With its amazing views, gorgeous weather and incredible selection of villas, Mallorca is one of The Luxury Travel Book’s most popular destinations. In her latest journal article, founder Susie Marquis reveals her favourite villas on the island for the perfect summer break.
The Balearic Islands are all popular holiday destinations, with a long summer season. Mallorca is the largest of the islands, which also include Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera, and also offers the most varied landscape. From flat fertile plains to the mountainous peaks of the Serra de Tramuntana, as well as over 200 beaches, Mallorca has it all.The island’s white sandy beaches offer many local activities for both adults and children, including boat rentals, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. There’s also a good choice of sporting activities available on land as well as sea, including cycling and golf. For those who love walking, there are many interesting hiking trails to explore on the island, mainly in the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range to the west, as well as the Serra de Llevant mountains in the east.  
The island also has an international reputation for its restaurants, its flourishing wine industry, and great shopping options, ranging from local food products to high-end fashion. Mallorca is renowned for its high-quality leather goods, including bags and footwear. The town of Inca at the centre of the island, just off the motorway between Palma and Alcudia, is particularly known for its production of leather goods, as is Alaro, 14kms west of Inca, home to the iconic Tony Mora cowboy boots! The island is also renowned for its sought after Mallorcan pearls. Olive oil, wine, fresh fruit, almonds, and sea salt are just some of the many food products produced and sold locally. 
The beautiful capital of Palma de Mallorca is a popular destination in its own right, attracting many visitors for city breaks thanks to its vibrant history and culture, museums, and art galleries, as well as its great shopping and restaurants. The beautiful Gothic cathedral can be found in the old town, down by the seafront, which is a wonderful area to explore thanks to its narrow streets, cafés, boutiques and galleries. For lovers of modern art, we recommend a walk down Via Veri, a charming small street offering both art galleries and interesting interior design shops. 
Discover DeiaDeia, a very pretty village on the west coast of Mallorca, located about 35kms from Palma de Mallorca Airport, is definitely one of our favourites thanks to its location, beauty and views. It also has an interesting history, as home to many famous artists, writers and musicians, including Robert Graves and Chopin. The original house of Robert Graves is now open to visitors as the Robert Graves Museum. Just a 15-minute drive away, you’ll find the Museum Chopin in the charming village of Valldemossa, the famous composer’s former home, where he created some of his greatest compositions.We also highly recommend visitors take the short walk down from Deia village to the pebble beach at Cala Deia, with its large boulders and crystal-clear water. In this idyllic setting, you can enjoy some seafood dining at C’as Patro del March restaurant. The beach and restaurant were also the location of the popular TV adaption The Night Manager, based on the famous book by John Le Carré.
Recommended Villas:Deia Village (4 bedrooms, 8 guests)This luxury rental villa sits in an elevated position, overlooking the beautiful Deia village with a backdrop of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range.Enjoy captivating views, contemporary interiors, beautiful outdoor terraces and an infinity pool. There’s even a piano for sunset serenades.
Deia Stone Villa (4 bedrooms, 8-10 guests)This spacious villa has recently undergone extensive refurbishment and is now fully equipped with a variety of modern amenities. Situated in a perfect central location, the villa is just a stone’s throw from the shops and restaurants of Deia village and only a 25-minute walk down to the beach. Enjoy the stunning roof terrace with a view of the surrounding mountains, and the private pool within a secluded courtyard. There’s also an indoor projector, perfect for movie nights.
Visit Port de SollerA 20-minute drive north of Deia is the picturesque coastal village of Port de Soller, with its pretty bay and beach which are lined with restaurants, bars and cafés. The resort has two main sandy beaches: the beach alongside the harbour is around two hundred metres long and shelves gently into the calm blue sea. There is also a Marine Museum here, and two pretty churches, Santa Caterina and Sant Ramon de Penyafort. A little further out you can explore the 17th century Torre Picada, a former watchtower that offers fantastic views across the harbour and beyond.The pretty town of Soller, 5kms inland, boasts narrow streets and a main square, Plaça Constitució. It also offers a regular Saturday market selling delicious local citrus products, including marmalades, jams, juices, and liqueurs. The town is also home to the Can Prunera art gallery, which features a permanent Modernist art collection with works by national and international artists such as Picasso, Miró, Matisse, Basquiat, Toulouse-Lautrec and Klee.
Recommended Villas:Villa Port de Soller (5 bedrooms, 10 guests)In a beautiful clifftop position, this luxury villa to rent benefits from 360-degree views over the sea, the marina and the port, and wonderful sunset views on the western side. Situated in a quiet location, the villa is just a 5-minute walk from local shops, restaurants, and sandy beaches. Guests will adore the sleek modern décor, outdoor dining areas and saltwater swimming pool. Underfloor heating allows this villa to be a comforting getaway all year round.
Finca Hereu (6 bedrooms, 12 guests)Situated just 1km from Port de Soller, this beautifully restored 17th century villa sits on a terraced hillside between the sea and the Tramuntana mountain range, surrounded by orange and olive groves. The spacious interiors of this luxury villa to rent in Mallorca have been designed by architect Jose Garcia Ruiz, and are a stunning blend of traditional architecture and modern high-tech luxury. The estate boasts a chapel, heated swimming pool and furnished sun terrace. If you’re looking for a venue for a Mallorcan micro-wedding, Finca Hereu is an excellent choice.
Port d’AndratxAnother popular area by the sea, which also offers an 18-hole championship golf course, is Port d’Andratx. Despite its reputation as an upmarket resort, Port d’Andratx has retained its charm as a traditional, picturesque fishing village, which further enhances its appeal.Many of the beautiful villas we have to rent here are in wonderful hillside positions, benefitting from views of the port and the sea. The fishing industry in Port d’Andratx provides fresh fish to many of the tempting bars and restaurants that line the water’s edge. There are also a few bathing areas and coves for swimming here, with the nearby resorts of Camp de Mar and Sant Elm offering larger sandy beaches with sunbeds and beach umbrellas for hire. For boat trips from the port, check out Carlo Mar which offers half-day, full-day, and sunset tours on a traditional Mallorcan boat. Other local providers can also arrange snorkelling and fishing, and short boat trips over to the small island and nature reserve of Sa Dragonera.
Recommended Villas:Mon Port (4 bedrooms, 8 guests)Enjoying stunning views of the harbour and out to sea, this villa is perfect for soaking up the sun on its south/south-west facing terraces all year round. Puerto Andratx town, beach and harbour are within walking distance, and there is a golf course nearby. Guests will adore the games room, hot tub and garden activities including table tennis, badminton and petanque.
Villa Goya (7 bedrooms, 14 guests)This impressive luxury villa is set over numerous levels, offering guests several different areas for relaxing, socialising and taking in the stunning views. The villa’s main deck showcases a large infinity pool, jacuzzi and sunbed area, with the outdoor dining and lounge on the deck above.
Pollensa, Puerta Pollensa and AlcudiaIn the north of the island, the pretty, historic town of Pollensa and its surrounding countryside is very popular for holidaymakers. It’s also a short 10-15 minute drive to the coast and child-friendly beaches of Puerto Pollensa and Alcudia, perfect for a family holiday. Both beaches offer many activities, including boat rentals, windsurfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.The countryside around Pollensa town offers some great outdoor pursuits, including cycling and hiking up the Puig de Pollensa. The popular nine-hole Pollensa Golf Club is just 2km from Pollensa town and benefits from spectacular views of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains and the bays of Pollensa and Alcúdia. There’s a market in the centre of Pollensa every Sunday morning, selling fruit and vegetables, jewellery, leather items and clothing. In Puerto Pollensa, the market is in the main square every Wednesday morning, and in Alcudia there’s a twice-weekly market on both Sunday and Tuesday mornings.
Recommended Villas:Can Salsa (4 bedrooms, 8 guests)This stunning luxury villa has a fantastic location on a large private plot of land between the beautiful village of Pollensa and the coast. Guests staying at this impressive holiday rental have quick access to the shops and restaurants in both Pollensa and Puerto Pollensa and are just a short drive from the sandy beaches of Puerto Pollensa, Alcudia and Cala San Vicente. Offering modern interiors, a swimming pool, gym, exceptional outdoor seating areas and two colourful rooms fit for children, this villa makes a great option for families.
Villa Ullaro (5 bedrooms, 10 guests)This luxury Mallorca holiday rental is ideal for a family and/or group of friends, thanks to its landscaped terraced gardens, large swimming pool with outdoor bar, fitness room and games room with pool table.
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