Formentor – Mallorca North’s secluded celebrity retreat

A playground for superyachts and a road of legends

During the summer months, many of the island’s most spectacular superyachts anchor off the coast of Formentor, drawn by its serenity and scenic beauty. For those not arriving by sea, access is via a 13.5 km road that winds from Puerto Pollensa to Cap de Formentor. This remarkable route was designed by Italian engineer Antonio Parietti, who also constructed the famous "snake road" that meanders through the mountains to Sa Calobra.

Formentor’s rich and famous residents

For decades, Formentor has attracted the rich and famous. Today, it is home to some of Mallorca’s most expensive villas, many perched on the cliffs with private access to the sea below. Demand for these exclusive seafront properties remains robust, especially among those seeking seclusion and breathtaking views along Mallorca’s north coast.

Literary roots and the birth of Hotel Formentor

The entire peninsula was once owned by poet Miquel Costa i Llobrera, a native of Pollensa. His family summered in Formentor each year, and his iconic poem El Pi de Formentor was inspired by the region’s landscape. After his death, parcels of land were sold, including one acquired by Argentinian Adan Diehl, who constructed the legendary Hotel Formentor.

The hotel opened in 1929 and quickly established itself as one of the grande dame hotels of the Mediterranean. Nestled within a private 3,000-acre estate and surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, it has a glamorous history of hosting celebrity guests. One of its earliest visitors was Winston Churchill, who stayed in room 222; guests today can book the same room, where Churchill’s original bed has been preserved by the Diehl family.

Hollywood glamour and legendary guests

Formentor gained global attention in April 1956 when newlyweds Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly spent their honeymoon aboard their yacht off the peninsula. Their visit caused a sensation, and a local businessman—enchanted by Grace Kelly during a chance meeting in a Mallorca vineyard—named his biscuit brand "Quelly" in her honour (a play on "Kelly" in Spanish). These biscuits remain popular across the island today.

Other illustrious guests over the years have included Charlie Chaplin, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sir Laurence Olivier, and Sir Peter Ustinov, cementing Formentor’s reputation as a haven for cultural icons.

Formentor sunset classics – music under the stars

One of Mallorca’s cultural highlights today is the Formentor Sunset Classics, a summer concert series held in the grounds of Hotel Formentor. Featuring performances by some of the world’s most renowned classical musicians, the event has been dubbed "Glyndebourne-on-Sea". Set against a magical backdrop of sea and sky, guests enjoy unforgettable evenings of music beneath the stars. Since its inception, stars such as Daniel Barenboim and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa have graced the stage, enhancing Formentor’s prestige.