Finally I am bringing you my travel guide of Mallorca. This beautiful Balearic island has so much to offer and it’s definitely not just about partying here. Here are my top things to do and see in Mallorca.
How to get around?
First thing you need to do here is to rent a car. The island is quite big and the public transport is not really reliable. And because you’ll be driving around a lot, it is convenient to stay either in Palma de Mallorca or close by. We wanted to stay somewhere on the beach and we found a really beautiful hotel in Magaluf. I know what you think, Magaluf is not really a good place to stay and I agree. The invasion of drunk Brits is real there but our hotel was lovely and we barely spent any time in the town itself.
Beaches
There are so many beaches and calas in Mallorca and it’s impossible to visit all of them in a week. We decided to see a few of them on the north east coast and in the south.
Alcudia
Platja de Alcúdia is a 50 minutes drive from Palma and it offers great long beaches and clear waters. It can get a little bit windy though.
Formentor
With its crystal clear water in a vibrant shade of blue and soft white sand Platja de Formentor is one of the most beautiful beaches in Mallorca. Located on the dramatic coastline of Cap de Formentor this beach has a character of a secret spot. However it’s well known and easily accessible, packed with amenities and well maintained. It has two large car parks just off the main road and the pricing is quite steep if you decide to spent the whole day here.
You cannot miss to visit the lighthouse of Cap de Formentor while you’re there. It’s a beautiful ride uphill through winding roads and the view from the top is stunning. It’s especially beautiful during the sunset.
Caló des Moro
Call des Moro is one of the Mallorca’s best kept secrets that everybody knows about. For a long time this beach was relatively unknown because it’s quite hard to reach it. However its translucent turquoise water and unspoiled beach attract more and more people every year. The beach is only 40 meters long and and it’s quite a steep decent to arrive. When I visited the water was really rough due to a storm from the previous night so I didn’t experience this gem in its full beauty.
Cala Llombards
The same happened with Cala Llombards. Rough sea with waves crushing onto the shore and even the temperatures were quite low. However this beach is really beautiful and iconic and you shouldn’t miss it.
Es Trenc
Es Trenc is one of the longest beaches in Mallorca. It’s 10 km long and easily accessible from many points.
Fornalutx
Fornalutx was supposed to be just a quick stop on our way to Sóller. However we were so surprised and amazed by this little town that we stayed for hours. We fell in love with its narrow streets and cute corners with flowers and plants everywhere. Definitely a highlight of the trip.
Sóller
Sóller is a typical old Mediterranean town. Set in a lush valley of orange groves and the sea, it is made up on narrow cobble stone streets lined with traditional buildings with colorful doors. People tend to arrive here on the vintage train from Palma and then they sit in one of the beautiful cafes in Plaça Constitució and soak up the atmosphere. Sóller is famous for its oranges and you definitely need to try the fresh orange juice or buy the marmalade.
Port de Sóller
The vintage train, I talked about, can also take you to the port, Port De Sóller, which lies a few kilometers from Soller. Surrounded by the Tramuntana mountains, Port De Sóller offers both beautiful mountain scenery and breathtaking sea views. There’s a stretch of cafes and restaurants and especially seafood restaurants are in abundance.
Deià
Deià was a big surprise for me. This village sits nestling between the sea and the dramatic mountain of Serra de Tramuntana and to me it is the prettiest village of Mallorca. It has a bohemian yet luxurious feel. Its picturesque cobble streets are lined with art galleries and top notch restaurants and bars with terraces with views over the whole valley. There is a few small luxury hotels amongst which Belmond La Residencia which is a dream to stay or just dine in.
Valdemossa
Valdemossa is a big sister of all the towns mentioned above. However it was our last stop of the day and after we saw all the other towns, Valdemossa didn’t offer anything special for our eyes. It is a very beautiful town with a nice cathedral and it’s buzzing with cute cafes and restaurants.
Palma de Mallorca
To be honest, I didn’t have any expectations for Palma and it surprised me a lot. It’s such an elegant city and it reminded me of Barcelona. In fact it’s like a little version of the Catalan city. The so-called “Pearl of the Mediterranean” is famous for its cathedral, La Seu. Be sure to include it in your itinerary, but to be fair, it is quite impossible to miss. It’s one of the tallest Gothic structures in Europe and its golden stone calls for attention. It’s also beautiful on the inside mostly because of the stained glass windows which flood the cathedral with beams of colorful light.
After visiting the cathedral get lost in the shaded streets of the old town – Casco Antiguo and then reach the Borne, the vibrant city center and arguably the most elegant avenue in Palma where you can find all the top notch designer shops.
What to eat in Mallorca?
You have to try the traditional breakfast pastry ensaimada. Its origin is unknown but the Mallorcans eat it for breakfast since the 17th century. They make them with different fillings and they are delicious yet very sweet. We ate them in different places but it was a real experience in the oldest cafe in Palma – Ca’n Joan de S’aigo. The atmosphere is early 20th century although this cafe has almost 300 years long history.
Mallorca is and island and the seafood here is delicious. You can enjoy in any good restaurant on Paseo Maritimo. And in the end we are in Spain so go get some tapas and sangria. We really enjoyed the gourmet tapas in Bazaar Tapas Bar in Plaça d’En Coll. Also, don’t forget to try some Mallorcan wine. Especially the whites are delicious.
I hope you find this guide helpful and if you have any comments or questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Love,
Beata
P.s. Have you already read my guide on The Most Instagrammable Places in Rome?
