Home » Mallorca: Heaven on Earth

Mallorca: Heaven on Earth

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Inset photo: View of the famous Soller Port Marina and Dockland illuminated by sunset light in Palma de Majorca in Spain in summer season.

Lawyer Raymundo Larraín Nesbitt looks at Majorca’s attractions as a place to live, visit, and invest.

I continue today with my running series on top places to buy and live in Spain. You can find older entries on this series scrolling down below. These impromptu light-hearted guides are not meant to be exhaustive; they are just there as a lighthouse to shed light on an area’s main highlights and landmarks.

Introduction

Majorca (Mallorca, in Spanish) is the largest of four islands that form the Balearic Islands, an archipelago off eastern Spain, located in the Mediterranean Sea.

Its name aptly means ‘big island’, as it’s the largest of the four. Historically it changed hands often, being initially colonized by Phoenicians, then Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Vandals, Arabs, and finally Spanish to this very day (well, surely some cheeky bugger would point out it is now de facto German, but let’s play nicely, shall we?) Stimmt!

Mallorca, all lifestyles in one

Mallorca is a unique place that melds all kinds of lifestyles.

Do you fancy being a party owl? Mallorca has you covered (although its sister party island, Ibiza, may fit the bill better). Are you a sporty type? Mallorca can offers you all types, you name it. I’ve been told it’s home to some renowned Spanish tennis player. You fancy indulging yourself shopping in exclusive designer posh boutiques? Puerto Portals is the right fit for you. Are you a beach bum? Check out Llucmajor Beaches. Mallorca boasts several blue flag beaches and coves, with unspoilt scenery to die for. Are you more inclined towards the arts and introspection? You should check out the picturesque town of Deià, which is home to a small colony of artists and intellectuals. Or would you rather muse on what life holds out for you watching a dramatic sunset against a dashing blue sea in good company sipping a fine Rioja al fresco?

Mallorca simply has it all!

Fact is that Mallorca caters to all lifestyles, so you will be spoilt for choice!

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Inset photo: Boats at pier of beautiful town of Port de Andratx on Majorca island, Spain Mediterranean Sea.

Mallorca’s main highlights

  • Port d’Andratx. The stylish port with light pastel colours, with over 450 berths, is set within a lovely harbour. Great dusk views over the harbour are guaranteed from lavish penthouses (if you can afford it)!
  • The Port Town of Pollença. Pollença is always a popular family-friendly spot, with great white sandy beaches, a nice yacht club, and a beautiful crystal clear bay.
  • Puerto Portals. It’s a glamorous seaside resort, that is visited every year by Spain’s royal family. This fashionable port boasts lavish restaurants, luxury shops, trendy designer boutiques, and glam cafes overlooking an exclusive yacht-filled marina. Très chic!
  • Port de Sóller. In sharp contrast to its more upscale neighbours, it’s a simple discreet village, with honest and hard-working fishermen, surrounded by gentle olive groves that shy away from all the bling. Beautiful views at dusk are guaranteed!
  • Deià. Far away from the mundane glitz, we find this small, picturesque village straight out of a postcard. The stone-made town stands on a ravine, surrounded by sweetly scented orange groves (known as Valley of the Oranges) on either side. Its isolation and quiet country life, make it a suitable home to a small colony of artists and poets. This small town boasts several quality restaurants. No doubt it’s one of Mallorca’s best-hidden gems waiting to be (re)discovered by connoisseurs.
  • Cala Fuguera. Another quaint fishing village surrounded by mother nature. Its restaurants offer fresh seafood fished daily by the local natives.  
  • Calvià Coastline. Much like Italy’s Amalfi coastline, you be spoilt driving through 50 kms of breath-taking unspoiled scenery, ideal for nature lovers!
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Inset photo: Beautiful beach Playa de Formentor, Palma Mallorca, Spain

Must-see places for art-lovers

Mallorca’s Cathedral (La Seu)

Overlooking the Old Harbor, and the bright sea beyond, perched atop a gentle rolling hill, lies a beautiful commanding 800-year-old cathedral. Its interior was remodelled by no other than renowned architect Antoni Gaudi in the 20th century. It’s truly a landmark that one must visit in Mallorca.

The Hilltop Town and Monastery of Valldemossa

Nestled at the foot of the Tramuntana Mountain range (UNESCO world heritage site), we find a small hilltop town, with quaint stone houses, cobbled streets, and narrow alleyways. Its home to a 14th century Carthusian monastery, built itself on the ruins of a Moorish citadel, that used to be under the watchful guard of the Emirate of Cordoba, that has lodged – among many others – renowned Polish musician Frédéric Chopin and French novelist George Sand. The peaceful setting inspired both artists to compose and write immortal works of art for us to enjoy.

Alcúdia’s Old Town

It’s a medieval walled town that is remarkably well-preserved. It was originally conceived to act as a bastion against the unrelenting attack of pirates and contrabandists that ravaged the area (nowadays these have rebranded themselves into a local respectful marquee bank marching affluent clients; I guess some things never change!)

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Inset photo: Cala Dor bay at Cala d’Or city, Palma Mallorca Island, Spain

Must-see places for history buffs

Santa Ponça

This was the site where King Jaime I of Aragon, known as James the Conqueror, launched a massive medieval invasion with 15,000 men and 1,500 horses, retaking the city, and all adjacent lands, from the Moors in one of La Reconquista’s many epic episodes that would in time lead to the unified Kingdom of Spain in 1492.

Palma de Mallorca

Majorca’s capital, started out in life as a Roman military camp (Palmaria), itself built on the remains of a Talaiotic settlement. It witnessed the conquest of Romans, Arabs, and finally Jaime the Conqueror. It’s now a major tourist attraction site and sitting capital of the Balearic Islands.

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Inset photo: Cala Gat at Rajada, Mallorca – beautiful beach and coast

Conclusion

Heaven is a place on earth, and its name is Mallorca.

San Junipero, a Mallorcan-born priest, that brought Christianity to Baja and Alta California (modern USA), would surely agree with me.

Mallorca is as close as it gets to glimpsing the gates of heaven. If you can afford to acquire property there, it’s worth any sacrifice! Be a lion, invest your capital in real estate! The gates of heaven await.

Without sacrifice, there is no happiness.” – Rafael Nadal

Original: «Sin sufrimiento, no hay felicidad.»

Rafael Nadal Parera (1986). Is a Spanish professional tennis player hailing from Manacor, Mallorca. He has been ranked world number one for 209 straight weeks, and finished as the year-end number 1 five times with a record 13 times in the top 2 of the year-end rankings. Nadal has won a joint-record 22 Grand Slam men’s singles titles, including a record 14 French Open titles. He has won 92 ATP singles titles, including 36 Master’s titles. Nadal is one of only two men to complete the Career Golden Slam in singles. Nadal is regarded as the best tennis player of all time, followed closely by his Swiss archrival, and friend, Mr. Roger Federer.

Nadal is an avid follower of El Real Madrid; I guess some people really are perfect.

Other entries in this running series:

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