Mallorca is known for its beautiful Mediterranean beaches, but there’s so much more to see, like the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Serra de Tramuntana mountains. We also visited small mountain towns and villages, where we tasted unique Mallorcan dishes. The island is small, but it’s packed with variety; we could drive from quiet little beaches to the busy city center and into the mountains all in about an hour.
Mallorca’s nightlife isn’t just about the famous clubs in Magaluf. In Palma, we found lots of bars, a lively marina, and casual beach clubs. In each town, the central square fills with people in the evenings, making it a great place to hang out. Whether you’re here for a few days or more, Mallorca offers plenty of surprises that make your visit worth it.
Generally speaking, the temperature will fall somewhere between 60°F (15°C) and 86°F (30°C) during the day all year round. It will rarely, if ever, drop below freezing at night, even in January and February, which are the coldest months.
Mallorca’s rainiest season is autumn, with the wettest month in November. Even then, there are only usually seven wet days and 55 mm of rain. The driest month in Mallorca is July, when there’s only usually one day and 6 mm of rain.
It might sound cliché, but there are countless things to do in Mallorca. Whether you want to hike, snorkel, or eat tapas, you won’t be disappointed.
Mallorca offers accommodations to suit all tastes and budgets. If you’re looking for a cheap stay, you could try a hostel or a budget hotel. Or, if you’re celebrating a special occasion, you might want to push the boat out and stay in an upmarket luxury hotel.
Yartan Boutique Hotel in Artá is a calm getaway for adults, featuring a garden, shared lounge, and sun terrace with a swimming pool. Guests can enjoy a varied breakfast each morning. This 4-star hotel offers a full spa experience with a sauna and hammam for relaxation.
Son Brull Hotel & Spa in northern Mallorca is set in a former 17th-century monastery. This peaceful rural hotel offers modern amenities, including two pools—one heated outdoor pool and a spa water circuit—a tennis court, free bicycle rental, and a full spa with a Hamam and massage treatments.
Agroturismo Son Viscos is located in the Mallorcan countryside, overlooking the Valldemossa Valley. The hotel is set in gardens with old Moorish mills and offers stylish rooms. Palma de Mallorca and its airport are only a 20-minute drive away.
There’s a common theme with Mallorca food. The recipes are focused on acquiring fresh, seasonal produce from land or sea. Simple ingredients, readily available year-round, made complex by using a combination of herbs and spices.
Visitors to Mallorca have many restaurants to choose from, ranging from rustic beach shacks along the coast to the latest trendy Michelin-starred eateries in Palma.
You can also explore produce markets like Mercat d’Olivar, where you can gather ingredients to create your own Mallorcan culinary masterpiece.
This flatbread covered in roasted vegetables is found in bakeries across the island and makes for a great snack on the run.
A spreadable spicy sausage, sobrassada is often served as a tapa or a tasty filling for empanadas – or cocarrois as they’re known on the island.
A type of vegetarian-friendly stew involving aubergine, potatoes, peppers, and tomatoes, this satisfying dish is often served with a giant chunk of bread to mop up the sauce.
This is a sweet, spiral-shaped pastry from Mallorca. Light and fluffy, it’s often dusted with powdered sugar and enjoyed for breakfast or dessert. Some versions are filled with cream, fruit, or even sobrassada for a savory kick.
Mallorca is a great place to relax and do nothing, but this picturesque island also offers amazing experiences that will keep you talking about your trip for years to come.
Mallorca has its own distinct culture, including a unique dialect of Catalan, its own cuisine, and architecture. It’s surrounded by crystal-clear blue waters, making it a great place for snorkeling.
The island’s history is diverse, stretching back to the Roman era and including a period under Muslim rule as part of the Emirate of Cordoba. More recently, during the Spanish Civil War, Mallorca was important for the Nationalist faction and experienced significant conflict.
The island’s history is diverse, stretching back to the Roman era and including a period under Muslim rule as part of the Emirate of Cordoba. More recently, during the Spanish Civil War, Mallorca was important for the Nationalist faction and experienced significant conflict.
Find out what essential items you’ll need in Mallorca to make your trip as enjoyable as possible – and to avoid those last-minute panic buys at the airport. Stocking up on some groceries might be a good idea if you’re planning an active day.
If you’re traveling in spring, autumn, or winter, layers are the name of the game. The sun can come and go often, and temperatures in the shade can be degrees lower than in the sun. Evenings can cool down outside of the summer, so pack a hoodie or light jacket too.
If you’re visiting Mallorca in the summer, breathable fabrics are ideal. Pack a sarong or lightweight shorts for the beach, some T-shirts, and beach dresses, and you’ll be good to go.
Although we haven’t visited Mallorca in winter, we believe it would be a great time for hiking and exploring towns due to the pleasant temperatures, which are much cooler than in the summer months. With fewer tourists, winter offers a more authentic experience of the island. You might see some rain, but it’s still warmer than most other places in Europe during this season.
In winter, you can enjoy the local culture as Mallorcans go about their daily lives. It’s an excellent time to try traditional Mallorcan food in local restaurants, where you might be the only non-Spanish diners. If you find yourself in Palma on a rainy day, visit the Es Baluard Contemporary Art Museum, one of our favorites. Also, if you’re there in November, check out the annual TaPalma tapas festival.
During our 10-day visit to Mallorca in spring, we experienced partly cloudy days. The weather was warm enough to enjoy the beach, although the water was still quite chilly in May. The island was less crowded, making it perfect for exploring both Mallorca and the city of Palma de Mallorca. Spring is a great time to visit, with temperatures rising and a lower chance of rain than in autumn or winter.
Often, we found ourselves driving across the island to find sunnier spots whenever clouds appeared. Despite the clouds, it was warm enough that we didn’t need to wear sweaters. This ability to easily seek out pleasant weather made our trip even more enjoyable, as we could always find a nice place to relax and enjoy the Mallorcan scenery.
Summers in Mallorca are hot and crowded, with temperatures usually between 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. This makes it ideal for beach days or relaxing by the pool, as hiking can be too sweaty. Summer is the peak season due to warm weather and low rain chances, aligning with school holidays, which attracts many families.
Accommodation during this period is more expensive and harder to find because of high demand. Beaches, restaurants, and bars are packed, creating a lively atmosphere. This is great for those seeking an active holiday, but not for those looking for quiet relaxation. If you prefer a calmer visit, consider coming to Mallorca outside the peak season.
Autumn is one of the best times to visit Mallorca, just like spring. The weather remains warm, and the sea is comfortable for swimming, even as the air gets cooler. Keep in mind that lifeguards may not be on duty at the beaches during this season.
Visiting in autumn also means lower hotel prices, making it a more affordable time to travel. September is especially exciting because it coincides with Mallorca’s grape harvest and the Festa des Vermar wine festival in Binissalem, which includes fun grape crushing events. While some tourist spots begin to close in October, Palma stays lively and is perfect for a city break.
Getting around Mallorca can be an activity in itself. The island is well-suited for getting from A to B, so you don’t have to rely on tours or excursions—although they can be great experiences, too.
Cycling is a fantastic way to explore Mallorca, but you rarely hear about it. This is surprising given that cycling is one of the most popular sports in Spain. The island has dedicated cycling routes that entice more than 150,000 cycle tourists annually.
Exploring Mallorca by car is definitely one of the most flexible ways to get around. Not only can you create your own flexible itinerary, but instead of getting hot and bothered waiting for public transport, you can enjoy air conditioning from the moment your journey begins – an important consideration in Mallorca.
Renting a car in Mallorca also means you can get to Mallorca’s hidden coves and tiny villages, where buses don’t run, and you can enjoy a more authentically Mallorcan experience. Places like Esporles, nestled in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, or Consell, right in the heart of Mallorca’s wine country, open up to you if you have a car.
If you have a taste for life at sea, sailing in Mallorca’s bright blue waters is something to consider. If you’re looking for boat rentals in Mallorca, you can berth in the island’s marinas which offer high-quality facilities.
Why not take a sailing tour if your budget is slightly more moderate? Let an expert skipper take care of the boat, freeing you to enjoy island views you can only experience from the water. Nothing beats the feeling of the sea breeze in your hair and the sun on your face.
The GR221, or “Dry Stone Route” as it’s often called, is a 140-kilometer hiking trail that runs a winding path through the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, from Port d’Andratx in the south to Pollensa in the north.
The route is split into eight to ten sections. It is ideal for a walking holiday, exploring the beautiful mountainous landscape and some of Mallorca’s best inland villages. The views are spectacular and varied, and as you walk the limestone trail, you’ll spot ancient Mallorcan features like snow pits, charcoal circles, and lime kilns.
Mallorca’s coastline is over 550 kilometers long, so it is no surprise that its beaches are loved by so many visitors. Many of Mallorca’s beaches are also great for snorkeling, we’ll share some of my favorites below.
In north Mallorca, you’ll find the popular resorts of Puerto Pollensa and Alcudia. Although they both have wonderful beaches, take the time to explore and you’ll be able to experience north Mallorca’s best beaches.
Formentor Beach is a great option. It’s located on a stunning peninsula, so you know the views will be amazing. But it also has plenty of facilities, including restaurants, water sports, public showers and toilets.
The eastern coast of Mallorca offers a wide range of beaches. Whether you’re based in Cala d’Or or Cala Millor, you’ll have easy access to many that are worth exploring.
Cala Mesquida is a gorgeous place backed by pine trees and sand dunes named a ‘natural place of special interest.’ It seems remote, but you won’t feel completely cut off, as there’s a handy restaurant overlooking the long stretch of sand.
Resort towns along the bottom of the island tend to be smaller and less built-up, so there are plenty of hidden gem beaches in south Mallorca.
One of my favorites is Cala Llombards, a lovely place with the ideal balance of natural beauty and facilities. Plus, a short walk will take you to Es Pontas, a natural rock archway that provides the perfect backdrop to a stunning Mallorcan sunset.
You might not expect Palma de Mallorca, the island capital, to have its own beach, but there are several, which is ideal if you want to combine the city’s benefits with a beach break.
The best beaches in the Palma de Mallorca region include Cala Mayor, a pretty stretch that makes you feel far from the bustle of the city.
In Mallorca, we explored several towns that stand out for their unique character. You definitely want to visit Deià, located in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains. It’s known for its traditional charm and Moorish architecture. We recommend spending a day there to really get a feel for the place.
Soller is another beautiful town, surrounded by citrus groves and has a history linked to its agriculture. It’s remote but has good connections to Port de Soller. The town center, Plaza de la Constitucion, is filled with cafes and was a relaxing place for us. Walking through Soller’s streets and trying the local restaurants was a highlight of our visit.
Cala Santanyi is a great place to snorkel, as it has incredible rock formations under the water that are easily reached from the shore. Also, as cliffs surround the beach, the water conditions are almost always calm. Add that to Mallorca’s 30-meter visibility, and you’re bound to spot all kinds of marine life, including brightly colored fish, anemones, coral, and even an octopus if you’re lucky!
It’s worth noting that while Uber is a popular ridesharing option in Spain’s major cities, it’s not common in places like Mallorca. So, renting a car is the way to go if you’re looking for flexibility in your travels.
Our recommendation is the reputable international rental company Discover Cars. They offer reasonable pricing, impeccable service, and convenient pick-up and drop-off locations, including the airport.
Mallorca is voted one of the best places to live in the world. It’s also considered one of the cheapest places to live in Spain. This may be surprising, as islands are often more expensive than their mainland counterparts. But no, it’s official, Mallorca is affordable – especially compared to major cities like Barcelona and Madrid.
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