The Ultimate Travel Guide to Mallorca, Spain | Travel Blog
If you’re traveling to Mallorca, get ready for some of the bluest water you’ve ever seen, the most dramatic mountain landscapes behind inland villages, and the liveliness of Palma. Whether you’re craving adventure or relaxation, Mallorca has something for everybody. This is my list of what to do in Mallorca, Spain.
General Tips for Traveling to Mallorca
Make sure to get a rental car (and book in advance)
Having a car in Mallorca is a really key way to get around the island to see the best of the beaches, roads, and villages. While there are some bus routes/trains that can take you to some of the key spots on the island, these routes can include up to 3 or 4 transfers and take hours one way. The drives are also beautiful and it really made the experience so much better! Just make sure to book early as these sell out quickly during peak season.
choose where on the island you stay carefully
The island is actually quite large and can take hours to drive across. We had opted to stay in Palma because of how central it is to everything and would have a good base for breakfasts/dinners. There are a lot of visitors however who choose to stay in one of the Western villages like Deia or more coastal on the East side. The vibe in these cities are very different from one another and your location may shape the daily activities you do based on proximity. If I go back to Mallorca, I would probably break up the stay to move around the island every few nights to experience the different lifestyles the island has to offer.
Plan Beach Days on the Island’s Eastern Coast
Cala Pi
Cala Pi is one of the most famous beaches in Mallorca, and for very good reason. It’s a special cove nestled along the cove, known for its stunning turquoise waters and sandy beach. It’s surrounded by cliffs and houses picturesque boats/boat houses along the water. You can relax on the rocks or sand, and I highly recommend swimming here as there are no waves and it’s safely nestled in from the sea.
Cala s’almunia
We actually accidentally stumbled upon this Cala and it is breathtaking. This small rocky beach is accessed by a steep staircase, which will bring you to this small cove surrounded by cliffs and views of the Mediterranean Sea. There is also a cave you can cliff jump into which connects directly to the Sea for anyone looking for an adrenaline rush. I recommend coming here towards sunset when it’s less crowded given how small this beach is and how beautiful hour the houses look with golden hour hitting the homes lining the cove. This is one of the best beaches to see in Mallorca.
Stop for Lunch at Cassai
Cassai is about a 30 minute drive from Cala Pi and is in the town of Ses Salines. This small town is so charming with local boutiques and the restaurant/bar of Cassai. The vibe was very relaxed and they had great food and drinks. It’s a short stop but a nice way to see a small town while grabbing a bite between beach stops.
Cala Llombards
Cala Llombards is a bit larger and has more of the traditional beach feel than a lot of the other Cala’s on the Eastern coast. You’ll have a larger sandy area, beach chairs, and a bar on the grounds. I personally recommend walking up on the rocks on the right hand side of the cove to get a front-on view of the homes, the blue water, and enjoy a bit of the peacefulness away from the crowds.
Spend an Afternoon in Palma
Shop The local Markets
The main local outdoor farmers market runs Monday to Saturday, from 7am to 2pm in Placa Pere Garau. This is just about a 10 minute walk East of the Church. There were so many stands here selling everything from handmade jewelry to fresh tropical cocktails and authentic food. This is such a good way to see a bit of Mallorca culture.
explore old town and visit Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma
The old town of Mallorca, known as “La Ciutat,” is full of historic buildings, ancient city walls, and bustling plazas. You’ll find a mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria (La Seu). The cathedral took over 400 years to build and has some of the world’s largest stained glass windows. It has towering bell towers, which when paired with the surrounding palm trees, is very unique to Mallorca.
walk around the town and do Shopping
Shopping in the streets of Palma is some of my favorite shopping I’ve done in Europe. The city has a really great mix of high-end small boutiques, quirky local shops, and charming cafes. The main street with your typical designer shops will be Passeig del Born, but make sure to continue walking through all the nearby alleys which have really unique and beautiful shops.
Explore The Village Town of DeiÃ
Walk the streets of DeiÃ
Deià , perched in the mountains of Mallorca, is one of the island’s greatest gems. The walk up the main street is absolutely breathtaking, where you’ll find numerous boutique shops and cafes with the mountains backdropping the city. Note, however, that this city is quite small! Outside of stopping for food, this can be seen in about an hour so I recommend pairing this with Sóller and Valldemossa which are nearby mountain towns.
Visit Cala Deià and Ca’s Patró March
Cala Deià is one of the most famous beaches on the Eastern side of the island, which also has the restaurant Ca’s Patró March you have probably seen on instagram or other blogs. Checkout my article reviewing my full experience here but a couple key things to note:
- The drive down is extremely windy and narrow, especially for it being a two-way street. If you are a fearful driver, this could be a stressful experience.
- The restaurant has only a few tables along the water so many will be sitting at tables more inward at the restaurant; they also do not let you pick or change tables.
- The views of the Mediterranean Sea from this beach are incredible!! And there is even a local bar right on the beach where you can order drinks.
Get Dinner at El Olivo or Cafe Miro at the La Residentia Hotel
The hype around this hotel and its restaurants is completely warranted – I can safely say this was one of the highlights of Mallorca. I was left absolutely speechless after coming here for dinner around sunset time. Upon walking in, you’ll see the hotel grounds and then get taken to the patios. You’ll get views of the garden, the entire mountain scape, a glimpse of the ocean, and soft guitar/piano being played on the terrace while you enjoy a delicious meal. The service was wonderful and we even got warm blankets once it got more chilly when the sun had set. Be sure to get a reservation as soon as the date you want opens on their site.
Visit Sóller
Explore the Town of Sóller
Sóller is nestled into a valley surrounded by the Tramuntana mountains and is a charming town known for its orange and lemon groves. The main square is surrounded by cafes with the Sant Bartomeu church right at its center. The alleys here are a must to walk through with every home having the classic green shutters and cobblestone roads. Don’t miss the chance to take the old tram down to Port de Sóller for a relaxing stroll along the waterfront.
Take the vintage wooden Train from Sóller to Port de Sóller
The Sóller Railway connects Sóller to Port de Sóller in just about 20 minutes. You can get your tickets on board for €8 per person each way. This path brings you through endless citrus groves, mountain landscapes, and through the countryside. The beautiful sightseeing from the train is absolutely worth it even if you don’t have much time to spend at the Port. Note – both there is both a train and trolley that go and take around the same time.
Explore Port de Sóller
Port de Sóller has a main walkway, with the beach/port on the left hand side and then bustling shops/cafes/restaurants on the right hand side. I highly recommend spending some time at the beach here as the water is really calm and it’s one of the fewer entirely sandy beaches on the island.
Book a Beach Club
We visited the Gran Folies Beach Club which was a 10/10 experience; we actually loved it so much we pushed our evening flight to later to spend more time here. You’re given the cabana for the entire day, which includes access to their pool, a nearly private beach, a local outdoor shop, and an incredible restaurant.
This is truly the ~vacation~ experience if you’re looking for a place to sit back and relax for the day. Pricing for May was €160 which was definitely on the more expensive side, with food (around €25) and cocktails (around €16).
Do an Excursion like ATV Biking, Snorkeling, or Sailing
We didn’t plan for enough days on the island to add in a half or full day activity like these, but I highly recommend it based on friends who have gone and reviews online. You can actually quite easily rent a sailboat too (no sailing license required) to take out on your own as well. These are all great options depending on your own personal preference. I recommend booking through Get Your Guide which offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before every event which allows for you to be a lot more flexible on your trip.
In summary, Mallorca is one of the best vacation spots I have traveled to thus far. This is a must do for anyone looking for a coastal vacation in Europe this year!
