Montuiri holidays take you inland, twenty miles from Palma, on the road to Manacor. Montuiri is a pretty town built on a low hill overlooking fertile plains. The town has a long history dating from the fourteenth century and has many fine buildings. In the countryside around Montuiri, there are several large and picturesque windmills that are now redundant. If you are looking for a base away from the coast, where you can experience the delights of a traditional Majorcan atmosphere yet are close enough to the sea to enjoy days on the beach, a Montuiri holiday may be just the ticket.
Why go to Montuiri?
Montuiri holidays offer a complete contrast to the usual Majorcan beach holiday. Forget about crowded shores filled with sun worshippers, neon lights and throbbing music. Montuiri is all about sightseeing, walking and cycling, dining in traditional restaurants and experiencing the warm hospitality of genuine islanders. It is a good base for those who wish to combine relaxing days on the beach with sightseeing and exploration of the island. There are many sightseeing opportunities in the area and there are good road links to Palma.
Who is Montuiri popular with?
Montuiri holidays are popular with couples of all ages. They appeal to those with an interest in history, and in cycling and. The coast is easily accessed for those who wish to combine sightseeing with relaxing days on the beach. Golfers have a choice of courses in the vicinity.
When to go to Montuiri
Montuiri holidays can be taken taken from April to the end of October. Temperatures rise from twenty to the low thirties at the height of summer. Early and late season, when the weather is more temperate, are popular times for walkers, cyclists and sightseers.
Montuiri - The place
Montuiri holidays take you to an attractive hilltop town lying centrally in Majorca, a short distance from Manacor. The dome of the church of St. Bartomeu dominates this small town whose buildings are all very traditional and whose architecture reflects its history. The surrounding countryside could be called the bread basket of Majorca as this fertile land is highly productive. Windmills, that in the past were used for grinding the grain, are a feature of the landscape. Close to the town are found Talayots, monolithic structures dating from 2000BC which are thought to have been constructed by North African nomadic cave dwellers. Montuiri is a charming place where the pace of life is slow, ideal for those wishing to relax in the warmth of the summer sun and enjoy an authentic Majorcan atmosphere.
Montuiri holidays are ideal for those who wish to combine sightseeing with walking and cycling in the countryside, as well as a round of golf and occasional trips to the sandy beaches of the south or the north-eastern coasts.
Montuiri accommodation provides for all budgets and its restaurants, serve a wide variety of cuisine which caters for most tastes. The provision of shops is more than adequate but if further choice is needed you can take the bus to the capital Palma.
If you wish to make the most of your Montuiri holiday, car hire is recommended.
Montuiri nightlife
Although Montuiri has a number of lively bars, nightlife is fairly low key. Montuiri is very much a residential area and is not one that parties until dawn. There are many restaurants where you can spend a pleasant evening in the company of family and friends. Evenings are often spent wandering through the narrow streets of the town when the heat of the day is over, as this is the best time for holiday shopping.
Montuiri shopping
Montuiri has a more than adequate number of shops providing for all your holiday needs, including gifts and souvenirs. There is also a market each Monday. The shops of both Manacor and Palma are within easy reach, the former is home of the island's pearl manufacture and tours of the factory are available. The jewellery made there makes a very acceptable gift. Popular purchases include leather goods manufactured locally, embroidered linens and lace, pottery and ceramics, basketry and jewellery.
Montuiri Eating
Montuiri restaurants serve an eclectic cuisine that caters for all tastes. If you are new to the flavours of Spain, order tapas and you will be given a selection of tasty morsels which will surely delight your taste buds. Local wines are as pleasing to the palate as they are to the pocket. Children are always made very welcome and their tastes and portion sizes are usually accommodated.
Montuiri holidays will please those seeking respite from a busy life and the rigours of twenty-first century living. The town is set in very pleasant surroundings just off the Palma Manacor road. Although only a few miles from the capital and the beaches of the south coast, it is a peaceful spot where life is lived somewhere between the hard shoulder and the slow lane. This historical town offers recreational facilities and sightseeing opportunities both in the town itself and in the surrounding area. Montuiri holidays are ideal for those who enjoy walking and cycling. As always in Majorca, golfers can find a choice of courses without having to travel far. The southern and north eastern coasts have many fine sandy beaches where a variety of water sports can be found.
Since Majorca is a small island, visitors can enjoy all of its attractions including a choice of water parks, a safari park, stables for horse riding, a giant wooden maze which, when open at night, becomes a very scary experience as you never know when a ghost will leap out at you. The House of Katmandu with its interactive adventure, and the Fantasia mini golf at Palmanova are also very popular. While local buses offer a fairly good service, if you wish to explore the island fully, including its more remote parts, car hire is recommended.
Soller and Puerto Soller, on the west coast make a memorable excursion. Be sure to visit the Soller Botanical Gardens at Camp D'En Prohom, terraced gardens where many rare and endangered species are grown. Catch a ride on the old Soller train which runs through beautiful countryside from Soller to Palma.
The two water parks near Palma offer an exciting day out for adults and children alike. Aqualand has some terrifying vertical drops which certainly raise adrenalin levels. The Palma Aquarium, also close by, is on the top ten list of tourist attractions that appeal to all age groups. At Marineland you can see dolphin shows as well as a range of sea life.
The historic town of Palma with its impressive Gothic Cathedral, its fine buildings and museums, and its multitude of specialist stores and fashion boutiques, makes a welcome change from the beach, and most couples make time for a visit. It offers plenty of opportunities for buying your holiday gifts and souvenirs. The markets of the island have great appeal with the one in Felanitx said to be the best. Visitors may also wish to tour the pearl factory in Manacor where jewellery can be purchased. The east coast has the spectacular Caves of Drach and also the Caves of Ham. The caves are well worth seeing as the caverns and enormous stalactites and stalagmites are dramatically illuminated.
Majorca also has many pretty inland villages where the pace of life has remained unchanged for decades. One of most charming is Valldemosa, which is the highest on the island and certainly one of the most picturesque. Be sure to visit its thirteenth century monastery. Deia, framed by the Tramuntana Mountains, is another beautiful and traditional village that should not be missed.