A Complete Guide to Mallorca

A shining star in the Mediterranean – Mallorca is one of those “bucket list” places that should be on everyone’s Spain travel list.  It’s the seventh largest island in the Mediterranean and is simply oozing with charm.  From the small villages, to the iconic green shutters, the hidden coves and crystal-clear waters, not to mention the delicious Spanish food – I highly encourage everyone to travel to Mallorca once in their lifetime.  Below you’ll find a complete guide to Mallorca – everything you need to know about planning a trip and visiting this Spanish island.

 

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Where is Mallorca?

Mallorca is the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, located in the Mediterranean Sea just off the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula.  It’s part of an archipelago that includes popular islands like Ibiza and Menorca.  Mallorca is well-known for its stunning beaches, rugged mountains, and charming coastal towns. The island is easily accessible from mainland Spain by ferry or flight, making it a top destination for European travelers.

 

Brief History of Mallorca

 

Is Mallorca Worth Visiting?

Is Mallorca worth visiting?  Absolutely!  Mallorca is one of my top favorite islands I’ve ever traveled to and by far my favorite island in Spain.  Its crystal-clear waters, beautiful beaches, and impressive mountainous landscapes means that it has something to offer for every type of traveler.  Whether you’re interested in culture and history, relaxation, or adventure – Mallorca is for you.

 

The Best Time to Visit Mallorca

Mallorca is best visited during the shoulder seasons of spring (April to June) and fall (September to October) when the weather is warm but not scorching, and there are fewer tourists.  These months are perfect for enjoying the island’s beaches, hiking trails, and charming towns without the summer crowds.  July and August are peak tourist season with hot weather and busy beaches, while winter (November to February) is quieter but cooler, making it a great time for those seeking a more peaceful experience.

I visited Mallorca in September and it was perfect!  The weather was great – warm during the day and cool at night.  The crowds were fewer and farther between (although the beaches still got crazy busy), and overall it was a very enjoyable time to be there.  The only issue I had in September was not making dinner reservations far enough in advanced so even if you’re traveling during “shoulder season”, I recommend booking ahead of time!

 

How Many Days Should You Spend in Mallorca?

I would recommend spending a minimum of 5 days in Mallorca, however 7-10 days would be ideal in my opinion.  While the island isn’t particularly large, it takes a while to get from place to place due to its small, winding roads and traffic build-up.  Plus, there is a lot to see and do when you visit so you’ll want plenty of time to explore without feeling overwhelmed.

I stayed in Mallorca for 4-days and it was not enough time.  I did get to visit one beach and explore a few towns, but I would have liked to stay much longer.

 

How to Get to Mallorca

If you’re already in Spain, you can easily get to Mallorca by boat from mainland Spain (or another Balearic Island) or by plane.  If you’re in Europe, Mallorca does have an international airport making it easy to fly into from other nearby countries.  If you’re traveling from the United States or another part of the world, chances are you’ll connect through Madrid or Barcelona before continuing onto Mallorca.

 

Getting to Mallorca by Plane

The airport in Mallorca is called Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) and is located in the capital city Palma.  Surprisingly, it’s generally the third busiest airport in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona.

Depending on where you’re staying in Mallorca, to get from the airport to the city you can either pick up your rental car (which I highly recommend and discuss more in detail later in this post), grab a taxi from outside of the airport, or hire a private, English-speaking driver to be waiting for you at the airport.  Taxi’s in Spain are generally pretty affordable and are legally require to take a credit/debit card.  Don’t get in any unmarked car or get in a car with someone who tells you that it’s cash only.

 

BOOK YOUR FLIGHT TO MALLORCA HERE!

 

Getting to Mallorca by Boat

If you want to travel to Mallorca by boat, you can get there from Barcelona, Ibiza, Menorca, Valencia, etc.  I recommend using Ferryscanner or Omio to search for boats from mainland Spain or another Balearic Island.

 

Where to Stay in Mallorca

When I visited Mallorca I mainly stayed in the town of Deià (with one night in Palma) and would highly recommend it!  It’s small and a bit sleepy but it’s incredibly beautiful and charming.  Deià is located on the northwest side of the island where you can easily drive to nearby villages.  I will say, however, that the more popular beaches are located in the southeast so if you base yourself in Deià expect at least a 1.5 hour drive to the beaches.

The hotel I stayed in Deià was Hotel Es Moli.  The property was stunning and in such a great location.  I will say that customer service was lacking a bit but overall, I’d recommend this hotel.  In Palma, I stayed at Linder Hotel Mallorca and would also highly recommend that hotel too, although I didn’t love the location as much.

Other hotels I’d recommend in Mallorca include…

• Hoposa Costa D’or – Deià
• Casa Bougainvillea – Sóller
• Ecocirer Healthy Stay – Sóller
• L’Avenida – Sóller
• Can Abril – Sóller
• Alcazar Hotel Sóller – Sóller
• Statdthotel Santanyi – Santanyí

 

BOOK YOUR STAY IN MALLORCA HERE!

 

How to Get Around Mallorca

I would not recommend visiting Mallorca if you don’t plan to rent a car to be able to drive around the island.  Mallorca is not walkable and getting a taxi is not only expensive, but extremely difficult at night.  I rented a car from the airport in Palma and navigating the island was pretty straightforward.  There are some parts of the island where the roads can get pretty narrow and times where it may be difficult to find parking, but overall it was the best way to explore.

I rented a car using DiscoverCars which is a search engine that allows you to set different filters and search through all rental companies at once.  I always use DiscoverCars when traveling and have never had an issue!

You should also know that according to the US Embassy, if you’re a US citizen you must have an international drivers license to drive in Spain.  I did get one but was not asked to show it when I rented my car.  To be on the safe side though, I highly recommend purchasing one.  You can get an international drivers license online here.

 

For more information on driving in Spain, don’t miss…

• Everything You Need to Know About Renting a Car in Spain

 

 

 

BOOK A RENTAL CAR HERE AND YOUR INTERNATIONAL DRIVERS LICENSE HERE!

 

The Best Tours & Things to Do in Mallorca

As I mentioned earlier, Mallorca is such a fun and unique island because there is truly an activity for every type of traveler.  If you want to relax on the beaches – there are plenty to choose from!  If you like adventure, you can hike or ride ATVs.  If you’re interested in culture and history drive around to the different villages to see a more historic side of Mallorca.  Here are some activities I enjoyed in Mallorca plus tours that I’d recommend!

• Rent a boat – My friends and I rented a private boat and we thoroughly enjoyed it!  Not only was it so fun being out on the water, but it was also fun to see Mallorca from a different perspective
  • If you’re with a group and want a private boat, I recommend this one
  • If you’re solo or with a smaller group, I recommend booking this sailing experience (10-12 people max) or this experience where you can choose from a full-day, half-day, or sunset cruise (8 people max)
• Go out on a sunrise dolphin sighting cruise
• Learn how to make Spanish food at a cooking class!  I recommend this class based in Palma
• If you’re an adventure seeker, book this quad bike tour with cliff jumping and snorkeling
• For views over Mallorca, book a hot air balloon ride
• Visit the Caves of Drach

 

The Best Villages to Visit in Mallorca

There are 53 different municipalities in Mallorca (just imagine, if you explored two per day you’d need 26.5 days to see the entirety of Mallorca!).  Below you’ll find four villages that I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend…

 

Deià

Deià is located in the northwestern part of Mallorca and is absolutely stunning.  It’s the perfect village to base yourself in if you’re looking for a local, but quiet feel.  During the days Deià can be packed with tourists (and there’s limited parking) so if you’re not staying in Deià I’d recommend coming early to visit.

 

Santanyí

Santanyí is another quaint village perfect for exploring the beaches of Mallorca.  It’s located in the southeastern part of the island only a couple of miles from Mallorca’s most picturesque beaches Cala de Moro and Cala Llombards. Santanyí is a great place to base yourself if you’re in Mallorca to explore the stunning coastline.  Plus it’s closer to Palma so if you’re craving more of a “city” feel, you’re nearby.

 

Sóller

Of the four villages I explored in Mallorca, Sóller was my top favorite.  There was something extra magical about this Mallorcan village.  Of course, it had what you can expect – green shudders on homes, cobblestone streets, boutique shops, and a lively town centre.  But Sóller had that something extra that just made it stand out.

Sóller is located further north from Deià and seemed to be a bit more lively than both Deià and Santanyí.

 

Valldemossa

Of all of the villages, Vallemossa was probably the most touristy.  However, don’t count it out!  I still thoroughly enjoyed exploring Valldemossa and would definitely recommend stopping for a visit.  Valldemossa is just south of Deià on the western side of the island.  Like the other villages, parking is limited so I recommend arriving early (or later in the day) for a visit.

 

The Best Restaurants in Mallorca

One thing I would have done differently on this trip to Mallorca was to make sure to make dinner reservations well in advance.  I was unable to get into most restaurants that I wanted to just because I waited until the last minute (so do as I say, not as I do!).  Below you’ll find restaurants that I loved and also restaurants that I really wanted to eat at but wasn’t able to secure a reservation.

• El Olivo – Located in the Belmond Hotel in Deià
• NENI Mallorca – There are a couple of locations but I recommend the one in Sóller
• Restaurant Ca’n Bouquet – I was able to eat here and loved it!  It’s also in Sóller
• Sebastian – In Deià

 

The Best Beaches in Mallorca

Due to time restraints, I was only able to visit a couple of beaches – Cala Llombards and the private beach at Es Moli.  I would highly recommend Cala Llombards and will share information on how to get there and tips for visiting.  However, I had also wanted to make it to Cala de Moro but simply didn’t have the time.

 

Cala Llombards

Located in the southeastern part of the island, Cala Llombards is an idyllic European beach with white sand, crystal-clear waters, and rocks to lay out on or jump off of.  Its beauty is unmatched but unfortunately brings tons of tourists.  When I arrived to the beach at 11 am, it was already completely packed and difficult to find parking.  For that reason, I recommend arriving earlier, around 9 am if possible.

As far as parking, there is a small parking lot next to the beach – but fills up quickly.  There is also a larger parking lot up the hill about a 20-minute walk from the beach.  You can also easily find street parking around.  But again, I arrived by 11 am and had to park a mile from the beach.

Cala Llombards does have a place for you to buy cold drinks (both alcohol and non-alcohol).  There are also chairs with umbrellas you’re able to rent out; these are very limited though so don’t count on getting a chair unless you’re early.

 

IF YOU WANT TO VISIT MULTIPLE BEACHES BUT DON’T WANT TO WORRY ABOUT PARKING, CONSIDER BOOKING A FULL DAY TOUR TO THE BEST BEACHES AND COVES OF MALLORCA!

 

Spain Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Spain

 

I hope that this guide to Mallorca not only encourages you to visit but also helps you plan your trip!  If you have any questions about visiting Mallorca, let me know in a comment below!

 

If you’re planning a trip to Spain and you’re looking for more travel information/inspiration, don’t miss…

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• The Ultimate Guide to Barcelona, Spain
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For more information on things to see and do in Spain, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinspain” or under my highlights for “Spain”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Spain” highlight

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