On a map, Mallorca may seem tiny compared to other places, but the island’s small surface has much to offer – from the almost alpine Tramuntana mountain range to the gentle coastline with its hidden bays and natural beaches, the many diverse landscapes on Mallorca will fascinate you.
SERRA DE TRAMUNTANA
The Tramuntana mountain range stretches a total of 90 kilometers from the island of Dragonera in the southwest to the stately Cap Formentor in the north. The extremely rugged Serra de Tramuntana is rutted by several gorges, among them Torrent de Pareis, one of Europe’s most spectacular. On a five-hour hike through the natural park you will learn a great deal about Mallorca’s geology.
RAIGUER
The region of Raiguer is situated where the mountains and the plains meet in the center of the island between La Victoria peninsula and Palma de Mallorca. Here, water is abundant, but you won’t find a flat, cultivated terrain. Instead, most of the island’s leather factories are located here. With a population of more than 20,000, the city of Inca is the third largest on Mallorca and is known as the center of the island’s shoe and leather crafts.
PLÀ DE MALLORCA
Even from far away you can see the striking Puig de Randa, trademark of the region of Plà de Mallorca. At a height of 542 meters, the table mountain protrudes from the plain which often is referred to as the wheat chamber of Mallorca. This is because most of the island’s agricultural products originate here including potatoes, rice, corn and vegetables and it is also home to the island’s wineries. The region has its own special fascination in January and February when the many almond trees are in full bloom, forming a seemingly endless ocean of white.
LLEVANT
If you want sandy beaches, come to Llevant. Most parts of this region are flat; it only has three peaks higher than 500 meters. Manacor is at the heart of Llevant and is known far beyond the region’s borders for its artificial pearls and its furniture industry. On the coast, three huge natural caves attract hordes of tourists every year. The largest and best known is Porto Cristo which you can tour with a guide on most days.
MIGJORN
The southernmost zone is where the 509-meter high Puig Sant Salvador and the Santurari de Sant Salvador monastery are located. Agriculture also plays an important role in Migjorn, the highlight being the cultivated caper shrubs. The south is marked by kilometer upon kilometer of sandy beaches. On the coast, rocky areas alternate with sandy bays with glass-clear water, including the six-kilometer beach called Es Trenc.
PALMA DE MALLORCA
Palma de Mallorca is the cultural center of the island. As a melting pot of cultures and the area where most Mallorcans prefer to live, Palma is a pulsating Mediterranean metropolis. It was the capital of the former Kingdom of Mallorca; today it is the political and business center of the Balearic Islands and home to more than 400,000 people.
