The list of places discussed below, to see in Mallorca will help you not skip anything on this island that brings together everything a traveler can dream of, making the most of time.
The largest of the Balearic Islands is not only a summer destination where you can enjoy its beaches with crystal clear waters and its lively nightlife, as the island is also known for its great cultural and historical heritage, ancient and charming seaside towns, impressive natural landscapes and a gastronomy based on fresh fish, which delights any palate without forgetting jewels such as the ensaimada and the sobrasada, which have turned this island into a paradise.
One of the ways to know all its tourist places is by taking a route of about 7 days by car, which will allow you the freedom to stop in towns and viewpoints where public transport does not arrive or takes too long.
It is a large island with all the points of interest located at a maximum of an hour’s drive from the capital, so it is also a good option to take small day trips from Palma, if you do not want to make a circular route.
Although the whole year is a good time to travel to Mallorca, if you want to swim on the beaches and save on accommodation, we advise you to book early.
To get to the island you can find a flight to Palma de Mallorca or opt for the ferry that leaves from Barcelona and Valencia and that has the advantage of taking your own car.
Based on the experience of the time we spent on this island, we have made this list of what we think are the 10 essential places to visit in Mallorca. Let’s start!
1. Palma de Mallorca
Covering the narrow at the historic center of Palma to discover the beautiful interior patios of the old stately homes is one of the best things to do in Mallorca .
In addition to the oldest part, where its impressive Gothic cathedral stands out, the capital boasts castles, ports, beaches to relax on and shops where you can buy its famous ensaimada.
The city offers a wide range of fun activities both during the day with water activities and boat trips.
Even though we believe that one day would be enough to explore all its attractions, we suggest you spend one more day completing this list of essential places to see in Palma de Mallorca.
2. Coves del Drach
The Coves del Drach, four large caves located near the town of Porto Cristo, is one of the most beautiful and popular places to see in Mallorca .
In addition, you can take a tour of the interior, seeing stalactites and stalagmites, which lasts about an hour and ends with a boat ride on the lake. The summer hours of the caves are from 10 am to 5 pm with a maximum quota of 500 visits per hour, so it is advisable to arrive first thing in the morning or last so as not to run out of space or see it with too many people.
A few kilometers from this cave there are two other points of interest on the island, such as the Cuevas de Hams and the Torre del Serral dels Falcons, a defense tower built in 1577 and used to spot pirate ships.
3. Pollenca
Pollença, located in the northeast of the island and with a beautiful old town, is one of the most beautiful towns to visit in Mallorca .
The steep streets of this town are full of cafes and pastry shops, which is famous for the typical ensaimadas such as the popular Ca’n Xim, craft shops and charming corners, until you find the impressive Plaza Mayor, which has a 17th century church and is the place where one of the best markets is arranged up every Sunday.
The 365 steps climb to reach El Calvari, the point from where you will enjoy fantastic scenic views of the entire environment, and get closer to the old Roman Bridge to remember its past.
After this more cultural visit, you can go to Puerto de Pollença to take a refreshing dip on its extensive beach and eat at one of its beach bars, restaurants and luxury villas for rent, where you can enjoy a fantastic sunset .
4. Beaches to see in Mallorca
Another of the great attractions to see in Mallorca are its fantastic white sand beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters, which have nothing to envy to those that appear on postcards of the Caribbean.
In addition to its beauty, there is a wide variety of options, which allows you to choose between more familiar beaches that have all the services, small coves hidden between cliffs, rocky bays perfect for snorkeling or others where you can enjoy a fantastic sunset, accompanied by a very cold beer like Es Trenc and Sa Calobra.
During summer, the famous places such as Caló des Moro, Cala Mondragó or Sa Calobra, get filled up and it is difficult to find parking if you do not arrive first thing in the morning or you have a motorcycle, so as we mentioned before, it is very interesting to travel outside of those months if you want to enjoy these places with more peace of mind.
5. Andraitx
Andraxt is one of the oldest municipalities on the island, surrounded by a natural environment of great beauty.
In this town we recommend you stroll through the narrow streets of the center to discover its cultural and historical heritage such as the Church of Santa María, the Town Hall, the Molí de sa planeta and above everything, the magnificent CCA Andratx Cultural Center.
At the end of the town, as you will move towards its eroded coast, you will explore some great sites like its magnificent cliffs, small coves and beaches, as well as four islets, among which “Sa Dragonera” stands out.
6. Hiking in the Serra de Tramuntana
The Serra de Tramuntana is a long and narrow mountain range of almost 90 kilometers, is declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is another of the best places to explore in Mallorca .
This mountain range, dotted with beautiful villages and stone houses, hidden coves between imposing cliffs, terraced crops and peaks over 1,000 meters high, will leave you speechless in the face of such beauty.
There are several itineraries to explore this area, some of little difficulty such as the path from Esporles to the Hermitage of Maristella and others more demanding such as the climbing up to the Puig des Teix and the very famous 280-kilometer Stone Route.
Among its essentials are the Torrent de Pareis with its famous Calobra cove, the Monastery of Lluc and the famous town of Valldemossa, described by Chopin as the most beautiful place in the world. The narrow streets of the town, with colored shutters and the Cartuja de Valldemossa, is represented like its main architectural jewel.
7. Soller
Soller, famous for having an environment dotted with orange plantations, is one of the most beautiful inland towns to see in Mallorca .
In addition to observing the beautiful valley of orange trees, we advise you to walk through the narrow streets of the center where palaces and stately homes are mixed, such as the Posada de Can Prohom and Can Prunera, until you reach the Plaza de la Constitución, its nerve center with the Church of Sant Bartomeu as the main protagonist. You can go to the picturesque Port of Sóller by an old electric tram, where you can enjoy fresh fish in any of its restaurants.
To lower the food we recommend you go to the Torre Picada, which has excellent views of the Majorcan coast and the Mediterranean Sea.
The most romantic way to get to this town is to get on the more than 100-year-old wooden train that leaves from Palma and crosses impressive landscapes of the Sierra de Tramuntana.
8. Cap de Formentor
Some of the most spectacular landscapes to visit in Mallorca are located in Cap de Formentor, located at the end of a 20-kilometer peninsula.
Here, you will see cliffs over 300 meters high and one of the best sunsets on the island and along the winding road, you will come across admirable viewpoints such as Talaia d’Albercutx, until you reach the Formentor Lighthouse.
Another of the best things to do in Mallorca and in this area is to swim in Cala de Formentor, a virgin beach with white sand and crystal clear waters, which is surrounded by dense pine forests.
9. Deia
Deià, perched on a mountain in the Serra de Tramuntana and overlooking the Mediterranean, is one of the most charming towns to see in Mallorca .
This picturesque town is perfect for enjoying the tranquility after a few days at the beach and a few frenetic nights on the island, taking walks through its natural surroundings and sitting on one of the terraces in the old part.
Remember that one of its essentials is to go to Camí des Racó, which has excellent views of the town, and to Cala Deià, with its transparent waters. Inside the town, there is a cemetery of several artists who lived in the town in the 60s and 70s. The cemetery also has a fantastic view of the sea.
10. Majorca Albufera
A walking route through the Albufera, declared a Natural Park and the most important wetland in the Balearic Islands, is another of the best experiences in Mallorca .
Once you leave its visitor center carrying a map with the four itineraries that run through the park, a few intense hours will await you to get to know the most typical flora and fauna of the island up close, being one of the highlights when you approach without making Noise to bird watching platforms.
Author – Julien Chbib
Bio – Julien is the founder of Julius Homes. His interest in hiking, skiing, and adventure holidays made him bring together the choicest accommodations around the globe to make holidays relaxing and comfortable.
