When it comes to idyllic holiday destinations, the Spanish island of Mallorca is high on many peoples’ wishlist. The largest of the Balearic Islands, this perennial favourite is no undiscovered gem, but it’s a gem nonetheless. It offers up a wonderful blend of sunny beach fun, fabulous gastronomy, and fascinating cultural exploration for those with an interest in delving a little deeper than the bottom of a tapas plate. With the caveat that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with spending all day every day at the beach, if you’re looking for a little more, staying in Playa de Muro puts you in the ideal place.
- Mallorca’s Culture at your Fingertips in Playa de Muro
- Alcudia
- Pollenca
- Soller
- Where to Stay
- How to Get There
Mallorca’s Culture at Your Fingertips in Playa de Muro
As a holiday base, Playa de Muro’s location, in the north-east of the island, situates you brilliantly to create an itinerary that involves as much fun in the sun as you can handle, along with the opportunity to get to know the history and culture of Mallorca – which is both extensive and fascinating.
Below are three of the island’s towns that will give you a very good insight into Mallorca’s storied and sometimes turbulent past, through its museums, landmarks, and architecture. And the best thing is that every one of them is within easy distance of Playa de Muro. Even if you don’t have access to a hire car for your holiday, it’s easy to book a local taxi or private driver to take you to Alcudia, Pollenca, and Soller.
Alcudia (11 minutes away)
This lovely walled city simply oozes history. Dating back to 6,000BC, you don’t have to stretch your imagination to take you back to ancient times as you wander the narrow cobbled streets of the Old Town, lined with medieval houses and echoes of its convoluted heritage.
To focus on a cultural exploration you should visit the ruins of the Roman city of Pollentia, and explore the Monographic Museum (filled to the brim with the relics and artefacts of Roman life); marvel at the neo-Gothic facade and vaulted interiors of the church of St Jaume (built 1893 on the ruins of a 14th-century church); and walk around the Medieval Walls of Alcudia with their watchtowers and imposing gates, built as a defence against pirates in the 14th century. Alcudia is a joy to visit, and a stroll through one of the colourful local street markets shows how much, and yet how little, life in this wonderful town has changed over the centuries.
Pollenca (20 minutes away)
Pollenca is set slightly inland and the town’s history is written all over its lovely streets. It’s a wonderful place to take a leisurely walk and discover its cultural attractions almost by accident. But just in case you get a little too comfortable sitting in a cafe on the main square in the sun, here are a few things you shouldn’t miss.
The Roman bridge, El Pont Roma, is an ingenious construction built by the Romans to supply the town with water. You should also seek out Nostra Senyora dels Àngels, a church dating back to the 13th century that features a gorgeous rose window, and the ancient pilgrimage site of El Calvari, an impressive 365 steps that take you up to a chapel. Head up to the monastery, Puig de Maria, which not only delivers on religious history, but also on stunning views. Back in the Old Town you can spend some time in the museum housed in an old convent, Convent de Santo Domingo, and perhaps stumble across Plaça de l’Amoina, where the town’s locals fought off pirates in 1550.
Tip: Delving even further into Mallorca’s past, Pollenca and the surrounding area is home to numerous “talaiots” – fascinating prehistoric stone monuments dating back to the Bronze Age.
Soller (52 minutes away)
To spend a day in the delightful town of Soller is to truly experience Mallorcan history in action. Set in the island’s north-west in a region known as the “valley of the oranges” (for reasons that become obvious when you see the endless citrus groves), Soller feels slightly removed from the rest of Mallorca due to the surrounding mountains. It is the epitome of charm, a vibrant town with bustling squares and trams running to and from the port. There’s so much culture it’s hard to know where to start, so perhaps just being in the centre of it all and enjoying the ambience and architecture is the best way to do it.
From Plaza de la Constitución, the main square, it’s an easy walk of discovery to highlights like the magnificent Sant Bartomeu church (with its striking Rubio-designed Modernist facade), the impressive Banco de Soller building, the Art Nouveau Can Prunera art gallery, the museum of Natural Sciences, and the Jardi Botanic. Taking a stroll down Gran Via, Calle Isabel II, or Cristofil Colom, offers an eye-opening glimpse into the wealthy lifestyles of the orange traders of times gone by. These streets are lined with spectacular manor houses, breathtaking in their size and intricate construction.
Playa de Muro is the ideal location for those who want the best of both worlds on a short getaway – beautiful beaches, an overabundance of sunshine, and plenty of history and culture close by. Quite possibly, perfect.
Where to Stay
Sarena de Muro: Just a few metres from the gorgeous beach, the newly opened Sarena de Muro guarantees you the celebrity treatment you’ve been waiting for. With extensive onsite amenities including three swimming pools, a gym, spa, and multiple restaurants and bars, this high quality resort is very hard to leave. The beautifully appointed rooms are spacious and airy, with many offering stunning ocean views from the balcony. A Mallorcan experience to remember.
Grupotel Los Principes & Spa: Overlooking the beach and picturesque Alcudia Bay, this lovely hotel sets you in the ideal location to explore the region around Playa de Mura. The comfortable, air-conditioned rooms enjoy a delightful outlook, and are appointed with modern furnishings, stylish decor and all the amenities you need for a relaxing holiday. Onsite you can take advantage of the fantastic central pool, a gym, multiple restaurants, and a wellness spa featuring an indoor pool, hot tubs, and various pampering treatments.
Iberostar Selection Playa de Muro Village: This wonderful beachfront resort set within beautiful gardens will have you with your toes in the sand within minutes of waking up! The huge range of onsite amenities include a leisure and wellness centre, restaurant, entertainment, two fabulous swimming pools and a fitness centre. The rooms are spacious and contemporary, with a relaxed coastal ambience and a generous balcony to enjoy the tranquil views. Warm, welcoming and friendly, this outstanding resort has it all.
How to Get There
The logistics of organising a short break to Playa Muro couldn’t be easier. You’ll need to fly into Palma Mallorca Airport (PMI), which is just over two and a half hours from the UK. It’s a very popular route, so it’s easy to find a well-priced, convenient flight from a range of carriers including Jet2, Ryanair, Iberia, WIZZ, easyJet, and British Airways, among others.
Once you’ve touched down in Mallorca, the quickest and easiest way to get to Playa Muro is on a pre-booked service with Shuttle Direct. You can choose from a shared or private service from Palma Mallorca Airport to Playa Muro. We take care of all the details so you can relax and start enjoying your holiday straight away!
Overview
UK to PMI Flight Time: 2 hours, 35 mins approx.
PMI to Playa Muro: 60 kilometres
Shuttle Direct Transfer: 40 minutes approx.
Types of Transfer
At Shuttle Direct we offer more than one kind of Palma Mallorca transfer, because we understand everyone has different needs and wants. Whatever your budget and however you like to travel, we’ve got you covered.
Shuttle Bus: Looking for the most cost effective way to get from Palma Mallorca to Playa Muro? For a budget-friendly option you really can’t go past our popular shuttle bus transfers. When you’ve pre-booked a shuttle bus, you’ll meet at a handy spot at the airport then travel with other passengers to a central drop-off in Playa Muro as close as possible to your accommodation. Couldn’t be easier or better priced!
Taxi: If you like the convenience of a taxi but not the inconvenience of a taxi queue, one of our pre-booked local taxis from Palma Mallorca Airport to Playa Muro is the answer. Pre-book a taxi with Shuttle Direct and your friendly driver will be waiting to whisk you to the doorstep of your accommodation without delay. No queues, no waiting around.
Private Transfer: If cost isn’t an issue, you’ll enjoy the ultimate luxury of our private Playa Muro transfers. When your flight lands, a friendly, professional driver will be there to meet you in the terminal then escort you to your high-end vehicle. You’ll set off for your accommodation without delay and be delivered right to your door.
Minibus Transfer: For those travelling with a group of family or friends, one of our larger capacity minibus transfers from Palma Mallorca to Playa Muro is the answer to simplifying the logistics. If you pre-book a minibus with Shuttle Direct, it’s a convenient door-to-door service, everyone can travel in the same vehicle and there’s plenty of room for all the luggage.
Choosing the Right Transfer
How you travel from Palma Mallorca Airport to Playa Muro is up to you. We offer both shared and private services, so your decision will be based on whether you prioritise cost or convenience.
Cost: If you’re keeping an eye on the holiday budget and want your Playa Muro transfers to be as economical as possible, then you’ll probably prefer our popular shared shuttle bus service. On the shuttle bus you travel with other passengers, so the cost is shared. It isn’t a door-to-door service, but you’ll be dropped at a central stop as convenient as possible to your accommodation.
Convenience: If you don’t want to compromise on the door-to-door aspect and you don’t mind paying a little extra for it, either, a pre-booked local taxi or one of our luxury private transfers will be a great choice to transport you from Palma Mallorca Airport to Playa Muro in style.
About Shuttle Direct
Shuttle Direct is the market leader in affordable, efficient airport transfers all over Europe and the world. Wherever you need to go, we can get you there in a quick and professional way. Choose from a range of private and shared airport transfers in comfortable, modern vehicles, with great communication and prompt, friendly service. Pre-book with us today and we’ll take care of everything.
