Manacor, a pretty Mallorquin city full of attractions

Manacor is known worldwide as the birthplace of the most famous Spanish tennis player, Rafa Nadal. But Manacor is so much more! This cute, authentic city of Mallorca has plenty to see: a gorgeous city centre full of monuments, a couple of caves with incredible colours and a subterranean lake, a charming port and a handful of coves, ancient archaeological sites and so on. So come and discover Manacor, a pretty Mallorquin city full of attractions. 

A bit of history…

The Balearic Islands have been a place of passage for all ancient Mediterranean traders and travellers for thousands of years. And Manacor seems to have been one of their favourite places to stop by, judging by the number of archaeological sites you can find here. For instance, the Prehistoric settlement of s’Hospitalet Vell. It was occupied on and off for two thousand years (the Moorish were the last ones here). It has defensive walls, a special building and a couple of talayots, one square and one circular. The talayots are little watch towers, typical of Mallorca and Menorca, built with huge rocks. This means that this site used to be an important ceremonial place!

From Roman times you can visit Son Peretó, where you will find the remains of a basilic (the first churches built by the Christians), with graves around it. 

During the Medieval Age, Manacor leaded a rebellion, Braveheart style. Much as William Wallace, the local, humble hero, succeeded at first against the evil nobles… only to end up pretty badly. 

Last century, somebody invented how to produce artificial pearls, like the ones you find in the oysters, and it made Manacor a very rich city very quickly. To this day, you can buy some of these at a much more accessible price than the traditional ones. So, while in town, explore its markets and fairs, it is worth it.

Manacor’s patrimony 

Even if Manacor is most known for its attractions around it, you should not miss its pretty city centre. Some vital things to visit: the Palau Tower. Manacor is very ancient, but this is the oldest building surviving in the city, from Medieval times. A religious order later installed itself here and founded the St. Vicente Ferrer Church, which was very austere and had an amazing cloister. 

You will be more surprised by the 19th-century church in neo-gothic style, dedicated to Our Lady of the Sorrows. I suggest also looking at another couple of towers: Ses Puntes, still in the city, and Els Enagistes, slightly away, beautiful, and very interesting because inside you can visit the Historical Museum of Manacor, containing all the many findings from the sites I described before. 

And of course, if you are into tennis, do not leave town without visiting the Rafa Nadal Museum, featuring his best trophies, the clothes he wore, etc. 

Beaches and port

One cannot think of Manacor without its port: Porto Cristo. Walk along the promenade, and you will find many caves at the end. They are called the Coves Blanques (the white caves) and were inhabited until the 19th century. 

Follow the coastal line direction south, and you will find amazing little coves with neat waters. So beautiful they are, one is actually called “Romantic cove”. Another one I recommend is Cales de Mallorca. 

Phosphorescent caves

Next to Porto Cristo, besides the coves, you can find two of the most impressive caves I have ever seen: Hams and Drach. Both have unthinkable colours, crazy shapes, and an underground lake where you can attend an unforgettable music concert.

Have I enticed you? Then, if you are ever in Mallorca, take at least three days to fully enjoy Manacor, the pretty Mallorquin city full of attractions!