Mallorca is the largest island in Spain (by area) and the second most populated of the Balearic Islands. The island is filled with beautiful secluded coves, long sandy beaches, limestone mountains, cycling routes, hiking trails, authentic towns, scenic coastal drives, wineries & a ton of fresh produce to indulge in.

Below we’ve compiled a list of 20 things to do in Mallorca / Majorca.

So what are you waiting for, rent a car and get exploring!

Mallorca Map & Travel Guide

Below you will find an interactive map of Mallorca with the top things to do categorized by towns, beaches, vineyards and food.

 

Top Tours in Mallorca

Looking for a guided tour or experience? Here are some recommendations from our preferred partner, GetMyGuide.

 

 

20 Best Things to Do in Majorca, Spain

1. Rent a car

If there’s one thing we definitely recommend doing when visiting Mallorca, it is renting a car. (A real car, not a plastic beach car, although you could do that too). There is so much more to explore on this island than the beach in front of your resort! Although there is a bus system that works perfectly fine, it doesn’t allow as much flexibility and car rentals are cheap, so why not?

There are plenty of car rentals from Palma airport or the beach but we found an unbeatable price renting through Centauro. There is a free shuttle which takes you to the rental depo only 5 minutes from the airport and it was a fraction of the cost than that of the more well-known companies such as Hertz, Budget or Avis. How does $163 USD for 6 days sound? Pretty cheap to me!  If you’re not renting a car, you could arrange a transfer through Majorca Transfers.

2. Take the Hairpin Drive to Sa Calobra & Torrente de Pareis

If there’s one drive you do, make it this one! It was sensational and by far one of our favourite things to do in Mallorca.  Coming from the girl who gets terribly car sick and pregnant, these hairpin turns didn’t stop me from ooing and ahhing at the amazing scenery that was around every (sharp) corner.

Roaming animals, sea views, mountain plains, cliff faces and glistening lakes were just a few things we encountered along the way. Set off early in the day and allow at least an hour to reach the bottom as you’ll be stopping more than once, that we can assure you! The roads are narrow at times but they’re all well paved. Keep your camera ready!

   

Once you reach Port Sa Calobra, carry on walking around the headland, the views haven’t stopped yet! Bright blue waters, caves and more beautiful scenery awaits until you reach a secluded pebbly beach. Your work here is done. Now, it’s time to relax at Torrente de Pareis.

If you aren’t game enough to do the drive down here, you can catch a boat from Port de Sóller to Port De Sa Calobra instead.

Tip: Pack your own lunch. The restaurants are mediocre & way overpriced. 

3. Explore The Historical Town of Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca is a laid-back, vibrant Spanish city full of narrow streets, cafes, high-end shopping to break the bank, interesting architecture to admire and one very impressive cathedral, The Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma or more commonly referred to as La Seu.

Due to the scorching heat in the daytime, Palma is best explored early morning or late afternoon when the heat is a little more bearable. By nightfall, the plazas come alive with many outdoor restaurants, music on the streets and a bustling atmosphere.

Don’t forget to get a gelato on your way out! Or two. There are stores on every corner!

4. Buy fresh produce at The Santa Catalina Markets

Built in 1920, Mercat de Santa Catalina is Palma’s oldest food market and is the supply source for many surrounding restaurants, cafes and even the superyachts.  We were fortunate enough to be staying just a few blocks from here and enjoyed visiting it on a daily basis.

It’s not an overwhelmingly large market, therefore, it isn’t crowded with tons of tourists like the markets in Barcelona. You can find everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to meats, cheeses, seafood, local delicacies, baked goods & fresh flowers. Not keen on cooking? Pull up a chair and join the locals at one of the notable bars scattered throughout, serving typical tapa dishes.

5. Relax & Snorkel off a Catamaran or S

Another great way to take in the Mallorca sun is heading out on the water for a day of relaxing, snorkelling, BBQs and wine!

 

There are plenty of companies that offer half day, full day or sunset catamaran trips leaving from different parts of the island. Based on our location (Santa Catalina), we opted to spend a whole day out on the water with Oasis Catamaran. It was an early start of 9:30 am and we returned to the marina right in front of Santa Catalina by 3:00 pm. Snacks and lunch were provided, as well as ‘free-flowing’ wine during lunch and the option to buy cocktails throughout the day. Sit back, relax and let the day float by. Snorkels & paddleboards are provided. 

6. Roam the Streets of Soller

Set in a valley between mountain ranges and the sea, Soller was another unique, quaint town to visit in Mallorca.

It was half the fun getting here as our mate Google took us for a ride with a few wrong turns. However, it gave us the chance to see behind the scenes of Soller as we followed the extremely narrow back streets (the type of narrow back streets that make your car sensor beep because you’re too close to the wall kinda streets) surrounded by cottages, farmhouses and locals carrying their groceries home. It was 100% authentic.

  

Once you reach the town, there is one main street and a beautiful plaza – Plaça Constitució that is dotted with cafes, ice-cream stores (essential), beautiful architecture & typical Spanish apartments with colourful green doors.

One of the most popular attractions to do in Soller is the journey on the vintage tram from the town’s centre to Port de Soller. The tram journey is 30 minutes & the timetable changes regularly based on the time of the year. You can find all relevant information here. Alternatively, you can reach Soller from Palma via Tren De Soller (aka a train) which has been in operation since 1912. The train route takes roughly one hour and allows you to discover some of Mallorca’s most scenic countryside whilst sitting inside old wooden carriages.

Note: The train tickets can be bought prior, however, the tram tickets need to be purchased on the tram the day of travel. If you wish to take both, consider the Tram + Train package which can be purchased online prior. See here for more information. 

7. Find your way to beautiful Calo Des Moro

What’s that saying? It’s the journey, not the destination? In this case, we definitely embraced the journey to get to this magical beach known as Calo Des Moro. It is one of the most photographed beaches on the island and we can totally see why! Directions for reaching here are somewhat difficult, but once you park the car, we suggest following the crowds towards the water. We took the road less travelled and managed to get to various viewpoints without any way of reaching the actual beach.

After a whole lot of laughter, sweat and confusion we finally found the path we should have taken to begin with and before long we were floating in the most incredible waters that Mallorca has to offer. There are no facilities here nor large amounts of space to lay down a towel so come prepared to sit on the various rocks.

Note: If Cala Des Moro is too busy, try out its neighbour – Cala S’ Almunia. Be prepared to also hike your way down to this swim spot, nothing comes easy 😉 

8. Admire The Views from Mirador Es Colomer

Everyone loves a good viewpoint! Especially when it provides you with one of the best panoramic views in Mallorca.  Towering cliffs & sea views for as far as the eye can see! There is a small amount of walking required if you wish to go to the very top and like everywhere else in Mallorca, prepare yourself for potential parking nightmares.

Note: Combine this on your trip to Playa Formentor (read about this below)

9. Laze about at Formentor Beach

Playa Formentor can be found at the northeastern tip of the island and should be on any itinerary when visiting Mallorca. Even if it means driving an hour or more to get there! The drive itself is worth it. This long narrow sandy beach with clear shallow waters was simply beautiful and it was the perfect place to end our day as we relaxed in our watermelon pool floats and soaked up the last bit of the Mallorcan sun.

This beach can be quite busy so visiting in the late afternoon was ideal.  There are changing facilities, showers, sunbeds to rent, an overpriced restaurant and paid parking across the road from the beach (0.04 euros per minute, maximum of €12 for the day). Hang onto your ticket when you enter the car park, you’ll need to pay before returning to your car.

Note: You can also travel by boat from the nearby Pollensa to Formentor for €16. Tickets can be bought here. 

10. Take in the Beauty of Mondrago Natural Park

Mondrago National Park was another highlight for us in Mallorca. Gorgeous beaches surrounded by pine forests & sand dunes. As this beach is only accessible via car (not public transport or tour buses), it makes it harder to reach and less visited. There is one main beach – S’amardor beach and then a further 2 (Cala Mondrago, Cala d’en Borgit) which are both walking distance away. Our favourite was S’Amardor with its clean waters, soft sand and surrounding rock edges. What more do you need? Oh, a float. Don’t forget to bring your inflatable tube!

Full day parking costs €5 and the beach is a short walk away without difficult navigation.

Note: S’Amador has a small shack selling drinks and food but we wouldn’t rely on the quality. Instead, we’d suggest packing your own food and drinks for the day. 

11. Visit Valldemossa & Try a local Delicacy

Our friend, Marisa Amor, contributed to this article about Valldemossa. Follow Marisa’s food adventures at @allthefeelsandfood.

Valldemossa is a picturesque, rural village in the midst of the Tramuntana mountains. It is surrounded by olive groves and windy roads. It is famously known for the Royal Charterhouse built in the 14th century that later became Frederic Chopin’s home for the winter.

The cobblestone streets combined with the maintained gardens and sandstone buildings set it apart from the city centre of Palma with a range of cafes, boutique stores, gardens and local fresh grocers. I wouldn’t spend more than a few hours here (unless you’ve scheduled a tour of the olive groves at Son Moragues of course) but it’s a very unique town to spend the morning.

Before leaving, sample a Coca De Patatas (aka a potato roll, shown below). They are a speciality of Valldemossa and typically served with a cappuccino. They are made with primarily with mashed potatoes, eggs, sugar, yeast and salt then generously sprinkled with powdered sugar. The first bite immediately reminded me of fresh sourdough from the distinctive yeasty tang.

12.  Catch some Rays at Cala Mesquida beach

Cala Mesquida Beach is located on the northeast of the Island and although we didn’t make it over to this beach, it was on our list of places to visit, we just ran out of time. This beach is one of the larger beaches with tons of sand and shallow turquoise waters, perfect for lazing about on a hot summer’s day. There is one popular restaurant at the back end of the beach as well as a small snack bar. The nearest towns are Capdepera and Cala Ratjada.

Note: This bay is largely unprotected therefore it is advisable to avoid it on windy days. 

13. Have Lunch in Santanyi

Santanyi which can be found in the southeastern part of the Island was a very typical, authentic Mallorcan town with no large resorts or hotel chains. Although we found it to be more expensive than the other towns we visited (in the restaurant department that is) it was still an experience to walk around and feel the vibe of the small town. Set some time aside to enjoy lunch in the peaceful courtyard of East 26, visit one of the many galleries and if you’re visiting on a Saturday, be sure to check out the markets which are held in the main plaza.

Note: Santanyi is a good place to stop if you’re heading to the nearby beaches/coves such as Cala Santanyi, Calo Des Moro or Es Pontas. 

14. Party in Malaguf

Photo Credit: Malaguf Events

Ibiza may be the party capital of The Balearic islands but that doesn’t mean Mallorca doesn’t have a party scene worth checking out and the notorious Malaguf is where you’ll find it. On the main street, you’ll find over 50 bars, a range of clubs, fast food joints and a ton of drunken (primarily English) tourists on bachelor/bachelorette nights out.

Unfortunately (or fortunately) whichever way you want to look at it, we didn’t get to experience this nightlife scene first hand due to my pregnancy status but we’ve definitely heard how crazy and somewhat trashy this place can be! Neon lights, loud music, passed out people in the streets, drink deals etc. If you want an international club closer to Palma, head to Titos. 

15. Spend the day at Es Trenc beach

Es Trenc, on the south coast of Mallorca, is one of the island’s most popular beaches. Here you’ll find 2km of sandy beach, clear waters, a handful of restaurants/bars, mini grocery stores, umbrella and chair rentals, lifeguards, shower and toilet facilities. There is also the possibility of part taking in many different watersports. As one of the busiest beaches, if you don’t like crowds, then we’d suggest avoiding this beach altogether. It may be a long beach, but it is rather narrow and the crowds are plentiful.

Note: Parking can be a complete nightmare so very come early or arrive late afternoon or you’ll be parking miles away from the beach. 

16. Take a Happy Snap of Es Pontas 

If you’ve been to Malta, you’ll be familiar with the once standing Azure Window, a big natural arch formation made from a rock which stands in the middle of the sea. Es Pontas, located on the southeastern part of the island is similar to this. A sculpture of the sea worth a photo and 15 minutes of your time.

17. Pay a visit to the Island’s Wineries

Our friend, Marisa Amor, contributed to this article about Mallorca’s wineries:

Mallorcan wines are steadily growing and you can now find 70 local wine producers on the island offering tours and tastings. There are five different areas on the island, all with different climates that create completely different wines: The Sierra Tramuntana, El Raiguer, El Pla, Serra de Llevant, and El Mijorn. These were two of our favourite wineries!

• Bodegas Angel

Bodegas Angel vineyard is like a painting with its warm sandstone structure, wooden pillars, and crawling vines. Once you enter the tasting room, you’re given a few options and then directed to the courtyard. A larger-than-life German man will then delicately pour your tasting and let you discover the wine at your own pace. Our experience was undoubtedly romantic, yet we craved the interaction of a local (see Macia Batle) to better understand the wine. The wine, tour, tasting, and a few snacks will cost €15 per person.

• Bodegas Macia Batle

Macià Batle is a family owned vineyard that’s been producing wine since 1856. We were a little put off by its location since it’s a stone’s throw away from the main street, but as soon as we began our tasting we were immediately drawn in. The Indigenous Balearic Island varietals are bursting with a smashed berry scent and an intense full mouthfeel. If that goes over your head, I think the generous tastings of homemade olive tapenade, olive oil, almond cream, and jams might entice you.

The entire experience was guided by a lovely woman who cared deeply about what she was serving us and really took the time to share her favourite places on the island. Wine tasting (snacks included) is €5 but is taken off the price of a bottle should you purchase one, which, I have no doubt you will. Drink forth, my friends!

See here for a list of wineries in Mallorca.

Follow Marisa’s food adventures at @allthefeelsandfood

18. Cycle The Island

Over the years, Mallorca has become one of the biggest destinations worldwide for cycling with over 300 sunny days a year, smooth roads and varying terrain that provides different routes to suit everyone’s fitness level. There were definitely some mountain ranges that you’d feel the burn on and it amazed us each time we saw cyclists tackling these roads (as we sat very comfortable with our butts in a car seat). Cycling is so popular in Mallorca, there are hotels that cater purely to cyclists, as well as training camps and over 2500 cycling routes.

You can view some of the best cycling routes here and prepare yourselves with everything you need to know before you set off here.

19. Eat a Burger at La Nueva Burguesa

Nueva Burguesa which can be found in Santa Catalina is worth a special mention. In its own paragraph. Guys, it was a big deal. It has been quite some time since I ate a burger but the smell of this burger joint right underneath our Airbnb was enough to draw me inside. If you’re into burgers, or even if you’re not for that matter, do yourself a favour just this once. I promise you won’t regret filling your bellies with the juiciest burger in Palma. We sure didn’t.

20. Where to stay in Mallorca? Santa Catalina!

Choosing where to stay is always a hard task and it depends greatly on what type of holiday you are after. Whilst spending time by the beach resorts is beautiful in the day, we found this option to be quite limiting come the evening. For this reason, we chose to base ourselves in a suburb just next to Palma de Mallorca, Santa Catalina. The old fishing village.

It was a cheaper alternative than staying in the heart of Palma and honestly, it gave us the best of both worlds. Palma could be reached on foot in 10 minutes and there were still a ton of restaurants, cool bars, shops, fresh food markets and a marina. It also had a far more “local” feel than the city centre of Palma.

Picture photogenic traditional houses with cheerfully painted façades, old wooden shutters, and small front balconies – many decorated with colourful plants and flowers. Many of the island’s attractions could be reached within an hours drive (or less) from Santa Catalina which made it a very central, convenient and funky place to base ourselves.

View hotels in Santa Catalina here or use this Airbnb code to receive $30 off your first booking!

Booking.com

 

Top Tours in Mallorca

Looking for a tour instead? Here are some recommendations from our preferred partner, GetMyGuide.

 

 

Top Tips for Mallorca

• Parking in Palma can be difficult but if you head just a little bit out of the city centre, you can park on the streets quite easily. The maximum money you can put in the machine is €2.35 (don’t go over or it won’t print a ticket) so keep an eye on the time! Parking rangers are there doing their jobs.
• A lot of the best beaches require a short 5-15 min walk to reach them. Be sure to look in advance if you’re planning to travel with elderly or a stroller as accessibility is not always the most convenient.
• You’ll notice the word “Cala” quite often. This is referring to a cove, similar to that of a sheltered bay vs a long sandy beach.
• Pack plenty of water and snacks when you go to the smaller more remote beaches, there isn’t always a place to purchase these items once you’re there.
• Palma de Mallorca airport is roughly 10km from the centre of Palma. The easiest way to reach the city centre is via taxi which can be arranged outside of the airport for roughly €20 – € 25 or you can take the cheaper alternative of a local bus for €5. It is bus number 1 and loops its way around the old city with several points to get off. It runs every 15 minutes throughout the day except between the hours of 1:00 am – 6: 00 am.
• A lot of restaurants close their kitchen between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm so plan your meals accordingly. Don’t forget about the Spanish siesta’s ;).

Do you have any other top things to do in Mallorca?

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