Majorca has 581,564 inhabitants. Beautiful coastline and magnificent inland scenery of plains and mountains.

Majorca is the largest of the Balearics and properties for sale in Majorca are highly popular with German and British home-buyers. Along with Ibiza, Majorca was one of the original package holiday destinations in the early 1960’s.

As a result, the south-west of the island, in resorts like Magaluf, there are many high rise developments, hordes of tourist and English pubs. The rest of the island is very different with strict building regulations to ensure that the character is retained and it is in this area that you will find some of the most desirable property for sale in Majorca.

On the north-west coast, sheltered by the Serra de Tramuntana is a craggy coastline with quiet villages built in local stone, pine forests and olive groves. Small towns such as Deia and Banyalbufar are well worth looking at when considering an investment in the property for sale in Majorca.

Among the most attractive property for sale in Majorca are the old fincas, ripe for restoration, that still exist in central Majorca - far from the madding crowd. The east coast has some resort towns, developed beside nice beaches. These areas are less busy than the south-west and quiet coves can still be found.

The recent re-opening of the railway line from Palma (Plaça d’Espanya) to Manacor has made visits to Majorca’s second biggest town a doddle. Manacor is noted for furniture manufacture, but the biggest attraction is the Majòrica factory where visitors can watch the creation of high- quality artificial pearls and buy jewellery in the adjoining showroom.

Majorca has two official languages: Castilian (standard Spanish) and Catalan. Islanders commonly speak Mallorquí, a regional variant of Catalan that has no written form. However, English and German are also widely understood.

Palma, the island's capital, has a population of approximately 300,000, which is practically half of the entire population of the island. It stretches some 15 km along the coastline, from El Arenal and Palma beach in the east as far as the cosmopolitan districts of Cala Mayor and San Agustivities of all kinds are more than well-catered- for here. There are restaurants, cafeteries, pubs, concert halls, discotheques, a bull-ring and all types of shows, offering the visitor entertainment and amusement at all times.

1. Palma’s Diocesan Museum (in the Episcopal Palace at Carrer d’en Calders, 2) exhibits paintings, sculptures and silver from churches and monasteries. Open Monday to Friday.
2. Step back into the world of early 20th-century aristocracy at Can Marqués, Carrer Zanglada 2a. This mansion contains original furniture, as well as contemporary art.
3. Walk with a professional guide through the Santa Creu quarter of Palma where Majorca’s medieval map- making reputation was built. Start at 10.30am from the Plaça Reina. (Tel. 636 43 00 00, 9-11am and 4-8pm).
4. If you don’t have the time to wander around the shops, then Porto Pi Centre will make the job easier with an extensive range of outlets to choose from. Fashion is well represented here with branches
   of Massimo Dutti, Mango, Zara, Lacoste, Benetton and others all under one roof.
5. Bellver Castle, built in the 14th-century, is the only circular fortress in Europe. Even if history’s not your bag, the view from the ramparts will surely be worth it. Road access is from Son Armadans or on foot from Plaza Gomila.

Deya (also Deià) is a living village with a thriving community and this is, of course, what makes it popular with the more sophisticated traveller - the combination of genuine people, natural beauty and well preserved buildings.

Situated on the western part of the Tramuntana Mountains, Banyabulfar is amongst the most unusual villages on Majorca. The village itself may well be picturesque but it is the marvellous terraced gardens that lead down to the sea that make the place so special. Once a major growing area for of the Malvasia grapes used to produce Malmsey wine today Banyabulfar is a favourite with artists and those looking for peace and solitude. The village’s principal landmark is the Sa Baronia Tower, which was once used by villagers as refuge from marauding pirates led by the legendary Redbeard. As you would imagine the views over the terraces to the sea are nothing short of amazing.

The recent re-opening of the railway line from Palma (Plaça d’Espanya) to Manacor has made visits to Majorca’s second biggest town easy. Manacor is noted for furniture manufacture, but the biggest attraction is the Majòrica factory where visitors can watch the creation of high- quality artificial pearls and buy jewellery in the adjoining showroom.

UP TO €15 (£10.50)
Casa de la Abuela (Calle Miguel Roselló Alemany, Cala Mayor. Tel. 971 40 42 06). Pizza place boasting a wood-fired oven and also a low-cost midday menu.

UP TO €30 (£21)
Old Mexico Grill (Carretera Puigpunyent km 14. Tel. 971 61 40 57). Serving spicy and authentic Mexican dishes.

UP TO €50 (£35)
Porto Pi (Avenue de Joan Miró 174. Tel. 971 40 00 87). A no-nonsense Majorcan restaurant with the emphasis on prime ingredients rather than elaborate sauces.
EXCLUSIVE

Plat d’Or, Hotel Arabella (Vinagrella, s/n. Urbanització Son Vida. Tel. 971 79 99 99). Located in a chic setting, the Michelin-starred Plat D’or has an extensive gourmet menu as well as the daily chef’s specialty.
(Prices quoted are per person)

BUS: A regular service to central Palma starts at 6.10am and runs every 20 minutes from 7.45am until 10.05pm. Last bus is at 1am. Tel. 971 21 44 44, Website: www.a-palma.es. Inter-urban buses connect Palma (Calle Eusebio Estada) with all parts of the island.

TRAINS: starting from the Plaça d’Espanya, leave for Sa Pobla or Manacor, via Santa Maria, Binissalem and Inca, between 5.50am and 10pm. There are bus links to surrounding villages. http://tib.caib.es. A separate railway, also from the Plaça d’Espanya, goes to Sóller. Tel. 971 75 20 51.

ROAD: Ten minutes by motorway to central Palma, six minutes to the outer ring road for all points west and north. Or head towards Llucmajor and Manacor for the eastern part of the island.

TAXI: Fares to Palma are metered, fixed prices apply to all other destinations. Ask your driver before beginning the journey.