Despite the usual hustle and bustle that comes with tourism, you can still find coastal places on the island of Mallorca where you can relax while strolling through a traditional fishing harbour, taste local fish, buy traditional products, contemplate a wonderful sunset with a glass of Malvasian wine in the hand or just relax in a hidden cove. Welcome to the harbour villages of Mallorca where it seems as if time wouldn’t pass by!
Portocolom
Portocolom is a charming fishing village located in the eastern part of the island, very close (a little over 10 kilometres) from Felanitx. It is a traditional town full of charm that is a haven of peace and tranquillity even in the middle of summer. It is one of the last authentic fishing villages that still remain in Mallorca. In addition, its gastronomic offer (consisting mainly of fish dishes and very high quality local seafood) is very varied. What stands out in this small village is its church and a series of old renovated cabins the facades of which have been painted with pastel colours. What can’t be overlooked either, is its prominent lighthouse, one of the most emblematic and most frequented lighthouses in the whole island. This harbour owes its name to Cristobal Colón, since one of he’s possible places of birth is Felanitx.
Less than 20 kilometers from Portocolom we find another coastal town with undeniable charm: Santanyi: Anocther very quiet municipality of narrow streets and -in this case- dominated in recent years by a good number of art galleries and bookstores.
Banyalbufar
From the name (which means “nestled in the sea”, in an special mixture between Arabic and Catalan), this beautiful fishing village of Mallorca proudly shows us its origins. It is one of the most spectacular – and at the same time unknown – places on the island And it is undoubtedly – together with Valldemossa and Deià – one of the pearls of the Sierra de Tramuntana mountains. Distributed among terraces of vineyards that look to the sea (fundamental to taste its excellent Malvasia wine ), at its feet we find a handful of quietcoves, several of which can only be reached by walking. It is absolutely forbidden to leave Banyalbufar without contemplating the sunset from the well-known Café Bellavista: essential!
Andratx
Andratx must be added to the list of the most charming places of the Sierra de Tramuntana, both inland and on the coast. While it is true that it is mostly known for hosting VIP vacationers (from Claudia Schiffer to Felipe González) and for hosting many foreign residents, we cannot forget the undoubted charm of the streets of the town, where every Wednesday a traditional market with more than 200 stands can be enjoyed and strolled through. Every first Sunday of December a Christmas market is hosted in this small town. Furthermore, its’ beautiful harbour is also a must to visit, with idyllic places like Cala en Basset. The nearby town of Estellencs is also worth a visit, it is one of the least populated and best preserved towns on the island.
La Trapa is another place which is definitely worth a stop, it is a Natural Reserve named after an old Trappist monastery. What is to be highlighted is its viewpoint, from where you can overlook the nearby Dragonera island.
Alcúdia
Quite larger and more touristy than the rest of the fisihing villages in Mallorca, the charm of Alcúdia is, however, omnipresent in every of its streets. In addition to being considered one of the most beautiful coastal towns of Spain, Alcúdia, unofficial capital of the North of Mallorca, is together with Palma the islands oldest town. Founded in the 2nd Century BC of C. by the Romans with the name of “Pollentia” (ruins of that stage are conserved, another essential stop), what stands out most is undoubtedly its majestic and impressive Arab wall. An icon not only of Alcúdia, but of the island of Mallorca in general.
We cannot fail to mention the harbours of Sóller and Pollença here, close to the “mother” localities of which we have already spoken in our post about the 7 most beautiful villages in the interior of Mallorca. Also places like San Telmo are definitely going to take away your breath. San Telmo is a delightful town dotted with fishermen’s cottages, very close to the already mentioned Andratx and also located right in front of the island of Dragonera. Porto Cristo, much more touristy, but with undeniable charms as the nearby Cuevas del Drach, is also one of our recommendations.
These fishing and harbour villages of Mallorca will help you to know the whole island better and to enjoy all the different possibilities it offers even more: rural and natural landscapes, culture, gastronomy, beaches, the sea … So we invite you to enjoy with all their pleasures town by town.