Culture, architecture, nature, beaches and delicious food and wine. Mallorca’s charming towns have something for everyone and the island is no bigger than you can get to them all in a short amount of time.
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1. Palma de Mallorca – city charm, art and architecture
Impressive architecture, exciting museums, a wide choice of cafés, bars and restaurants and great shopping. The capital of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, has it all. It is located on the southwestern part of the island at the Bay of Palmas.
Start with a trip on the Hop On Hop Off bus, which takes you past all the city’s major attractions and gives you a good overview of the city.
Palma’s impressive Gothic cathedral is beautifully reflected in the sea at Palma Bay and is a must-see – even from the inside. The church is one of Spain’s most beautiful, influenced by the famous Antoni Gaudí. From the Castell de Bellver, which has been a fortress, a royal summer residence and a prison, you’ll have a fantastic panoramic view of the city. The famous artist Joan Miró lived and worked in Palma. Be sure to also visit his museum and studio as well as Mallorca’s most beautiful museum of modern art, Es Baluard
Take a stroll down Paseo del Born, also known as the ‘Golden Mile’ which is the city’s main shopping street. Located in Palma’s Old Town, it’s also a great place to soak up the local life in the squares and cafés.
If you want to get out of the city, take the old local train, which runs from Palma through beautiful orange groves and rural villages to the town of Sóller. A trip that delights children and adults alike.
Taste of Palma
At Palma’s food market you can buy delicious vegetables, fruit, meat, cheese, olive oil and spices for lunch or dinner at home. Palma has a wealth of delicious tapas bars and restaurants, and if you’re in town on a Tuesday, the tapas route is a must, where you can get a tapa and a beer for 2-3 euros at a number of bars. Also check out one of the city’s best tapas bars, Tast Unión, located close to Paseo del Born. If you want to indulge your sweet tooth, stop by Rosevelvet Bakery.
Read more in my guide on things to do in Palma de Mallorca. If you’re coming to Palma de Mallorca for Easter, read about the city’s Easter traditions.
Holiday house in Palma de Mallorca
This lovely former fisherman’s house has been renovated in a classic style, respecting the original details. It sleeps four people in two bedrooms and you can walk to Palma’s centre along the seafront promenade. Meals can be enjoyed outdoors in either the small patio or on the rooftop terrace with stunning views. The sandy beach is just 200 meters from the house. See more pictures and read more about the holiday house
2. Alcúdia – Mallorca’s big seaside resort
Alcúdia is one of Mallorca’s most popular holiday resorts. Located on the north coast of Mallorca, it’s very child-friendly and perfect for water enthusiasts. Here is a more than 10 kilometers long, child-friendly beach, which stretches from Ca’n Picafort to Port d’Alcudia. There are plenty of opportunities for water sports and excursions. For example, take the whole family on a dolphin boat tour along the coast, where you can enjoy sunrise and watch the dolphins play.
Alcúdia was founded in 123 BC under the name Pollentia and is rich in historical remains. Within the 15th-century old city walls lies the Old Town, where you can get lost in a maze of charming streets with a wealth of old mansions cCasas Señorales), cafés, shops and restaurants. While you dive into the historic city, you can, for example, taste a selection of gourmet taps and wines on a self-guided tour.
There are plenty of restaurants, so go and discover your own favorite. Start at L’Arca d’en Peter, which serves modern local cuisine and nice wines. Every Tuesday there is a large outdoor market in the town with local, edible products, clothes, shoes and jewellery.
Holiday House in Alcudia
Stay on the waterfront in this holiday home with beautiful views of both the sea and the mountains. The house is located in a popular, quiet area within walking distance of the city, where you’re also close to restaurants, shops and the old town. With only 100 meters to the beach and with the possibility to borrow a surfboard and canoe (if available), the house is the perfect place for water enthusiasts. There’s room for eight people. See more pictures and read more about the holiday home
3. Chopin’s picturesque Valldemossa
Nestled between high mountains, one of Mallorca’s most beautiful villages, Valldemossa, nestles in a lush valley. Valldemossa is the highest town on Mallorca (425 meters above sea level) and is inhabited by around 1700 people. The town’s well-preserved, picturesque center with cobbled streets is generously decorated with flowerpots and fine tiled pictures on the houses, and here the quiet life is lived.
The world-famous composer Chopin stayed in Valldemossa in 1938 with his girlfriend, writer George Sand, and he remains symbolic of the town to this day. Every year the International Chopin Festival is held, attracting many visitors. The former Real Cartuja monastery now houses the Chopin Museum. Here you can see cell number 4, where the couple lived, the piano on which Chopin played and composed during his stay, and a number of notes and pictures. The monastery’s old pharmacy and church are also worth a visit. Actor Michael Douglas, who lives outside the town, has set up the Costa Nord cultural center in town, where you can learn about the town and the island’s history.
Valldemossa has plenty of shopping and dining options. Visit the organic producer, Son Moragues, on the outskirts of the town, where you amongst other things can buy olive oil and organic jams, as well as a tasting experience for groups of 6 people. Eat traditional cuisine in cozy surroundings at Es Port in Valldemossa Port.
Holiday house near Valldemossa
This tastefully decorated holiday home sleeps eight people in nice bedrooms. There is a nice garden with its own pool and several good terraces in both sun and shade. The house is in a quiet location, 600 meters above sea level, and you are just a 20-minute drive from all of Palma de Mallorca’s activities, dining, shopping and golf courses. See more pictures and read more about the holiday home
4. The wine village of Binissalem
The small town of Binissalem, located in the middle of Mallorca, is best known for its wine production under the name DO Binissalem. The Romans brought wine production to Mallorca, and today red, white, rosé and cava are all produced in the area. It’s a must to visit a wine producer when you are in town. Vins Ca’n Novell is famous for its wine shop, and the family-run place is owned by Andreu Villalonga, who is the 4th generation and produces over 100,000 bottles of wine a year.
Binissalem has many fine 18th-century buildings, but the most iconic is the 15th-century Gothic church of Santa Maria de Robines. It’s located in the Plaza de la Iglesa square, where you can also shop at the weekly Friday market. Many local artists work in the town, so there are good opportunities to buy souvenirs such as paintings, stonework, textiles and ceramics. The city also has a good selection of restaurants serving tapas and local food. Try for example. Restaurante Celler Sa Vinya.
The flat plains of the Binissalem area are ideal for hiking and bicycling The town is also a hub for transport to other parts of the island, as it lies between Palma and Alcúdia. You can easily get to the rest of the island by train or bus.
Holiday house at Binissalem
Located 11 km from Binissalem, this classic Spanish Finca (country villa) features large outdoor areas including dining and seating areas as well as a pool. You can grill or make paella over the fireplace, and from the round terrace, surrounded by eucalyptus trees and palm trees, you can enjoy views of the mountain, Puig Major, and the beautiful mountain massifs. Hiking in the beautiful Tramuntana Mountains is a must when staying in this holiday home. See more pictures and read more about the holiday home
5. Ses Salines – famous salt and beautiful nature
The small, cozy village of Ses Salines, with about 4900 inhabitants, is located in one of the most beautiful areas in the southeast of Mallorca and belongs to one of the quieter ones on the popular holiday island. The town has a strong history and is especially known for the salt pans, which are Mallorca’s oldest. Since Roman times, the city has produced salt, and the aromatic gourmet salt “Flor de Sal” is not only famous locally but also internationally. Every year, large salt harvest festivals are held in May and August.
Locals gather in the town’s small square, and on Thursdays you can meet them at the weekly market. The town has several excellent restaurants with a nice atmosphere. People come from far and wide to eat seafood at Manolo at Casa Manolo, which is recommended, but book in advance.
Around the port town of Colònia de Sant Jordi, you’ll find the best beaches and water sports facilities. From the town, you can also take a trip to Cabrera Island, a protected nature reserve with a natural harbor, good bathing waters, uunspoiledscenery and a wealth of wildlife. The island and area are good for bird watching.
On the outskirts of Ses Salines you’ll find Botanicactus, one of Europe’s largest botanical gardens with around 1000 plant species, including lots of different cacti. Also visit the lighthouse at Mallorca’s southernmost point, Cap se Salines,
If you want an edible souvenir to bring home, visit the Flor de Sal d’Es Trenc shop. It sells the famous local salt, which comes in a variety of flavours such as herbs, olives and mushrooms.
Holiday home at Ses Salines
This holiday home is in a quiet location, around 3 km from Ses Salines, and has a large pool and lovely terraces. Here you are close to beautiful beaches and overlook lovely scenery, including almond trees, and the village. Go bicycling in the countryside along the rocky coast, beautiful beaches and holiday villages. The house has four bedrooms and sleeps seven people. See more pictures and read more about the holiday home
You can rent many more holiday homes in Mallorca. See them here.
The journey to Mallorca
- From Palma airport there are public buses; take line 1 if you are going to Palma de Mallorca (about 9 km), where there are several bus lines, or line 21, which goes to S’Arenal, where you can change to buses to the rest of Mallorca
- You can also take a shuttle bus at fixed prices (to be booked in advance) or a taxi. If you need to travel far by taxi, for example to Alcúdia (60 km), agree on a price with the driver in advance. Alternatively, you can rent a car.
- The best time to travel is spring and autumn, when temperatures average between 19 and 23 degrees. In the high summer months from June to August, temperatures range from 32 to 38 degrees, and in winter the weather is mild with temperatures of up to 14-16 degrees.
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