Caimari

Tranquil and picturesque, Caimari is a charming Majorcan village set deep in the countryside - Caimari is just the ticket if you're looking for a peaceful and relaxing holiday in the sun.

Caimari

Set inland, at the edge of Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, Caimari is a taste of rural Majorca - sleepy, laid back and picturesque.

Caimari is within the municipality of Selva, located about 30km (19 miles) from Palma airport. The village is just north of Inca, and transfer time is tyically around 40 minutes.

Not the usual run-of-the-mill holiday resort, Caimari is a traditional Mallorcan village, with plenty of historic and cultural interest. Ideal for those wishing to explore majorca's natural history - walkers, ramblers and cyclists will find Caimari a great base for exploring the countryside.

The village of Caimari itself is a delightful and ancient site, with winding narrow streets and a typically Majorcan village square, Plaza Mayor (Placa Major), which serves as the central focal point of the village. Around the charming plaza you will find a handful of cafes and a couple of restaurants where you can sit and enjoy a spot of people-watching over a cool drink or two. Shops are limited but there are a couple, including a bakery. There is also a 19th century church on the square, and its bell still tolls every quarter of an hour.

There is little in the way of tourist attractions in Caimari, so it's a destination that is ideal for holiday makers seeking peace and relaxation. The pace here is laid-back - Caimari offers spectacular views, lush countryside and a friendly, authentic Majorcan welcome. You will feel as though you have gone back in time when you visit Caimari - the pace of change here is, fortunately, slow, and the village retains an air of tradition and Majorcan culture.

Historically, Caimari's trade has been in leather and olive oil, and as well as a working olive press in the centre of the village, you will find groves of olive, almond, lemon and orange trees. There is an annual Olive Fair held in Caimari in mid-November, for which the village is decorated with olive leaves and there are stalls selling olives and other local produce including fruit, vegetables and wine. The fair is quaint and simple, with demonstrations of the horse-driven olive press, pony rides for children and a very friendly atmosphere. There are plenty of tasting opportunities around the fair, which raises money for charities, and you can sample all kinds of olive oil and the local liqueur, hierbas.

Caimari's central location makes it an ideal base for explorers in all directions. There are several good walking routes through the groves for an enchanting ramble. To the north and west, the Sierra Tramontana mountain range with its stunning views and woodlands. To the north east, beaches at Puerto Alcudia and Puerto Pollensa, and the Cap de Formentor beckon.

If you want a little more action, the more energetic south coast resorts and city of Palma are all within easy reach - you are spoiled for choice if you have access to a car. Closer to Caimari, the nearby village of Selva has a market on Thursdays.