Palma’s Old Town is a very desirable and sought after area to live in. Here you can find everything from top-renovated palaces with modern amenities to cozy small apartments with roof terraces overlooking Palma’s magnificent Cathedral La Seu. The central location with proximity to the lively city life attracts many, but also the proximity to the sea and Palma’s harbor and the promenade. In the Old Town there are world-class restaurants, five-star hotels and inviting courtyards reminiscent of bygone times. But here you can also find hidden gems in the form of small charming shops, bars and alleys. The Old Town of Palma is actually one of the best preserved historic centers in Europe with architectural and cultural wonders. And best of all is that it is the perfect size to explore the area on foot and allow yourself to get lost in medieval streets and alleyways. 

 

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST PROPERTIES IN PALMA´S OLD TOWN 

 

What should you not miss to visit

Here we find many of the most attractive places to visit such as the majestic Cathedral La Seu, parts of which were renovated by the Catalan architect Gaudi. Right next to the Cathedral is El Real Palacio de la Almudaina, which is one of the most visited attractions in the Old Town. La Almudaina, which is now a royal palace, is used for official meetings and events during the summer months. Its historical origins date as far back as the Talayotic era during the Iron Age and have since been used by both the Romans and Muslims who ruled the island. One can visit the lavishly furnished palace and enjoy the beautiful garden and courtyard.

Another must on the list is the Es Baluard museum where you can enjoy works by Joan Miró, Picasso, and Magritte among many others. The beautiful building is a work of art in itself and well worth a visit to see the wonderful views of the promenade and wonderful architecture.

Where to eat?

The Old Town offers everything from fine dining to cozy small restaurants. The restaurant De Tokio a Lima is located on the roof of the Boutique Hotel Can Alomar overlooking the street Paseo del Borne where many of Palma’s most exclusive shops are located. The food is a wonderful mix of Mediterranean food with a fusion of Asian. For those looking for an exclusive plant-based restaurant, we can really recommend the restaurant Botanic at the charming hotel Can Bordoy. Botanic offers a sophisticated plant-based menu that provides a sensual and seductive experience that will change your perception of healthy food.

Not far from there, on Calle Concepcion awaits the next gastronomic experience: Fera. Eating here is not the only pleasure as the venue is beautifully decorated with impressive works of art. The menu is based on head chef Simon Petutschnig’s love of Japanese flavors combined with seasonal ingredients found in Spain.

If you want to eat tapas in the Old Town, we recommend trying the classic tapas restaurant La Boveda or Ombu, which offer modern versions of tapas, both in La Lonja. Tast Club can be hard to find, but behind the doors of this hidden gem lies an elegant and intimate tapas restaurant reminiscent of an English club. Not far from there we find Toque de Queda, a champagne bar, and delicatessen shop in the heart of Palma, very close to La Rambla. It is a cozy and affordable restaurant with Italian charcuterie, tapas and pleasant service. Last but not least, we have to mention Rivareno in La Lonja where you can enjoy homemade, wonderful Italian ice cream.

Hotels in Old Town

The variety of hotels is almost endless in the area. Most of the hotels in The Old Town are boutique hotels and it can be difficult to find something more economical. The already mentioned elegant Can Bordoy is located in a historic building tastefully decorated with exclusive objects and offers 24 unique suites.

La Posada de Santa Clara offers a historic charm mixed with modern design. The exceptional location makes Santa Clara Urban Hotel & SPA a unique choice. El Llorenc Parc del Mar is a design hotel created by the Swedish designer Magnus Ehrland with a breathtaking location overlooking the sea and the Cathedral. The three-story roof terrace with infinity pool, a luxury spa and the restaurant Dins where the Mallorcan chef Santi Taura takes the reins is a guaranteed wow factor.

 

Johanna Andersson

Team Assistant @ Mallorcaresidencia

November is an ideal time for hiking in Mallorca. Mallorca offers you the most beautiful paths and routes in the Serra de Tramuntana mountain and in the Serra de Llevant mountains. Below you can find some of our suggestions for 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.

 

Sedat Senoglu

IT & Digital Marketing @ Mallorcaresidencia

Centrally located, El Camp d’en Serralta is one of the up-and-coming areas of Palma that is gaining in popularity. The location between Santa Catalina, Jaime III and Son Dameto is excellent for those looking for a property close to everything but without being in the middle of the action. Here you also have the opportunity to find an apartment  at a significantly better price than in the nearby Santa Catalina and Jaime III areas. The neighborhood, which originally consisted of workers’ housing for the textile industry during the 19th century, has evolved from consisting mostly of low-rise single-family homes to a central district with a charming mix of hip hotels, restaurants and apartments. It is just a 5-10 minute walk to the vibrant Santa Catalina and it has an abundance of restaurants and bars, as well as the Paseo Mallorca and shopping at Jaime III close by. In this blog we share our favorite spots, restaurants and cafés in the area. 

CLICK HERE FOR OUR LATEST PROPERTIES CLOSE TO EL CAMP D´EN SERRALTA 

CLICK HERE FOR OUR LATEST PROPERTIES CLOSE TO SANTA CATALINA 

 

 

HM Palma Blanc 

his four-star hotel is one of the most innovative hotels on the island and it is located in Camp d’en Serralta. The white aluminum facade and an interior of traditional Mallorcan materials lay the foundations for this sustainable hotel with a total of 118 rooms where measures have been implemented such as energy efficiency, waste management and several other environmental initiatives. Enjoy the lovely roof terrace with pool and fantastic view, a private cinema lounge or relax in the spa area.Their Kilómetro 0 restaurant offers a wide range of modern dishes prepared with locally produced and organic products. They even have an urban garden in the hotel with vegetables and herbs used in the restaurant.

 

Vinazo-Morrofino

If you love wine, you will be impressed by Vinazo-Morrofino which builds its entire concept around its excellent range of wines. The dishes are culinary works of art inspired from different parts of the world where they play with textures and contrasts between flavors of excellent quality products.

 

Sabores de Sandra 

Sabores de Sandra proves that vegan food can be tasty, exciting and delicious! Sandra, who owns the restaurant and is also the chef, has succeeded in creating a vegan oasis in a relaxed environment. Vegan versions of lasagna, risotto and Mexican food are just some of the options on the menu.

 

Made in China 

Made in China offers, as the name might suggest, authentic Chinese traditional dishes. You can choose between a tasting menu or dishes from the menu where Peking duck, Vietnamese spring rolls and dim sum are the star dishes.

 

La Consentida Restobar

LLa Consentida is your local bistro in Camp dén Serralta. Here you can have breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. During the week, they also serve an affordable lunch menu.

 

Greengo Palma 

At Greengo Palma you can enjoy a healthy breakfast, brunch or lunch. An excellent lunch menu is served during the week.

 

You can also buy fresh vegetables at Fruteria Forti, fresh fish at Pescados Miro and meat and charcuterie at Carniceria Rocha. 

 

Johanna Andersson

Team Assistant @ Mallorcaresidencia

The team at Mallorcaresidencia works out in different settings and places. Here the team talks about their workouts and the benefits of each one. There is something for everyone, whether you live in Palma, Soller or in the centre of the island. Our agent Charlotte prefers to workout in small group of only women, Sedat Senoglu, our IT-manager lives in Palma and prefers to work out there.  

 

Our Digital Product & It Manager Sedat’s tips
Finestbox

Finestbox is located on the second floor of Son Moix Shopping Centre where you have a great view of Tramuntana Mountains. If you live in the city or around, Finestbox is the right place for your training routine. It is founded by Jaime and has a great selection of Mallorcan personal trainers. Finestbox adapts to any type of person and objective, using an effective and current methodology, Finestbox offers different types of packages; If you want to have one to one sessions, package “one” would fulfill your expectations. On the other hand, you can choose package “Squad” if you want to be part of a group training or you can choose package “air” if you prefer to train outside in places such as Sa Riera Park etc.

 

Our co-founder Ahmet´s tips:
Natural Fitness Coaching – Jonas Zimnickas

Natural Fitness Studio by Jonas Zimnickas is located in Alaro. If you live in Alaro or around, The Natural Fitness Studio is the right place for your training routine. Jonas is a natural fitness coach, amputee, former athlete, husband, father of three, lover of coffee, cold water, cycling and the outdoors. Jonas has been inspired by nature and the forests of Mallorca, the foothills of the Tramuntana mountain range and transformed his studio into a welcoming and calm place. Here you can train barefoot on the grass, beneath a forest scape and surrounded by air purifying plants.

 

Our agent Frida’s tips:
Contrainer – Aurelio

Our agent Frida has been training at the golf course Golf Son Quint for the past three years. She says that it’s the first time she’s stuck to it and actually works out regularly and it started when one day she saw some sporty parents at her children’s school who told her that they work out in the green surroundings nearby Golf Son Quint golf course. Being outside in the sunlight with fun people, both local and international, and getting in a full workout at the same time is unbeatable! Aurelio who is the owner and trainer at CONTRAINER (as his “gym” is called) is from Seville and has a genuine interest in making everyone feel good and makes sure that the sessions are dynamic, motivating and fun. Frida does strength training and fitness, usually in a small group in the morning or evening, but sometimes she chooses a session with PT. On Friday morning there is also a yoga session which is perfect for stretching out the week’s tense and possibly slightly stressed muscles and welcoming the weekend with a few deep breaths in the sunshine! Sometimes you feel tired and to go and workout is the last thing on your mind, but then you’re met by a happy trainer, someone cracks a joke, the music starts and it feels natural to be there!

 

Our agent Charlotte’s tips:
Luca i Soller
Tränare: Luci

Charlotte is our agent who lives in Soller and has recently started working out at the popular Luca in Soller. She tells us about her training: “I have never been into strength training, but have always preferred outdoor sports and mainly ball sports such as tennis and padel. But last fall when I suddenly realized that when you start approaching 40, it is important to also train your muscles. It is also important to workout not to injure myself since I  play quite a lot of padel. Then I decided to start training at the very popular Luca in Soller. The waiting time to enter was 6 months as the groups are of a maximum of 3 people. The trainer’s name is Luci and the location of Luca is in newly renovated premises in Soller. Luci provides personal training only for women. For me, who felt a little uncomfortable with gyms, this is a perfect concept when you train alone, or with a maximum of two others and only women.”

 

Johanna Andersson

Team Assistant @ Mallorcaresidencia

October is the month of the beer and at Mallorcaresidencia we love beer! Oktoberfest will be celebrated in several places on the island, the biggest event is held at Son Amar where you can enjoy German gastronomy and a large selection of German beers. It starts on September 30th until October 16th. Remember to pre-book here! In Peguera, another version of Oktoberfest will be held at the clubhouse of the Tennis Academy with German food, beer and performances by German artists. The event starts on September 24th until October 16th.

The craft beer and microbrewery trend is well established in Mallorca and you can find excellent beers made here on the island as well as a wide range of craft beers from around the world. In this blog we mention our favorite places for craft beer in Mallorca.

 

ADALT Brewing

ADALT Brewing is a microbrewery which is situated in the center of Palma de Mallorca, close to the Plaza Columnas. Everything started when three homebrewer friends decided to produce craft beer with the special recipes, after many years of practicing. ADALT is a platform to introduce local artists. That is why all the labels have a unique design by a local artist, as well as unique recipes for each of their beers.

 

Toutatis

The adventure of Toutatis started years ago, when a Belgian architect ended up in Mallorca. He started to produce beer traditionally on a small scale. Toutatis has been evaluated to be the only Belgian beer brewed in Mallorca, with the philosophy to respect the environment. Toutatis brewery is situated in Sencelles and serves their beers in a newly opened beer house in Palma, close to the La Rambla.

 

Lórien

Lórien is situated in the centre of Palma, close to the shopping street Jaime III and Borne. This Alehouse/Brewpub was established in 1990 and has been the meeting point for lovers of music, craft beer and the delicious Mallorcan sandwiches “Llonguet”. Enjoy their beer menu which consists of more than 100 beers from all around the world.

 

Cerveceria Tramuntana

Cerveceria Tramuntana is situated on Calle Caro, in the Santa Catalina neighborhood. This brewpub is one of the favorites of craft beer lovers in Mallorca. They offer 16 different types of beers from the tap and in their menu they have more than 120 beers from all around the world.

 

Del Món Beer Shop Palma

Del Món Beer Shop Palma is situated beside the main train station, just on the corner of Placa Espana. They offer craft beers from all around the world. You can enjoy your beer with some food from their menu or just come by and buy your beer to enjoy somewhere else!

 

Massar Midgley Mahdi

Team Assistant @ Mallorcaresidencia

Mallorca is a popular destination for families with children, and even though the beach and the hotel pool are perhaps what are most appreciated by the children, there is so much more to experience and discover. We at Mallorcaresidencia have made a selection of our favorite activities for children and the whole family.

Dinosaurland

Dinosaurland is a newly opened dinosaur park located between Manacor and Porto Cristo. Here you can see more than 100 specimens of dinosaurs in their real size. The biggest dino of them all, the Titanosaurus impresses with its size. The park offers a short show that is guaranteed to offer a good laugh, an activity area with, among other things, an excavation with the remains of “dinosaur skeletons” that make the children feel like real paleontologists and a small cafe. You can wander freely in the area and it is just the perfect size to spend half a day. By the exit is a fantastic souvenir shop and the restaurant Dino Burger. The price for adults is €16 and €10 for children. You can combine the visit to Dinosaurland with a visit to the Hams Caves which are right next door for €22 for adults and €16 for children.

Fresopolis

Fresopolis is the place to visit for a lovely family day out! It is a warm, friendly and beautiful place! You can visit and feed the animals, pick strawberries, enjoy a pony ride and there is a play area for the children as well as a BBQ area with barbecue facilities. It’s the perfect place for a whole day with the family!

Hidropark Alcudia

Hidropark Alcudia is located in Puerto de Alcudia not far from the city center and it is the only water park in the north of Mallorca. With its 40,000 m2, it offers a wide range of water attractions for both adults and children. While the water parks around Palma can easily get overcrowded as they are easier to get to, Hidropark is somewhat quieter. We highly recommend going at the beginning or end of the season as you pretty much have the whole park to yourself, no long queues and plenty of space.

Cuevas del Drach

It feels nice to take a break and escape from Mallorca’s sun and beach life and go somewhere cool and different for a while. An activity that enriches both cognitively and visually is discovering and visiting one of Mallorca’s many caves. Cuevas del Drach is the most famous and popular cave on the island. Since 1935, a classical music concert has been offered by the lake; the concert lasts 10 minutes and consists partly of live classical music played by a music quartet. The visit and the tour takes about an hour, the length is about 1200 meters, and includes a boat trip across the lake. Here we can see and experience formations that give the impression of a Gothic interior, slender columns, graceful pointed arches and a thousand other breathtaking details. Our imagination can lead us to see spectacular forms such as angels, snakes, dragons, trees and much more.

Palma Aquarium

The Palma Aquarium offers a journey of the oceans of the world. Here you can see marine species from the Mediterranean, the Pacific and the Atlantic, and participate in exciting activities such as diving with sharks and rays. The aquarium has over 8,000 animals and 700 different species and organizes activities with an environmental focus. Participate in a wide selection of interactive experiences that combine education with fun such as “The Shark Sleepover” and much more. Experience and see how sharks swim among jellyfish above your head. Look for clown fishes and many others in the Tropical Seas area, which houses 25 aquariums. Experience a tropical rainforest in Mallorca and much more. Palma Aquarium is located only 500 meters from the beach of Playa de Palma.

Palma JUMP

Palma Jump is Palma’s trampoline park where you are guaranteed to have an adrenaline-filled and fun time. The park is open every day of the week and they also offer birthday parties for the children, which are very popular. The newly opened section “Ninja Warrior” offers an obstacle course with challenges such as climbing, balancing and free fall. Do you have what it takes?

Aqualand el Arenal

Aqualand makes any adult feel like a child again! Feel the adrenaline rush on rides like Rapids, Tsunami, King Cobra and Fórmula Race. Relax in the jacuzzi or soak up the sun while your children play in the children’s areas, such as Dragonland and Polynesia. Aqualand el Arenal is Mallorca’s largest water park. With amazing water slides, relaxing pools and rides created with children in mind, Aqualand is the perfect park for the whole family. Experience the excitement at Aqualand El Arenal, perfect for adrenaline lovers and for those who love to have fun at high speeds.

Sa Dragonera Nature Park

Sa Dragonera Natural Park or Dragon Island is beautiful and perfect for a day trip. Take the small boat from Sant Elm to the island and once there you will receive the warmest and nicest welcome from the island’s inhabitants, hundreds of lizards. There are various hiking trails, swim in the turquoise water and enjoy a picnic with a picturesque view. The kids loved it!

 

Johanna Andersson

Team Assistant @ Mallorcaresidencia

Massar Midgley Mahdi

Team Assistant @ Mallorcaresidencia

Gin is a fresh and great companion for the hot summer evenings & nights. Our lovely Island Mallorca offers us a wide variety of Gins, mostly with a exceptionals citrus aromas. Below you can find a selection of our favourite Gins which have been distilled in Mallorca.

 

Palma Gin & Palma Spiced Gin från Mallorca Distillery

Palma Gin has been delicately and organically handcrafted by Mallorca Distillery with a passion for the Island Mallorca. Palma Gin has been distilled with locally foraged wild flowers and fresh citrus fruit and has a fresh taste. Palma Spiced Gin has been aged in Mallorcan oak barrels which previously stored wine from the local Manto Negro grapes in Binissalem. It is a sweet spiced gin with vanilla & cinnamon touches.

 

Gin Eva av Casa Eva

Stefan and Eva distil the best botanicals from Mallorca and Spain. Their signature gin is Gin Eva Mallorca Dry Gin which has been distilled from juniper, oranges and lemons from the Sóller valley. Gin Eva Old Tom has been aged for several months in old wine barrels and has  a beautiful amber colour and wormwood and bitter taste. Gin Eva Spice Green has been distilled from Senchea tea and harvested juniper and green oranges. Gin Eva La Canoneta has been distilled from the canoneta orange of the Sóller valley.  The result is a perfect intense & zesty gin. They also have La Mallorquina which has been distilled from the traditional olive of Mallorca and Bergamot which has been distilled from fresh bergamots of Valencia.

 

Maior Gin av Bodegas Suau

Maior Gin has been distilled from local figs, rosemary and oranges from Soller. The name of Maior comes from Latin meaning ‘major’, the name given by the Romans to the largest island of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca. Bodegas Suau searches for perfection with the combination of local and quality ingredients and with their “less is more” motto. They use 4 different distillations, so the ingredients do not lose their unique tastes.

 

CABRABOC Gin från Esperit de Mallorca

CABRABOC Gin has been distilled from the herbs of Mallorca and accompanied by fennel, lemon tree leaves, and lemon verbena. It is a very smooth gin with sweet notes and citrus aromas. CABRABOC Mandarina Gin Liqueur has been distilled from the mandarins of Soller Valley and has an intense but also fruity taste. CABRABOC Dry Gin Taronja has also been distilled from the citrus fruits of Soller Valley and produced with a limited edition. CABRABOC Dry Gin Blau is a fresh gin and has been distilled from the Mediterranean botanicals as lavender, basil, rosemary and thyme and produced with a limited edition.

 

Merchant & Mascori av Pareis Distillery

Pareis Distillery is located in the small town of Llubi, with a long history in the production of spirits and liqueurs. Merchant Gin is a cinnamon & orange gin with predominant spicy notes. “Mercant” (“Merchant”) is a word generally used in naval terminology, and it is also a surname which can be found in some Mallorcan lineages. The name comes from a fishing family who came from Portofino (Italy) and settled in the Mallorcan village of Valldemossa. Mascori Gin is a fresh and aromatic gin which has been distilled from Mallorcan lemons, juniper and citric spices. It has been produced with traditional & artisan methods and limited to a maximum of 200 litres per distillation.

 

Onze av Bodegas Can Vidalet

Onze Gin has been distilled from 11 different Mediterranean botanicals; juniper, fresh citrus fruits, lavender, rosemary and a selection of botanicals from the Sierra de Tramuntana. Onze is a mix of citrus, floral and earthy notes.

 

Gin Blau av Dos Perellons

Gin Blau has been distilled from juniper berries an delicated and aromatic peaches. This unique gin with an intense blue colour produced by Dos Perellons Family which has been in this industry for more than 135 years.

 

 

Sedat Senoglu

Digital Product & IT Manager @ Mallorcaresidencia

Horseback  riding in the midst of stunning landscapes is an experience like no other. Mallorca is full of lovely areas that are able to be visited on a horseback ride, there are some great equestrian centres that offer this to you, giving a fantastic impression of the island. Our island provides us with over 20 different equestrian centres giving an option of galloping along the beach, free landscapes or around the beautiful Tramuntana mountains!

If you’ve never ridden before, beginner treks are what you are looking for. You can start by visiting stables and get closer to the horses and ponies before being introduced to the basics of horseback riding. Either sitting in a saddle or in a carriage you will travel to a number of cultural and traditional locations whilst spending time together with friends, family and beloved ones.

 

Rancho Grande

The history of Rancho Grande goes back to the year 1964, where the idea of offering horseback rides in the North of Mallorca was born.  Originally Rancho Grande started off with only 2 horses and a mule, they offered excursions followed by BBQ and guitar music at the fireplace by the family Martorell. As years passed by the number of horses grew from 2 to nearly 100, all grown up and bred at the farm. Years ago, they were located in Puerto Pollenca, in the north of the island, but as they decided to expand, they have now moved to a more spacious finca in Son Serra de Marina. The Martorell family is still sticking to the traditions and are now already in their third generation, taking responsibility of the Rancho and their animals with great care.  Rancho Grande offers more than 150 hectares of land to enjoy one of the best horse-riding trails of Mallorca. 

Of course, you have the choice of doing a horseback ride in a group with less experienced riders but if you feel comfortable enough you can ride in the “Turbo” which is for more experienced riders. For the riders that would have their first time they can participate in a group where you can calmly walk along the beach and environment of the area Son Serra De Marina. These excursions last for about 2 hours and are totally worth it!

 

Naturcavall

Unfortunately, there are many farms on the island that don’t want their horses anymore because they don’t want to compete or the animals no longer have sufficient performance skills. These horses need a second chance and Naturacavall makes this possible for them. Xavier and Joan Pere are the owners of Naturcavall and help the horses recover or just introduce them to a new home and life.  When the horses are mentally and physically recovered, they are able to guide you around beautiful places of the island and experience exciting adventures with you!

The farm offers many different routes. Without a doubt some routes require both a high level of sport and a high level of experience but of course there will be one that is at your level!

 

Es Pas

Pedro Canals, the trainer of successful and experienced riders, owns a great riding academy in the area of Calvia. In Es Pas you can learn absolutely anything about horses or ponies, especially for the younger ones. Classes can be either within a group or also individually, they are available throughout the whole year. Es Pas offers a wide range of variety for all levels. Surely you would agree that learning a new sport is always exciting so what are you waiting for? Furthermore, Es Pas does not only offer riding classes but also entertaining excursions. Close to the Farm there are stunning landscapes of the Mediterranean mountains which can be visited by crossing old rural paths whilst being able to enjoy the views of never-ending fields. If you feel comfortable enough you can dare to gallop across the countryside and enjoy spending some exciting time with your beloved ones!

The club offers excursions of 1hour 30 mins, 2 hours and a complete excursion which supplies you with an extra picnic, it usually lasts for 3 hours.  Don’t think about it, enjoyment is guaranteed! 

 

Rancho la Romana

This farm is located in Paguera, the ideal place for your kids to have a ride on the horses and ponies whilst taking a stroll around the forestry area of Calvia. Especially in the summertime it can become very hot on our island so it is nice to have a nice breeze when riding through the forest. Not only the forest but surely you can visit an area close to the sea and be able to enjoy the views onto the sea, cliffs and beaches.

For instance, Rancho la Romana have had their farm for over 10 years offering their excursions to any age group of customers whilst taking precise care of their animals. The excursions are available to take place from 8:00 to 12:00 in the morning and from 17:00 to 21:00 in the afternoon/evening every day. For more information contact 609 97 19 47. 

 

 

Emilia Huber

Intern @ Mallorcaresidencia

 

Do you want to discover new places and have seen all that Mallorca has to offer? Take a day trip to the small island of Cabrera or stay overnight and enjoy the tranquility.

The uninhabited island of Cabrera is located about 15 km from Colonia de Sant Jordi in southern Mallorca and the boat ride takes about 40 minutes. There are several boat companies including Marcabrera which starts from Colonia San Jordi and an excursion of 6 hours costs about 50 euros. If you want to go there with your own boat, you have to ask for a permit to navigate there.

The archipelago consists of 18 islands and you can enjoy the beautiful nature untouched by developments and tourism, a great variety of plants and species and last but not least: a marine life that impresses due to the well-preserved sea. In 1991, Cabrera became part of a protected marine reserve and there are no houses or hotels here except for the old, simple military quarters with space for 12 people. If you want to spend the night here, you should make the reservation well in advance because it is very popular. The natural park in which Cabrera is included is considered to have one of the best-preserved seabeds in all of Spain.

What is now a peaceful, beautiful place hides a dark story. During the Spanish War of Independence in the 19th century, Cabrera served as a prison for French prisoners. Anyone looking for a prison here will not find it, because the whole island served a prison. 

 

What to see on La Cabrera?

 

Cabrera Castle

When you get off the boat, the first thing you see is the impressive castle that was built in the 15th century to defend the island from pirates. During the time when Napoleon’s soldiers were prisoners on the island, the castle functioned as a simple hospital. Later during epidemics, it has also been used as a quarantine hospital. Nowadays, the castle is the perfect place to enjoy the spectacular views of the bay. Before reaching the castle, you will find the small cemetery where former residents are buried.

 

The port

The port of La Cabrera has historically held an important position as it is one of the most protected in the Balearic Islands. The port was where ships took refuge during their voyages on the Mediterranean to and from Italy, among other places. 

 

Cabrera Museum

Here you can learn more about the island and its history. There is a botanical garden where a complete selection of plants on the island is displayed.

 

Archaeological remains

To reach the archeological site, follow the signs from the harbor along the bay. There are three points of interest: the old fish sauce factory (garum), the Byzantine burial sites and the French prisoners’ stone houses.

 

Beaches and snorkeling

The crystal clear water invites you to go snorkeling and you do not have to swim far out to see fish in all possible sizes and colors. There are two beaches, Sa Plageta and Playa S´Empalmador. The first is about 15 minutes from the port and the second one 10 minutes more by foot. Playa S´Empalmador is the best beach for snorkeling. You can see squid, starfish and fish of all sizes. On the island you can see the typical little Mallorcan lizard everywhere.

 

 

Monument to the French soldiers

The remains of the dead French prisoners on the island have been buried here. There are also remnants of the simple stone houses that the French built to survive.

 

The Blue Cave

With the clear bottom, the sea gets a dreamy blue color that gives the cave its name. Especially when the sun is going down and reaching the inside of the cave and filling it with light. Bring your snorkel and enjoy the spectacle of the sea. A dip in the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean is the perfect end to the day.

Remember that Cabrera is a protected nature park and treat the island with care during your visit. Use the marked paths and bring your own garbage bag to take your rubbish back as there are no garbage cans on the island.

 

Johanna Andersson

Team Assistant @ Mallorcaresidencia