Spain’s dreamiest island lies right in the center of the Balearics, nestled between Ibiza and Menorca. It’s the largest island in Spain, and the seventh largest in the Mediterranean! Mallorca’s golden cities, turquoise waters, and enchanting hilltop villages make it one of the most beautiful destinations in Europe. Here’s my guide to visiting the island!
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Mallorca can be essentially divided into three parts: the city, the mountains, and the beaches. Palma, the capital, sits on the western side of the island. From here, you can divide the island in half. The northern half is home to the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, filled with numerous hilltop villages. In the southern half, you’ll find beautiful turquoise beaches and quiet beach towns. Mallorca was one of my favorite islands I’ve ever visited, so let’s dive deeper into all of the best things to do and see on this lovely island!
Southern Mallorca
Exploring the southern coastline of Mallorca feels like a fairytale. Spend the day sunbathing on the rocks of a turquoise beach then head into one of the sleepy little towns for an evening stroll and a lovely dinner. I could spend months relaxing in Southern Mallorca, it was absolutely one of my favorite places!
THE BEACHES
Caló Des Moro and S'Almunia
These are two of the most famous beaches on the island. Caló des Moro is a small inlet with some of the most gorgeous water I have ever experienced. The beach itself is quite small, but the soft sands and turquoise water make for an incredible display. Once the sand fills up, beachgoers will sunbathe on the rocks. Caló des Moro gets quite busy quite fast – we arrived around 7:30am, and by 10am the beach was completely full.
Once Caló des Moro starts to feel a bit crowded, take the five minute coastal trail to S’Almunia. This rugged beach doesn’t actually have sand, but there’s plenty of space on the rocks to sprawl out and sunbathe – European style. S’Almunia also has quite a few amazing cliff jumping spots, adorable boathouses, and deep blue waters.
Cala Llombards
Cala Llombards was easily my favorite on the island. The water here is unreal – it’s the brightest shade of turquoise I have ever seen. Rent a chair and an umbrella to lounge in, or just lay a towel down on the large sandy beach. Venture down to the adorable colorful boathouses, go cliff jumping, or walk down to one of the swim ladders to go for a dip in the calm water. A beach bar offers cocktails and snacks, and often fruit vendors will chop up fresh pineapple and watermelon for you to enjoy.
THE BEACH TOWNS
SANTANYÍ
This peaceful little town in southeastern Mallorca was one of my favorites. The golden-hued buildings and quiet cobblestone streets give it such an irresistible charm. Stop in one of the local shops or enjoy a glass of wine on a restaurant patio. Embrace the art of slow living as the Spaniards do! Santanyí holds a market in the center of town every Wednesday and Sunday from 9am-2pm.
Stop in C’an Gelat for some fantastic tapas or Restaurant Laudat for a fine dining experience under the lemon trees!
SES SALINES
Ses Salines is another traditional Mallorcan village named after its rich salt mines that have been in production for centuries. The sleepy little town holds so much charm with golden and pastel buildings and beautiful scenery.
I highly recommend making a stop in Cassai, a gorgeous restaurant housed in a 300 year old traditional Mallorcan home!
CALA D'OR
Cala D’Or is situated right on Mallorca’s southern coastline, giving it a prime location to the beaches and the Marina. The town itself has hundred of restaurants, cafés, and bars.
I’ll be honest, Cala D’Or was one of my least favorite areas of Mallorca because it felt SO touristy. However, it’s very family friendly and very convenient for those who prefer to stay in one central location, as there is quite a lot to do and see in the region without having to spread out too far!
Northern Mallorca
The Serra de Tramuntana mountain range stretches over the expanse of Northern Mallorca, charming little hilltop villages nestled within its peaks. Northern Mallorca is an absolute fairytale; it feels like strolling through the streets from your favorite book. It can be a bit of a drive depending on where you are staying on the island (about 2 hours from Southern Mallorca, 45 minutes from Palma), but it is well worth it!
Valldemossa
Get lost in the winding cobblestone streets and old-world charm of Valldemossa. This charming town is filled with local shops, beautiful restaurants, and lovely cafés. Florals and greenery decorate every corner, and beautiful pastel doors and windows accentuate the golden buildings.
On your way in or out of the town, make sure to stop at the Valldemossa Viewpoint for a sweeping view over the village!
Deià
This dreamy village hosts less than 1000 residents and offers the best of both worlds – a beautiful mountaintop town with views over deep blue water. Deià has become a quite popular destination over the years – so I recommend getting here early as parking can be very difficult to find.
Explore the enchanting town and get lost in the winding streets. Grab a cocktail at Cafe Miró or have dinner at El Olivo and enjoy the stunning views.
If you’re looking to get a beach fix here, venture down to Cala Deià and find a spot to sprawl out on the rocks. When you get hungry, head up to Ca’s Patro March for a bite to eat with an incredible view of the sea. (Heads up: you’ll likely need a reservation here if you’re visiting in peak season!)
Palma
Unfortunately due to a bout of food poisoning, I wasn’t quite able to experience everything Palma had to offer. I will absolutely return to Mallorca again and afterwards I will happily fill in this section with my own experiences, but here is everything I had originally planned to do during my time in Palma!
The Cathedral of santa marina
This impressive cathedral stands in the heart of Palma overlooking the sea. It is nicknamed the “Cathedral of Light” for the sixty-one stained glass windows flooding the building with colored rays as the sun shines through.
Stroll passeig del born
A famous street in Mallorca lined with shops, restaurants, and bars. If you’re looking for luxury shopping, this is where you’ll find it!
Parc de La Mar
This park is nestled between the Palma Cathedral and the seafront. The walk through the park is quite scenic, offering views of the water and the towering cathedral from within the greenery of the park.
Go Sailing
See the Mallorcan coast from the water on a sailing trip out of Palma! Here’s an incredible trip with snacks, drinks, and swimming.
Where to Stay
PALMA
Palma is a great central location if you want to explore much of the island in a short time. The beaches of Southern Mallorca and the hilltop villages on Northern Mallorca are both about a 45 minute drive away. If you’ve only got a weekend on the island, I would advise staying in Palma and spending one day exploring the city, one day in the mountains, and one day on the beaches.
SANT JAUME DESIGN HOTEL | In my opinion, one of the prettiest hotels in Palma! There is an indoor pool as well as a pool on the rooftop terrace.
ALUA SOUL | An adults only hotel with a pool/sun terrace, poolside snack bar, and a restaurant. We stayed here during our time in Palma and it was a great experience! Each room has a balcony overlooking the sea.
ANTIGUA PALMA – CASA NOBLE | A stunning hotel in Old Town. Features a pool, hammam, and absolutely gorgeous rooms!
BOUTIQUE HOTEL POSADA TERRE SANTA | An adorable boutique hotel with indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, and a health club. It’s located right in the old town of Palma!
NORTHERN MALLORCA
While beautiful, the villages of Northern Mallorca are quite small and do not offer as many accommodations as the large city of Palma.
LA BELMOND RESIDENCIA | A luxury hotel in Deià with five-star accommodations, an award winning restaurant, and breathtaking views over the island!
HOTEL SA VALL | A gorgeous manor house just outside of Valldemossa. It features an outdoor swimming pool and a large garden with orange, lemon, and almond trees!
Southern Mallorca
If you’re heading to Mallorca for the beaches, I highly recommend basing yourself in southern Mallorca so you can spend more time exploring the coast!
PORTOMAR APARTMENTS | A gorgeous hotel with modern but bohemian vibes located in Portocolm, about a thirty minute drive to the beach towns of Sea Salines and Santanyí. Our room offered gorgeous views over the sea. The pool and rocky beach offered daybeds with full service from the bar/restaurant!
CAN FERRERETA | A stunning five-star hotel in Santanyí with indoor and outdoor pools, a garden, and a terrace. Absolutely beautiful!
VILLA STATION | A charming hotel by Cassai with rustic flair and dreamy decor. There is an outdoor swimming pool and a beautiful terrace for spending the afternoons. It’s located just outside of Ses Salines!
Getting Around
Hands down, the easiest way to get around Mallorca is by rental car. There are buses and taxis that service the island, but they are known to be unreliable. We picked up our car from the airport and dropped it back off before flying home. It was so simple and really relieved some of the stress public transportation and taxi service can cause!
However, please note parking in Mallorca can be a bit difficult. Most parking options are parallel spots along the road, and many of the small towns are not yet suited to the influx of tourism to the island (Deià being one of the worst). I always recommend arriving early anywhere you go to beat the crowds!