10 Must-visit Towns And Villages

Mallorca is full of beautiful places, and shortlisting 10 towns and villages you must visit during your vacation is not easy. However, we’ve shortlisted the most authentic, idyllic and charming you must see. Find them below in random order.

Alaró

You’ll discover Alaró ‘ at the foot of the Tramuntana mountains, about 30km inland from Palma. It’s one of Mallorca’s most attractive and sought-after towns to live in. Alaró town comprises two neighborhoods separated by a babbling stream called Marantxa. The oldest quarter is Los Damunt, with steep streets and buildings on different levels.

The newer part Los Davall, contains the cobblestone main square surrounded by hotels, bars, and traditional shops and is also the focal point for festivities and the local market on Friday afternoon. Alaro’s origins date back to the Islamic period. They are closely related to the history of the homonymous Castillo – located outside the village – built by Christian inhabitants to ward off invasions from pirates.

The landscape and the excursion routes in the area are very scenic. From the most traditional one to the Castillo of Alaro, the road to  Orient through the Escaleta pass, and those  to Mount of Clot d’S’Alcadena and the Clot d’Almendrà, one of the most enchanting locations in the area.

Artá`

Located in the northeast of Mallorca, Atrá boasts 25 kilometres coastline preserved in its natural state and is home to a Natural Park and a Marine Reserve. A town steeped in history, sitting snugly in a large valley reflecting the rich heritage of the island. The talayotic village of Ses Païsses just outside the town dates back to around the year 1000 BCE, and is one of the most extensive and best-conserved settlements on Mallorca.

The Talayotic village of Ses Paisses is one of the largest and best preserved prehistoric settlements in Mallorca. The Italian archeologist Giovanne Lilliu carried out the first excavations. He tried to link prehistoric Balearic structures to those discovered in Sardinia. The village has an elliptical shape and has an area of 13.500 square meters and its walled perimeter is 374 meters long.

On a Moorish site, high on a hill overlooking the village and surrounded by defensive walls, you will find the Sanctuary of Sant Salvador d’Artá, built in the fourteenth century. From its hilltop fortress and Santuari you can enjoy a beautiful view over the rooftops.

Today, Artá is a residential, traditional village rather than a tourist resort, quiet and peaceful with a pedestrianized main street lined with delightful; shops, bars, and restaurants. If you are in the mood for livelier entertainment, the villages of Cala Ratja da or C’an Picafort are just a short drive away.

Andratx

The narrow cobbled streets and the almost fortress-like church of Santa Maria make the town of Andratx in the southwestern corner of the Tramuntana mountains a delight for visitors.The municipality also includes the Port and the towns of Sa Coma, S’Arracó, Sant Elm, Camp de Mar, and the uninhabited islet Sa Dragonera, a Natural Park since 1995 and which is accessible from Port d’Andratx.

Historic landmarks include the Church of Santa Maria de Andratx, Iglesia de la Virgen del Carmen del Puerto de Andratx, Church of s’Arracó, the Castell de Son Mas (now the Town Hall), the Andratx Castle, and the ruins of the former Trappist monastery. The legendary Teatro Argentino, dating back to 1912, is a reminder of the now faded splendor of another era.

Banyalbufar

Another place you must visit is Banyalbufar. Blessed with amazing views of the Tramuntana mountains Banyalbufar is an enchanting little village set along the winding road from Andratx to Valldemossa and a ‘must-see’ for its terraced hillsides sloping down to the sea. It’s an ideal location for a quiet break or a hiking holiday, enjoying nature’s rich bounty around you.

“The perfect picture of the sky will always be sunset”

Other reasons to include a visit to Banyalbufar in your program is La Baronia, an old manor-house located in the center of the area and the watchtower overlooking the sea known as “Torre de ses Animes”. Its inhabitants built it to protect themselves from Moorish pirates and is the most-visited point of interest in Mallorca. The small bay beach is accessible only by a steep stairway.

We always love to stop at Cafe Bellavista for a snack and a chat while treating our eyes to one of the most beautiful views of the ‘Costa Nord’, or take the walking route through shaded pine forests that leads downhill to Port des Canonge.  And if you have time for a swim, don’t miss out the picturesque beaches and coves nearby: Cala Banyalbufar, Es Corral Fals, Son Bunyola, and don’t go home before sunset: the view of the sun setting into the sea is a glorious one.

Esporles

Set in the Esporles valley, on the East face of “Serra de Tramuntana”, recently declared to be Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, the mountainous town of Esporles enjoys a countryside populated with pines and holm oaks, as well as orange and almond groves.

The village has been built around the Esporles tributary, and its typical stone houses maintain the charm of the old-fashioned town. Many of the monuments in Esporles are categorized as Cultural Interest Properties due to to their artistic, architectural, archaeological, or historic-industrial aspects.

Among the “possessions” of Esporles (Majorcan stately homes), la Granja, an impressive estate surrounded by gardens and the Son Tries farm, includes a mountainous leisure area, well visited by the islanders stand out above the rest. Don’t miss out the Granja de Esporles, the museum of Mallorca ‘s tradition and history.

Estellencs

The combination of heritage, tradition, and nature make Estellencs a corner of the Serra de Tramuntana that cannot be missed. In it are concentrated and landscape values of the real Mallorca, one that has stayed away from mass tourism and has preserved the traditional activities. In this environment, Estellencs still retains a trace of adventure, offering a territory full of walking routes, heritage, and quality establishments.

Leaving the village, you can reach Cala Estellencs a small sea entrance where you can see the beauty of the coastal landscape eroded by force and navy where you can see the slipways, shelters for traditional fishermen boats. 

Fornalutx

Surrounded by olive, orange, and lemon groves, with the Sierra Tramuntana as the backdrop, Fornalutx is rated as one of the most beautiful villages in Mallorca. It takes only ten minutes to walk around the narrow stepped village streets, but wonderful mountain views and several easily accessible walking trails await you in this area.

It is an ideal spot for hikers and bikers. There are traditional boutique hotels in the village and many lovely little shops.

Porto Petro

In the southern district of Santanyí, 62 km from Palma, we find a small,  charming seaside town on the shore of a natural bay comprising several coves, a fishing port, and a private marina.

The history of Portopetro is defined by the defense of its Port and the protection of two fresh-water springs located close to marauding pirates. Consequently, the watchtower, a complete ruin, had to be rebuilt. Well, in the end, eleven towers were built, all for the defense of Mallorca.

Galilea

Galilea is a quaint inland village situated 460 mt above sea level between Puigpunyent and Capdellá and surrounded by mountains and Mediterranean forests.
It is known for its atmosphere of tranquility and its marvelous views. Its narrow sloping streets and tiny stone houses make it uniquely picturesque. The roads that take us to this picturesque village are small and curvy and the surrounding mountains popular hiking trails and challenging biking routes.