The best of both worlds in Puigpunyent
On the south side of the Tramuntana mountain range, about 15 kilometres from the capital of Majorca, lies the small, slightly sleepy mountain village of Puigpunyent. In saying that, “sleepy” is absolutely meant as a compliment. After all, how great is it to be able to enjoy a quiet rural life and have the lively city of Palma close by? The village is popular with international residents who want to live in a place that’s close to nature and appreciate the best of both worlds. As their Majorcan residence, property-hunters might choose a village house with the typical natural stone facade, for example, or perhaps a chic villa. Palma has international schools and there is a bus service that runs in to the Mediterranean capital.
Real Estate Mallorca – Puigpunyent
Pointed peak
The name Puigpunyent comes from the Catalan and essentially means “pointed peak”. Puigpunyent is one of Majorca’s 53 independent municipalities and it includes Galilea and Son Serralta – as well as the village itself of course. It has about 2,000 inhabitants, a church from the 13th century, a few restaurants and bars, a little supermarket and its traditional weekly market on Saturday mornings. That would be it, were it not for the five-star Gran Hotel Son Net, which sits majestically above it all. Opulence meets tradition in this mansion from the 17th century. The luxurious holiday hideaway has 31 rooms, its own chapel, a wellness oasis, an enormous pool complete with sun gazebos, an enchanting garden with an area for organic herbs and vegetables, its own vineyard and some sheep, geese, hens, ponies and donkeys – as befits a historic mansion surrounded by five hectares of land. It also has yet a few more surprises in store.
Champagne in Majorca’s only tree house
It’s all in the name. Take a seat in the Oleum restaurant and you can dine à la Mediterranean next to a giant millstone from the oil mill. Or you could go on up into the unique tree house that offers a space where up to ten people can enjoy breakfast, lunch or a sublime dinner – with a glass of champagne to begin with and a sweeping view over scenes of nature. You may not believe your eyes also when you see the simply top-class art, because the hotel has a collection containing modern works by Marc Chagall, David Hockney and Christo.
Cycling and hiking trips
A village at an altitude of 258 metres in the midst of a natural landscape is an ideal place from which to set off for hikes or cycling trips. You have to reckon on some hills at times, depending on your destination. But for many, that’s exactly the challenge that they want. No matter whether you’re going by road bike or mountain bike, with Nordic walking poles or by Shanks’s mare, Puigpunyent is by all means a great starting point for cycling enthusiasts and hikers. From here, you can also venture out to climb the Puig de Galatzó. At 1,027 metres, this is one of the main peaks of the Tramuntana mountain range, which is ranked as a UNESCO World Heritage Natural Site since 2011.
Trip to Galilea
Another lovely little trip you can take is over to Galilea, four kilometres away. Time seems to have stood still in this tiny place… and that’s one reason why it is appreciated by foreigners as a second home. The elevated location alone is appealing, around 400 metres above sea level. Finally, a trip to Reserva Park, which has a 3.5-kilometre discovery trail, gives you a chance to get to know the flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands. And if you’re a golfer, you have the three 18-hole courses Son Vida, Son Mutaner, and Son Quint in Palma just ready and waiting for you.