Mallorca is one of the islands that compound the Balearic archipelago. It is one of the most popular summer destinations in Spain for its beautiful coves and fine sandy beaches. If you want to find out all the interesting things to see and the most beautiful places on the island, read this article-guide on what to see and do in Mallorca.
Contenido
- 🗺 Things to do and see in Mallorca
- 📍 Map with all the things and places to see in Mallorca
- 🌴 Best time to travel to Majorca
- 📅 How many days are necessary to visit Mallorca?
- 🚗 Getting to know Mallorca: better in a rental car?
- 🍴 Eating in Majorca: the typical dishes of the island
- ✈ How to get to Mallorca
- 🏨 Where to stay in Majorca: A selection of the best hotels on the island!
- 📲 Parking in Mallorca
🗺 Things to do and see in Mallorca
📍 Visit Fortnalux, one of the most prettiest villages Mallorca
It is a very small village, but with a brutal charm. It is part of the list of the most beautiful villages in Spain, and for me it is an unmissable place to see in Mallorca.
It is also very close to other villages that I recommend you visit on the island, so you can plan a day trip around this area.
📍Take a dip in Caló Des Moro
If I had to stay with one of the most impressive beaches on the island it would be Caló des Moro. It is located in the Mondragó Natural Park, and is one of the most frequented on the island, so it is advisable to go early in the morning.
It is a pebble cove and is just over half an hour from the nearest car park. Although it is actually a kind of open space where you can leave your car for free.
Undoubtedly, an incredible place to see in Mallorca.
📍Book a free tour around Palma de Mallorca
A full day is enough to visit the most emblematic places in Palma de Mallorca. The Cathedral, the Paseo Marítimo and the Plaza Mayor area, among others. If you want to explore the city with a guide, I recommend a free tour of Palma de Mallorca.
📍Board the hundred-year-old train of Sóller
Sóller is another of the most beautiful villages to see in Mallorca. Its streets are made up of little houses of Mallorcan stone and green windows. Here you must try the orange juice or orange ice cream, visit the parish church of San Bartolomé de Sóller and ride the train.
Train tickets can be purchased on their website. You can also take a day trip from Palma that includes the tram from Palma to Sóller, the tram from Sóller to the port of Sóller and a boat trip to Sa Calobra, one of the most spectacular places to see in Mallorca.
📍 Try the coca de patata in Valldemossa
Valldemossa is the place where everyone would like to move to for a while. Quiet, pretty and with finger-licking potato cakes.
Coca de patata is one of the typical products of the island, and especially of this Mallorcan village. One of its ingredients is potato; lard – a great ally of Mallorcan gastronomy – is also used, among others.
Its narrow streets are the most photographed on the island. In addition, there are several bars and restaurants where you can have a drink and try the famous “cocas” I am talking about. However, the best place to do this is Ca’n Molinas.
In this Mallorcan village you can visit places like the Palace of King Sancho, the Gardens of King Juan Carlos or the Royal Carthusian Monastery of Valldemossa.
If you don’t have a car, you can take a bus from Palma or book an excursion to Valldemossa.
📍 Visit Palma de Mallorca Cathedral
The Cathedral is one of the most impressive buildings to visit in Palma de Mallorca. Although its real name is Catedral-Basílica de Santa María, Mallorcans know it as La Seu.
It is one of the tallest cathedrals in Europe. Entrance costs €8 and it is usually open from 10am to 3-6pm. In addition, if you travel in early February or mid-November you will be able to see the Spectacle of the Eight.
This phenomenon only occurs twice a year: on Candlemas Day (2 February) and Saint Martin’s Day (11 November).
📍 Watch the sunrise at Playa de Muro
Playa de Muro is one of my favourite beaches on the island. White sand, crystal clear waters and a sunrise like a film. Yes, maybe getting up early on your holiday to see the sunrise doesn’t sound the most appetising thing in the world; but it’s worth it.
You can also take advantage of the day to visit Alcúdia, another of the most beautiful villages on the island; its market, enjoy Playa Muro and eat paella at Ponderosa Beach. Doesn’t that sound more like a great plan now? 😜
📍 Visit Alcúdia and its market
Alcúdia is one of the most beautiful places to see in Mallorca. It is a walled town located in the north of the island and full of beautiful streets. Every Tuesday and Sunday a market is held in the centre of the town where you can buy textiles, food products and handicrafts.
Here are some of the activities available in Alcúdia 👇
📍 Watch the sunset at Sa Forada viewpoint
The Sa Foradada viewpoint, or Mirador des Galliner, is one of the best places to watch the sunset in Mallorca. There is an area where you can leave your car and walk to the viewpoint. There is even a restaurant there whose views must be even more spectacular.
Also, very close to here is Son Marroig, one of the most beautiful places in the entire Tramuntana mountain range. In case I haven’t mentioned it before, the Serra de Tramuntana is a World Heritage Site.
📍 Visit the Drach caves
The Drach Caves are one of the places that everyone visits in Mallorca. They are located in Porto Cristo. Inside is Lake Martel, considered one of the largest underground lakes in the world.
Full-day and half-day excursions are organised from Palma in case you don’t have a car and you want to see the Caves of Drach.
There are also excursions from Palma de Mallorca to the lesser known Cuevas dels Hams.
📍 Take a dip in Formentor beach
Formentor beach is the best sandy beach (for me) that exists in Mallorca. It is a beach that looks like something out of the Caribbean with fine sand, crystal clear waters and full of palm trees. Moreover, if you visit it during the week it is usually not so crowded and it is a real pleasure.
The best way to get here is by car. However, if you don’t have a car, you can take a boat from Alcúdia or go on an excursion from Palma. The downside of both excursions is that you can only spend 1 hour on the beach, but you will be able to see many places in the surrounding area.
📍 Eating at the beach bar in Cala Deiá
Deiá is a small village not to be missed in the Tramuntana mountain range. It is super cute, tiny and with a cozy cove that has become an essential place to see in Mallorca. In this small cove there is a restaurant where you can eat great food and which has a spectacular atmosphere.
If you want to eat fresh fish in a unique place on the island, I recommend you visit this restaurant in Cala Deiá: Ca’s Patro March.
📍Watch the sunset in Sóller port
Earlier I told you that Sóller is one of the most beautiful villages on the island and that it had a port. Well, in its port there is one of the most beautiful sunsets in Mallorca.
The port is between two rock formations and at sunset, the sun descends into the gap between them, leaving a beautiful scene in its wake. It is also perfect for spending the day on the beach and having lunch overlooking the sea, or going for dinner and a stroll in the evening.
📍 Try an ensaimada at Ca’n Joan de S’Aigo
We were long overdue to talk about one of the star products of Balearic gastronomy: the ensaimada. Because – as they say – the best ensaimadas are here. In fact, it’s not because I say so, it’s because it’s real.
They say that the best ensaimadas in the world are in the town of Inca, specifically in Forn Sant Francesc. However, as I haven’t tried them yet, I recommend the ones that (to date) are my favourites: the ones from Ca’n Joan de S’Aigo.
The company has several establishments around Palma de Mallorca. Take a look at this other article if you want to find out about other places to eat ensaimadas.
📍 Climb the Calvary Staircase in Pollença
Pollensa is another unmissable town on the island of Mallorca. It is located in the north, very close to Alcúdia and Formentor.
One of the main tourist attractions in Pollença is its Calvary staircase, made up of 365 steps and with a viewpoint at the top. This place hosts one of the most important Easter Week traditions known as Davallament.
📍Tasting the best breakfast in the world in Hotel Maricel
Breakfast is one of life’s greatest pleasures. There are those who enjoy a slice of tomato and olive oil toast, a waffle brimming with chocolate or a simple coffee. Whatever team you belong to, you will agree with me that if the best breakfast in the world is said to be in Mallorca, you have to go and check it out.
Hospes Maricel Hotel & Spa is the place where the best breakfast in the world is served. It’s a bit pricey, but it’s a gastronomic experience you should try on the island. In this article I tell you more about this breakfast.
📍 Visit the best beaches in Majorca
The Balearic Islands are enviable for their wonderful crystal clear waters.
Therefore, the main reason to travel to Majorca is to explore its coves and beaches. These are some of the best coves and beaches to visit in Mallorca 👇
📍 Sa Calobra
📍 Cala Tuent
📍 Cala Pi
📍 Cala D’Or
📍 Cala del Mago
📍 Llombards Cove
📍 Mesquida Cove
📍 Torta Cove
📍 Cala Varques
📍 Cala Agulla
📍 Fomentor Beach
📍 Portal Vells
📍 Es Trenc beach
To visit most of them you will need to have a car or make the occasional bus transfer. What I do know is that there is a tour to visit Es Trenc beach and I think you are about 4-5 hours on the beach, enough time to enjoy it.
📍 Take a dip in Majorca’s hanging pool
Did you know that Mallorca is home to the highest hanging pool in Europe? The Hotel Calviá Beach is the hotel where this peculiar pool is located. You don’t have to be a guest of the hotel; you can pay an entrance fee for the day or rent one of its bali beds.
📍 Eat at Gust
I can’t stop recommending this restaurant! When I’m asked about places to eat in Mallorca it’s the first one that comes to mind. It is located in Playa de Muro, that wonderful beach I told you about at the beginning.
The Gust restaurant is run by Santi Taura, a renowned Mallorcan chef who cooks spectacular dishes. Mini bocatas de calamares, the classic XL cannelloni and his version of Snicker are my favourite choices.
📍 Map with all the things and places to see in Mallorca
🌴 Best time to travel to Majorca
When is it best to travel to Mallorca? I would say always, but the truth is that the best months to visit Mallorca are June and September. In high season, i.e. July and August, the island is packed and there is a LOT of traffic.
A 10 minute drive can take almost an hour. Tourists coincide with commuters and there are some impressive traffic jams on the road. But this only happens in high season. The rest of the year the island is much quieter.
June and September are the perfect months for my taste. It’s warmer, the hotels are a bit cheaper than in the middle of summer and you can enjoy the island without the crowds.
📅 How many days are necessary to visit Mallorca?
am one of those who believe that the more days you spend in a place, the more time you will have to get to know it in depth and enjoy it. It’s not the same to travel to Mallorca for a weekend and want to see the whole island, as it is to travel for a week.
The average for me would be around 4-5 days. I think that is enough to visit the main places to visit in Mallorca and to be able to do it in a more relaxed way.
Although Mallorca is a small island – it is barely an hour and a half from one end of the island to the other – I would recommend you to make a list of all the things you want to see in Mallorca. Perhaps you’re more interested in seeing the villages of the Tramuntana mountain range or you’d prefer to visit some of the island’s coves.
🚗 Getting to know Mallorca: better in a rental car?
Yes, yes and yes! The hire car is the best option for touring the island.
I have never been “on a trip to Mallorca” because I have lived there for two summers. So I haven’t rented a car either; but I do know what it’s like to want to visit places on the island and not have one.
My first summer I went without a car. And yes, the island can be explored without a car. You can visit Palma de Mallorca, take a bus to Valldemossa or go on one of the many excursions.
However, there are some places you will find impossible to get to, or you will have to make a million transfers.
My advice is to hire a car if you can. If you can’t rent a car, I recommend you to do some of these tours to visit spectacular places in Mallorca, beyond the Palma de Mallorca👇
🍴 Eating in Majorca: the typical dishes of the island
Mallorca enjoys a good gastronomy. It combines Spanish cuisine with the typical dishes of the island and the flavours of other countries. As it is such a touristy place, it is possible to find restaurants to suit all tastes.
But if you go to Mallorca, the best thing to do is to try the island’s typical dishes and products such as sobrasada, coca de trampó, tumbet or ensaimada.
Es Rebost is a very famous restaurant for tasting Mallorcan cuisine. The Santa Catalina market is also well known. There is also a wide variety of bars and restaurants in the area.
In fact, in many places you can eat tumbet, variat, pa amb oli or coca de trampó. Here are some recommendations of restaurants where to eat in Mallorca👇
📍 Ensaimada: Ca’n Joan de S’aigo
📍 Pa amb oli: Quitapenas Valldemossa
📍 Coca de patata: Ca’n Molinas
📍 Llonguets: Es Vaixell
📍 Rice: S’arrosseria, Ponderosa Beach or Ca’n Manolo.
📍 Sobrasada: If you want to take it home with you, I recommend Can Company, which is also sold in Palma’s Corte Inglés department store.
Something that many people I know on the island usually do is go to dinner at Son Amar, where they put on shows with dinner included. In this other article I tell you about my 9 favourite places to eat on the island.
✈ How to get to Mallorca
There are only two ways to get to Mallorca: by ferry or by plane.
The most comfortable, fastest and most readily available way is by plane. If you want to find the cheapest flights I recommend you to use Skyscanner, it is a flight search engine that tells you the cheapest days and the company that offers the tickets at the lowest prices.
🏨 Where to stay in Majorca: A selection of the best hotels on the island!
Hotel El Guía Mallorca
This is a very charming hotel located in the old town of Sóller.
It has a swimming pool, spa area and beautiful views of Sóller from its windows and balconies.
Hospes Maricel Hotel & Spa
The Hotel Maricel is one of the most impressive hotels in Mallorca. It is located 10 minutes drive from Palma, in Cas Catalá.
It has direct access to the sea from the pool area, as well as an infinity pool. It also has a wonderful spa with spectacular sea views.
Grand Hotel Sóller
This 5-star hotel is located in the centre of Sóller. It has a spa, indoor pool, whirlpool, steam bath, gym and massage service.
In addition, its swimming pool overlooks the spectacular church of Sóller.
Fergus Style Palmanova
This is an Adults Only hotel located in Palmanova. It is a very quiet area, ideal for families and couples and situated close to the airport.
It is open all year round and often offers very interesting promotions. It is also beautiful inside and very cosy.
Hotel Can Mostatxins
The hotel is located in two restored buildings from the 15th and 19th centuries, right in the historic centre of Alcúdia. It has a swimming pool and spa area.
The rooms have original stone walls with exposed brick or high ceilings with wooden beams.
The most luxury hotels in the list!
Formentor, A Royal Hideaway Hotel
This is a dream hotel.
Located on the beach of Formentor, with direct access to the beach itself and sun loungers reserved for guests.
It is surrounded by gardens, has 2 swimming pools (one heated in winter), several restaurants, a beauty centre, 5 tennis courts and a games room.
Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa
The hotel has an infinity pool, fitness centre and spa overlooking the bay of Port de Sóller.
It has 3 restaurants: one with Mediterranean cuisine, one with Spanish tapas and one with sushi. It also has a spa with a hammam, a heated hydro-massage pool and a thermal area.
Cap Rocat, a Small Luxury Hotel of the World
It is a former military fortress that has been converted into a 5-star hotel. It enjoys incredible views of the sea and even has direct access to the beach.
It is located near Palma de Mallorca, in the area of Cala Blava. It has an outdoor swimming pool, solarium, tennis courts, fitness centre and spa area with a hammam.
Belmond La residencia
It is located in the beautiful village of Deiá, in a 16th century building with unbeatable views of the Tramuntana mountain range.
It has 2 outdoor swimming pools, a spa and a charming restaurant. Fresh fruit and flowers are served daily in each room, and free boat trips are organised.
Hotels in Majorca for families
PortBlue Club Pollentia Resort & Spa
This hotel is perfect for families (but also for couples).
It is situated 5km from Alcúdia. It has a very large complex with 3 swimming pools, tennis courts, 4 restaurants, water sports centre and spa.
Zafiro Can Picafort
The hotel consists of studios and flats equipped with kitchen and living room.
It is located 500 metres from Can Picafort beach, next to S’Albufera National Park. It has 2 outdoor swimming pools, a gym and a free spa.
Hotel Sol Katmandu Park & Resort
The complex consists of a hotel and a theme park. Guests can enjoy various attractions free of charge during their stay.
The hotel has an all-inclusive option and is fully themed with the story of Katmandu, featuring Kumar, Maiya and Boro.
Hotels in Palma de Mallorca
Sant Francesc Hotel Singular
Occupies an old 19th century manor house. It has 42 rooms and a rooftop with a swimming pool and spectacular views of Palma.
It also has a gym and restaurant.
Nakar Hotel
It is located on Avenida de Jaime III, right in the centre of Palma de Mallorca.
Its rooftop is one of the most coveted in the city, as it has a swimming pool with views of Palma Cathedral itself.
Brondo Architect Hotel
It is located in the historic centre of Palma, a 4-minute walk from the Cathedral.
It combines Mallorcan architecture with a bohemian and elegant style. It has a fitness centre, a rooftop terrace with sofas and a restaurant serving brunch.
Hotel Abelay
One of the best value for money hotels in Palma de Mallorca.
It is small and located 5 minutes from Plaza España. It has private parking, ideal for those travelling around the island by car.
📲 Parking in Mallorca
In Mallorca you will have no problem parking almost anywhere. There is a blue zone in most tourist areas, as well as car parks.
I recommend you always carry loose change to pay for parking. In Palma there is an app (MobiAPParc) that allows you to pay from your phone, but not in the rest of the island. As for car parks, the one I always used in Palma is the one in Plaza Mayor.
