1. Ses Païsses, Artà
Combine a visit to Artà's
excellent Tuesday market with a visit to this impressive Bronze Age
Talayotic settlement on the outskirts of the town - one of the best
preserved in the Balearics. It's worth a visit to imagine what life must
have been like within its walls for the island's early settlers. This
attraction closes over the lunch period.
Camino de Ses Orbaies, Artà
2. Capdepera Castle
Visit
the remains of this early 14th century hilltop castle, dominating the
small town of Capdepera, with commanding views over the north-east
coastline (on a clear day you can see Menorca). The enclosing walls once
contained some 150 dwellings. A great place for youngsters to let their
imaginations run wild!
C/Castell, Capdepera
Tel +34 971 81 87 46
3. Betlem Heritage, near Artà
It's
a gorgeous drive from the north side of Artà (with a possible sighting
of Menorca on the way) winding up to the tranquil rural setting of the
'Ermita de Betlem' at Sa Deves de Ferrutx. If you're lucky, the only
other sounds up at the hermitage will be birds, insects and sheep bells,
making it a fantastic spot for a picnic lunch, after a visit to Artà.
The hermitage was founded in the early 19th century by the hermits of St
Honorat in Randa and the Trinity in Valldemossa, and the small chapel
is the perfect place to escape the heat and glare of the sun. Don't all
go at once!
Follow signs in Artà to Ermita de Betlem
4. Mallorca Balloons, Manacor
A
great way to see lots of sights! An early morning flight in a hot air
balloon from Mallorca Balloons' base on the outskirts of Manacor will
see you soaring over the island, drifting peacefully with the wind, at a
height of 1,000-1,500 feet. On a clear day you might see Cabrera and
Menorca. Balloon baptism and flight certificates included.
Tel +34 971 59 69 69
5. Caves of Drac (Cuevas del Drach or Coves del Drac) in Porto Cristo
World-famous
ancient limestone caves, mapped by French geologist Edouard Martel in
the late 19th century. There are four enormous main chambers, numerous
romantically-named formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and one of
the world's largest underground lakes - the scene of several daily
classical music concerts. Guided tours take you through the caves.
C/de la Coves, Porto Cristo
Tel + 34 971 82 07 53
6. Caves of Hams (Cuevas del Hams or Coves d'es Hams), Porto Cristo
Less
famous than Drac, but worth a visit for their own spectacular and
colourfully illuminated stalactites and stalagmites, and the underground
lake. The caves were discovered by the Mallorcan, Pedro Caldentey, in
1905.
Ctra Manacor-Porto Cristo - 1 km from Porto Cristo
Tel +34 971 82 09 88
7. Els Calderers, Sant Joan
The
estate was owned by the Calderers family as long ago as the 13th
century, and construction of the present manor house is thought to have
begun in 1750. Visit the house and farm for a flavour of aristocratic
life in Mallorca in the 18th and 19th centuries. The interior of the
house is particularly interesting, with its traditional furnishings and
equipment.
Follow signposts from Ma-15 Palma-Manacor, km 37.
Tel +34 971 52 60 69
8. Gordiola Glassworks
The
Gordiola family has been making glass in Mallorca since the early 18th
century and at their works near Algaida you can watch glassblowers in
action in front of raging furnaces. The building itself is ugly 1960s
faux-castle and the shop area very commercialised, but go upstairs to
the museum and you'll find a fascinating collection of old glass,
including early Gordiola examples and glassware collected from all over
the world by seven successive generations of the family. You wouldn't
want to have dust the exhibits!
Ca'n Gordiola Ma 15
Palma-Manacor, km 19
Tel +34 971 66 50 46
9. Mallorca Planetarium
Many
visitors aren't aware that the island has an important astronomical
observatory, of which the Mallorca Planetarium is a part. The
Observatorio Astronómico de Mallorca premises have a definite space-age
look to them, in complete contrast to the sleepy neighbouring village of
Costitx, but this rural location benefits from clear night skies. Every
Friday and Saturday at 19.00 hrs, the Planetarium projects the
spectacular multi-lingual audio visual programme, Evolution, onto the
domed ceiling. Afterwards you can enjoy guided sessions in the
observation pods.
Camí de l'Observatori
Telephone to reserve your place:
+34 650 386 881
10. Calvary Oratory, Pollensa
Pollensa's
a charming town with a distinctive Roman bridge, but the best-known
place here must be the Calvary Oratory, on top of a hill that was once
owned by the Order of the Knights Templar. There are 365 steps to climb
to reach the top, which is the location for the atmospheric Good Friday
re-enactment of Christ's final suffering on the Cross.
11. S'Albufera Nature Parc
These
peaceful protected wetlands, just off the coast road north of Can
Picafort, are the habitat of a wealth of birdlife, bringing serious
birdwatchers from all over Europe to spot the rare migrants and breeding
species. There are paths for walking and cycling, hides and a visitor
centre. Mosquito repellent recommended!
Ctra Artà - Port d'Alcúdia. km 27,2
Tel +34 971 89 22 50
12. Alcúdia Old Town
A
rich history means there's plenty to see in and around this walled old
town, on the site of the Roman settlement of Pollentia. The walls were
built after the Spanish conquest and were restored to include the 26
original towers and imposing gateways; it's possible to walk along the
top of part of the walls, giving good views of the area. Of particular
interest are the narrow streets of the Arab quarter, the Pollentia
ruins, and Mallorca's only intact Roman theatre.
13. Alfàbia Gardens
These
peaceful gardens, with watercourses and pools, are thought to have been
designed by Benhabet, a Muslim governor of Inca in the 13th century,
and are a great example of the Moorish talent for landscaping and
irrigation. Even if you're not a particularly keen gardener, you'll
appreciate the beautiful shady spots on a hot day, and the garden snack
bar offering fresh fruit juices, farm products and other refreshments.
The
pergola walkway, with its shooting water jets, is great fun for all the
family, while green-fingered types will enjoy the English-style gardens
and impressive collection of trees. The 'hacienda' has traditional
'cloth of flames' fabrics, old prints and furniture.
Ctra Palma-Sóller km 17 (south side of Coll de Sóller)
Tel +34 971 613 123
14. Finca Son Real
This
public estate is between Can Picafort and Son Serra de Marina and
offers a series of marked trails through the estate for walkers and
cyclists, with access to an unspoilt beach. There are useful information
boards along the trails about the local flora and fauna, as well as a
visitor centre. The farm still functions, and you'll see local breeds of
sheep and pigs. Once on the beach, it's an easy walk to the remains of a
necropolis, featuring many graves of various sizes.
Finca Son Real
Ctra Can Picafort - Artà
Tel +34 971 18 53 63
15. Junipero Serra's Birthplace and Museum, Petra
It's
no surprise that many American visitors make their way to the oldest
part of this rural village, for here is the birthplace of Fray Junipero
Serra, the 18th century Franciscan missionary who left Petra for
California. There he founded nine missions, from which cities like San
Francisco and San Diego grew. The privately owned museum, founded in
1955, has a fascinating collection of exhibits, including a painting of
the San Carlos mission, presented to the museum in 1984 by then
President Ronald Reagan. Nearby visit the house where Serra was born, in
1713 - a truly humble home.
C/Des Barracar Alt, Petra
Tel +34 971 561 149
