Rafa Nadal and his hometown: ManacorRafa Nadal is one of the men of the moment. The Mallorcan has just finished his Olympic stage and, for now, has left his professional future up in the air. Today, the tennis player has only confirmed his desire to return home and “rest”.
So, although he will most likely spend his holidays in the Porto Cristo area, Nadal will also have time to stroll through the streets of the city where he grew up: Manacor. The Mallorcan’s home is located just 14 kilometres from the latter.
Manacor
Located 65 kilometres from Palma de Mallorca, Manacor is the second largest city on the island. Founded in the 14th century, the town has an extensive heritage. History, culture and nature merge into a single space.
The visit could start in the heart of the city. In Manacor, there are no large buildings, but the pure essence of the city conquers visitors. For this reason, it is essential to walk through the Plaza Sa Bassa and its streets. In addition, you should visit the church of San Vicente Ferrer, the royal palace, the tower of Ses Puntes and the tower of Enagistes. In addition, Manacor has the only greenway on the islands, which offers a 29-kilometre route with unparalleled views.
The caves are also something that distinguishes this Mallorcan town, especially the Drach and Hams caves. These underground formations offer an impressive natural spectacle with their stalactites and stalagmites, as well as housing one of the largest underground lakes in the world, Lake Martel.
Finally, as in the rest of Mallorca, the beaches of Manacor are authentic oases worth exploring. Among the most popular options are Cala Morlanda, Cala Anguila, Cala Varques, Cala Romántica and Porto Cristo beach.
Rafa Nadal has left a significant impact on the town. So much so, that there are many tributes to the tennis player spread throughout the city. Among them is the Rafa Nadal Academy, a top-class training centre that not only trains future tennis players, but also serves as a symbol of Nadal’s sporting legacy. In addition, various local facilities and events bear his name, celebrating his achievements and his close connection to the city.
The Rafa Nadal Museum Xperience, for example, brings together the best moments of his sporting career. The exhibition displays his sports equipment and the trophies he has won throughout his career.
A few years ago, everyone was fleeing in search of quiet coves where they could enjoy themselves with practically no one else around. However, the arrival of social media and its posts has caused these natural treasures to become overcrowded.
Manacor can be reached by various means of transport. Thus, from Palma de Mallorca you can get there by car on the Ma-15 motorway, the journey will take approximately 50 minutes. Another option is the train, with regular departures from the Intermodal station in Palma, which offers a direct and comfortable journey to the destination station.
