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Spain: Majorca (Mallorca)

Overview

Majorca, situated 150km (93mi) off the mainland, is the largest island (3,640km2/1,405mi2), 95km (60mi) wide at its widest point. A rugged mountain range (Sierra de Tramontana) covers 20 per cent of the island, extending for 100km (62mi) along the north-western coast from Isla Dragonara to Cabo Formentor, with seven peaks over 1,000m (3,280ft), the highest of which is Puig Mayor (1,445m/4,750ft). In contrast to parts of the over-developed coastline, the rugged interior is empty and peaceful and completely unspoilt. Nearly half the island’s population of 759,000 live in Palma de Mallorca (population 369,000), the capital of the Balearics and an attractive town with many architectural treasures, including a splendid cathedral. Majorca has a wealth of resort towns, the most popular of which are situated on Palma Bay (Bahía de Palma). However, most of these (such as El Arenal, Magaluf and Palma Nova) are prime examples of the worst kind of ’60s over-development, with a plethora of ugly high-rise buildings.

In stark contrast to Palma Bay, the mountainous north-west coast is still relatively undeveloped and the east coast is also mostly unspoilt with many isolated beaches and coves (only 10 per cent of the coastline has been sacrificed to tourism). Popular east coast resorts include Cala Bona, Cala Figuera, Cala Millor, Cala d’Or and Porto Cristo. There are also many attractive residential towns along the north-west coast, including Andratz, Camp de Mar, Deya (home of the late British poet Robert Graves), Puerto de Pollensa, Sóller and Valdemosa. In the north on Alcudia Bay (Bahía de Alcudia), Alcudia and Ca’n Picafort are picturesque towns. The main inland towns are Inca and Manacor, centre of the island’s artificial pearl industry. Railway enthusiasts can enjoy a trip on the vintage (circa 1900) train running from Palma to Sóller (the only other train in the Balearics runs from Palma to Inca), travelling through tunnels and mountains and offering some of the best views on the island. From Sóller an equally ancient tram runs through orange and lemon groves to Puerto de Sóller.

Majorca is the most favoured destination in Spain for British property buyers, although property on the island is among the most expensive in the country with prices for a small two-bedroom apartment starting at €200,000 and at €500,000 for a villa. The ugly low-quality, high-rise buildings of the ’60s are now out of favour and new developments consist mainly of low-rise, low-density buildings. Planning laws mean it’s now difficult to build on the island. Majorca is home to the international jet set and many of the world’s rich and famous have homes there (luxury properties abound). The island has a bustling nightlife and an endless choice of bars, restaurants and night spots, and enjoys a high standard of living, exceeded only by Madrid and Barcelona. Majorca caters to millions of tourists annually, including some three million Germans (it has been dubbed Munich-on-the-Med) and nearly 3.5 million Britons.

Average temperatures are 10°C (50°F) in winter and 25°C (77°F) in summer, when the heat is moderated by cooling winds from the south. Most rain falls in November and December, when it can be torrential, and it also snows occasionally, although the mountains protect the island from the cold north winds from France. Majorca’s San Juan airport (Palma) is the busiest in the whole of Spain and there are frequent ferry services from Barcelona, Denia and Valencia, and to Ibiza, Mahón and Cabrera.

© Survival Books Limited 2005

“Buying a Home in Spain 2006” 5th Edition, David Hampshire.

Reproduced with the permission of Survival Books Limited.

Further information on this topic can be found in “Buying a Home in Spain 2006” 5th edition, by David Hampshire.

For extensive, annually updated information about buying a property in Spain, you can purchase this book at www.survivalbooks.net

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