Banyalbufar Holidays

Travel Agent's View

The municipality of Banyalbufar is situated in the south east of the Tramuntana mountain range between the resorts of Esporles, Estellencs and Valldemossa.

Although the village has grown into a small tourist resort with a small selection of cafes and restaurants, it still retains it's original charm. Many tourists enjoy walking to the Port des Canonge which leads downhill through shaded pine forests, passing many strange rock formation with fantastic views of the coast.

The watchtower known as Torre de ses Animes is a popular attraction, again with great sea views. Although many people will enjoy wandering through the narrow little streets, Banyalbufar may be a little too quiet for most but being only 26km from Palma it is a great base for exploring the area and all of it's attractions.

Insider's View

This dozy little Moorish village is perched high above a stunning labyrinth of dry stone walled fields and terraces crammed with olives, tomatoes and citrus fruits. It's Moorish name, bani al buhar means vineyard by the sea and indeed it was once famed for its wine production. In the 1870's when phylloxera wiped out all the island's vineyards, locals took to growing tomatoes instead, a custom still going today.

In the little town square there is a squat church, Església de la Natividad which has wonderful classical music concerts throughout the summer if music's your thing. I often attend a few on balmy evenings in the hot months, followed by dinner at either Son Tomás which serves us wonderful suckling pig and fish dishes, or Ca Madò Paula, famed for delicious pastas and unusual combinations such as ostrich in mustard sauce.

If you enjoy quirky, artisan shops, I recommend Brodats for fine embroidery and good quality local gifts. Banyalbufar does have its one beach, a shingly cove which has refreshing cool clear waters and shade by the rocks to read or doze.

Not far away from the village is La Granja, a grand country house with extensive gardens open to the public. It dates back to 1239 and was once a monastery and gives a real taste of life in rural Mallorca in the past. It's fantastic for adults and children alike and I can't count how many times I've visited with the family and stayed all day. There is always something to see and do and a really good restaurant for simple local fare.

Take note that on Wednesdays and Fridays, ladies in traditional Mallorcan costumes give demonstrations in lace making and embroidery and there are tastings of local products and dancing displays. One note of caution in the area displaying antique agricultural implements there are some pretty ghoulish instruments of torture from bygone days-perhaps not for the very young or impressionable! Insider Sig