Complete Mallorca Travel Guide
In the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, you’ll find the picturesque island of Mallorca. Only an hour’s ferry ride away from it’s nightlife-loving cousin Ibiza, Mallorca couldn’t be more different. Mallorca is known for offering a more family friendly and luxurious feel, with the same amazing coastlines that make the Mediterranean such a summer hot spot. Here you’ll find a cultural blend of strong Spanish influence with Mediterranean island vibes allowing you to feel the elegance of a slower pace. You will find countless beaches and hidden coves to spend entire days relaxing at. And though the beaches are a spectacle, there are also numerous charming towns around the island to wander through and a lot of history to soak in. From the winding mountains of the north to the turquoise alcoves of the south, with stretches of rolling valleys and vineyards in between, Mallorca is the kind of place you could spend weeks discovering.
At a Glance
Currency: EURO, most places take credit card
Language: Catalan and Spanish, most people speak English
Typical weather: Mild climate, warm sunny summers and cool rainy winters
Nearby Airport: Palma De Mallorca (PMI)
How Long To Visit
Mallorca may seem small on a map, but there is so much to do in each region of the island. Driving from end to end can take 1-2 hours depending on traffic and the roads you choose.That being said, since Mallorca is easily accessible, it’s the kind of place you could visit again and again. Here’s our recommendations depending on how long you have and how much you want to see:
One Region (3-4 Days) : Could you take a long weekend here? Of course! If you were planning to do a three day trip, we would recommend choosing one region of the island to focus on (north, west, or east) and spend your time exploring there. You will want to spend at least three days feeling each area out, so if you have more time, you can add another area to your itinerary.
Full Island (10 days): When we came we decided to spend 10 days exploring the whole island. It felt like the right amount of time to soak up all of the different regions and see quite a few of the towns and beaches. Even though there was still plenty more to explore, 10 days left us feeling satisfied.
Where To Stay
Mallorca is home to all ranges of accommodations, from cheap hostels to 5-star luxury resorts.
Here is where we stayed:
Castell Son Claret - Located on the southwest side of the island, this Mallorcan Castle sits on 326 acres of countryside nestled into the La Tramuntana mountains. It was a luxury getaway located only about 30 minutes from the airport, but felt a world away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. They also have a 2-star Michelin restaurant in the castle called “Zaranda”. You could easily spend your entire visit here on the castle grounds exploring the vast countryside by foot or bike and relaxing by the pool.
Petit Hotel Son Arnau - Found in the charming town of Selva on the northwestern region of Mallorca, this boutique hotel offering is run by a very accommodating young British couple. As it is a “petit” hotel, there are only a limited number of rooms making it a very intimate atmosphere. They have a beautiful pool perfect for sunrise and sunset as well as a veranda overlooking the town of Selva. On the grounds, this boutique hotel has lemon, olive and loquat trees that fill the air with an incredible fragrance. The loquats ripen in early May, so if you have a chance to go then, you’ll have a real treat of fresh fruit you can pick straight from the trees!
Fergus Resort in Palmanova - Located right on the beach of Palmanova, Fergus Resort was the perfect choice for this region. They have beach front access to one of Mallorca’s most beautiful beaches, as well as great Mediterranean food included with the stay. This is an upscale intimate all-inclusive adults-only resort with 2 pools facing the ocean, and it maintains intimate and luxury touches of any boutique hotel.
Other top picks in Mallorca:
Cap Rocat - 5-star hotel with some of the most incredible views of Mallorca Coast line. A renovated fortress built into the cliffs of Palma with an array of sea view suits and villas.
Belmond La Residencia - Intimate Luxury villas in the mountains of Mallorca with vineyards, gardens and rustic decor. They provide a range of amenities from pool overlooking the mountains, fine dining, spa, and more.
The St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort - Expansive property with 3 pools and an amazing view into the bays of Mallorca. Plenty of excursions and activities to do, this is the type of place you could come and stay for a few days just exploring the property and beaches out front.
Gran Melià de Mar in Illetas - Prime beach front location with an expansive veranda great for sun bathing and gazing across the sapphire waters of Puerto Portals. Easy access into the historic streets of Palma but still maintaining a quiet, upscale experience.
How To Get Around
The island is connected by well-paved roads and highways. Though many of the towns you might stay in will have a lot to offer, you’re going to want to get out and explore a few areas of the island. There are a few different options to do this:
Car: We rented a car and determined afterward that renting a car is going to be the best option by far. It offered us the most freedom and accessibility, especially to the more remote beaches on the east side. As it turned out, some of our favorite memories of the trip were those spent driving along the coast through the hairpin curves offering unbeatable views of the mountains and cliffs. We also loved having a car to store some snacks and things for the beach (clothes, snacks, hat, etc.) in the car.
Scooter: We are scooter fans when we travel most countries, but Mallorca just isn’t a scooter friendly island, especially if you are looking to visit all the different beaches and towns. For day trips where we were gone all day or transporting our luggage from place to place, it didn’t seem to make sense having a scooter. Not to mention all the mountains we had to carve through with the blazing Mediterranean sun.
Bus: There is always the bus option, but we wanted the most freedom to decide when and where we wanted to visit different places. Keep in mind, crossing the island can take up to 2 hours in a car, so if you chose the bus option, take into account the extra time and be sure to check travel times (places in the east will have a less frequent schedule if at all).
Parking & other Considerations
Speed Limits: If you do choose to rent a car, be sure to make note of the speed limits, especially through the small towns. The local police have set up speed cameras and they will take pictures of your car and send speeding tickets to you later. We received 3 different speeding tickets about 2 months after our trip. If the sign says 120 km/h, you may just want to stay at 120 km/h.
Parking: In Mallorca parking is pretty straight forward. Most of the beaches will have a paid parking lot that is the most convenient (usually around €5), but commonly you can also park on the streets if you are early or willing to circle and wait. Be sure to read the residential signs though to make sure that you can park in the zone as they do give tickets if you are parked illegally.
Cyclists: Mallorca is a top destination for road bikers. Mainly because of the smooth curving roads that ascend high up into the mountains with views out to the Mediterranean Sea. The high season for cycling is typically late spring (late April - May) and early fall (September - October) as it is still nice with sunny days, but a little cooler than the heat of the summer. If you come during one of these times you may find yourself stuck behind packs of bikers on the roads, especially up in the north. Be careful, remember to share to road, and go slow around curves.
What to Do
You’ll definitely want to get out and explore Mallorca to soak in everything the island has to offer. Here are our top recommendation for things not to miss while here:
Spend the day at the beach: This was the highlight of our trip and what we planned most of our days around. Sun lovers flock to Mallorca every year because of how gorgeous the coasts of Mallorca are. We would recommend planning out the beaches you want to see and grouping them together by region. We already did that for you in our posts East Coast Beaches and West Coast Beaches. There are so many amazing beaches to visit, so if we had to narrow it down to our top must see spots - Cala Mesquida, Cala Llombards and Cala D’Or were some of our favorites on the island if your looking for white sand and very blue water.
Watch sunset on the coast: Mallorca creates some amazing sunsets with hues of deep orange and gold across the horizon. Our top 3 places for watching sunset were Cap de Formentor, Andratx Viewpoint, and Sa Calobra (see more details in our East Coast Guide)
Explore the charming towns: Mallorca is an island rooted deep in history and culture. You’ll feel this as soon as you set foot in some of these small quaint towns dotted along the coast and mountains. You’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time to classical Europe with the cobblestone streets, ringing church bells, and blossoming flowers lining the streets. You can check out our recommendation for the best towns to visit in our guide to the Most Charming Towns of Mallorca.
Visit a local market: One of our favorite markets was the flower market in the center of Palma on La Rambla. It runs every day except Sunday, from 8 am - 2 pm and fills the street with fresh blooms and amazing fragrances. You can also find local farmers markets (like that of Mercat de l'Olivar in Palma) in most towns with organic and local grown fruits and vegetables as well as other snacks.
See the historical sites of Palma: Palma is the capital of Mallorca and has a lot of the island’s oldest cathedrals and castles. Some spots of particular interest to visit are Palma Cathedral, Almudaina Palace, Castell de Bellver.
Ride the El Tren de Sóller Train: It’s an old fashioned vintage train that offers a scenic one-hour journey through the Tramuntana mountains that lets you take in amazing scenery. There’ are a few stops that you can hop on and off making it perfect for a full day or half day activity.
Tour the old house and gardens of Bunyola: A beautiful estate with a property that, in part, dates back to the 13th century. It has perfectly manicured gardens and luxuriously decorated rooms showcasing many different classical European periods. It’s a UNESCO protected site and worth a visit to feel the most of European high class luxury.
Time to Go
Mallorca is definitely a summer spot. Most of the island shuts down in winter months, so try and plan your visit between late April - end of October.
Peak Season: Most visitors come between June and September, the warmest months of the year. If you do plan to go during peak season, be sure to get to the popular beaches early as they start to pick up crowds after 10 am.
Shoulder Season: May and October. We visited in May right as the winter weather was starting to fade. We loved this time because we were able to experience the nice weather, without the crowds.
Bicycling Season: February to May and September to October. If you are not a road cyclist, then you may find yourself navigating behind packs of bikers as you traverse the Mallorcan roads during these months.
Places to Eat
There’ are some amazing places to eat on the island ranging from fine dining Michelin star restaurants to old family owned establishments cooking up traditional fare passed down for generations. The cuisine here is similar to that of other Mediterranean regions: rich in olive oil and highlighting local produce. You’ll find this mixed in with the Spanish staples such as tapas and paella as well some Italian and French influence with lots of grilled dishes topped with fresh aromatic herbs. Here were a few of our favorite on the island:
Es Parc - Located in Selva on the the hill next to the church. An upscale but affordable choice if you are looking for a chic night out in Selva. Try to grab a reservation around sunset because the views are spectacular. They have an amazing grilled platter we ordered to share.
Restaurant Foc i Caliu - Located in Selva with ample seating for high season. They had some of the best grilled entrees we ate during our visit to Mallorca. If you are a fan of the open flame, then this is the spot to go. Plenty of vegan, meat, and fresh fish options.
Zaranda - This 2-star Michelin rated restaurant is found in a castle on a 326-acre estate. They flaunt some of the most amazing food on the Island, both delicious and beautifully plated. It’s Mediterranean style with Mallorcan flare.
Mesón Ca´n Torrat - Located in Calvia, this was a hidden gem we came back to multiple times because of the warm charming atmosphere. It is a family-run restaurant with food grilled oven a fire. If you sit in the back toward the kitchen, you can even watch the cook prepare the meals over the charcoal flames!
Final Thoughts:
Nude Beaches: Many beaches in Mallorca typically have a section are on the side furthest from any parking lot or restaurants. These areas tend to be more quiet and private and can easily avoided if you are concerned. Beaches in Mallorca are all together very family friendly as a whole.
Night Life: Mallorca is definitely much quieter and more tame than its sister Ibiza. Most of the night life can be found in the larger cities along the west coast like Palma and Palmanova, though this can be easily avoided if you are not interested. Mallorca is known more for it’s charm and elegance than parties and bar hopping.
We hope you have an amazing time on your next trip to Mallorca and enjoy your time as much as we did. As always, if you have any questions or have something to add leave a comment below! We’d love to hear from you!