Living in Mallorca: a journey through towns with soul

When someone imagines living in Mallorca, they usually think of turquoise beaches and endless sunshine. Yet the island is much more: history, culture and towns full of life that captivate those who are looking not only for a place to be, but a place to belong.

Pollença — a town of around 17,000 inhabitants that looks painted in watercolours. On its Plaça Major, Sunday becomes a ritual: the market fills with colours, aromas and conversations that flow unhurriedly. Climbing the 365 Calvari steps is an experience that connects you with tradition and with views that bring peace. And if there is one moment that defines Pollença, it is the Music Festival, which every summer brings international artists to the majestic Cloister of Santo Domingo, filling the nights of this corner of the Tramuntana with notes and magic.

Campanet — a small town of about 2,500 inhabitants, known for its tranquillity and its authentically Mallorcan atmosphere. Life unfolds around its Plaça Major, with bars where neighbours gather to talk. Its Campanet Caves are a hidden natural treasure, with stalactite and stalagmite formations that surprise every visitor. Each year, on the first weekend of July, the Sant Victorià festivities, the town’s patron, fill the streets with music, dancing and traditions that recall a strong local identity. Living in Mallorca, in a place like Campanet, means choosing calm, rural landscapes and the closeness of the Serra de Tramuntana.

Alcúdia — with nearly 20,000 inhabitants, surrounded by medieval walls that seem to whisper stories from other times. Its old town invites you to get lost among narrow streets and stone façades, while Port d’Alcúdia shows its seafaring and modern side. The Sant Jaume festivities, in July, turn the city into a stage of concerts, shows and fireworks. Living in Mallorca also means feeling this blend of history and life by the sea.

Sa Pobla — with about 13,000 inhabitants. Fertile land with an agricultural character; here, rice takes centre stage. Every January, during the Sant Antoni festivities, bonfires, dimonis (devils) and traditional music fill the streets in one of the island’s most intense celebrations. Walking through its fields is to understand another side of Mallorca: rural, authentic, reminding us that living in Mallorca does not always mean being by the sea, but also living alongside its deepest traditions.

Inca — the island’s third most populated city, with around 35,000 inhabitants. Known as the capital of leather and footwear, it preserves a craftsmanship that has given the island international fame. Every November, the Dijous Bo brings thousands of visitors to Mallorca’s biggest fair: gastronomy, culture, concerts and exhibitions that make its streets thrum. Inca is ideal for those who want to live in Mallorca with a mix of urban atmosphere, services and proximity to the rest of the island.

Sóller — with about 14,000 inhabitants, a valley surrounded by orange groves and mountains. Here, the scent of citrus accompanies every stroll. The iconic wooden train to Palma offers a journey back in time. The port, with traditional boats and restaurants by the sea, completes the perfect postcard. Each May, the Es Firó festivities recreate the battle between Moors and Christians in a celebration that turns the town into a stage of living history.

Palma de Mallorca — the capital, with nearly 420,000 inhabitants, where the island opens to the world. The Gothic Cathedral, La Seu, rises like a beacon over the bay, while the Old Town unfolds a labyrinth of stately courtyards, hidden squares and streets full of art. Palma is cosmopolitan and dynamic, with a cultural and gastronomic scene that never rests. Living in Palma means enjoying the modern without losing the Mediterranean essence, since each neighbourhood — from Santa Catalina to El Molinar — has a unique personality.

As you travel through these towns, you discover that living in Mallorca is not simply changing residence, but embracing a way of life. From the tranquillity of Campanet and Pollença to the energy of Palma, via the rural authenticity of Sa Pobla and the charm of Sóller, the island offers as many landscapes as ways to live it.