Porreres

About Porreres

Porreres is a sleepy town and municipality in the rural heartland of the island of Mallorca. Situated in the agricultural region of ‘Es Pla’, it is difficult at first glance, to understand why this little pueblo attracts over 5,000 residents.

We hope that you find this abcMallorca guide useful in uncovering the hidden charms of Porreres and find out what makes it so special.

History and Culture

Porreres has settlements dating back to the Bronze Age and was occupied by both the Saracens and the Romans. There are still ancient public wells scattered around the town which date back to the Arab occupation and were used for both people and animals. The town was formally reclaimed by Spain in 1300 and named after the conquering Knight, William of Porrer. The only other notable historical event was later in 1868 when a small revolution called ‘the glorious’ coincided with the fall of Queen Isabella II and resulted in a riot and the burning down of the town hall which sadly contained 600 years’ worth of historical documentation.

If you were to visit Mallorca and travel around many of the typical small towns you would probably consider Porreres or ‘Porreras’ to look just like many others. The stone buildings, hidden squares and winding streets hold a rustic charm that is immediately obvious. But it is the close bonds of the community which make this place so special. Wander down the main street of ‘Avinguda Bisbe Campins’, which has been recently pedestrianised and you will find chilled out bars, sleepy cafes, the town hall and the popular gothic church of ‘Nostra Senyora del Consolacion’ where locals gather.

One surprise is that the town hall is host to an exhibition of modern art including works from Salavdor Dali. Another surprise is the high quality of the food and drink at the venues here. Porreres is located in the centre of an area with a proud agricultural tradition and you will find local produce in abundance. The location and relaxed atmosphere may explain why almost a fifth of residents here are internationals. Porreres provides the perfect escape from the bustle of tourist resorts yet has excellent accessibility.

Shopping in Porreres

If you are interested in buying authentic local produce this is an excellent place to start. The local market is not as large as Santa Maria further west, but is well stocked with fruit, vegetables, wine and honey. This area is particularly well known for growing olives, apricots, almonds and cereal crops.

There are also many excellent vineyards nearby including the local winery of Jaume Mesquida which is based in the town.

Major Attractions in Porreres

There are a number of Bronze Age settlements for those interested in archaeology plus 36 windmills which are a testament to the agricultural roots of Porreres.

Built in 1551 the Franciscan monastery of ‘Santuari de Monti-Zion’ lies 2-kilometres from the town and there are ‘stations of the cross’ built along the way which were erected in 1497. This is a very simple chapel, but is an easy distance to walk, although uphill and provides spectacular, far reaching views to the surrounding countryside.

Things to do in Porreres

If you would like to take an extended tour of Mallorca, Porreres is a good central location. No part of the island is very far away and when you return to base you can enjoy the tranquility of this little town, far away from the hordes of tourists. This is also a good place to spend relaxed evenings rubbing shoulders with locals and ex-pats and discovering authentic rural Mallorca.

For those who would like to enjoy traveling the countryside there is hiking and biking. Many vineyards in this region are open to visitors or available via organised wine tours.

Restaurants in Porreres

Porreres is a great place to take your time and sample local dishes made with fresh produce. If you are travelling around central Mallorca you will have the choice of many excellent country hotels and restaurants serving world-class food and wine.

Hotels in Porreres

Porreres is not a tourist destination, but there are some extremely good rural and boutique hotels to choose from.

Events in Porreres

There is a procession on the first Sunday after Easter from the town centre of Porreres to the monastery of Santuari de Monti-Zion which includes traditional costumes and folk dancing. There are also many typical Spanish fiestas as well as an Apricot fair in June which celebrates local production.

Living in Porreres

Porreres is a suitable choice for living all year round as this is very much a residential town. Many of the international residents who choose this location are attracted by the relaxed atmosphere and the thriving agricultural community. This is not an expensive area, but it does require a certain mindset to appreciate the unique quality of area. At the budget end of the scale you can still snap up a town house for less than 100,000 euros or a small detached house for less than 250,000 euros. Although there are a few apartments, most of the properties here are rural and fincas with large plots can cost up to around 4-million euros.

Surrounding Areas to Porreres

As we have already mentioned, Porreres is very central so access to surrounding towns and villages is very good. The nearest major towns are Manacor, Campos and Llucmajor, wine areas include Felanitx, Randa, Son Macia and Son Mesquida. Many other rural towns are close by including: Montuiri and Vilafanca de Bonany.

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