Mallorca, the biggest of the four Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea and one of Spain’s most sought-for travel destinations. The island is known for its beautiful beaches, UNESCO World Heritage site of Serra de Tramuntana and the capital of Palma which, by several occations, has been prized as the best city to live in in the world. Alltogether, Mallorca has something for everyone, an island of great nuances and diversity.
There are many ways of traveling in Mallorca, which is also why it is so popular. Choose between luxury resorts and finca hotels, family charter hotels, villa rentals, apartments or farm stays on the agroturismos.
Here we’ll give you the 5 best ways to spend a holiday in Mallorca.
Bicycling vacation in Mallorca
Cycling is undoubtedly one of the most popular sports activities travelers come to Mallorca to do. 150,000 cyclo-tourists come each year, a market estimated to be worth approximately €150 million annually.Yes, cycling is indeed popular in Mallorca.
Mallorca offer an incredible diversity in cycling routes all over the island. The center of the island is known for its many flat plains and rural areas, making it an obvious region to discover if you want smooth cycling experience with lots of space on the road.
If you are in the northern part of the island, you can really challenge yourself on some of the most difficult routes in Europe. From the area of Pollenca, head out to the peninsula of Cap de Formentor, a beautiful place with legenday runs in scenic settings. A great destination is the famous lighthouse overlooking the Balearic Sea, one of the most photographed places in Mallorca.
Another legendary route is the road to the beautiful acove of Sa Calobra along some steep descents of more than 7% inclination and stomach-turning hairpin turns that will get your adrenaline running like an avalance. The trip back up make you work as if your body was a steam locomotive.
The rest of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range offers amazing routes along narrow winding mountain roads clinging to the steep slopes.
Many hotels and accommotaions in mallorca are specialized in catering cyclists, with shops, special garages and guided tours.
Hiking / Walking Vacation in Mallorca
Hiking vacations are at a rise all over the world, travelers have found that it is possible to both explore, relax and get fit all at the same time. Moreover, hiking vacations can be far cheaper because you don’t sit at expensive bars and restaurants all day. In Mallorca, you have access to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Serra de Tramuntana, which spans over a 70,000 square kilometer area on the western side of the island.
Some of the most popular areas for hiking in Serra de Tramuntana includes Alaró, Escorca, Pollenca, Banyalbufar and Bunyola. There are a wide array of hiking trails in these areas, suitable for both beginners, intermediates and advanced levels of hikers.
Particularly the area of Pollenca offer a diverse landscape for hikers to discover. The area has more than 25 scenic trails you can enjoy during your visit, all with very instagrammable places to discover so remember to charge your phone.
The Puig de Maria mountain is one of the most popular places to visit in Pollenca. At the summit of the 325 meter high mountain, you will find an ancient sanctuary built in the 14th century as a safeplace from the plague. The panoramic views from up here are simply indescribable and divine.
There are many other interesting things to do in Pollenca / Pollensa such as crossing the old Roman bridge, birdwatching in the La Gola park, climb the Calvary staircase and visit the hilltop chapel and vantage point, visit one of the local galleries and museums and go shopping in the old town.
Hiking holidays also open to more than just one or two stays different places, but allows you to try mutiple accommodation offers on the island, such as staying at one of the monasteries, the turisme d’interiors or at a farm with livestock.
Big city break in Palma
Palma is the capital of Mallorca and the seat of the Balearic government. The city was founded 123 BC by the Romans who annexed the island into the Roman empire. Traces of Roman, Byzantine, Moorish and Christian cultures are sewn into a huge patchwork of great monuments and buildings resulting in a city that keeps giving.
Most famous of all monuments in Palma is the Gothic cathedral of La Seu, the crown of Palma. Palma cathedral is among the largest in Europe and has been under influence of Antoni Gaudi among others.
There are other places like the Bellver castle, the Arabian Baths, the Almudaina Palace, Casal Solleric and Sant Francesc convent to visit during your stay that will tell you stories of the city and island.
Palma is also known for its beautiful architecture, especially the many modernist style building facades, the art nouveau decorations and the traditional Palma courtyards found in some of the many city mansions hidden in the narrow streets.
The capital is also known for its many great museums and galleries which makes for excellent visits. For example, the Joan Miro and es Baluard museums, the Poble Espanol and the royal palace of Almudaina and Palau March are some of the most popular exhibition spaces in Palma.
Palma is a vibrant city, full of life, great bars, restaurants and thousands of stores for unique shopping experiences. Luxury brands like Armani, BOSS, Versace and Hermes are all found in the lavish Passeig des Born near the cathedral. Close to this is the big shopping street of Avenida Jaume III, a popular street for other brand stores and high-end fashion brands. You will always find the newest and hottest trends in Palma arriving from Madrid, Barcelona and Italy.
Your stay in Palma should be in one of the luxury hotels near the center of the city where you have direct access to the bars and restaurants, attractions and stores. However, you also have the option to stay at Platja de Palma, the wide bay with great tourist resorts and lavish beach clubs.
Beach vacation in Mallorca
As earlier stated, Mallorca is famous for its many beaches and picturesque coastlines hence charter tourism is still the most popular form of traveling on the island, especially amongst Brits and Scandinavians. Mallorca comprise more than 50 km of beachline out of a total of 840 km shoreline and more than 260 individual beaches. Many of the beaches are well-developed for the purpose of catering sun-hungering tourists with facilities like showers, sun loungers, toilets, beach bars and parasols. In addition, at m,ost beaches in Mallorca it is possible to do a wide range of activities such as SUP, banana boat rides, paragliding, snorkeling and water cycling, activities for the entire family.
Some of the most popular beach destinations in Mallorca include Port de Pollenca, Alcudia, Platja de Muro, Cala Millor, Cala Bona, Magaluf, Palmanova and Platja de Palma.
Many of the beach hotels in Mallorca are up to date with sought-for amenities like spa and wellness treatments, gyms and family-friendly facilities. Rooms are too being modernized with free wifi, satelite TV and minibar or tea kitchens.
If you are looking for the hidden secret beaches in Mallorca, you should make your way to the Tramuntana mountains where hundreds of hidden gems are found between the evergreen slopes of the mountains. Especially areas such as Banyalbufar and Pollenca offer a tremendous amount of small hiddeen coves with virgin beaches and crystal clear waters.
Agroturismos and farm stays in Mallorca
A rising trend is spending the vacation in Mallorca on an agroturismo, a farm functioning as accommodation. At an agroturismo you become one with the true soul of Mallorca, the slow-paced agrarian lifestyle where tranquility and local produce are in focus.
Unlike what you may suspect, many of the agroturismos in Mallorca doesn’t appeal to the typical hippie and environmental activist. Instead, many of the agroturismos appeal to travelers looking for luxury and serenity, but in an authentic and real way. Romance is on the program, as well as good food and quality leisure activities.
If you are traveling with kids, there are also a selection of agroturismos specialized in families, with live animals on the farm, playgrounds and facilities to make sure both parents and kids are having the time of their lives.
Typically, the agroturismos are situated in secluded areas on the island to provide the most authentic and tranquil settings for tourists. It’s a great way to reconnect with nature and find inner peace to recharge your batteries.
