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Don’t be put off by its brutal appearance from the highway. Hidden behind the commercial tackiness, the historic centre dates back to the ancient Romans, and is now dominated by centuries-old stone mansions very much worth a stroll around. The town’s wealth arose from its pre-eminence as the island’s wine producer, starting 500 years ago. In recent years, after a century or so of decline, its reputation has again been on the rise, as evidenced by the important winery outlets along the main road (see José L. Ferrer, Binissalem).

Traditionally part of the leather-crafting enterprises in the area, this town is situated on a sloping foothill. It has a pleasant, tree-lined approach, a charming central square and several good restaurants.

Inca, the last stop on the train journey from Palma, is a modern industrial place, but visitors come for the cheap leather goods in Avinguda General Luque and Gran Via de Colon. Thursday, market day, is Inca’s busiest time, trading in souvenirs, household goods, flowers and food. Inca is also known for its traditional cuisine, including caracoles (snails), and its wine cellars converted into restaurants.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about this agricultural town is its cemetery, which has unusually beautiful monuments. The main square and mansion of Can Planes, which houses the Museu de la Jugeta, are also attractive, and the town is noted for its Sunday market and January festival (see Revetla de Sant Antoni Abat). Otherwise, the place is fairly low key.

A pleasant, sleepy town full of old mansions and dominated by the church of Sant Joan Baptista. The adjacent belfry has wonderful views (see Sant Joan Baptista Belfry). The Museu Etnológic (see Museu Etnològic, Muro) houses furniture, costumes, tools and instruments.

This small town is the birthplace of Junípero Serra. Aged 54, the pioneering Franciscan monk travelled to America and Mexico and after many arduous journeys on foot, founded missions in California. The old houses lining the labyrinth of narrow alleys have changed little since Serra’s time here. The town makes the most of its famous son, and all places associated with Serra are well marked. These include a humble building in Carrer Barracar Alt where Serra was born. Next to this is a small museum, opened in 1955, devoted to his life and work, which includes wooden models of the nine American missions established by Serra. At the end of the street in which the Serra family house stands is the 17th-century monastery of Sant Bernat. A series of Majolica panels down a side street next to the monastery are a gift from grateful Californians and pay tribute to the monk.

Petra

Mallorca’s second city is famous for artificial pearl factories, of which Perlas Majorica is the best-known, producing 50 million a year. The method, involving fish scales, repeated baking and polishing, can be witnessed on the free tour. Also look inside the Església de Nostra Senyora dels Dolors to find a figure of Christ with scraggly hair and a skirt, and pilgrims lining up to kiss his bloodstained feet.

This country house chronicles 200 years of the life of Mallorca’s gentry in a more modest version of Sa Granja. Demonstrations of traditional methods are part of the tour, and you can see historic breeds of Mallorcan farm animals.

Built on a hill, the town of Montuïri is famous for its agricultural produce. Nineteen of the original 24 windmills still stand as testimony to the town’s former glory, striking in the landscape. The Ermita de Sant Miquel is nearby, offering good views.

The glassworks were founded in 1719, but the present castle-like, Neo-Gothic building dates from the 1960s. The place offers a unique opportunity to watch glass-blowers at work, and its world-class museum of glass (see Museu Gordiola) also fires enthusiasm for the substance. You can buy everything from cheap bibelots to chandeliers fit for a castle.