Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands, a stunning archipelago off the eastern coast of Spain in the Mediterranean. During my nine months of living and teaching English in Palma, I fell in love with the beauty and vibrant island lifestyle, soaking in the culture and the sun as much as possible. Excellent public transportation (by my American standards) made the island highly accessible and I explored every corner of it.
From hiking in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, lounging on secluded beach coves, and attending local festivals with demons and fire, Mallorca captured my heart. On an island with something for everyone, I’ve curated a list of my best-loved Mallorcan excursions and attractions for your next holiday.
1. Visit the capital city of Palma
No visit to Mallorca is complete without exploring the capital city, Palma. There’s so much to do that I’ve dedicated a post exclusively to exploring Palma, which you can check out here. Palma’s crown jewel is its towering Gothic cathedral, which features an incredible sandstone facade and alter canopy designed by the renowned Antoni Gaudí.
Wander through the narrow cobblestone streets of the Old Town, perusing the many colorful storefronts, and stop for a drink and a quick bite at any of the many bars and cafes. End the day at Palma’s public beach, which offers lovely views of the sea at sunset.
2. Soak up the sun on the beach
Likely you’ve chosen to come to Mallorca for a sunny European holiday, and what better to do than lounge on one of the island’s many beaches and coves? Mallorca is famous for its calas, small sandy or rocky coves surrounded by sea cliffs that offer clear turquoise waters reminiscent of the Caribbean. Generally, the island’s eastern side is best for beaching, boasting spectacular golden sand versus the rocky coves of the western side. If you’re here during high season these small beach coves can get crowded, so secure your spot early or stop by later to catch the sunset.
Best Beaches near Palma:
- Ses Illetes – Small beach cove with rocky outcroppings and a cafe.
- Cala Major – Small crescent of sand sandwiched between resorts.
- Can Pastilla – Expansive public beach where you can rent paddleboards.
All-time favorite beaches:
- Es Trenc – Pristine, expansive beach with calm waters. Near famous salt flats!
- Cala Varques – Secluded virgin beach with arches and sea caves.
- Platja Santanyí – Stunning narrow cove good for snorkeling and climbing.
3. Explore the caves
Mallorca is home to two famous caves, the Caves of Drach and the Caves of Artà, both on the eastern side of the island. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Caves of Drach in Porto Cristo, admiring the ancient stalactite and stalagmite formations while walking through the 1.2-kilometer-long cave.
This experience also includes a mini-concert on the magical underground lake, Lake Martel, where classical musicians glide across the lake on a small rowboat. Following the concert, you can indulge in a short boat ride across the lake to the exit, however, the line does get quite long and the boat ride lasts only a few minutes. For more information on tickets and booking, visit the websites of the Caves of Drach and the Caves of Artà.
4. Spend the day at sea
Mallorca has a massive sailing and boat charter scene, and what better way to explore the stunning coastline than by sea?! Spend the afternoon lounging on the deck of a catamaran and catch the sunset over the water, or explore the hidden coves and calas by motorboat, add renting a boat to your Mallorcan bucket list ASAP. Both my experiences with boat rentals/charters in Mallorca were unforgettable, check out Click and Boat for more info on boat rentals and charters in Mallorca.
5. Take a hike
Hiking was one of my favorite weekend activities while living in Mallorca, and the island’s diverse landscape provides a plethora of trails to choose from. Find yourself at new heights in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, admire the views of the Mediterranean on coastal walks, and enjoy the serenity of the inland pine forests. I’ve curated a list of my absolute favorite hikes in Mallorca including beach walks, mountain trails, ancient ruins, and gorge scrambles, which you can check out here.
6. Visit the beautiful villages
Mallorca is home to dozens of scenic towns that will steal your heart with their charm and authenticity.
Wander the winding streets of Valldemossa, whose sandstone buildings are adorned with colorful flower boxes, and stop to enjoy a traditional Mallorcan pastry, coca de patata. Head to neighboring Deià, a sliver of a town shrouded by the towering Serra de Tramuntana mountains, and explore the rugged Cala Deià or take in the views of the hillside city from the church.
Not far away is Sóller, whose charming town square hosts a weekly Sunday market, where you can sip a café con leche while gazing at the intricate facade of the Cathedral, and spot the historic wooden train passing through.
A stone’s throw from Sóller is Fornalutx, deemed to me by several locals as Mallorca’s most beautiful town, where you can enjoy a beer on the quaint main square and wander past the doorways decorated with flowers and foliage.
7. Hike on Sa Dragonera & have a paella at sunset
Sa Dragonera is a small island and natural park off the coast of the quaint seaside town, Sant Elm. This island is named for the small lizards that inhabit it and features several hiking trails, two lighthouses, and excellent snorkeling at the lagoon. The reserve can only be reached by boat, and there is a water taxi service in Sant Elm that can be booked in advance for less than 20 euros, details here.
Following your excursion to Sa Dragonera, soak up the last rays of light and watch the sun disappear behind the island over a steaming pan of paella at one of Sant Elm’s waterside restaurants, I recommend Restaurante Vista Mar.
8. Brave the road to Cap de Formentor
On the island’s north side near Port de Pollença, the rugged peninsula Cap de Formentor wows visitors with its breathtaking views of the sea and coastline. The peninsula features an overlook of the cape at Mirador de El Colomer, two beaches, Playa de Formentor and Cala Figuera, and the iconic lighthouse, Far de Formentor where you can get a drink and snack at the (overpriced) cafe.
The road can be a bit treacherous as it is steep and winding in places, something to bear in mind if you are driving, or you can take a bus from Port de Pollença which stops at all major landmarks on the way to the lighthouse.
The road on Cap de Formentor, Ma-2210, is accessible by bus only during the summer months, but, this isn’t well marked or signposted and you may be fined for driving your car there during this time. Therefore, if you are visiting in summer, be sure to search “Ma-2210 restrictions” before driving out on the cape.
9. Enjoy the local festivities
Spain is renowned for its numerous public and religious holidays. When I lived in Mallorca, it felt like there was a different festival every other weekend. Like the rest of Spain, you can catch Semana Santa processions at Easter, parades for Three King’s Day, and street parties and parade floats at Carnaval. But, the island’s festivals for its beloved saints Sant Antoni and Sant Sebastià are truly unmissable. Sant Sebastià is the patron saint of Palma, whose festival day is celebrated every January 20th.
Rural Mallorca celebrates Sant Antoni, the patron saint of animals, every January 16th and 17th. These festival days bring massive street parties, enormous bonfires (foguerons), cookouts on the street, and demons (dimonis) parading around to scare you. If you are visiting Mallorca in late January, these festivities are an unmissable cultural experience.
