Sightseeing
The Southeastern coast of Majorca offers a large variety of "Sightseeing". Be it the gorgeous almond blossom at the beginning of the year, in the Natural Park of Monrago, various Fincas were bought from one Majorquin man, just to make sure to save the almondtrees.
The thriller stories about the Pirates at Cap de Ses Salines and Santanyi, which contrast with the manifold sanctuaries ((Santuari de Consolacíon or San Salvador, to name but a few), the famous limestone caves in Porto Cristo, or for anyone who is keen on an adventure in the “jungle”, the Safari Park in Sa Coma is open all year round.
almond blossom At the flowering time there blossom more than 8 million almond trees over the whole island – a real natural spectacle. If you want to experience the blossoming, we recommend to come to Majorca at the very beginning of February, that is when the trees are in there most colourful period. Temperatures during the day rise up to about 15 degrees Celsius, so that you get a spring like feeling round about two months earlier than in Britain for instance. There are quite a few finca-hotels, putting special offers on for period of the almond blossoming. Mostly they are proper almond-fincas, offering a gorgeous sight over a light pink and white landscape.
Cap de Ses Salines/ Porta Murada in Santanyiwhere once upon a time the pirates used to lay siege one can nowadays relax and encounter peace. Cap de Ses Salines is the southernmost point of the island. Here they are not only tourists who fly in, but also migratory birds, who on their way from Africa to Europe, stop here for a rest. The lighthouse is a good start for a nice hike.It is nice to escape the daily routine on the coast of Ses Salines, one can watch the waves or listen to the whispering of the sea.
What is left over of the City wall in Santanyi, the Porta Murada, is except for the thrilling stories that are told, the last “living” memory of the tumultuous past, the south-eastern coast underwent, as it was a favourite to pirates and smugglers.
Santuari de Sant Salvador it is quite a winding road leading up to the Covent "Santuari de Sant Salvador", but the higher you get, the more you can see of the surroundings. Yet the best is yet to come. Once you have reached the top, you will be able to witness one of the most breathtaking views over the whole of Majorca.The way may be steep and curvaceous, but the view you get from the very top of San Salvador is definitely worth it. Yet if you suffer of acrophobia you better not get to near to the balustrades…The tower with the Christy statue is 37 meters high, and is right near the main building. From the platform you can overview Porto Colom and its harbour and even cities which are a lot further away.
Castell de Santueri The ruins of the Castle de Santueri are pretty much overgrown. Nature slowly but surely gets its land back, which hundreds of years ago the Arabs took away from her. 1229 the castle was nearly totally destroyed, yet in the 14th century it was rebuild, in order to defend one selves from the pirates. Here there are no fast food stalls, souvenir shops, or the like, what you find on so many Majorquin places, that´s what really makes the ruins so particular. As for more than a hundred years nearly nothing has been changed.Only a few bits of the former outer wall and the towers have escaped major decay. But the view from up here is really exceptional, as on good days, you may even see the other Balearic islands.
Visitors should be careful where they step, there are quite q few holes in the floor, in which you better not fall. There are no warnings, nor are there any guides to take you round. One is there on his own risk. Yet the view is worthwhile the risk.
Coves del Drach the eastern coast particularly attracts with its spectaculars limestone caves with stalactites and stalagmites. Especially a visit of the Coves del Drach is recommended. One of the biggest subterranean cave systems of the whole island, with a length of more than 1.700m and six seas can be visited. There are guided tours in various languages, as well as concerts with classical music.
Since1935 visitors are welcome to stroll about in the underground world of Majorca. There are six lagoons and the worldwide known Lago Martel to discover. The spectacular nature attraction is put in the limelight by nifty light games. The typical program also includes a classic concert in the cave. Tourists are brought to the guided tours by bus. Opening hours are every day from 9 am until the sun goes down. The first guided tour is at 10 am and the last one at 5 pm.
Coves dels Hams caves of the fishing hooks, the COVES DELS HAMS are the third biggest cave system of Majorca. Some of the seas are connected with ones of the Coves del Drach, by flooded underground chambers. The caves were first explored in 1905. The huge forecourt already gives an idea of the dimensions of the underground cave world.
The guided tours are held in three languages, duriong the summer months there are loads of visitors coming to discover the caves, every day.
During the tour, which takes one through 14 different halls, one can watch the stalactites, which really sometimes have the shape of a fishing hook. That is where the cave got its name from (Hams = fishing hook) On a boat, which slides over the subterranean sea, a band plays classical music.
Botanicactus In the South of Majorca is teh botanic garden, known as Botanicactus. In the more than 40000 sqm big cactus garden there are more than 10000 cactus to marvel. Next to Ferrokaktus, Cereus, and Echinocactus there is a more than 300 year old "Carnegia gigantea". At the same time there is a 25.000 sqm big Majorquin garden and a humid area garden. The Botanicactus is to be found on the road leading from Santanyi to Ses Salines. During the summer the opening hours are from 9 am until 7 pm. The entrance price is about 7 € per adult. If you love cactus, don´t miss it !
Majorica in 1902 the German engineer Friedrich Hugo Heusch founded the factory for artificial pearls in Manacor. Instead of growing in a shell like the breaded pearls, the artificial ones are made layer by layer in the oven. Its heat melts a secret mixture of lots of different solids from the sea, to a light resistant, unbreakable and shimmering like real pearl, which even experts can’t recognize on the first sight. In their best quality they can only be distinguished from the natural pearls by their regular and smooth surface. Even the best imitation can not get the slight “rough” structure of the real pearls.
The inviting building is not only a pearl museum, in which you may gaze at the most beautiful fake pearls, in showcases. At the same time it is a show workshop, where the fancy Perlas Majorica are made. Visitors may purchase the artistic jewellery straight from the factory.
Kings and queens already fell for the charm of these pearls. Here in Manacor you may gaze at their full splendour. Schon Könige und Königinnen erlagen dem Reiz der Perlen.
Cala Figuera „The fig-bay“ has probably the most captivating harbour of the island. The way it kind of runs in´to the town on a narrow path, is simply unique. Unfortunately there is no beach to be found in Cala Figuera, that is probably one of the reasons why this beautiful little town is still not over crowded with tourists. Tourists who want to go for a swim, head off to Cala Santanyi or Cala Llombards.Tourism had its prime time in Cala Figuera in the 70s and 80s. In the 90s the number of tourists decreased. This led on to a change of structure within the town, many of the elderly hotels were removed, other buildings just stayed empty. Now they are building first class apartments, to attract a residents and tourists, too.
Not far away from Cala Figuera one enjoys an amazing view to Cala S´Almunia and from the Northernside you can see the hills from Cap d'es Moro. The Cap is beautifully laied and scarcely built - pure nature !
If one watches the water you will witness a wonderful game of lights in different shades of blue and turquoise. A good opportunity to go for a nice walk.
Safari Park near Sa Coma is the Safari-zoo "Reserva Africana", where you can gaze at a great variety of African animals. Either one takes his own car, making ones way through the zebras, giraffes, the rhinoceros and the other animals or one can take the mini train. Getting off the car or train is strictly forbidden, even if there is some monkey on your car. It seems almost like a real safari when the visitors drive through the ca. 40 ha big site. Once the drive among the animals is finished, passing the wild animals, you get to the smaller zoo, incluiding a petting zoo and a very nice playground. You may also assist to free shows, and take some memorable pictures. There is also a cafeteria, where beverages and food are served.