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Island Guides Mallorca

Alaró - Binissalem - Inca - Lloseta - Port de Sóller - Sóller - Valldemossa


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Centrally located and only 25 minutes from Palma, Alaró is situated just off the Palma-Inca motorway. Lying at the foot of 2 striking butte-shaped mountains, whose rocky bare faces tower steeply above the surrounding forest and scrub, this sleepy looking mountain village appears to beat with a heart of it's own. Plaça Vila, the central square, overlooked by a medieval fortress-like church, comes alive on Saturdays - it's market day - offering fresh local produce and an array of arts and crafts, clothing, flowers and plants. Two rather old fashioned cafes and a modern bar offer a pleasant spot to sit, read a paper and enjoy a refreshment, whilst watching the throng of people buying their wares.

The village has preserved its old wash house where the village women used to gather to wash their clothes, (found near Solleric Street), as well as the old electric factory which was the source of the Island 's first electricity, which you pass as you enter the village.

Alaró is also a popular set off point for a number of very beautiful walks over the mountains and down towards the Orient Valley. Of particular note is the walk up to the ruins of the Castell d'Alaró, Moorish in origin, and rebuilt by Jaume I. Visible for miles around, the castle looks impregnable on its lofty perch, impeding the Aragonese invasion of 1285; when an Aragonese messenger suggested terms for surrender, the garrison's two commanders responded by calling King Alfonso III "fish-face", playing on the Catalan word anfos, which means perch. Unfortunately for them, when the castle finally fell, Alfonso had the two roasted alive. For those not quite so keen to take the quite strenuous walk, the road to the Castell d'Alaró is well sign-posted from the village, although the narrow winding road is not for the faint-hearted! You can park either at Es Verger, a rustic old farmhouse serving some of the best lamb on the Island, or slightly higher up. The final walk takes between 15-30 minutes to reach the top, leaving you to explore the fragmented ruins of the old fortress, as well as a tiny pilgrim's church of Mare de Déu del Refugi. Well worth a trip, the views are quite stunning and there is even a simple restaurant and bar to regain your energy for the return journey. It is also possible to stay overnight in very simple, but pleasant accomodation.

Shops and Services

You will find all essential services in this hill-side village, to include a medical center, dentist, chemist, vet, hairdresser, 3 supermarkets (including Eroski SYP and Aldi), fishmonger, expert for electrical goods, post office, 2 ironmongers, 3 bakeries, video/dvd rental, and a few others selling a variety of goods, from newpapers and sweets to bed linen. An interiors shop can be found just off the top end of the square, in addition to a very colourful and vibrant Australian children's clothes shop called Luna Luna which has recently opened on the square, and a contemporary art gallery called Addaya, all adding to the international flavour of this small village. There are a handful of restaurants (sadly, none of much substance) in addition to numerous Spanish bars.

General - Alaró Town Hall - Alaró Market Day - Alaró Hotels
Population:	approx 4.000
Town Hall:	Plaça Vila, 17 – 07340 Alaró, Tel. 971 510 000
Post Office:	Avenida Constitució, 26
Market Day:	Saturday
Train:	Alaró is on the main Palma-Inca line
Best Hotel:	S’Olivaret Hotel 4*, Alaró-Orient, Km 3 - 07340 Alaró, Tel. 971 510 889, Web: www.stilhotels.com Hotel Can Xim/Resaurante Traffic, 07340 Alaró, Tel. 971 879 117, Web: www.canxim.com
Palma:	approx. 20 minutes away
Airport:	approx. 25 minutes away
Beaches:	the beaches of the West Coast of Alcudia and those on the South Coast are more or less equidistant, approx. 30 minutes away
Golf:	Son Vida and Pollensa, 30 minutes
Schools:	The Academy, Marratxi - see Services
Leisure:	The Camp de Futból on your left as you come into the village offers a public swimming pool, football ground, bar and many more sporting activities for adults and children alike.

Fiestas

This town truly certainly knows how to enjoy a fiesta, and at any opportunity will bring out their devils, demons and fireworks with a deafening bang! It's main annual festival is August 16. San Pedro and Los Damunts is also celebrated in a week long festivial around July 29, which include activities for children throughout the day, live music from Thursday-Sunday nights, dancing, parades and numerous other fun and festivities for locals and visitors alike. Very Spanish in its ways, the villagers have opened their arms to quite a large mixed international community; they have even started an International Fiesta, celebrating a "Town for All"– "Alaró és de Tots", celebrated on the Saturday around  July 16 - Well done Mr. Mayor!

Situated North East of Palma, approx. 35 minutes by car out of Palma, Binissalem is located in a fertile plain, close to the foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. Now the wine growing capital of the Island known for its high quality wines - its name is of Arab origin and appears to be derived from the Arab “Bani Salaam” meaning Sons of Peace. Formerly a rustic finca, a Moorish mosque used to stand where the old cemetery stands today.

Binnisalem looks quite ugly and rather dull from the main road, but the semi industrial periphery camouflages an attractive and antiquated centre, with the heart being the town square, Plaça Església. The Església Nostra Senyora de Robines, the rather parochial church with a soaring neo-gothic bell tower dating back to the 18th Century, overlooks the pretty, stone-flagged piazza, lined with benches where the local old-timers are often seen relaxing in the shade of the plane trees. The town's main hotel Scott's Hotel, as well as their restaurant in the center of town, comes highly recommended (see Restaurant Guide).
Apart from good quality wine (in particular José Ferrer found on the Southern side of the main road leading into the town) and industries of footwear and liquors, Binissalem produces almonds and carob beans.

General - Binissalem Town Hall - Binissalem Market Day - Binissalem Hotels
Population:	approx. 5.000
Town Hall:	c/ Concepció, 7 - 07350 Binissalem, Tel. 971 886 558, Email: ajuntament@binissalem.org
Post Office:	c/ Concepció, 5
Market Day:	Friday
Bus:	C 713
Train	Binissalem is on the main Palma-Inca line
Best Hotel:	Scott's - Plaça Església, 12. Tel. 971 870 100, Web: www.scottshotel.com
Palma:	approx. 25 minutes away
Airport:	approx. 35 minutes away
Beaches:	Beaches on the East Coast of Alcudia and those of the South Coast are equidistant, approx. 30 minutes away
Golf:	Son Vida and Pollensa, 30 minutes
Schools:	The Academy, Marratxi - see Services
Leisure:	there is a municipal swimming pool in the town

Fiestas

Binissalem truly comes alive during the week-long festivities celebrating its saint's feast day of St. James the apostle, running up to July 25th. It's other festival worth a visit is the annual Festa de's Vermar (Festival of the Grape Harvest) during the 3rd week of September (around 20th).

             

"The jewel in Mallorca's crown, as beautiful as any coastline in the world" - CONDE NAST TRAVELLER

A beautiful and idylic village, Deià (also spelt Deya) lies tucked in the hillside overlooking the spectacular North West Coast of Mallorca.

Like stepping back in time, if you want countryside, olive groves, citrus orchards, mountains, sea, and a quaint historic village, Deià is a perfect place for you!

This green-shuttered, ochre-coloured village in the shadow of the Teix Mountains has become a millionaires' hideaway, with few locals being able to afford a home here.

Deià could well have remained just another pretty Mallorcan village had the English poet and novelist Robert Graves not decided to make it his home. He first moved here in 1932 with his mistress Laura Riding, and returned in 1946 with his second wife. Numerous friends, muses and fellow artists followed. He loved the village, its people and the landscapes, writing The White Goddess, and I, Claudius here; before long Deià had established a reputation as a foreign artists' colony. Fortunately the many expats that have lived here over the years and numerous summer tourists have hardly changed the character of the village.  Unbothered by outsiders, locals maintain traditions and celebrate age-old fiestas as they always have.

Climb the Carrer es Puig, Deià's only real street, passing the ceramic Stations of the Cross, to reach the parish church and the small cemetery where Graves is buried. His tombstone, like many others, is inscribed in simple handwriting set into the drying concrete " Robert Graves, Poeta, 1895-1985" - Read Wild Olives - Life In Majorca with Robert Graves by his son William Graves for more information.

The best spot to take a break and admire the view is the outdoor terrace overlooking the village at La Residencia.

From Deià head towards Soller and turn left at the sign pointing to the Depuradora to find the beach of Cala Deià. An attractive small shingle beach set in an attractive cove with deep clear water. There are stunning sea-side walks along the coastline from the beach, great for weekend picnic strolls. Local artists still continue the Graves tradition of naked swimming and long parties at weekends.

General - Deià Town Hall - Deià Market Day - Deià Hotels
Population:	approx. 500
Town Hall:	Porxo, 4 , 07179. Tel. 971 886 558.
Post Office:	Via Arxiduc Lluís Salvador, 29.
Best Hotel:	La Residencia. Tel. 971 639 011. Web: www.hotellaresidencia.com
Palma:	approx. 70 minutes away
Airport:	approx. 80 minutes away
Beaches:	Cala Deià

Fiestas

Sant Joan - 24 June

Originally Mallorca's third largest town, Inca is now the island's fourth municipality population-wise, coming after Palma, Manacor and Calvià. Dating back to Roman times, the town lies in the island's central plains, and halfway on the old road from Palma to the northern port of Alcúdia. Inca has a thriving leather industry and factories producing good quality shoes and clothes.

Despite it's rather industrial façade, this town offers a surprising array of different and interesting shops, restaurants and bars, slowly becoming quite a youthful and "trendy" town. Close to the island's best wine-producing area, the town's wine-cellars have also achieved some fame, and the bodegas in the centre of town prepare typical Majorcan food at reasonable prices. The town boasts a bull-ring, and an impressive football stadium. The Thursday market is lively and second in size only to Palma's. The Palma-Inca railway connects the town with Palma and goes through the towns of Marratxí, Santa Maria del Camí, Consell, Binissalem and Lloseta.

Shops and Services

Inca offers all the shops and services you could possibly need, and more.

General - Inca Town Hall - Inca Market Day - Inca Hotels
Town Hall:	Plaza España, 1 - 07300 Inca, Tel. 971 880 150, Web: www.ajinca.net
Post Office:	Salort, esquina Plz. Angel
Train:	Direct from Palma
Market Day:	Sunday, Plaça Constitució
Palma:	29 Km, approx. 30 mins
Airport:	35 mins
Beaches:	East Coast - Alcudia, Pollença

Fiestas
Fiesta de Santa Magdalena - first Sunday after the Passover

Dijous Bo - Second Thursday in November, one of the largest and most popular Markets on Mallorca
Patron Sants Abdon y Senen - July 30

This old shoe making town lies approx. 4 km east of Binissalem and approx. 30 kms from Palma. The pleasant central square, the Plaça Espanya, is decorated by a medieval church with a very quaint bell tower. Next door a grand eighteenth century mansion has been renovated into a luxury hotel, the C'as Comte Hotel. Offering just 8 beautiful rooms, it's modernist interior of stone arches, glass tables and marble floor has been beautifully renovated.

General - Lloseta Town Hall - Lloseta Market Day - Lloseta Hotels
Population:	approx. 5.000
Town Hall:	c/ Guillem Santandreu, s/n - 07360 Lloseta, Tel. 971 514 033, Email: ajuntament@ajlloseta.net
Post Office:	c/ Juníper Serra, 1
Market Day:	Saturday
Train	Lloseta is on the main Palma-Inca line, just up from Binissalem
Best Hotel:	Ca's Comte, c/ Guillem Santandreu, 38. Tel. 971 873 077, Web: www.cascomte.com
Palma:	approx. 35 minutes away
Airport:	approx. 45 minutes away
Beaches:	Beaches on the East Coast of Alcudia and those of the South Coast are equidistant, approx. 20 minutes away
Golf:	Son Vida and Pollensa, 30 minutes
Schools:	The Academy, Marratxi - see Services

Fiestas

Romeria del Cocó - Wednesday after the Pascua (Easter)
Mare de Déu (Mother of God's Day) - September 8

Originally a sleepy fishing village, Port de Sóller is a natural harbour set inside a perfect fish-shaped bay. Now a popular holiday resort, it’s old military base is now being turned into a Marina and the town pedestrianised with traffice diverted behind. The beach is close to the town centre, and the pedestrian promenade along the waterfront affords an enjoyable stroll, offering an enjoyable hours walk from marina, along the beach and up to the lighthouse, Faro de Punta Grossa.

The last tram stop is at the marina, and from here the golondrinas (excursion boats) flit along the coast north to Cla Tuent, Sa Calobra, El Torrent de Pareis and south to Sa Fragonera. The oldest part of town is on the hill above the port.  The Orange Express tram connects Port de Sóller with Sóller, a 30 minute ride along the beach and into the town.
www.portdesoller.com

General

See Sóller

Sóller is an attractive town located in de NW of Mallorca, in a valley of the Sierra de Tramuntana which opens out onto the sea. Situated 3km inland from its port "Port de Sóller”, and 30 minutes by road from Palma, the town lies in a large, fertile mountainous bowl shaped valley. The climate, scenery, mountain air, and its urban amenities make Sóller a wonderful place to live, attracting thousands of visitors every year.

Until the arrival of the railway in 1906 the valley of Sóller was isolated by mountains, only to be reached by mule and foot over a winding country track over the top of the mountain, the “Coll de Sóller”. In 1997 the k3 km long Sóller Tunnel was opened, becoming much closer to Palma and the Islan’s visitors. Sóller shares its valley with the village of Fornalutx and the hamlet of Biniaraix, the combined population is around 12,000. The valley is famous for its orange, lemon groves and terraces of ancient olive trees. The export of oranges and lemons to the South of France from Sóller Port, and the production of olive oil led to a flourishing commercial and cultural trade whose most apparent influences may be seen in the lovely manor houses and farms whose facades show an elegance which is unusual in buildings of this type in Mallorca.

The valley of Sóller enjoys a gentle climate, typically Mediterranean, with a damp yet balmy winter, a warm, dry summer and very pleasant springs and autumn. The average temperature throughout the year is 17ºC With a maximum of 35ºC in summer and a minimum of 7ºC in winter.

The Town of Sóller focal point is the beautiful main plaza, with the Sant Bartomeu Church standing on the south side, designed by Gaudi disciple Joan Rubio. There are several cafes to enjoy a coffee and an orange juice, said to be the best on the Island. A visit to the Ice cream Factory on the north side of the plaza is a must, with over 30 flavours of locally made ice cream to choose from.

On the edge of the town on the Palma- Port de Soller Road, a big talaiot (a reproduction of a historic watch tower) marks the Museu Balear de Ciencies Naturals where you will find a wonderful Botanic Garden with over 400 speciaes of Flora from the Balearics and other parts of the world.

Sóller is a perfect setting for rambling, hiking and climbing with plenty of choices for all ages and skills, walking guide books can be purchased in the local shops. Visit on the second Sunday in May to experience the Ses Valented Dones (the Valiant Women) fiesta for the reenactment of the battle in 1561 when African pirates attacked. The town’s women fought them off with clubs made from mulberry wood.
The Orange Express Tram connects Sóller with the Port de Sóller

General - Sóller Town Hall - Sóller Market Day - Sóller Hotels
Population:	approx. 12.000
Town Hall:	Placa Contintucio, 1 - 07100, Tel: 971 630 200
Post Office:	Rextoria, 7, Tel: 971 631 191
Market Day:	Saturday mornings – Placa Mercat
Train	Direct on the Palma-Sóller line, leaving 5 or 6 times daily Tel: 971 630 130
Best Hotel:	Port - Esplendido www.esplendidohotel.com, Soller - Gran Hotel de Sóller www.granhotelsoller.com
Palma:	approx. 35 minutes away
Airport:	approx. 45 minutes away
Beaches:	Port de Sóller
Golf:	Son Termens Bunyola, 15 minutes
Schools:	Palma - see Services

Sóller Fiestas

Fogueros de Sant Antoni  - January 16
Sant Bartomeu, Patron Saint  - 23 and 24 August
Ses Valentes Dones (the Valiant Women) - the 2nd Sunday in May

"Sa Mostra" International Folklore Festival - July (lasts 8 days)

In spite of tourism, Valldemossa has lost none of its charm of yesteryear. With its narrow streets and stone-clad houses surrounded by mountains covered in olive, orange, fig trees and the occasional palm, Valldemossa is a delightful, romantic hideaway.

18 km from the Capital of Palma, this ancient arab hamlet is situated in a beautiful green valley 425 metres above sea level. The best way to approach Valldemossa is south from Palma. The road squeezes through a narrow wooded area before entering a breathtaking valley, with terraced fields descending into the town, and a mixture of rustic houses and monastic buildings dotted down the mountainside.

Its’ origins are said to be from prehistoric times, like those witnessed by the numerous archaeological remains of the Talayotic era discovered in the surrounds. Valldemossa grew famous for one landmark: The Royal Chartreuse of Jesus of Nazareth, built early in the XIV century, when the mystic and philosopher Ramon LLull was living in this area of Mallorca.

Later in 1399 the palace was given to the Carthusian monks from Tarragona, who converted the building into a monastery, now one of Mallorca’s most visited buildings after Palma cathedral.

When the government confiscated the Chartreuse from the Christian Order of St Bruno, aiming to raise money for arms during a Civil War, the historic estate was sold to private owners who turned it into a hotel. Among the most famous guest were the composer Frédéric Chopin and his lover then French writer and pionnering feminist George Sand (who wrote her acclaimed novel "A Winter in Majorca" based on their visit, praising the natural beauty of this island but highly critic about the prejudice and moral vices of native population, which appears to reflect the attitude of the shocked locals who shunned the lovers.) Chopin is reputed to have composed some of his finest work here. Today the cells occupied by the lovers are open to visitors and make an interesting tour to include his piano and some of his original manuscripts.

Also of interest is the birth place of the only Saint of the Island, Santa Catalina Thomas found on c/Rectoria 5, a shrine to sixteenth century nun known as “La Beateta” revered for her piety. The Costa Nord Centre (www.costanord.com, tel: 971 612 425) was recently opened by Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones, and is known for it’s music recitals in the summer.

The tree lined valley facing towards the sea makes this a perfect place for meditation and is a tribute to European culture, history and art.

General - Valldemossa Town Hall - Valldemossa Market Day - Valldemossa Hotels
Population:	approx. 1.750
Town Hall:	Jardi de la Cartoixa, s/n Tel: 971 612 002. www.valldemossa.com
Post Office:	Pintora Pilar Muntaner, 3
Market Day:	Sunday mornings
Train	No
Best Hotel:	Hotel Valledomssa – 971 612 626 www.valldemossahotel.com Son Brondo (Agro Tourism Hotel) 971 612 258 www.fincasonbrondo.com
Palma:	approx. 60 minutes away
Airport:	approx. 70 minutes away
Beaches:	Port de Valldemossa
Golf:	Son Termens Bunyola, 30 minutes
Schools:	Palma - see Services

Valldemossa Fiestas

Mare de Deu dels Angels - 2nd August
Fiesta de La Beata - 28th July; Sant Bartolomeu Patron Saint - 24 August. Festival of Chopin  - All Sundays in August.