A mountainside compound in Ibiza that sits on 27 acres overlooking the bay of Cala Boix is listed with Sotheby’s International Realty.
Photo: IBIZA SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
Discover the Allure of Owning a Home on Ibiza and Majorca
Spain’s Balearic Islands offer homebuyers stunning landscapes along with varied and unique characteristics
Just off the coast of Spain, the Balearic Islands—Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera—have long lured visitors with promises of sun-drenched serenity and bohemian verve set against views of the sapphire Mediterranean Sea. In recent years, their popularity has steadily increased with the arrival of new hotels from Richard Branson and Rafael Nadal along with high-profile cultural attractions such as Hauser & Wirth’s Menorca outpost, which occupies an 18th-century, former naval hospital’s outbuildings, revamped by Luis Laplace.
An $8.6 million Majorca villa situated on a cliffside in Port d’Andratx is listed with MallorcaSite.com. Photo: COURTESY OF MALLORCASITE.COM BOUTIQUE REAL ESTATE
Majorca, in particular, has been so in demand that United Airlines introduced a nonstop route between the New York metropolitan area and Palma de Majorca, the capital city, in 2022 and has regularly added more flights to accommodate the destination’s burgeoning popularity among visitors from the U.S. As tourism rises, so too does the number of people shopping for more permanent accommodations. For those looking for real estate within the Balearic Islands, choosing between the two most popular locales, Majorca and Ibiza, hinges on a deeper understanding of their distinct characteristics.
If they were siblings, Majorca would be the elder, exuding grandeur with sprawling estates nestled in the Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where citrus groves perfume the mountain air. Ancient villages such as Deià have a strong literary history and are dotted with honey-hued stone fincas, while cosmopolitan enclaves, including Palma, are known for their yachting culture and feature Michelin-starred restaurants, designer boutiques, and world-class golf courses.
Domus Nova is marketing this five-bedroom finca just outside Ibiza Town for $5.4 million. Photo: COURTESY OF DOMUS NOVA
Ibiza, on the other hand, pulsates with a more youthful energy. Its rugged coastline is studded with secluded coves with turquoise waters and plays host to both whitewashed villas and an infamously heady brand of hedonism. But that’s not all the island has to offer. Charming villages like San Miguel, where artisan galleries and studios line cobblestoned streets, and Sant Josep de sa Talaia provide muted, relaxed alternatives.
“In my experience, the buyers who prefer to purchase in Majorca rather than in Ibiza tend to be interested in spending more time in their holiday home than just in the summer months,” says John van Eenennaam, a veteran broker and managing director at the firm John Taylor. “Majorca is alive year-round, whereas Ibiza is more focused on the summer season.”
A newly built Majorca residence in Santa Ponsa is listed for $16.2 million with John Taylor. Photo: COURTESY OF JOHN TAYLOR SANTA PONSA
Van Eenennaam also touts the financial upside of owning property in the region. “In Majorca the prices of real estate have increased steadily for more than 20 years,” he explains. “Even in times of crisis, like the 2007–08 financial crash or in the COVID period, prices for luxury properties have not dropped.”
Ultimately, both islands serve up the potential for sun, tranquility, and sybaritic splendor; the only question is whether to opt for the timeless majesty of Majorca or the intoxicating rhythm of Ibiza.
A mountainside compound in Ibiza that sits on 27 acres overlooking the bay of Cala Boix is listed with Sotheby’s International Realty. Photo: IBIZA SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2024 Summer Issue under the headline “Perfect Getaways.” Subscribe to the magazine.
Cover: A mountainside compound in Ibiza that sits on 27 acres overlooking the bay of Cala Boix is listed with Sotheby’s International Realty.
Photo: IBIZA SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
