Mallorca, or Majorca, is the largest island in the Balearic Islands, which are owned by Spain and located in the Mediterranean. Often overlooked for the more popular island of Ibiza, Mallorca is a great vacation destination in it’s own right.
I visited in May and the water may still have been a bit chilly but the weather was great and the island was not crowded. Most beaches I stopped at had less than 10 people at them.
Being less of a party island, you are likely to find a more quiet local scene around the island of Mallorca. The capital, Palma has a lot to offer. You can find a diverse nightlife, a Moorish Almudaina royal palace and the 13th-century Cathedral, just to name a few of the great things to do in Mallorca.
Pair those attractions with fantastic restaurants and beaches and you can understand why people are starting to see the allure of this island.
There are many exceptional things to do on Mallorca. Whether it be visiting a dreamy port city like Porto Cristo or sampling wine at one of the many vineyards, there is something for every traveler.
Here are my favorite things to do in Mallorca!
Don’t leave home without: Lonely Planet Mallorca (Travel Guide)
21 Spectacular Things to do in Mallorca
Rent a car
If there is one thing I would recommend doing in Mallorca, its renting a car. Knowing I would be traveling to Mallorca after my time in Barcelona I had already done the research and realized I would want to rent a vehicle for my time there.
Not only is Mallorca a very easy place to drive it also lacks an efficient public transportation network (there is a bus and train network, but it doesn’t allow much flexibility). So if you want to see more than just the capital or the front of your resort, you should rent a vehicle.
Need to book a car for your road trip adventure? We use Discover Car Hire for comparing car prices to find the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies. (use italics, do not center and use block quote)
Take the Scenic Routes
Once you rent a car, take the scenic routes. This way you can experience the great views along the hairpin roads heading north up the west side of Mallorca.
Leave Palma going West, follow MA-1 until you hit MA-10 in Andratx. Once you get on MA-10 you can follow it North all the way to Port de Pollenca on the northern side of the island.
This drive is not for the faint of heart. You will be driving along cliffs on roads that barely fit two small sized cars, not to mention the cyclists you will meet along the way. That being said, it shouldn’t be missed because the views were unobstructed and breathtaking.
Enjoy the Towers of Alcudia
This city is rich in history. Alcudia originally served as the capital when the island was under Roman rule. It was later destroyed and then rebuilt into one of the main trading ports on the island.
The port of Alcudia offers a ferry to Menorca if you are interested. Thanks to its rich history, roman influence can be seen all around this town. However, a major sight to see is the city walls. They were added after the Spanish conquest and have been restored to their original state. There are gates and 26 towers in total.
Our Top Recommended Tour:
Explore Palma
Palma de Mallorca is the capital and is the city you will be flying into. It’s a very laid-back and vibrant city. You will find copious amounts of cafes, coffee shops, beaches, narrow streets, impressive architecture and an incredible cathedral.
Weather can reach high temperatures during the day, so exploring is best done in the mornings or late evenings. Once nighttime hits, be ready to see the streets and plazas come alive with local music performers and outdoor seating at restaurants.
Many pubs and restaurants line the beaches so you can view an amazing sunset.
Our Top Recommended Tours:
- Palma de Mallorca Inca Market Shopping Tour
- Mallorca Palma Bay Boat Trip with Lunch
- Palma de Mallorca 3-Hour Highlights and Tapas Tasting Bike Tour
Castell de Bellver
One of the best things I did in Palma was visit the 14th century built Castell de Bellver. Situated on a hill just west of the city center, this castle allows you a great view of the port and the city of Palma.
The base of the castle is surrounded by trees and the castle itself is a unique circle shape with a circular tower.
Our Top Recommended Tours:
- 3 Hours E-Bike Tour in Palma de Mallorca
- Palma de Mallorca Sightseeing Day Tour
- Private Tour: Palma de Mallorca Old Town, Palma Cathedral and Cruise
La Seu-Palma Cathedral
The first site I visited in Palma was the Cathedral de Santa Maria or La Seu. It is breathtaking. It is situated right along the coast of the city allowing you a great view of the bay area while sightseeing around the cathedral.
There are many local street artists in this area as well if you are looking for some original artwork.
Our Top Recommended Tours:
- Palma de Mallorca Bike Tour with Optional Tapas
- Palma Night Walking Tour
- Private Tour: Palma de Mallorca Old Town
Stay a Night in Cala Figuera
Cala Figuera is a small fishing port tucked away on the north side of the island. It does not have a beach and therefore is much quieter. If you are looking to escape the tourists, this little town could be the right place for you.
Relax and spend time at one of the local cafes, drinking coffee and enjoying some pastries with a great view of the bay. If you are up in the early morning, you may even get to see some of the fishing boats returning with their catch of the day.
Roam the Streets of Soller
Sóller is a town in the north west coast of Mallorca. The town is situated 3 km inland from the Port de Sóller, in a large, bowl-shaped valley. If you are looking for a truly authentic feel of a quaint island town Soller is it.
The church of Sant Bartomeu (Saint Bartholomew) is a must see while visiting Soller. Built from 1668-1723 it is a largely baroque church but still has gothic elements maintained on the interior and is the centerpiece of the Plaça Constitució.
Our Top Recommended Tours:
- Valldemosa and Valley of Soller Tour in Mallorca
- Mallorca in One Day Sightseeing Tour with Boat Ride and Vintage Train
Sample Locally Made Jams in Port de Soller
You must absolutely visit Fet a Soller while in Port de Soller. They are a tiny storefront that offers a wide variety of locally sourced products for you to taste and to buy.
Find: oils, vinegars, jams, honey, syrups, local produce, wine, herbs, spices, cheese and meats. Everything I sampled from here was tasty but I especially enjoyed their fig jam.
Enjoy the Beach at Mondrago Natural park
Mondrago NaturalPark is another great highlight in Mallorca. It offers gorgeous beaches, pine forests and sand dunes. The beach is only accessible by car, not by any public transport options, which makes it a little less visited by tourists.
The beach has crystal clear water, soft sand and a picturesque landscape to relax the day away in.
Take the Vintage Tram to Port de Soller
One of the most popular attractions in Soller is to take the vintage tram from the town’s center to the ever popular Port de Soller. The tram ride takes around 30 minutes and offers a timetable with set times for departures and returns.
The drop off point in Port de Soller is in the city center as well, surrounding you with a beautiful beach, colorful shops and several restaurants to choose from.
Find Calo des Moro Beach
The journey to find this beach can be difficult, but it is a magical place once you do. Calo Des Moro Beach is one of the most photographed beaches on Mallorca.
Once getting there, you will see various options for great overlook pictures of the little bay and the vast sea beyond it. Want to reach the actual beach?
Follow the crowds, for there are multiple pathways, but most do not reach the beach.
Take in the View at Mirador es Colomer
Mirador es Colomer offers maybe one of the best viewpoints on Mallorca. It has towering cliffs, majestic blue sea as far as the eye can see, and is a great place to capture panoramic shots.
You will have to walk a little ways to get to the best viewing points but they have handrails and the steps are fairly even and easy to walk. Keep in mind that this is one of the top things to do in Mallorca and even in May, when the island was “quiet”, it was hard to find parking.
Our Top Recommended Tour:
Visit the Lighthouse of Cap de Formentor
The Formentor or Cap de Formentor Lighthouse is an active lighthouse at the northernmost tip of Mallorca. It is the highest lighthouse in the Balearic Islands with a focal height of 689 feet above sea level, located on high cliffs at the tip of Cap de Formentor.
This site was packed with people and hard to find parking, but it contained some great history about Mallorca and the service of this lighthouse.
Our Top Recommended Tours:
Stretch your legs at Gorg Blau
Gorg Blau is an artificial reservoir located in the valleys between the mountains of Puig Major & Puig de Massanella. It was a great rest spot to get out and stretch your legs on the way north from Soller.
The gorge itself consists of a narrowing valley lined with limestone cliffs on each side. The valley leads to a tall dam and hydro-electric station which do detract slightly from this otherwise magnificent setting.
Do a Wine tasting at one of the Island’s Wineries
Wineries in Mallorca are growing and you can now easily find one around the island that offers tours and tastings. There are five different regions on the island, all with different climates which create completely different wine profiles: The Sierra Tramuntana, El Raiguer, El Pla, Serra de Llevant, and El Mijorn.
Our Top Recommended Tours:
- Winery Visit and Wine Tasting Tour
- Mallorca Half Day Private Wine Tour with Wine Tasting
- Sa Clasta Wine Tours
Cycle the Island
I had never seen more cyclists in my life than on Mallorca. They are everywhere on the roads and were constantly behind me riding my tail going down the hairpin turns.
Since Mallorca has over 300 sunny days a year with nice roads and terrain it attracts a wide range of cycle enthusiasts year round.
Walk up the 365 Calvari Steps in Pollença
The Calvari steps not only offer superb views of Pollença, but are also one of the town’s most iconic locations thanks to its impressive stairway. It consists of 365 steps, one for each day of the year, and is flanked by cypress trees.
Eat the food, everywhere, all the time!
I never had a single bad meal on this island! The food is authentic, fresh and if you are a foodie like me you will be in heaven! Make sure to try a Pa amb Oli anywhere on Mallorca as its famous here and was delicious every time I had it.
Don’t pass up fresh fish in the port towns as everything is caught and prepared fresh. Another must have dish while visiting Mallorca is paella, a mixture of saffron-flavored rice and various meats served in hot a round skillet to the table.
Our Top Recommended Tours:
Coves del Drac (Cuevas del Drach)
I made the short drive from Porto Cristo down to Coves del Drac on the Southeast side of the island. They do not disappoint. Like most areas on the island the caves were not crowded with tourists, which really allowed you to become immersed in the visual beauty of these underground caves.
Bright teal green water with spiraling rock formations and a large underground lake called Martel, is the largest underground lake in Europe and one of the largest in the world measuring 540 ft. long by 131 ft. wide.
Our Top Recommended Tours:
- Mallorca Day Trip to Majorica Pearl Shop and Caves of Drach
- Caves of Drach Half-Day Tour with Boat Trip and Music Concert
- Drach Caves & Traditional Village Private Day Trip
Explore the water
The water here is crystal clear and quite undisturbed for a vacation location. I had packed my own snorkel gear and though the water was chilly, explored at every beach stop.
The underwater rock formations are beautiful and if no one has been in the water for awhile you can see a wide array of fish.
Our Top Recommended Tours:
- Authentic sailing boat tour-Half day with Local Captain in Playa de Palma, Mallorca
- Palma Bay Kayak and Snorkel Tour for Beginners
- Guided Snorkel Boat Trip to Cabrera Marine Reserve
Where to Eat in Mallorca
Honestly, I stopped and tried food constantly. I could never get enough of the food and wine on this island. I would definitely recommended eating at Quince Restaurant & Cantina on the water in Porto Cristo.
I had the most fantastic fish (pictured above). It was stuffed with a sprig of lemon and citronella leaves which added an amazing aroma and flavor to the fish. I also had an amazing seafood paella in Alcudia at Can Costa Celler restaurant.
Where to Stay in Mallorca
The island offers a vast amount of affordable hotels and BnB’s. I stayed at hotels throughout my entire trip. I started in Palma and worked my way around the entire island driving towards the northwest first.
I also never stayed in a hotel more than one night. But here are a few of the top recommended places to stay in the major towns on the island.
Palma
Palma is situated on the south side of Mallorca and is the capital. Most hotels are within walking distance of great restaurants and sights to help you save time and money from driving or parking.
- Palma luxury hotel we recommend: Isla Mallorca & Spa
- Palma mid-range hotel we recommend: Occidental Playa de Palma
- Palma budget hotel we recommend: Dalt Murada – Turismo de Interior
- Palma hostel we recommend: Hostal Bonany
Valldemossa
Valldesmossa is a village steeped in old world charm. It is located about half way in between Palma and Soller. With a population of 2,000 you will be able to find quiet and picturesque streets with plenty of shops and restaurants.
- Valldemossa luxury hotel we recommend: Hotel Valldemossa
- Valldemossa mid-range hotel we recommend: Es Petit Hotel de Valldemossa
- Valldemossa budget hotel we recommend: Casa Valldemossa
- Valldemossa hostel we recommend: Na Miranda de Valldemossa
Port de Soller
Port de Soller is located on the West coast of Mallorca and is situated on a horse-shoe shaped bay. It offers a sandy beach and several restaurants along the bay.
- Port de Soller luxury hotel we recommend: Hotel Marina Soller
- Port de Soller mid-range hotel we recommend: Aimia Hotel
- Port de Soller budget hotel we recommend: Hotel Miramar Soller
- Port de Soller hostel we recommend: Hostal Nadal
Alcúdia
Alcúdia is located on the north end of the island and is situated just inland of the resort town of Port de Alcúdia. It’s the ideal place to experience rich Mallorcan heritage without straying too far off the beaten path.
- Alcúdia luxury hotel we recommend: PortBlue Club Pollentia Resort & Spa
- Alcúdia mid-range hotel we recommend: Hotel More Alcudia
- Alcúdia budget hotel we recommend: Ca’n Pere Alcudia
- Alcúdia hostel we recommend: Fonda Llabres Boutique Hotel
Porto Cristo
Porto Cristo is a picturesque fishing village located on the Southeastern side of Mallorca. It has a sheltered bay which allows it to have nice sandy beaches and clear teal water.
- Porto Cristo luxury hotel we recommend: THB Felip Adults Only
- Porto Cristo mid-range hotel we recommend: Aparthotel PortoDrach
- Porto Cristo budget hotel we recommend: Monteverde Hotel
More on Spain:
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- 15 Sweet Things to Do in Ibiza Besides Drinking and Partying
- Ultimate 3 Days in Madrid Itinerary
- 10 Best Day Trips from Barcelona That are Worth the Trip
- The Ultimate 3 Day Weekend in Barcelona Itinerary
- 12 Easy Day Trips from Madrid
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Article by Kady Saari
American living in Canada – I was a late bloomer when it comes to travel. I didn’t take my first trip until I was almost 19 and since then I have visited 16 countries. I really enjoy how traveling can get you out of your comfort zone by giving you a different perspective on people and their way of living. I am also an absolute foodie and love to connect to the places I visit through food.
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