From pristine marinas to exhilarating cycle routes, the activities on offer in Mallorca these days are as exciting as the properties there…

The island of Mallorca is one of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations, but it’s not just the beaches that attract holidaymakers from around the world there.  The island has an ongoing campaign to promote sports and attract international competitions and events, which is leading to world-class facilities in all types of sports suited to Mallorca’s outdoor lifestyle. Of course, this makes owning a home there even more attractive – we take a closer look.

Sailing
Summer is a busy time in the balmy waters around Mallorca, as the sailing hot spot hosts a series of prestigious sailing events. In June, international yachts will compete in the Superyacht Cup (June 21st-24th), Europe’s longest running superyacht regatta. This is followed by the Copa del Rey (July 29th-August 5th) and the Illes Baleares Classic (August 16-19th).

There are  no less than 47 ports and marinas dotted around Mallorca’s 554-kilometre coastline. In Palma alone, there are 10 marinas with approximately 3,500 moorings, more than 950 of those accommodating yachts over 15 metres, including propertion for 20 and 24-metre vessels. Some of Mallorca’s most exclusive marinas include Puerto Adriano, Puerto Portals and Puerto de Andratx.

Golf
There are a total of 24 golf courses in Mallorca including two private courses. The oldest course on the island is Son Vida which was opened over 25 years ago by Prince Rainier of Monaco.

A number of the Mallorca’s top golf courses – and marinas – are in the Santa Ponsa and Puerto de Andratx area, just 25 minutes from Palma on the island’s more expensive west coast. These include Golf Santa Ponsa I, II and III, Golf de Andratx, Golf de Poniente and Bendinat Golf. Here, one more affordable new development – relative to the location – is Serenity in Nova Santa Ponsa, located next to Golf Santa Ponsa III, where prices for an off-plan three-bedroom aparment start at €545,000 with completion is expected next year. On Mallorca’s less expensive east coast, golf courses include Pollensa, Alcanada and Pula Golf resort.

Hiking
Discovering the beauty of the Mallorca on foot is one of the island’s most popular activities, particularly in the protected area of the Sierra Tramuntana mountain range, which stretches over 92 kilometres from the south-west to the north and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.

In this area you can walk along the official Ruta de Piedra en Sec (Dry Stone Wall route) along the western side of the island. Fornalutx is a village in the heart of the Tramuntana, voted one of Spain’s prettiest villages and popular for its converted character homes and glorious mountain views.

Cycling
Mallorca now features 260 kilometres of special cycling routes, making it one the top cycling tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. Its picturesque combination of terrains and balmy year-round climate has made it a favourite winter training spot for professional teams, including SKY TEAM who base themselves in the north. Sir Bradley Wiggins is especially fond of the Puerto Pollensa area.

On the south-east coast, Llucmajor is widely regarded as the cycling ‘capital’ of Mallorca. This region features almost 200 kilometres of special signposted cycling routes, comprising six designated cycle tourism routes and two routes on non-asphalt lanes for mountain bikes.

Tennis
Spanish tennis champion and two-times Wimbledon winner Rafael Nadal is a native Mallorcan and has helped spearhead popularity of the sport on the island, opening a tennis academy in his hometown of Manacor.
Mallorca hosts various tennis championships throughout the year including the WTA Tennis Open in Santa Ponsa (June 18-25th) and the ATP Legends Cup in Palma (October 5-8th).