biggest incentives for visiting Mallorca.

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BiniaraixDry-stone path Llucalcari

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One of the advantages of being a centre oftourism, with good infrastructures, anextensive network of hotels and places it isalways pleasant to visit, is that of serving asa meeting point. Over recent years, thehosting of meetings, incentive trips andcompany gatherings has increased onMallorca. At present, work is underway on alarge Congress Centre in Palma, locatedfacing the bay. It will be an emblematicbuilding of its kind, added to which we havethe by-now classical places such as theAuditorium or the conference rooms of theSpanish Village, amongst others. Palma is aestablished venue for this kind of event.

A meeting pointfor companies

Conventions and Spa Wellness

meetings

But the range of possibilities is not restrictedto the capital. In recent years, most of thelarger municipalities have constructedtheatres and auditoria, such as those of SaMàniga in Cala Millor, the AlcúdiaAuditorium or the ‘Teatre d'Artà’. Thedimensions of the island mean that any ofthese towns is a short distance away, so thereis a very wide range to choose from.

The range of hotels in Mallorca has beenmodernized to adapt to the demands of thiskind of tourism and offer new services. Theinstallations destined to these events includenot only function rooms, but also spaces forwellness or complete wellbeing tourism, ingreat demand in this sector. In this way thefacility for work sessions is combined withholiday surroundings, scenic and culturalincentives, good transport and a large varietyof complementary services.The formula is quite simply perfect.

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Alcúdia Auditorium Conventions

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One of the facilities that have increased themost over the last few years are golf courses.A total of 24 are now functioning on theisland. There are few places that can offerenthusiasts of this sport such variety in sucha measured space.

And set in extremely beautiful Mediterraneansurroundings, in close contact with nature.The island is a centre for golf competitions,hosting a fair number of tournamentsthroughout the year.

Golf,a different kind of tourism

ShoppingCapdepera Golf Rural Tourism

golf

As a sporting activity, golf can also becombined with any other kind of option, suchas cultural itineraries, gastronomy, wellnesstourism or other sports. Not to forget theexistence of a range of agro-tourismestablishments which are complemented bythis kind of tourism in many cases.

All this has meant that this new sector hasbecome the spearhead of thedeseasonalisation of tourism during the low-season months.

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Mallorca, in all of its facets, is inexhaustible asa destination. An island that enables you, in ashort space of time, to move from mountainlandscapes to huge beaches, from touristresorts to absolute solitude, from shops andbars to the remote silence of an isolated chapel.

The island is capable of satisfying allsensitivities; from mountain hikers to sailors,from history enthusiasts to sports fans, fromleisure to art, from scenery to gastronomy, frombusiness meetings to cultural tourism, fromcrafts to theatre and dance.The distances here are not measured inkilometres, but in stimuli for happiness.

Golf Alcanada

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HOSPITAL

CASTLE

INFORMATION

MUSEUM

CHAPEL AND SANCTUARY

LIGHTHOUSE

DEFENCE TOWER

CAVES

GOLF COURSE

AIRPORT

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE

NAUTICAL ACTIVITIES

BOAT TRIP

CYCLING

TRAIN

HEALTH CENTRE

OBSERVATORY

NATURAL AREA

OIT MALLORCA (CdM)*Plaça de la Reina, 2. 07012 PalmaTel: 971 173 990 - Fax: 971 173 994

OIT AEROPORT (CdM)*Aeroport, Palma. 07000Tel: 971 789 556 - Fax: 971 789 267

OIT PORT - Moll de Paraires - (CdM)*Estació Marítima nº 2. 07012 PalmaTel: 608 173 307 ext.68044

OIT Palma*Passeig del Born, 27. 07001 PalmaTel: 902 102 365 - Fax: 902 102 365

OIT Palma Rentadors*Av. Argentina, 1. 07013 PalmaTel: 902 102 365 - Fax: 902 102 365

OIT Palma*Parc de les Estacions, 07002 PalmaTel: 902 102 365 - Fax: 902 102 365

OIT Platja de Palma*Plaça Meravelles, s/n. 07610 PalmaTel: 902 102 365

Palma Virtual*Tel: 902 102 365 - Fax: 902 102 365

OIT IlletesPasseig de Illetes, 4. 07181 CalviàTel: 971 402 739- Fax: 971 402 739

OIT Magaluf (Central)*Av. Pere Vaquer Ramis, 1. 07181 CalviàTel: 971 131 126 - Fax: 971 131 188

OIT Palmanova*Passeig de la Mar, 13. 07181 CalviàTel: 971 682 365 - Fax: 971 682 365

OIT Peguera*Ratolí, 1. 07160 CalviàTel: 971 687 083 - Fax: 971 685 468

OIT Santa PonçaPuig de Galatzó, s/n. 07180 CalviàTel: 971 691 712 - Fax: 971 694 137

OIT Andratx*Av. de la Cúria (Ajuntament). 07150 AndratxTel: 971 628 019 - Fax: 971 628 019

OIT Port d’AndratxAv. Mateo Bosch (Edifici de la Llonja).07157 AndratxTel: 971 671 300

OIT Sant ElmAv. Jaume I, 28. 07159 AndratxTel: 971 239 205

OITCamp de MarAv. de la Platja. 07160 Andratx

OIT Valldemossa*Av. de Palma, 7. 07170 ValldemossaTel: 971 612 019 - Fax: 972 612 019

OIT Port de SóllerCanonge Oliver, 10. 07108 SóllerTel: 971 633 042 - Fax: 971633 042

OIT Sóller*Pça. Espanya,15. 07100 SóllerTel: 971 638 008 - Fax: 971 638 009

OIT Cala Sant VicençPlaça Cala Sant Vicenç. 07469 PollençaTel: 971 533 264 - Fax:971 866 746

OIT Pollença*Sant Domingo, 17. 07460 PollençaTel: 971 535 077 - Fax: 971 531 154

OIT Port de Pollença*Passeig Saralegui, s/n. 07470 PollençaTel: 971 865 467 - Fax: 971 866 746

OIT Alcúdia*Major, 17. 07400 AlcúdiaTel: 971 897 113 - Fax: 971 548401

OIT Port d’Alcúdia-Ciutat BlancaCtra. Artà, 68. 07400 AlcúdiaTel:971 892 615 - Fax: 971 892 615

OIT Port d'Alcúdia-Passeig MarítimPasseig Marítim, s/n. 07400 AlcúdiaTel: 971 547 257 - Fax: 971 547 257

OIT Platja de Muro*Av. S'Albufera, 33. 07440 MuroTel: 971 891 013 - Fax: 971 894 000

OIT Can PicafortPlaça Gabriel Roca, 6. 07458 Santa MargalidaTel: 971 850 310 - Fax: 971 851 836

OIT Artà*Costa i Llobera, 7. 07570 ArtàTel: 971 836 981 - Fax: 971 836 981

OIT Capdepera*Es Pla d'en Cosset, 2. 07580 CapdeperaTel: 971 556 479 - Fax: 971 556 479

OIT Cala Ratjada*Capdepera, Vía Mallorca. 36. 07590 CapdeperaTel: 971 819467 - Fax: 971 565 256

OIT Cala BonaPasseig del Moll, s/n. 07559 Son ServeraTel: 971 813 912

OIT Son Servera*Plaça Abeurador, 3. 07550 Son ServeraTel: 971 567 002 ext.1035

OIT Cala Millor*Passeig Marítim s/n. 07560 Son ServeraTel: 971 585 864 - Fax: 971 585 864

OIT Cala Millor*Badia de Llevant, 2. 07560 Sant LlorençTel: 971 585 409

OIT Sa ComaAv. Les Palmeres s/n. 07687 Sant LlorençTel: 971 810 892

OIT s'IllotLlevant, 7. 07687 Sant LlorençTel: 971 810 699

OIT Cales de MallorcaPasseig de Manacor. 07689 ManacorTel: 971 834 144 - Fax: 971 849 105

OIT Manacor*Plaça Ramón Llull s/n. 07500 ManacorTel: 971 847 241

OIT Porto Cristo*Moll, s/n. 07680 ManacorTel: 971 815 103

OIT s'IllotSipions, s/n. 07680 ManacorTel: 971 812 118

OIT Cala FerreraAv. Cala d’Or, 4. 07669 FelanitxTel: 971 659 760 - Fax: 971 659 760

OIT Portocolom*Av. Cala Marçal, 15. 07670 FelanitxTel: 971 826 084 - Fax: 971 825 762

OIT Cala d'Or*Perico Pomar, 10. 07660 SantanyíTel: 971 657 463 - Fax: 971 648 029

OIT Colònia de Sant Jordi*Gabriel Roca, s/n. 07638 Ses SalinesTel: 971 656 073 - Fax: 971 656 447

OIT s'ArenalTerral , 23. 07600 LlucmajorTel: 971 669 162 - Fax: 971 662672

* Open 365 days a year

Published by:ATB, Agència de Turisme de les Illes Balears(Balearic Tourism Agency), Conselleria de Turisme i Treball(Regional Tourism and Labour Minister), Govern de les IllesBalears (Government of the Balearic Islands)

Coordinated by:ATB publicity department

Contributors: Fundación Mallorca Turismo

Concept, design and layout: dcp3.es

Photos© Sebastià Adrover, Mateu Bennàssar, Jaume Capellà,Jordi Escandell, Giorgio Gatti, Caty Grunfeld, Eduardo Miralles,Carles Raurich, Javi Saguillo, Klaus Siepmann, Agustí Torres,ATB photo archive.

Cover photo: Platja des Francès

Texts:© Carlos Garrido

Printing:Gráficas Planisi

Legal deposit: PM - 0000 - 2010

Edition: September 2010

Printed on Creator Star paper

Help us to improve our next edititon of this brochure by sendingyour recommendations to: publi@ibatur.caib.es. Thank you.

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