Once the winter season, Mallorca offers you the most beautiful paths and routes for walking and hiking in the Serra de Tramuntana mountain and in the Serra de Llevant mountains. Both mountain ranges have more than five summits over 1,000 meters high. Below you can find some of our suggestions for winter hiking in Mallorca.
Puig de Maria
The route to the Puig de Maria offers you amazing panoramic views. The route is just over 2km from Pollença. After around a 45-minute walk you can reach the Hostel ‘Santuari de la Mare de Déu del Puig’ where you can get some lunch and a drink or you can spend all night in the hostel.
The Archduke’s Trail
The Archduke’s Trail starts from Valldemossa and it’s called the Archduke trail because the Archduke Luis Salvador built the paths reaching nearly 1000m high in the mountains. The total route is up to 17km and it is a great challenge for hikers who want to be surrounded by overwhelming mountainous back drops.
Dry Stone Walk – GR 221 (Ruta de Pedra en Sec)
Dry Stone Walk GR 221 is a long distance hiking route of 135km which splits into eight stages through the Serra de Tramuntana mountains. Some parts are accessible without a guide, however, areas such as the Esporles to Valldemossa and Valldemossa to Deià stages are better done with someone who knows the path. The route runs from Port D’Andratx in the southwest to Pollensa in the northwest, through the Tramuntana mountain range (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). On the route there are various points where hikers can re-fuel and spend the night.
Alaró Castle
The ruins of the castle of Alaró sit on the top of the mountain (Puig d’Alaró), surrounded by steep cliffs. You can reach Alaró Castle in two hours with a medium level hike from the town of Alaró. On your way to the castle, you can see Mallorca towards Palma and the sea, and when you reach the top, you will meet the incredible views over the Serra de Tramuntana mountains.
We at Mallorcaresidencia strive for a personal and close relationship with our customers. Therefore, we would like to introduce our devoted sales agents to you. Our first agent out is Josephine Cederqvist, with her contagious and constantly happy mood.
Why do you like Mallorca?
I like Mallorca because it is beautiful, small, safe, sunny and that the lifestyle is wonderfully relaxed. I grew up in the Gryt archipelago in Sweden and really appreciate being able to live near the sea.
Where do you live in Mallorca?
I live between Deia and Soller and also have an apartment in Palma. The best of both worlds!
What do you do in your spare time?
I like to play padle, hang out with my partner and my children and hike in the mountains. I also like to travel.
Which is your favourite restaurant on the island?
Adrian Quetglas at Paseo Mallorca in Palma.
Which are the two best villages in Mallorca?
Deia and Port de Soller.
If I could invite anyone to lunch it would be …my grandmother who was absolutely wonderful and who passed away ten years ago.
My favourite place on the island is….. the coastal route between Deia and Soller. Amazingly beautiful scenery and crystal clear water. A must is to hike from Soller to Deia along the water. Unbeatable!
Which is the best Spanish word?
Mañanawhich means tomorrow. It symbolises the lifestyle here. It’s all right to postpone things for the next day. The word mañana can also be the worst Spanish word, because you have to be patient and accept that things can take some time. However, the positive outweighs the negative and you rarely see stressed and burned out Spaniards on the island.
The biggest challenge of living in Mallorca….is that I am far away from my big family in Sweden. I miss them every day!
Last purchase?
A lot of Christmas presents for my kids!
Life motto/Quote:
Laugh and be happy and don’t take life so seriously. We have only one!
The theme of sustainability and the environment is very close to our heart at Mallorcaresidencia. Especially the topic of water and the possibility of eliminating the use of single us of plastic bottles through sustainable methods is something that we consider important.
The Swedish-Mallorcan company DEIAX-AQUOS® specializes in water purification, treatment, sterilization and dispensing solutions. Their mission is to provide the most secure, sustainable and technological water purification – treatment solutions in the Balearic Islands. Their service includes analysis of water, advice, installation and preventive maintenance programs.
Their purifiers are from Bluewater and have a patented Swedish technology of the latest generation which, is known as SuperiorOsmosis™. The benefits of this technology is not only economical but also removes bad taste, dangerous particles, nitrates, heavy metals, chlorine, fluorine, micro-plastics, bacteria and viruses. In this way, the use of single use plastic bottles is eliminated. Their products can reduce water consumption up to 280% compared to traditional reverse osmosis technology.
If you are interested in using their service at home, in the office or on your boat, the water will first be analysed by their certified staff and then proceed according with the water’s characteristics and recommend the type of water purifier, softener, sterilizers and water dispenser that best suits your needs.
Their store and showroom is located in Portals Nous where you can taste the water. They also have technical service available 365 days a year. The staff speak several languages and have more than 20 years of experience in the field. DEIAX- AQUOS® strives to provide the best possible service and products and still respect our ecosystems.
Rapha Mallorca is located in the heart of the charming old town of Palma. It offers a wide selection of Rapha products and serves fine food and drink. Visitors to Rapha Mallorca can expect a packed agenda of rides, special events, and live race coverage. Organised group rides roll out from Rapha Clubhouses every week. Whether you’re a local rider or just passing through, enjoy a social spin with us.
Café du Cycliste is located in Palma’s Plaça del Rosary. In the shop&cafe you can find full collection for both men and women, encompassing performance road apparel, outdoor pieces and a wide range of accessories. They also serve coffee in a nice environment. They also organise regular rides from the store, for locals and visitors alike.
Cycling Planet is located in Alaro. It is opened since 2012 and has been designed as a bike shop for cycling enthusiasts. Its bar offers a full range of refreshments and exquisite coffee from “Cafes Bays”. In the menu you can find the best local ingredients. Using reclaimed materials from the island they have created a relaxed and cozy place with charm and warmth.
Sa Ruta Verda is located in the small scenic village of Caimari-the last stop before the mighty Tramuntanas and the legendary Coll de Sa Batalla.It has a beautiful courtyard and specialise in healthy grub and original T-shirts,vintage gear etc.. It has also unique and healthy cycling cafe in Caimari with vegan and gluten free options, artisanal juices, home made energy bars and cycling stuff.
In the narrow alleys of Palma’s Old Town you will find a large selection of shops of all kinds. Some change owners on a regular basis and others are classics that have been around for generations. We tip about the latter, traditional stores with a classic selection that never goes out of time.
On one of the narrow streets between Jaime III and San Miguel we find this toy store that has been around since 1929. Anyone looking for traditional toys has plenty to choose from here. Dolls, trains, cars, puzzles, and games are sold here, among other things, but nothing electronic. The store owners Neus and Concepció adhere to their parents’ strict rules that no electronic toy will ever be sold here.
La Pajarita was founded in 1872 and was the first store in Mallorca to sell coffee and Moet Chandon. The shop, which is really worth a visit solely to admire the decoration, sells delicious chocolate, turrón, champagne and cold cuts.
The store, founded in 1955, adheres to its traditional style and has become something of a symbol in Palma. Here you can buy traditional products of natural fibers, baskets, bags, carpets, furniture, hats and much more. The store is filled from the floor to the ceiling with products that are all made in Mallorca or Andalucia.
The Colmado Santo Domingo store is considered to be one of the most traditional stores in the Old Town. Here you can buy typical products from Mallorca, ranging from tomatoes to sobrasada and other gourmet products from Mallorca.
Swedish artist Joakim Eneroth shows his project which goes under the title Whispering Void from September 20 to March 1 next year at CCA Andratx. This is a unique opportunity to experience the work of the internationally established artist in the first person. Eneroth has his works exhibited at the Tate Modern in London, the Brooklyn Museum of Art in New York, MEP in Paris, and Moderna Museet in Stockholm.
In Whispering Void, Eneroth explores layers and patterns in the human mind in three series of works. The first part analyzes the theme from an oriental philosophical point of view, the second part explores the same subject from a Western psychological perspective in combination with a contemporary neuroscientific strategy. The third and final part examines the differences between these two points of view.
This inner exploration has led Eneroth to develop new techniques such as floating sculptures and three-dimensional hologram photographs that all show movements and changes of the transparent mind.
El Molinar is a former agricultural and fishing village by the Mediterranean which is now an area filled with local restaurants, small cafes, sandy beaches and a charming harbour. If you want to eat out but not be in the centre of Palma, but at the same time not drive too far, or maybe even walk, then we can really recommend you to go to El Molinar with its large selection of restaurants. Some of the restaurants we can recommend in the area are Mola Molinar, Restaurante Club Maritimo Molinar and Ola del Mar.
Mola Molinar is a newly opened restaurant with an exquisite menu. This cosy restaurant lays on the shore line with spectacular views of the horizon. It serves healthy meals with special spices and vegetables which inspire your senses.
Restaurante Club Maritimo Molinar is a place to go to if you want to get a real traditional Mallorquin meal, such as a paella with local fish. Here you get the taste of traditional food in a beautiful harbour setting.
Ola del Mar is a restaurant which has a Mediterranean menu, with different types of local fish. This is the place to go if you are craving good fish.
The area has managed to retain some of its historic ports and windmills which contribute to its charm and beauty. It is very popular with tourists as well as locals who appreciate the nice atmosphere and the small sandy beaches. The 16 km long and fine boardwalk is perfect for outdoor activities such as cycling, skateboarding, inline skating, running or just nice walks. El Molinar has good public transport connections, strict traffic controls and building restrictions. The proximity to Palma centre, the beach and the airport make it a great location and an ideal place to stay. El Molinar is a much sought after area to live in and is just getting more and more popular.
Think and make a list of what you need out of a
property. Research locations and contact a recommended real estate agency. Try
to find a good recommended agency that listens to what you want and not just
what they want to sell to you and book viewings. Once you have found the
property you would like to buy you must take into account the following:
NIE
1.
Get a NIE number – As a foreigner you need to obtain a NIE number (número
de identificación de extranjeros) required for the payment of taxes in Spain. Your
deed (“escritura”) will not be granted without a NIE number.
2. Open a bank account – Why do you need to open a bank account in Spain? If you purchase a Spanish property, sooner or later, it will be necessary. It will help you to pay and settle payments for utilities, local taxes, expenses, etc. To open a non-resident account, you will need the following:
• A valid, unexpired passport or national identity card if you’re an EU citizen. .
• Foreigner identification number and certificate (número de identificación de extranjeros NIE)
• A document that proves your address in Spain, such as a utility bill that is less than three months old, or a recent bank statement from another Spanish bank.
• Proof of employment status or place where the funds have originated (employment agreement, income tax certificates, or a letter confirming your unemployment status, receiving state benefits, etc.).
We at Mallorcaresidencia can help you find a suitable bank for your specific needs.
3. Contact a lawyer – It is highly advisable to engage the services of a lawyer when purchasing a property in Spain. She/he will carry out the following legal checks for you:
Land Registry – To verify that the property you want to purchase is correctly registered, under the vendor’s name, free of any charges, limitations and encumbrances.
Town Hall (City-Hall) – To verify if there is any penalty proceeding (“infracción”) against the property and if it complies with building and urban regulations in the area where it is located. Check with the Town Hall that the payments for Council Tax the local rates (“IBI – Impuesto de Bienes Inmuebles Naturaleza Urbana”) and the rate for the refuse collection (“basuras”) are updated.
Cadastre – Verify that the property has been properly registered in the Cadastre (“Catastro”).
Community of owners – If the property is part of a community you will need to check with the administrator or the president of the community for any outstanding debts or extra charges (“derramas”) and it is also convenient to check if there are any other problems in the community. Once the deed has been signed at the notary, the community of owners should be contacted and informed about the change in ownerships.aktas och informeras om förändringen av ägarskap.
Utilities companies (Water, electricity etc.) – Check that there are definitive contracts and no outstanding debts or any other circumstances that will compromise water or electricity supplies after the purchase. Once the deed has been signed your lawyer can help you to make the changes with the different utility companies such as change of names in the contracts, bank details etc.
We at Mallorcaresidencia can recommend Montis Abogados in Palma.
Other legal checks
you might want to consider:
Architect’s report and valuation – If you want to know the approximate market you could ask a surveyor to render a valuation or an architect’s report if you want to know more about the structural situation of then property.
Make a Spanish will – There never seems to be a right time to make a will but making a Spanish will at the same time as you purchase your property will save money and ensure your assets in Spain are inherited according to your wishes. The procedure at the notary is both simple and cheap. Different countries have different laws that determine who you can and cannot leave your assets to. It is best to write a new will if you do not want the Spanish law to be applied, but prefer your home country’s laws, but according to EU law, this intention must be declared in a Spanish will.
Non-Resident Tax Return – As a property owner in Spain you are obliged to submit a Non-Resident Tax Return
4. Make an appointment with
a notary – This is something that your lawyer will arrange for you. Once the
public purchase deed (“Escritura pública de compraventa”) has been granted by
the notary you can pronounce yourself a property owner in Spain! Now is the
time to sit back and enjoy! – Congratulations you’ve made it! Time to relax and
enjoy a refreshing drink,
beer or sangria!
Water in Mallorca is very different from water sources in other countries. So how do you go about getting safe drinking water without contributing to the plastic problem?
Plastic bottled water is
what most newcomers to Mallorca turn to as it is a quick option to obtain safe
drinking water. The truth is most of the bottled water bought in supermarkets
are not taken from the pristine, natural surrounding as advertised on their
bottles. In fact, the majority of the water in plastic bottles comes from
filtered tap water. In addition, bottled
water on average is 600 times more expensive than tap water. And obviously,
there is also the impact of the plastic on the environment. These single-use
water bottles take large amounts of energy to produce and toxic chemicals are
used when manufacturing them. These contribute to the greenhouse gases and
other hazardous gases which are harmful to all of us. Therefore, looking for
alternative sources is necessary for both financial and environmental reasons.
So is it safe to drink the tap water in Mallorca? Emaya, the water company which supplies water in Palma, state that the tap water in Palma is safe and drinkable. On their web page, Emaya provides information about how they keep, disinfect and clean the water. They do this by filtering the water and using disinfectants such as chlorine. This does mean that the water can have a slight taste and smell of chlorine but it is still totally safe to consume.
But this only holds true for some of the municipalities in Mallorca. Manacor
and Costixt are examples of places where the water is not safe to either drink
nor cook with. In these places, it is necessary to take measures to enable to
get a cheaper method of obtaining safe water than buying plastic water bottles.
If you are uncertain of or want to check how safe the tap water is in
your home, you can test it. You can go to your local pharmacy and they will
provide you with a bottle which you will need to fill with your tap water and
then bring to them. The pharmacy will analyse the water for you and identify
how safe it is for around 50€. This process will take about a week.
Alternatives to avoid using single-use plastics: A big problem people come across when drinking tap water in Palma is the taste. A quick and easy solution is the Brita jar. Brita is a company that produces filter jars that remove the taste of the chlorine in the tap water and make it taste better. The filters come in cartridges which have to be changed every month. These can easily be bought in Müller for 40€ per 6 cartridges. These cartridges can be placed in jugs which can also be bought in Müller. Brita cartridges change the waters taste directly so it is a quick and efficient method.
Agua 3 Glops
If the tap water is undrinkable a solution would be to use returnable and refillable water bottles. In Mallorca, Agua 3 Glops provides this service and it even delivers these bottles to your home. This option allows less plastic to be used, your water tastes pure and relatively cheap; 7.35€ for a bottle of 18.9 litres. With this, you can opt to get the machine dispenser for free and pay 20€ for the maintenance and service of the bottles. In addition, Agua 3 Glops is a corporate social initiative company
The other most common solution is filtering the water. Installing water filtering systems in your
house purifies the water and gives an excellent taste. We can recommend the
following companies:
Aguakmzero uses an innovative filtering system that allows you to enjoy pure and filtered water straight from your tap. They have a wide selection of personalized systems starting from as low as 30 Euro/month. The contact person for this company in Mallorca is: Matthieu Morvant, Email: matthieu@puigmon.com, Tel. +(34) 650 522 298.
Aguaris is another
company which provides a machine to filter your tap water to make it drinkable
and safe. This technology consists of a combination of 3 filters which remove
the calcium and any other impurities to convert the tap water into tasteful,
safe drinking water. The installation can easily be done by yourself as no
cutting of pipes is involved. This option also allows you to quickly access an
unlimited amount of safe drinking and cooking water. Aguaris provides 600,000 litres
for 1741.19€. This includes a
10-year guarantee.
What about sparkling water?
Another problem that a lot of people face is how to go about plastic bottled sparkling water. It is a normal thing that most people do without realizing the impact on the environment. The solution is SodaStream which is a small machine that can turn normal drinking water into sparkling water by a press of a button. This machine is easily found in stores just like Müller or Planeta Huerto and is very basic to use. The price ranges from 50€ to 180€ depending on what brand you decide to purchase from.
Below you will find a brief summary of taxes that you as a non-resident will be obliged to pay to the Spanish authorities as a consequence of owning property in Spain. Some of the taxes are involved in the purchase of a property and others in the sale of the property.
Taxes when purchasing
a property:
1. Transfer tax – “Impuesto sobre Transmisiones
Patrimoniales” (ITP)
This is payable in situations where there is no VAT e.g when it is a resale property or a purchase of a second-hand property. The tax is due upon signing the contract of sale. As a general rule, transfer tax is 7% of the purchase price. However, many regions apply their own rate of tax.
2. Stämpelskatt (”Impuesto sobre transmisiones”)
This is a tax that you will have to pay when
purchasing a newly built property, together with VAT (called IVA in Spanish). A newly built is a property that is being sold for the
first time. You’d normally buy this kind of property from a developer or a
bank. Stamp duty is normally 1% of the purchase price. However, it may vary in
different regions.
Council tax – IBI
3. Council tax – the so called IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) and basuras.
If you own a property in Spain and are
living in it on 1 January in any given year, you will be liable to pay this
annual local property tax. The amount is the rental value multiplied by a tax
rate set by the local authorities. The valor catastral is determined
according to the size, condition, location, title, lease details, cost of
improvements and construction cost of the property. The cadastral value
is usually much lower than the market value of the property.
There is
also basuras(“recogida
residuos sólidos urbanos y alcantarillado”), a rubbish and main
drainage collection tax. Usually due once a year and is calculated by the local
authorities as well.
Income and Wealth tax
4. Income and Wealth tax4
a) Income tax( IRNR “Impuesto sobre la Renta de No Residentes” ) – Individuals who own a Spanish property and have no rental income are required to submit an annual tax return, Form 210, and pay income tax based on the rateable value (“valor catastral”) of the property. When the property is rented out, a quarterly return and tax payment must be submitted, also using Form 210.If you are a citizen of an EU country, Norway or Iceland all expenditure relating to the rental of the property are deductible for tax purposes. If you are a citizen of a non-EU country, then the full amount of income that you receive is taxable with no allowances. The current tax rate for non-residents is 19% for residents of the EU/EEA and 24% for others.
b) Wealth tax(“Patrimonio”) – Although wealth tax was abolished in Spain in 2009, it has since been reintroduced. Wealth tax in Spain is payable on the value of your assets on the 31 December each year. This is a tax on all of your assets and includes your property. If your wealth is more than €700,000 you will be liable for wealth tax of 0.2–2.5% on net assets, although variations exist within regions. It is an individual deduction.b
Plusvalía
Taxes when selling a property:
1. Plusvalía
The “plusvalía” is a local (municipal) tax charged by the town hall on properties when they are sold, whether it is a new build or a resale. It is calculated on the rateable value of property and the number of years that have passed since the property last changed hands. The objective is to tax the increase in the value of the land on which the property stands. The base for this tax is the “valor catastral”. The amount due in tax will depend on how long the seller has owned the property: the longer the period, the higher the amount of tax. By law, it should be paid by the vendor but is negotiable. If you (the vendor), are not resident in Spain (whatever your nationality), the buyer may insist on withholding funds to pay the plusvalía on your behalf, as the new owner would become liable for the plusvalía in the event of non-payment (i.e. if a non- resident does a runner without paying).
2. Capital Gains Tax (CGT) or “Ganancias y Pérdidas Patrimoniales”
Capital gains tax, paid on profits from selling property or other investments, is charged at a rate of 19% for non-residents. The Spanish Tax Authority withholds 3% from the sale of your property. This is taken directly from the purchaser so that you only receive 97% of the amount the property was sold for. The 3% is a safeguard so that non-residents do not ‘disappear’ before they have settled their CGT account. If more CGT is needed than is covered by the 3% then you will need to provide the extra, if not you will receive a refund. In order to collect any refund, you need to complete a form 210H. This should be submitted within three months of the sale along with the last four years of non-resident income tax. From the date that it is presented you should allow around a year to receive the refund.
3. Income &
wealth tax
Bear in
mind, that
should you sell a property during 2019 you will need to submit your tax return
for the 2019 calendar year by 30 June 2020. See more information above under Point 4.
Mirlinda Jonuzi
Team Assistant@ Mallorcaresidencia
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