The first glimpse of Mallorca’s Tramuntana mountains rising from the Mediterranean sets the tone for an island where luxury and natural beauty intertwine.
In This Article
Port de Soller and the Orient Express
Port de Soller is a crescent-shaped bay ringed by citrus groves and art deco buildings, reached by a vintage wooden train that has wound through the mountains since 1912. The journey from Palma passes through thirteen tunnels and across a spectacular viaduct before emerging into this hidden coastal paradise. The town retains an old-money elegance that attracts discreet celebrities and families who return year after year. The harbour is filled with traditional fishing boats and the occasional superyacht, while the promenade offers excellent seafood restaurants serving freshly caught red prawns and grilled lobster. Port de Soller represents Mallorca at its most romantic, a place where time seems to slow and the worries of the mainland fade away.
Puerto Portals and the Superyacht Scene
Puerto Portals is the epicentre of Mallorca’s glamorous side, a marina where multi-million-euro yachts dock alongside exclusive boutiques and champagne bars. The atmosphere buzzes with money and style, as sun-kissed patrons sip cocktails at seaside terraces while discussing their next destination. The marina development includes high-end restaurants such as Tast Club and Llevant, where the menus feature truffle, caviar, and other luxuries. During the summer months, Puerto Portals hosts fashion shows, charity galas, and exclusive parties that draw A-list names from across Europe. Even if you are not aboard a superyacht, the people-watching here is world-class and the setting is undeniably beautiful.
Deia and the Artistic Retreat
Deia is a mountain village that has attracted writers, musicians, and artists for over a century, drawn by its dramatic setting and creative energy. The poet Robert Graves made his home here, and his former residence, now a museum, attracts literary pilgrims from around the world. The village clings to a steep hillside overlooking the sea, with stone houses draped in bougainvillea and narrow lanes that open onto breathtaking viewpoints. La Residencia, a luxury hotel housed in two connected manor houses, offers some of the most exclusive accommodation on the island. Deia appeals to those who prefer quiet sophistication over flashy glamour, a place where creativity and natural beauty combine in perfect harmony.
Cap Rocat and Exclusive Hideaways
Cap Rocat is a former military fortress transformed into one of Europe’s most extraordinary hotels, perched on a clifftop at the edge of the Bay of Palma. Guests arrive via a private tunnel, and the rooms are carved into the original barracks, retaining the thick stone walls and vaulted ceilings of the nineteenth-century fortification. The hotel offers complete privacy and seclusion, with a sea-water pool, a spa, and a restaurant that serves innovative Mediterranean cuisine on a terrace overlooking the water. Cap Rocat is the choice of those who value discretion above all else, a hideaway for celebrities and billionaires who want to escape the paparazzi and enjoy Mallorca in peace.
Golf and Wellness in Bendinat
Bendinat, located just west of Palma, is home to an exclusive golf and residential community that attracts a wealthy international clientele. The golf course winds through pine forests and along the coastline, with views of the bay that make every round memorable. The nearby Bendinat Spa offers thalassotherapy treatments, hydrotherapy pools, and wellness programmes designed to rejuvenate body and mind. Luxury villas with infinity pools dot the hillsides, and the local restaurants serve cuisine that would not be out of place in a Michelin-starred establishment. Bendinat represents the quieter side of Mallorcan luxury, where wellness, sport, and relaxation take precedence over nightlife and socialising.
Would you choose the glamorous marina life or the artistic retreat of Deia for your Mallorcan escape?
Explore all our Spain travel guides, from Barcelona Gaudí to Andalusia plazas.
Explore More
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:
