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.
1 Kunstnerbyen Deià
2 Fiskerbyen Porto Colom
også kaldet Portocolom
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.
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.
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.
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.
