As the self-styled ‘star of the Mediterranean, ’ Mallorca is known for its azure waters and popular beach resorts, busting at the guts with European tourists every summer.
Its capital Palma is a resort city and is home to the majority of the island’s residents. But there’s far more to this Balearic Island than package holidays – Mallorca is a vibrant cross-section of European, North African and Arab history, with Moorish architecture sitting alongside medieval gothic fortresses and sleepy hill towns. Not to mention its staggering mountain range, the Serra de Tramuntana. This striking backdrop runs along the northwest coast of the island.
We’ve gone house-hunting to find five Mallorcan properties for sale that offer a permanent base on the Spanish island.
4 bedrooms; 275 sq m; 1.495m via Fantastic Frank
This countryside villa perches on a hillside overlooking the small town of Pina, surrounded by five hectares of land with views of the Tramuntana mountain range. The Mallorca property is framed by palm, lemon and fig trees and has large windows that flood its interiors with light and capture the sea breeze.
As well as four bedrooms, the island home has ample space for a home yoga or art studio and a home office, as well as an infinity pool and massive outdoor terrace. It’s also just a short 20-minute drive from Palma.
6 bedrooms; 239 sq m POA direct
Dramatic views of the Tramuntana mountain range are on offer at this townhouse in Sóller, which was renovated by Swedish interior designer Ulrika Magnusson. The original structure dates from 1840, with the historic island property spread across three floors.
The Sóller property comes with a separate home studio and pool house with a loft bedroom and kitchenette. Scandinavian and Spanish influences mingle in the townhouse’s interiors, and a leafy courtyard with a pool is dotted with citrus trees. The kitchen opens onto a separate alfresco dining space.
10 bedrooms; 1,000 sq ft; POA via Sotheby’s International Realty
The walls of this Tramuntana mountains estate are imbued with history. The 13th-century villa lies within a UNESCO World Heritage site in Mallorca’s Escorca and requires a complete overhaul.
New owners of the Mallorcan building need to be prepared to roll their sleeves up, but the renovation project offers the potential to restore the historic villa to its former glory. It also has several supporting buildings that could become home offices or guest accommodation, as well as stables, storerooms, and a church within the grounds.
5 bedrooms; 500 sq m; POA direct
Located between Mallorca’s Porto Cristo and Porto Colom, this modern minimalist villa Son Samaa is by interior designer Sheena Levy. The bright and airy Mallorca property opens onto a poolside terrace and garden to maximise long summer days. There’s a 45 sq m courtyard shaded by giant palm trees and protected from the wind.
Levy has used a neutral colour palette inside Son Samaa, with stone flooring and white walls and ceilings throughout. With five bedrooms and a 100-sq-m entertaining space, there’s also ample space for creating a home studio or office.
6 bedrooms; 510 sq m; €5.25m via Fantastic Frank
Architecture studio Mar Plus Ask transformed this 16th-century Palma property into a minimalist home beneath the Tramuntana mountains. Originally built in 1530, the historic property is surrounded by lemon and olive trees and has been given new life by the architects who have combined Spanish and Scandinavian influences.
The serene space is spread across three floors, and one of the six light-filled bedrooms could be used as a home office. There’s a striking lap pool for cooling off on your lunch break in the warmer months.
