Mallorca Travel Guide

Promising mountain views, dreamy beaches, and charming towns, Mallorca is the Balearic Islands’ jack-of-all-trades.

The best-known Balearic Island encapsulates everything great about Spain, with a few surprises of its own, and is fantastic for families, couples, and friend groups alike. Mallorca is famed for its welcoming, laid-back vibe, and there’s a lot to see, do, and eat on this sunny isle.

So, if you want to ensure you don’t miss out on any of the best bits, we’ve compiled a handy Mallorca travel guide to get you started. Read on for our suggestions for spending your holiday on this Balearic gem…

Why visit?

Geographically, Mallorca consists of a fertile plain sandwiched between two mountain ranges: the spectacular Serra de Tramuntana to the north and the Serres de Llevant to the south. The lowlands are bookended by the Bay of Palma – home to the island’s historic capital city – and the Bay of Alcudia. Both are characterised by long sandy beaches and shallow, warm seas, where you’ll find places for watersports and safe swimming. On rockier parts of the coast, you’ll see adventure operators taking thrill-seekers ‘coasteering’ – a mix of rock-climbing, abseiling, scrambling, and cliff-jumping that offers a whole new way to enjoy Mallorca’s coastline.

Best time to visit Mallorca?

Summer temperatures are hot, averaging the high twenties with negligible rainfall in the lowlands – it’s the best and the most popular time for beach breaks and traditional family getaways. If you’re planning a holiday around land activities, it’s worth considering the cooler spring or autumn months, which are ideal for exploring the island on foot or by bike. Mallorca is a paradise for hikers and cyclists, with the heights of Serra de Tramuntana offering challenging ascents and spectacular views.

Highlights

• Palma de Mallorca: The capital of the Balearic Islands is lively, full of history, and a great place to enjoy local bars and restaurants.
• And in the city itself, Palma Cathedral (also known as La Seu) is an architectural wonder bound to impress visitors of all ages.
• Almudaina Palace is also found in Palma – it’s a fairytale castle and residence of the Spanish royal family.
• Alcudia’s Old Town, on the island’s north side, boasts a 14th-century wall and colourful markets on Tuesdays and Sundays throughout the year.

Mallorca travel guide: How to get there and around

Public transport: Thanks to decades of tourism, Mallorca is easy to get around, with a well-developed road and bus network, three train lines, and a Metro service operating within Palma. If you like travelling by train, take a look at Palma’s train network or the iconic and historic Ferrocarril de Soller.

With so much to see, we highly recommend hiring a vehicle – check out our activities section for some original ideas on that front. If you prefer public transport, your first stop will be Palma’s Intermodal Station, reached by the 1 and 21 buses from the airport. From there, local EMT buses and Metro services will get you around the city, TIB (Transport de les Illes Balears) buses will take you to destinations further afield, and trains will take you to the towns of Inca, Pobla and Manacor.

By bike: Touring Mallorca on two wheels is a fantastic way to see the island (Bradley Wiggins is a big fan), and there are many places to hire bicycles from – your luxury villas might even include them as part of your rental.

Taxis: There’s an abundance of taxi companies in Mallorca to help you get around – though, as, with many destinations, it’s worth booking in advance (if possible) and agreeing on a price with the driver before heading out.

Hiring a car or other private transportation: If you’re staying inland or in one of the more remote coastal areas, hiring a car will probably be necessary. You’ll find local firms and multinational staples in Mallorca, and once you have your own set of wheels, the island is yours to explore at your leisure! Europcar, Hertz and Avis provide services directly from the airport.

Hidden Gems

The truly adventurous – or anyone after the quietest beaches they can find – should explore the northern coast. Here, you’ll find fantastic spots only accessible on foot, such as Es Canyaret, a beach just outside the village of Llucalari that is renowned for its waterfall and refreshing mud pools; Port des Canonge, a secluded spot east of the ancient, terraced village of Banyalbufar; and Coll Baix, a stunning, cliff-fringed bay with turquoise waters.

While you’re in the region, take the time to visit Deia, a small coastal village popular with the creative set. It has attracted writers and musicians for decades, and when you visit, you’ll see why – it’s a charming jigsaw of traditional flat-roofed buildings and lush gardens. Foodies mustn’t miss the ever-popular Ca’s Patró March, situated above the beach, or the trendy Hotel Corazón, located between Deia and Soller. For another food treat from northern Mallorca, track down fresh prawns from Port de Soller; they’re exceptionally good and one of the freshest seafood offerings on the island.

Over on the other side of the island, enjoy an underground adventure at the jaw-dropping Caves del Drach. The tour winds past clear pools and intricate rock formations for just over a kilometre, leading you to Lake Martel, a 170-metre-long underground lake. Your guide will take you on a boat ride across it, accompanied by live classical music. With good paths, lighting, and a temperature of over 20C, you don’t need to be a hardened caver to enjoy it!

Make sure you take the breathtakingly beautiful tram journey from the town of Soller to the port! If you’re into your scenic drives, try going from Valdemossa to Sa Calobra (via the village of Deia), or visit the charming town of Estellencs and hunt down its stunning hidden cala (beach) – don’t forget to bring a picnic! And if you find yourself on the long road through the Tramuntana mountains that runs east to west, stop for lunch in Es Grau for tasty treats and breathtaking views.

Did you know…?

• Famed architect Gaudi was meant to design new changes to Palma Cathedral, but he dropped out after a spat with a contractor.

• The English poet and novelist Robert Graves spent much of his life in Mallorca – he eventually died there in 1985.

• Es Trenc Beach apparently loses about 25 tons of sand each year because holidaymakers take it away in their towels, bags and sandals.

Mallorca makes a superb choice for a family holiday. It’s not too far away (so travelling with little ones isn’t too taxing), and you can enjoy the island’s tourism infrastructure while staying in one of our luxury villas in Mallorca. Better yet, there are activities for all ages and plenty of soft, sandy beaches to while your days away.

Things to do in Mallorca

There are plenty of new ways to discover Mallorca’s landscape, like underwater scuba diving adventures or treetop explorations with Jungeparc, where you’ll use ziplines, ropes, and bridges to navigate a pine forest. Or you could experience the whole island during a guided tour, which can take you from the lofty heights of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains to the tranquil waves of the coast. No Frills Excursions are your go-to guys for a comprehensive tour.

Surprisingly, Mallorca also has some fantastic golf courses, and you can find out more from our friends at where2golf.com. If you like heights but think Jungleparc sounds like a bit too much effort, you can appreciate the island from above with a hot air balloon flight. We recommend Mallorca Balloons if you feel like taking to the sky. One of the nicest island tours you can take is the perfect pairing of walking and wine – you’ll really feel like you’ve earned that drink! You can find out more about some great itineraries at Mallorca Hiking.

Mallorca travel guide for families:

There are many great museums and art galleries in Mallorca, and the local artists often feature their work in smaller exhibitions. There are some great water parks across the Balearic Islands, and they all make for an exciting family day out. Aqualand is worth a try if you’re heading to Mallorca!

There’s plenty of nature on the island that kids will love to explore – try a nature walk and see where it takes you! If your little ones love animals, La Reserva is a private reserve full of beautiful beasts, while Katmandu is an adventure playground chock full of rides (the highlight is the unforgettable upside-down house).

Cycling is a great way to see the island, too, and there are plenty of great trails suitable for all ages. Nano Bicycles in Palma offers a cycling tour of the old town and bike rentals to suit you and your family. For more Mallorca travel guide family suggestions, check out our blog on the best family activities in Mallorca.

Recommended experiences:

• Why not try a cooking class courtesy of mymuybueno? Better yet, they can tailor their lessons to suit you!

• Combine exercise with fine wines during Bicillevant’s tour through the foothills of the Tramuntana mountains, stopping at wineries along the way for tastings.

• Beer tastings in the comfort of your villa rental with Beer Lovers Mallorca! This would work best combined with a BBQ.

• Macia Batle is one of Mallorca’s longest-established wineries, and the tours will give you a fascinating insight into wine on the island – along with a few samples!

We’ve also spoken to some locals to find out their favourite suggestions! Read our insider’s Mallorca travel guide to learn more. And if you need more ideas, check out our blog on the best family activities in Mallorca.

Best restaurants in Mallorca

The best vegetarian restaurant on the island is La Mujer De Verde, which serves great lunches during the day and meat-free haute cuisine in the evenings. Mare Nostrum serves delicious food for a reasonable price – you can find it in Sa Pobla towards the north of the island. If you feel like sampling some traditional Spanish tapas, El Camino and Bar Coto in Palma offer unique takes on classic dishes. And if you are looking for traditional Mallorcan dishes with a twist, Santi Taura is the place to go! The restaurant is named after the chef Santi Taura, who creates new tasting menus weekly. Fine dining at its best! Flanigan has spent the best part of the last thirty years delighting the tastebuds of visitors and locals alike, specialising in fresh seafood and eclectic Mallorcan cuisine.

You can find more inspiring delicacies by checking out our blog about the best foodie experiences in Mallorca.

Dishes to try

• Tumbet is more of a side dish than a main event, but this Balearic take on ratatouille makes any meal better.
• Sobrassada is a local spicy sausage cooked in many different ways – it’s even eaten on bread with honey!
• And a trip to Mallorca wouldn’t be complete without trying some seafood – the lobster stew known as calderata is one of the best ways to get a taste of the ocean.
• The delicious local pastries known as Ensaimada are notoriously difficult to make off the island – it’s said that the sea air helps the dough to rise!

Tempted to visit after reading our Mallorca travel guide? We have a selection of beautiful luxury villas in Mallorca, whether you’re travelling with the kids, visiting à deux, or want to relax with a few friends. If you need a hand with anything, feel free to contact our friendly Concierge team.

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