Mallorca
District Guide
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With its sun-swept beaches, towering mountain ranges, and picturesque valleys, it's no wonder millions of visitors visit Mallorca each year to get a glimpse of the Island's diverse landscapes. However, the stunning vistas and glowing beaches aren't the only draw. The rich history of the Island is exemplified by the many Islamic artifacts, which continue to astound archeologists and visitors alike. The Island is separated into comarcas, otherwise known as counties or districts, which outline the Island into six different legislative areas. Each comarca brings its own local flavor and attraction for visitors and provides an easy way to navigate throughout the Island.
Palma
The name says it all. This comarca covers the central business district of the City of Palma de Mallorca and its surrounding areas including a cornucopia of bars, restaurants, hotels, and every other modern amenity you'd expect from a bustling city. Just under half the population of the Island call this southwest area of the Island home which features important historical landmarks such as La Seu and Bellver Castle, a former military prison in the 18th and 19th centuries. Tourism has definitely had its impact on the city with millions passing through the Son Sant Joan airport each year. As a result, the culture of the city has come alive. The Museum of Mallorca and The Contemporary Spanish Art Museum outline the early history of the Island as well as display works by important Spanish cultural figures and artists including Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró.
Sierra de Tramontana
Expanding over the vast north coast of the Island, this comarca covers the mountain range of the same name including the popular townships of Valldemossa (home of the House Museum J. Torrens Lladó) and Pollença that are frequented by many British and European holidaymakers. Here, the undulating peaks and secluded beaches make this particular area of the Island popular with nature lovers and isolationists alike. Many walking paths are available for those who wish to see an alternative side of the Island. In the town of Soller (site of the annual Festa de Nostra Sanyora de la Victoria), there is a paved track labeled "Pilgrims Way" that takes visitors up through a ravine and into the spectacular vista of Mirador de ses Barques. Should you desire less physical exertion, the beach at Puerto de Palma is an excellent choice to bathe and relax while you take in the slow pace of local life.
Raiguer
Running adjacent to Sierra de Tramontana from the towns of Marratxí to Sa Pobla is the district of Raiguer. Located near the center of the Island, most visitors flock to the town of Alcúdia where the largest resort in Europe, Bellvue, is located. Endless entertainment and cheap prices attract throngs of people looking for a good time. Drinking seems to be the pastime of choice here as thriving bars and pubs (such as Trotter's on the Beach) greet guests along regular intervals of the beach and around every corner. The famed "Old Town" is also very popular, attracting crowds of people with its famed market every Tuesday and Sunday within its ancient walls. Much of "Old Town" is restricted to pedestrians who, as a result, have transformed many of the plazas and squares into café-dominated areas.
Pla de Mallorca
Much of this area of the Island is dedicated to agriculture, animal farming and crop cultivation being a major part of local life. With the tourist boom of the 1950's, however, many residents have taken advantage of the increasing employment opportunities in Palma. Consequently, much of the agricultural importance of the region is maintained by only a select few residents who wish to remain true to the original agrarian lifestyles of the area. Many visitors arrive in Petra in large numbers to tour the former convent of Father Junipero Serra, founder of the mission system in Northern California. Local festivals venerate the former friar which regard him has a national hero. Alaro Castle, dating back to the time of the Moors, also provides a major draw for tourists offering spectacular panoramas of the surrounding olive and almond groves as well as the adjacent museum.
Migjorn
Occupying the land southeast of Palma is Migjorn. Visitors to this part of the Island will be amazed at the gothic architecture of the San Salvador Monastery located in Felanitx, the birthplace of Spanish contemporary artist, Miquel Barcelo. Llucmajor is also a major stop-off point for visitors. Traditionally, it was a manufacturing town specializing in shoes, but today visitors can see the shoemakers' memorial as well as the tomb of King James III of Mallorca who is buried within the local parish church. Santanyí is another excellent spot for those wishing to sunbathe on one of the numerous beaches in the area and is an important location for the Island's archaeological finds.
Llevant
Situated way in the northeast of the Island, from Manacor to Capdepera, is the comarca of Llevant. Many tourists to this part of the Island visit the marina of Manacor, one of the major attractions with its white stone and steep inclines. However, the more rugged adventurers regard the surrounding pine forest as the main draw. Much of this area is also cultivated, but Costa de los Pinos, with its golf courses and five-star hotels, is an important vacation destination for Spanish high society, providing much-needed revenue for the area.
