The Perfect Mallorca Travel Guide

Experience paradise in the beautiful, Mediterranean Island of Mallorca, located off the coast of mainland Spain. Mallorca (also spelled Majorca) is the largest of the Balearic Islands, with picturesque landscapes of mountains and the Balearic Sea.

Gran Folies Beach Club

Getting There

Flying to Palma de Mallorca (PMI) from the New York area takes approximately 8.5 hours. United Airlines provides nonstop flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Palma ranks as the 8th largest city in Spain and offers numerous activities in its city center. Upon arrival, you can explore several nearby cities, including Andratx, Santanyí, Valdemossa, and Llombards. Renting a car is recommended to see most of the island. At Palma Airport, car rental is convenient, with rental counters located in the baggage claim area. Many major rental companies, such as Enterprise, Alamo, and Budget, are situated off-site, and a complimentary shuttle will take you there in about five minutes.

La Seu - Palma Cathedral

Things to Explore in Palma

• La Seu aka The Cathedral of Palma - Famous for its immaculate architecture, La Seu is worth visiting. With over 300 sculptures, this cathedral is the most iconic landmark in the capital city of Palma. La Seu is located across from the Royal Moorish Palace of La Almudaina. Inside the Cathedral, there are 61 stained glass windows. You can visit this site for free Monday through Saturday.

• 100-year-old Train - Take a ride on the century-old train to explore the beautiful Sóller Port and Sóller Town . If you love hiking or cycling, or even if you just love to explore art and culture, then taking a ride on the train is a must. You can get off at multiple stops and walk around the local towns to explore; check it out here.

• Plaza de Mayor - Located un the center of the city, you can enjoy shopping, dining in cafes, street performers, and art galleries.

• Gran Folies Beach Club - For the ultimate relaxation day, this a must-do on your itinerary. Reservations are recommended for dinner/lunch or to reserve a cabana.

  

  Soak up the sun, sand, and sea in Palma de Mallorca

The Beaches

Choose from a plethora of beaches to explore in Mallorca:

1. Go Swimming at Playa del Formenta

2. Catch the sunset at Sa Foradada - best to visit from Sóller

3. Enjoy the views at Deià (northwest coast) - one of the prettiest villages on the island

4. Take a drive to Cala Santanyí or Cala Llombards

5. Experience the scenic views of Caló des Moro

   

Driving in Mallorca

Renting a car at PMI airport is seamless, but driving in Mallorca can be a bit challenging. There are roundabouts everywhere! Use caution when driving through the small towns (the roads can be curvy), be aware of the speed cameras, and obey the speed limit. When renting a car, be sure to confirm that the car you select is automatic, as many of the cars have a manual transmission.

Valldemossa

Visit Valldemossa

Valldemossa offers a variety of attractions to explore. You can have lunch at local cafes, visit art museums, or stroll along the cobblestone streets to shop for trinkets, souvenirs, or gifts. The ideal time to visit Valldemossa, or any village in Mallorca, is between April and early September, when the weather is most pleasant. The tourist season peaks during the busy summer months, so when I visited in early September, it was less crowded, allowing for longer, peaceful walks in the charming villages. Valldemossa is near the neighboring village of Deià, making it advisable to include both in your itinerary. Valldemossa is situated on the western side of Mallorca, featuring many old mountain towns that are quite different from the flatter beach towns found in the eastern and northern parts of Mallorca.

Good Eats in Mallorca

You can't go to Mallorca without enjoying all of the fresh seafood straight from the sea, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Here's a list of some of the best restaurants in Palma and surrounding towns:

• Se'ra - located in Es Llombards, I recommend the seabass or the cod

• Manique - Brazilian cuisine with a detailed menu, located in Santanyí, try the tuna tartare or the shrimp skewers

• Alchemy - eat here for some of the best tapas on the island

• Illeta - one of my favorite restaurants in Palma, situated in the middle of the Belearic Sea. Fresh seafood, including their famous paella and lambchops

• Cala Llamp Restaurant at Gran Folies Beach Club - more than just an exclusive beach club, their restaurant has some amazing food and drinks, including the paella.

  

  Paella is one of my favorite dishes, especially when I'm in Spain

  

Where to Stay

We stayed in Es Llombards, located on the Southern coast of Mallorca. Many of the homes in Es Llombards are located in remote areas, with a lot of land. The beautiful Spanish villas often feature a variety of amenities to enjoy such as pools, hammocks, swings, and saunas. I started my mornings with yoga by the pool, walks around the property, and ended my evenings in the sauna or relaxing on the rooftop terrace. Here is the link to check out our Airbnb. When visiting Mallorca, book a hotel or Airbnb in Palma, Port Andtratx, Santanyí, or Es Llombards.

Travel Tip: Pack bug spray for the mosquitoes and be mindful of the expectations at your Airbnb regarding trash disposal, as Spain requires guests (and residents) to drive their trash to various puntos limpios (clean points) for municipal trash pick up.

Traveling to Mallorca was the perfect way to end my summer. This was one of the most relaxing vacations to date and I plan to return to Palma next summer to explore more of the island. I highly recommend adding Mallorca to your travel bucket list, for a piece of paradise.