The 13 Most Beautiful Towns in Mallorca

1. Palma de Mallorca

Walk along the pretty streets of La Calatrava or follow the twisted turns in La Lonja and it soon becomes apparent that the capital city of Palma de Mallorca is deservedly known as the “pearl of the Mediterranean”. With the sea a short walk away, its streets, terraces and historic plazas are blessed with a warm wind that sweeps the sea, while its vibrancy reflects its diverse and multicultural community.
It’s no surprise that Palma is a city of the outdoors, for people who enjoy walking, cycling, running and skating. Its endless blue skies and sunlight are constant, and when good weather is almost always guaranteed, it lays the foundation for an active and healthy lifestyle. Palma is a city of ideas, of emerging talent and of healthy living. A place to be free and above all, feel the warmth of its people, its food and its culture.

2. Puerto Pollensa

Popular with British tourists, Puerto Pollensa draws back faithful visitors time and time again. Thanks to strict building regulations, there is rarely a high-rise block in sight; just long stretches of white sandy beach, lined by palm and pine trees, an array of cafés and restaurants, and some old-world hotels.
Cast your gaze from the main beach across to the estate of La Fortaleza, on the headland: the former fortress featured as the home of Richard Roper in hit BBC dramaThe Night Manager. No doubt Roper himself would have opted to dine at Michelin-starred restaurant Argos, La Lonja, and Restaurant Stay; the latter two found in the town’s marina.

3. Deià

First glimpse of the dreamy village of Celebs always takes a little of the breath away. Round a mountain bend to catch sight of this dreamy village stacked high above the Mediterranean and you instantly see why it’s beloved of artists, writers and celebs craving escape. Almost painfully picturesque.
One iconic figure who found solace amongst the olive groves was poet and author Robert Graves, whose Deià home, now the Robert Graves Museum, welcomes visitors. Entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson was another Brit who recognised the beauty of this corner of Mallorca, turning a sprawling manor into a sumptuous hotel, La Residencia, in the 80s.

4. Banyalbufar

The heart of this south-west village by the sea remains in the 10th century, when it was founded by Arabs. Olives and vines are grown in abundance along rows of stone-walled terraces lining the hillsides. To stroll the hushed, narrow lanes of Banyalbufar is to step back in time.
Our top restaurant pick is 1661 Cuina de Banyalbufar, a family-owned affair in the centre of the village with a great flair for Mediterranean home cooking. If you want to work up a good appetite, there are a number of superb hiking and cycling routes in this area, one of the popular routes for cyclists being Esporles to Port des Canonge, stopping at Banyalbufar along the way. Or, for something less strenuous, visit the Son Vives winery for a chilled glass of local white wine.

5. Fornalutx

Dramatic meets adorable in what was once crowned ‘Spain’s Prettiest Village’. Its location surrounded by rocky mountains make Fornalutx a popular stop for walkers and cyclists. Alternatively, you could just lounge outside one of the town’s charming cafés and soak up the striking Tramuntana views.
A cluster of excellent small hotels have turned Fornalutx into a great base for exploring. Ca’n Reus, C’an Verder and Fornalutx Petit Hotel are all characterful stays, while San Tanqueta is a quality apartment-hotel.

6. Pollensa

If anything shows Mallorca’s variety, it’s the contrast between Puerto Pollensa and its inland namesake. Just a few kilometres away, this centuries-old country town oozes atmosphere all year round. Cafés and restaurants line the vibrant main square, dominated by a huge Knights Templar-founded church.
An hour’s hike takes you right to the top of the Puig de Maria, a 14th-century monastery atop a large hill overlooking town. Reward your efforts with coffee and cake at the small café and take in the panoramic views, stretching all the way to Alcúdia bay. It’s possible to stay overnight at this peaceful, stripped-back hermitage, but if it’s luxury you want, the sophisticated Son Brull Hotel & Spa, on the outskirts of Pollensa, ticks all the boxes.

7. Port Sóller

Offering up a relaxed tonic to the busy resorts is this away-from-it-all fishing village. Little shops, cafés and restaurants cluster around a horseshoe bay, surrounded by the mountains of the Tramuntana. Boutique, family friendly and five-star luxury take the place of high-rise.
Dubai hotel group Jumeirah opened a hotel on a cliff above the bay in 2011, while down on the front, Hotel Esplendido comes courtesy of Swedish hoteliers with immaculate taste. By far the best way to arrive in Port Sóller -if not by boat – is by vintage wooden tram. Rumbling between the port and Sóller town all day long, it looks straight out of San Francisco.

8. Sóller

Happily languishing in the lush green of a north-west valley, the town of Sóller has an abundance of assets. Beautifully preserved cobbled streets, some excellent restaurants, cafés and shops and a sense of living the good life make it much beloved of visitors who return time and time again.
Artisan goods producers enjoy healthy demand on Mallorca, and Sóller is one of those places where you’ll find everything from soft leather Menorcan sandals and woven Audali bags, to gourmet salt and organic olive oil in its delicatessens. Be sure to sample a glass or two of freshly-squeezed juice made from Sóller’s most famous product, the orange.

9. Valldemossa

Elegant and authentic, Valldemossa clusters on a hillside on the lower reaches of the Tramuntana mountains. Just 17km from Palma it may be, but this timeless town, with its Carthusian monastery and winding lanes of faded pink stone houses, make city life seem far away.
Every year, the Chopin Classical Music festival takes place in Valldemossa, the grounds of the monastery providing an atmospheric setting. Why Chopin? The famous composer lived here for a spell in 1838, declaring it ‘The Most Beautiful Place in the World’. These days, the town boasts such luxuries as a Cappuccino café and several smart hotels, all the while keeping its old-world charm.

11. Artà

Arty Artà, in the north-east corner of Mallorca, is a less-discovered gem; a traditional town with a thriving theatre and cultural programme. Ever present, up on a hill overlooking the town, the monastery of San Salvador seems to watch over its inhabitants. A total of 180 steps, starting at the parish church, will take you to this interesting sanctuary with its distinctive fortress walls.
Life is appealingly slower in Artà. Should you wish to stay awhile, Forn Nou is a stylishly simple hotel with a recommended restaurant. Once a bakery, it’s a relaxed place to enjoy delicious modern-Mallorcan food – with great views from the rooftop terrace.

12. Port Andratx

A town long beloved of international residents and chic visitors, Port Andratx is blessed with affluence and it shows. This exclusive haven situated far from the madding crowds on the island’s south-west tip, is a stone’s throw from ravishing beaches and beauty spots.
A seductive combination of Med, mountains and marina make this one of the most desirable places on Mallorca to live or own a second home. You’ll discover cosmopolitan bars, restaurants and shops, and perhaps spot a well-known face; Claudia Schiffer, Tom Cruise and Michael Schumacher have all owned property here.

13. Santanyí

Like a jewel around which a series of beautiful beaches cluster, Santanyí basks in the sun of the south east. Monuments and an old, original gate give away the town’s proud stonemasonry heritage, as does its golden stone architecture.
Perhaps owing to the special light or the photogenic scenery, Santanyí is a haven for artists and there are several galleries. Visit on a Saturday and combine a little art exploration with a leisurely stroll around the excellent weekly market.