If you are thinking of doing something different during your next holidays, you could opt for a totally authentic experience by doing rural tourism in Majorca. This is an island that, in addition to the impressive cultural and artistic heritage of its main cities, such as Palma, Alcúdia and Manacor, among others, has villages located in dreamlike natural settings.
Throughout the length and breadth of the island, you will find all kinds of small towns with lots of charm and magical corners where you can enjoy the most impressive views of the coast, lakes and forests. In addition, Mallorca is a territory with almost unlimited possibilities to do during a holiday period.
However, for rural tourism in Majorca, we recommend you to rent a car near the airport. This is because public transport on this island, although sufficient for the locals, is insufficient for tourists, who want to see all the corners of the island in the shortest possible time.
In other words, transport is usually quite infrequent and there is no night-time transport. For this reason, if you get stranded at a certain time, you will be forced to spend a lot of money on a taxi to take you to the hotel. Therefore, if you have a vehicle, you can visit the most interesting rural towns in the Tramuntana mountains or the most spectacular coastal landscapes without having to worry about getting back to the hotel early. Having said that, we are going to show you where you can do rural tourism in Mallorca for a unique and authentic experience.
In Sóller and Puerto de Sóller
If you want to live an incredible experience where you can enjoy rural tourism in Mallorca and have the opportunity to see some dreamlike coastal landscapes, you should undoubtedly travel to Sóller and its port. To get there from Palma de Mallorca, you only have to leave Palma de Mallorca taking the Ma-11 road, passing by Son Sardina and crossing the municipality of Palmañola and bordering Buñola in the direction of the north of the island.
The journey is not too long, as it will take you just over half an hour to reach Sóller. Just a few minutes’ drive further north, you will come across the Port of Sóller. Both are charming villages, which are quite close to other municipalities and which contain places that are potentially worth visiting for rural tourism in Mallorca with charm.
For example, we can mention the church of San Bartolomé, which is a Baroque temple, reformed during the Modernist period by Joan Rubió Bellver and which has a neo-Gothic bell tower. However, if you want to do rural tourism, you cannot miss the importance of the orange tree plantations in this town, which is located at the foot of the Alfabia mountain range. Take the opportunity to stroll around and immerse yourself in the culture of the orange tree in a relaxed and natural atmosphere.
In fact, all kinds of organic products are made here, related to the oranges and lemons that are grown here and which form an essential part of its rural economy. In addition, we can say that, in the port of Sóller, you can appreciate the beauty of its harbor and enjoy its beaches and coves, go hiking or visit the lighthouse of Cabo Gros.
Fornalutx, a village with lots of charm
Fornalutx is another of the places where you can enjoy rural tourism in Majorca. It is a small village with a lot of charm, as it is located in the heart of the Sierra de Tramontana mountain range, in the valley of Sóller, near the Puig Major massif. In fact, Fornalutx tops the list of the most beautiful Mallorcan villages in Spain.
For this reason, it is a must if you want to do rural tourism in Mallorca with a lot of charm. In this village, you will be able to enjoy its traditional appearance and its streets and façades, cobbled and decorated with great care. Among the main places not to be missed in this area are the Plaza de España, where you can shop and enjoy a good coffee, as well as the Church of Fornalutx and the Casal de Can Xoroi. However, by simply strolling through its streets, you will be able to enjoy a unique and unforgettable experience.
To get there, you can follow the same route from Palma de Mallorca that we have recommended to get to Sóller. From this municipality, you can take the Ma-10 road, which passes through the Sierra de Tramuntana mountain range and leads to this beautiful village where you can enjoy rural tourism in Mallorca. This way, you can enjoy a few days of peace and quiet. Very close to this municipality are the reservoirs of Cúber and Gorg Blau, where you can take a hiking route or simply take photos and enjoy the views, as it is one of the most Instagrammable places in the area.
Deià, a charming village near the sea
This town is also located in the heart of the Tramuntana mountain range, next to the villages of Fornalutx and Sóller, which we have just mentioned. Although it contains interesting places from the point of view of the artistic and architectural cultural heritage, the truth is that a stroll through its stone streets is enough to enjoy a unique experience of rural tourism in Mallorca with a lot of charm.
The traditional beauty of this municipality is reinforced by the vegetation that surrounds it, as it is located close to the wooded areas of the mountain range itself. Moreover, as it is near the coast, you can enjoy its beaches and coves, as well as its viewpoints, such as Son Marroig.
To get there by car, the journey takes about 40 minutes, taking the Ma-1110 road to the pretty village of Valldemossa and then the Ma-10 road to the north, bordering the mountain range and the coast, passing by the Son Marroig viewpoint until you reach Deià. Moreover, it is not very far from Sóller and Fornalutx, so if you wish, you can visit several of these villages while you are doing rural tourism in Mallorca.
Discover rural tourism in Mallorca in Banyalbufar
As in the previous case, it is a village for rural tourism in Majorca that is located both near the mountain and the coast. In this way, Banyalbufar is located on the slopes of the mountain, so the houses are at different levels of altitude. It offers spectacular views of the coast, but also of the Tramuntana mountain range. In addition, the vegetation is spectacular, as the forest extends southwards from the municipal area.
Likewise, if you want to enjoy charming rural tourism in Mallorca, you should know that this land is famous for the production of Malvasia wine. For this reason, by strolling through its rural surroundings, you can familiarize yourself with the production process of this much sought-after drink, from its vineyards to the elaboration of the wine in its cellars. In fact, some of them offer guided tours that are not to be missed.
To get to Banyalbufar by hire car from Palma de Mallorca is very simple and will take you no more than 30 minutes. To do so, take the Ma-1040 road from the capital and head north to the municipality of Esporles. From there, take the Ma-1100 towards the north and, shortly afterwards, the Ma-10 towards the northwest, crossing the Tramuntana mountain range until you reach Banyalbufar, close to the coast.
Pollença, at the northern end of the Tramuntana mountain range
Pollença is a town located at the northeastern end of the Tramuntana mountain range and one of the best places for rural tourism in Mallorca. Although it is a town, the way of life is very quiet and traditional, so you will find places with a lot of charm and you will enjoy the tranquility.
Walk along its steep cobbled streets and enjoy its main tourist attractions. Among them, we can name the Convent of Santo Domingo, the Desbrull Tower, the Plaza Mayor or the Oratory of Sant Jordi, as well as the Pont Romá, which is not far from the city. Also, less than 10 minutes away by car, you can reach the Port of Pollensa and enjoy its promenade and coves.
You can even take a trip to Cape Formentor to enjoy a hiking route that will not leave you indifferent with its marvelous views of the deep blue waters of its coasts. At the end of the cape, you will find the lighthouse of Formentor, where you can enjoy the views and recover your strength in its cafeteria.
To get to Pollença from Palma de Mallorca, you can choose between two different routes. The quickest is the one that leaves from Palma on the Ma-13 road towards the northwest of the island and then takes the Ma-2000 road to La Puebla. The longest way to this town is one hour and forty-five minutes, taking the Ma-11 in the direction of Sóller and following this road along the Ma-10 through the entire Tramuntana mountain range. However, on this route, you will be able to enjoy some incredible views and viewpoints.
Alcúdia, a town with rural charm in the north of the island
Finally, not far from Pollença, in the north of the island, we find the town of Alcúdia. Although it has a spectacular and fairly extensive artistic heritage, it is not a very large town where you can enjoy rural tourism in Mallorca with a lot of charm. It is also very close to the coast on both sides, so you can also enjoy a stroll along the port of Alcúdia.
You can visit its main historical and artistic monuments, enjoy a stroll around its walls, the church of Sant Jaume, among other places of interest, etc. You can also go on a cycling or hiking route and visit nature reserves or enjoy its rural charms thanks to the wine tastings you will find in the area.
Getting there, just like getting to Pollença, is very easy. In fact, if you want to take the long route, you can follow the same route of almost two hours that we mentioned above to Pollença. From there, all you have to do is take the Ma 2021 road and continue along the Ma-13 to Alcúdia. On the other hand, if you want to take the quicker route, simply take the Ma-13 directly from Palma de Mallorca and you will be there in less than 45 minutes.
We have no doubt that rural tourism in Mallorca is an adventure that combines the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of the island, as well as its traditions. From the charming villages of Sóller and Fornalutx to the serene Deià and the panoramic coastal views from Banyalbufar, every corner offers an authentic experience.
Pollença and Alcúdia add their history and charm to the north of the island, albeit with a slightly more urban character. So, if you are looking for a getaway that combines rural tranquility with the most beautiful places on the island, then opting for rural tourism in Mallorca by hire car is the perfect choice for a great holiday.
