Mallorca, Spain — City Information
The island of Mallorca (Majorca) off the east coast of Spain is the largest in the Balearic Island group, which collectively form one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world, and certainly in the Mediterranean.
Mallorca took off as a tourist Mecca in the 1960s, when a development boom spawned the building of hundreds of high-rise hotels, apartment blocks and shopping centers which now line most of the island's coast. The capital, Palma, however still retains some of its historical flavor sporting grand mansions and a magnificent Gothic cathedral in its bustling center. The northwest coast, too, still offers some secluded coves below the peaks of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, and several quaint old towns and villages.
If you visit Mallorca for the sun and fun, it is worth taking a break from the beach resorts and heading off for a tour of the island by car, or even bicycle, to discover the romantic fishing villages, historic monasteries, monuments, museums and spectacular landscapes tucked away from the madding crowds. The interior is largely the preserve of a thriving agricultural community, dotted with windmills, olive and almond trees.
