Bendinat is a quiet residential enclave in the municipality of Calvià, positioned around 7 km west of Palma between Illetes and Portals Nous. Housing in the estate centres on Real Golf de Bendinat, the 19th-century Bendinat Castle, and the coastal cove of Cala Bendinat. Asking prices per square metre vary across hillside villas and fairway apartments; this guide details the estate’s location, golf heritage, taxation scale, residency rules, and holiday rental regulations.
Bendinat at a glance: a quiet golf estate between Palma and Puerto Portals
Bendinat sits on the south-west coast of Mallorca within the municipality of Calvià, flanked by the coastal neighbourhoods of Illetes and Cas Català to the east and Portals Nous to the west. Unlike high-density resort areas, the estate is predominantly residential, characterized by leafy avenues winding around a central 18-hole golf course.
Positioned approximately 7 km west of central Palma, the neighbourhood offers direct connections to the capital via the Ma-1 motorway and the coastal Ma-1C road. To explore surrounding areas, consult the Calvià area guide and the neighbour guide for Portals Nous and Puerto Portals.
Why buy a property in Bendinat?
Morning light over the pine-covered hillsides of Bendinat often reveals golfers on the fairway, with the turrets of Bendinat Castle rising above the trees and the Bay of Palma in the distance. The enclave combines quiet suburban seclusion with immediate proximity to the capital and international amenities.
According to Ajuntament de Calvià’s description of its population centres, the registered population of the Castell de Bendinat zone stood at 464 inhabitants as of 31 August 2017. The resident community includes established Mallorcan families alongside international second-home owners seeking privacy.
The real estate footprint consists of detached Mediterranean and modern villas built into the hillside, alongside gated apartment and townhouse communities bordering the golf fairways. The location particularly attracts golf enthusiasts, commuting professionals, and families taking advantage of the international schools located within Calvià. Readers evaluating holiday or second-home options can read more about second homes in Mallorca and Ibiza.
Bendinat Castle, Cala Bendinat and the marina next door
At the architectural heart of the estate stands Bendinat Castle (Castell de Bendinat). Built in the 19th century by the Marqués de la Romana in the neo-Gothic style reminiscent of Central European castles, it remains a privately owned landmark visible from the surrounding streets and fairways, though closed to public tours (Ajuntament de Calvià).
Below the estate lies Cala Bendinat, a small, pine-fringed cove accessible via pedestrian paths from the residential roads. For deeper anchorages, fine dining, and boutique shopping, residents rely on the neighbouring marina of Puerto Portals in Portals Nous.
Real Golf de Bendinat: the course the estate was built around
Real Golf de Bendinat forms the core structure around which the neighbourhood developed. Opened in 1986 as a nine-hole course designed by Martin Hawtree, it was expanded in 1995 by Ken Moodie into an 18-hole, par-70 layout measuring 5,660 metres (Illes Balears tourism board).
Set in a wooded valley around 7 km west of Palma, the course provides elevated views across the Bay of Palma, the island of Cabrera, and the castle grounds (Travelplan golf guide). Properties directly bordering the fairways remain among the most sought-after addresses in the enclave.
‘Ben dinat’: the legend and the real story of the name
Local tradition links the name of the area to King Jaume I following the conquest of 1229. According to legend, after eating a simple meal of bread and garlic in his camp, the king declared “be hem dinat” (“we have dined well” in Catalan).
However, historical research published by Ajuntament de Calvià indicates that the toponym actually stems from an earlier Islamic root. For local dining today, Las Terrazas de Bendinat at Hotel Bendinat offers seafront dining along the rocky shoreline. The enclave celebrates its annual local festivities between 15 and 17 September.
What does it cost to buy in Bendinat beyond the price: ITP, residency and holiday-let rules
When purchasing a resale home in Bendinat, buyers must budget for the Balearic Property Transfer Tax (Impuesto sobre Transmisiones Patrimoniales or ITP). Under the progressive scale in force since 1 January 2023 (Agència Tributària de les Illes Balears), rates are applied in progressive bands:
- Up to €400,000: 8%
- €400,000.01 to €600,000: 9%
- €600,000.01 to €1,000,000: 10%
- €1,000,000.01 to €2,000,000: 12%
- Portions above €2,000,000: 13%
For example, buying a resale villa for €2,500,000 generates an ITP tax liability of €275,000 (an effective rate of 11.0%). New-build homes are subject to 10% VAT (IVA) and local stamp duty (AJD) rather than ITP. For a broader overview of legal procedures, review the step-by-step process of buying property in Spain.
Regarding legal residency, Spain’s investor residence permit for property buyers (the Golden Visa) was officially abolished on 3 April 2025 by Ley Orgánica 1/2025 in the Spanish Official Gazette. Non-EU citizens, including UK buyers, must now evaluate alternative residency permits such as the non-lucrative visa or digital nomad visa, or adhere to the 90/180-day Schengen limit.
Property owners planning to generate short-term rental income must hold a tourist rental licence (ETV) issued by the Consell de Mallorca. Because new tourist rental places are heavily restricted, buyers seeking rental yield should acquire a property that already possesses a valid, transferable licence. Further background is available in our guide to owning a rental property in Mallorca.
To review current market distribution and historical inventory across Calvià, consult Area Insights for Calvià’s districts or request a valuation and market study for a specific villa.
How CASAFARI helps you research Bendinat before you commit
CASAFARI monitors property listings across portals and real estate agency websites, deduplicating records to present accurate price histories and time-on-market metrics across Mallorca.
Real estate professionals, investors, and developers can analyze supply trends and district metrics using CASAFARI’s tools. For technical integration details, access the Area Insights API documentation (in English), or try CASAFARI on the platform to evaluate local market dynamics.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Bendinat and how do you get to Palma from there?
Bendinat is a coastal residential enclave located in the municipality of Calvià in south-west Mallorca, situated between Illetes and Portals Nous. It lies approximately 7 km west of central Palma. Drivers reach Palma via the Ma-1 motorway or the coastal Ma-1C road, placing the capital and its amenities within easy commuting distance.
What taxes do you pay when buying a resale villa in Bendinat?
Resale purchases in Bendinat are subject to Balearic Property Transfer Tax (ITP), which follows a progressive scale ranging from 8% on amounts up to €400,000 to 13% on portions above €2 million (ATIB scale, 2023). On a €2.5 million villa purchase, the calculated ITP is €275,000, representing an effective rate of 11.0%. Buyers must also account for notary, property registry, and legal fees, whereas new-build properties pay 10% VAT and stamp duty instead.
Can you still get Spanish residency by buying a property in Bendinat?
No, Spain’s investor residence permit for property purchases (Golden Visa) was abolished on 3 April 2025 under Ley Orgánica 1/2025. Non-EU and UK citizens looking to reside in Mallorca must apply for alternative permits, such as the non-lucrative visa or the digital nomad visa. Without a residence permit, non-EU buyers can stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Can you let a Bendinat property to holidaymakers?
Short-term holiday letting in Bendinat requires a valid tourist rental licence (ETV) registered with the Consell de Mallorca, and operating without one incurs strict penalties. Due to regional limits on new tourist-rental licenses, prospective buyers seeking rental income should choose a property that already holds a valid licence and confirm its transferability with a qualified lawyer before completing the purchase.