Your wild clubbing days may be behind you, but it’s still worth taking a trip to the Balearic Islands. Mallorca, the largest island, is packed with charming villages, spectacular scenery and hidden gems. There’s a whole world to discover, and it’ll feel a million miles away from the overcrowded nightclubs of Magaluf. Whether you fancy trekking across rugged mountains or lounging around in an exclusive beach club, you’re bound to find something that suits you. Here are our picks for the best places to go and things to do in Mallorca.
Of course, we had to start our list in the island’s capital. Palma City is Mallorca’s largest settlement. In fact, there are so many things to do in the city, you could easily spend your entire holiday here — but you’d be missing out on all the other great places on our list! Known as the pearl of the Mediterranean, Palma has grown from a sleepy fishing village into one of the most stylish cities in southern Europe.
Palma is a great place to shop ’til you drop. Make a beeline for Avinguda Jaume III and Passeig del Born. In these two streets, you’ll find stores from some of the world’s most famous luxury brands. If the eye-watering prices are a little beyond your budget, try the smaller artisan boutiques around Plaça Major, the city’s central square.
In the evenings, Palma has some truly fantastic nightlife, particularly if you head down to the seafront. By day, it’s a good deal calmer. Be sure to pay a visit to the cathedral in Palma, known as La Seu. This spectacular Gothic building was built right beside the sea, giving it an extra level of drama. La Llotja de Palma, also called La Lonja, is another impressive piece of Gothic architecture. Once used as the city’s central market, it has now become a nightlife hub with plenty of great restaurants and bars to visit.
Oh, and don’t worry — if you want to find a stunning Palma de Mallorca beach, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Platja de Palma, the city’s largest beach, is popular with locals and visitors alike. More adventurous travellers venture out to the smaller coves nearby.
Sóller
Sóller, over on the west side of the island, is often considered one of the most beautiful towns in the Balearics. It’s certainly one of the best places to visit in Mallorca, thanks to its laid-back, old-world charm. You can get there straight from Palma on the historic wooden train, which still runs along the same narrow gauge line that first opened in 1912. This train was once used for transporting delicious Sóller oranges to Palma, where they’d be shipped to mainland Europe. Today, it just transports people, taking visitors over dizzying, narrow bridges and through lush green countryside.
When you arrive, head straight for the Old Town in Sóller, one of the coolest historic areas in Mallorca. Check out the church of Sant Bartomeu, which is so impressive it might as well be a cathedral. There’s also the interesting Jardí Botànic, where you can see colourful specimens of local plants and a number of museums.
One of our Sóller highlights has to be the Can Prunera. Inside this gorgeous Art Nouveau-style building, you’ll find works by some of the 20th century’s greatest artists. Masterpieces by Picasso, Warhol and Kandinsky are all on display, as well as lesser-known works by some of Mallorca’s best home-grown painters.
Sóller is a great place to spend a few days. Go hiking through the surrounding orange groves, or try your hand at rock climbing. Spend your evenings chilling in the town centre, soaking up the peaceful vibes, and forget all about the stress of everyday life.
Port de Sóller
If you’re visiting Sóller, don’t miss out on the nearby Port de Sóller, the city’s historic port. It’s considered a separate settlement with its own unique character, which makes it one of the best places to visit in Mallorca. In recent years, Port de Sóller has been transformed into a luxury beach resort. While Sóller still has a quiet, laid-back vibe, its port is a great place to eat at gourmet restaurants, hit the beach and do some people-watching.
The Platja d’en Repic beach is one of the major highlights of Port de Sóller. Its calm, turquoise waters are the perfect way to cool off on a hot summer’s day. That being said, we reckon the best time of year to visit Port de Sóller isn’t actually the summer. Go there in May for the Festa de Nostra Senyora de la Victòria, which commemorates the Mallorcan victory over Ottoman invaders in 1561. The highlight of this celebration is a raucous battle reenactment. Locals dress up in traditional costumes for a lively play-fight. When the dust has finally settled, everyone heads to the bars for a party that lasts all night.
Deià
For decades, artists and writers have flocked to Deià, giving it a hip, bohemian vibe. That’s just one of the reasons it makes our list of the best places to visit in Mallorca. Nestled in the northwest corner of the island, Deià offers spectacular views over the Mediterranean. Behind it, the imposing, rugged Tramuntana Mountains provide a suitably dramatic backdrop for your adventures. Music legends like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie used to come to Deià for a getaway — and if it’s good enough for them, it’s probably good enough for you!
Stroll down the narrow, cobbled streets or pay a visit to Son Marroig, once home to Austria’s Archduke Ludwig Salvator but now a small museum perched on the mountainside. The views from the museum’s gazebo are some of the best on the island, and many people choose to get married here. Be warned, though — tying the knot here will set you back a minimum of €18,000. We’d rather spend that money on more travelling adventures!
Take a walk down to Cala Deià, a small pebble beach, where you’ll find a number of fantastic restaurants serving the freshest fish and seafood. Along the way, keep an eye out for Deià’s most famous residents and visitors: Brad Pitt, Claudia Schiffer and Catherine Zeta-Jones have all been known to stay here, while Richard Brandon and Andrew Lloyd Webber own private properties in the village.
The Drach Caves
Did you think the Balearic Islands were nothing but beaches and parties? You might be surprised to learn there are actually extensive caves near Palma de Mallorca. The Drach Caves, or Coves del Drach, are an incredible subterranean network running for 1,200 metres. Lurking 25 metres under the earth, they show you a totally different side to Mallorca.
The caves are full of beautiful stalactites and stalagmites for you to admire, but the real treats are the subterranean lakes, including Lake Martel, which is one of the largest underground lakes in the world. As part of your tour of the caves, you can cross it in a small boat, which is an amazingly eerie experience.
During cave tours, a daily classical music concert is performed underground, taking advantage of the incredible acoustics offered by the cave system. All in all, we think that the Drach Caves are one of the best places to visit in Mallorca — and they’re a great way to see something totally different during your holiday.
Pollença
Get away from the wild parties of Magaluf with a chilled, laid-back holiday in the northern town of Pollença. This settlement dates back to the days of the Romans, and its ancient Roman bridge is one of the most interesting historical things to see in Mallorca.
For the best views in town, make sure you’ve got your walking shoes on. You’ll need to climb a full 365 steps to get to the top of Puig de Calvari, where you can enjoy sweeping vistas of the surrounding area.
The nearby Port de Pollença is one of Mallorca’s most popular beach resorts. The vibe here is family-friendly fun, as the shallow waters are particularly good for kids. Mystery buffs may be interested to hear that this town inspired Agatha Christie to write one of her short stories. We can’t promise you a murder mystery of your own if you spend time here — which, let’s be honest, is probably for the best.
The Serra de Tramuntana
Keen hikers will find one of the best places to visit in Mallorca tucked away in the north of the island. The Serra de Tramuntana, the island’s largest mountain range, has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It offers hundreds of hiking routes. Some are best reserved for serious trekkers or even rock climbers, while others are suitable for all levels of fitness.
Mallorca’s highest peak, Puig Major, stretches an impressive 1,445 metres above sea level, offering a real challenge to hardcore hikers. If you want something a little less intense, you can enjoy walks through the rolling foothills. The landscapes here are dominated by olive groves and tiny, charming villages. There’s also the Santuari de Lluc, a wonderful old monastery that has become a local landmark. You can even stay there overnight during a long-distance hike. Don’t miss the village of Fornalutx, tucked away deep in the mountains. Locals will tell you it’s the most beautiful village in Mallorca. But we reckon you can make your own mind up after a visit!
For a real adventure, try tackling the Ruta de Pedra en Sec or Dry Stone Route. It takes most people eight or nine days to conquer the 140 kilometres of this route, which takes you from Andratx to Pollença. As a warning, this is a pretty extreme, challenging route with lots of intense uphill and downhill sections. Don’t try it in the hot summer months! It’s a great way to get some cardio in during your island holiday.
Cap de Formentor
After spending time in the mountains, you’ll find another one of the best places to visit in Mallorca. Cap de Formentor is the northern tip of the island. It’s one of the most dramatic spots in the Balearics. Set at the end of a narrow 20-kilometre peninsula, it gives you panoramic views with the mountains on one side and the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean on the other.
Many people reckon that Cap de Formentor is the best place in Mallorca for watching the sunset. You can’t actually go inside the iconic lighthouse that stands at the very tip of the peninsula, but it adds to the charm. Don’t think that Cap de Formentor is just for sunset, either — it has one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, a gorgeous strip of white sand lined with pine trees.
Cabrera Island
You’re staying on an island — so, naturally, you’ll have to take a couple of boat trips. One of the best will take you to the Cabrera archipelago, a series of 19 tiny islets just 10 kilometres off Mallorca.
While Mallorca’s beaches are often packed with party-goers and holidaymakers, Cabrera gives you a taste of wild, untouched nature. It’s listed as a protected national park, and it’s a popular spot for birdwatching. Falcons, fish eagles and dozens of species of sea birds call the island home. The waters around Cabrera are also one of the best places in Europe to see dolphins.
Cabrera is ideal for fans of the beach. In fact, you’ll find all kinds of beaches in the archipelago. What do you prefer: wide sandy beaches, pebbles, rocks, tiny coves surrounded by imposing cliffs? You’ll find them all here.
Portocolom
Let’s finish our list with one of the last hidden gems remaining in Mallorca. Portocolom is in the east of the island. It doesn’t attract as many tourists as the main settlements. In fact, it’s a refreshingly non-touristy traditional fishing village where you can relax and enjoy a slower pace of life.
We reckon Portocolom is one of the best places to visit in Mallorca for foodies. The little port is lined with lovely seafood restaurants serving the catch of the day. Menus that change depending on what’s fresh. Of course, there are also plenty of great beaches around the village. Some are ideal for snorkelling or windsurfing, while others are perfect for anyone who wants to just lounge around in the sun. Keep your wits about you, though — it’s important to remember that several of the beaches in this area are clothes-optional! If you’re not a fan of nudism, pick your spot carefully.
A trip to Mallorca is one of the best options for a Mediterranean holiday. Our five-day adventure will take you to some of the island’s best places, including spots that are well off the beaten track. If you’d like to see a different side to the Balearics, one that doesn’t rely on clubbing and wild parties, then this is the trip for you. Also discover local cuisine and culture. Come along, make some new friends, and have an amazing island getaway!
