Things to do in Mallorca: The Ultimate Guide

The largest of the Balearic islands – and in fact Spain’s largest island of all – is characterised by a glorious coastline, rugged rural scenery and a balmy climate. The ideal holiday setting for people of all ages, here are the best things to do in Mallorca.

This blog is a comprehensive guide on which fascinating places to visit whilst on your luxury holiday to Mallorca, to find the information that’s relevant to you, use the handy content links below:

• Things to see in Mallorca
• Places to visit in Mallorca
• Beaches in Mallorca
• Shopping in Mallorca
• Places to eat and drink in Mallorca
• Things to do in Mallorca for families

Things to see in Mallorca

Coast

An island with an impressive 555km of coastline, Mallorca’s seaside is an obvious attraction. Explore dozens of beaches, with huge swathes of sand filled with facilities and water sports, or discover hidden coves to find your very own slice of the island for a day. With a scattering of coastal towns, marinas and seafront restaurants to visit too, Mallorca’s coastline always offers a remarkable experience.

An excellent way to get an overview of coastal life in Mallorca is to embark on a catamaran trip for the day. See the majority of the coastline in a day trip or go on a shorter journey to see a particular stretch of Mallorca’s coast – it’s also possible to choose tours that include music, food, snorkelling and kayaking too.

Two hour catamaran trips start from around £20 per person, while five hour trips including lunch, snorkelling and kayaking cost around £90 per person.

Inland

While Mallorca’s coast is filled with sandy beaches, sheltered bays and tranquil towns, Mallorca’s interior is known for its splendid mountainous scenery and traditional villages. In fact, the Serra de Tramuntana – a mountain range that traverses much of the centre of Mallorca – is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

See a different side of Mallorca by travelling inland for a day trip for amazing scenery and some of the island’s prettiest villages. In particular, Deya and Valldemossa are known for their artistic credentials, with art galleries and artisan workshops. Sóller is Mallorca’s village nestled amid the orange groves, and can be reached via the vintage wooden train from Palma.

Cycling is another great way to explore Mallorca’s inland regions. Cycle routes allow you to dip in and out of the coastline, giving you the best of both worlds, while more challenging mountain routes are perfect for those who love far-reaching views.

Bicycle hire starts from around €14 per day. Some of Mallorca’s urban areas also offer more leisurely guided sightseeing or tapas cycling tours, with prices starting from around €35 per person.

Bird’s eye view

To catch a glimpse of Mallorca’s coast and mountains from up above, paragliding is the perfect way to do it. Those looking for even more of an adrenalin-pumping experience can even ask to have acrobatic manoeuvres performed during the trip too, blending sightseeing with blood-pumping activity!

Mallorca from the Sky offers 20 minute paragliding flights from €85 per person.

Places to visit in Mallorca

Alcudia Old Town

A town in northern Mallorca, Alcudia is known for its dazzling bay, pristine beaches and town steeped in history. Alcudia Old Town in particular is unmissable, with its winding narrow streets and a moat and walls that date as far back as the 13^th century. The neo-Gothic Sant Jaume church – which is actually built into the walls – is also worth a visit.

Pollensa Old Town

Not far from Alcudia is Pollensa, also known as Pollença, whose old town is particularly known for its narrow and winding medieval streets, 17th century homes and traditional churches. For visitors keen to climb the 365 steps to the Calvari chapel, they are rewarded with immense views of the surrounding region. The Sunday market also offers a glimpse of local life, as well as the opportunity to buy some souvenirs. In addition, it’s worth driving 15 minutes to nearby Puerto de Pollensa for a stroll around the marina and an abundance of seafood restaurants.

Catedral de Mallorca

Palma’s Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral, often simply called La Seu, has some impressive and imposing architecture, the earliest of which dates back to the 1200s. The expansive building is found in the old Roman part of the city – and it’s a fascinating place to explore, both inside and outside. Interestingly, Antoni Gaudí was invited to help restore the cathedral in the early 1900s, but his input to the project was abandoned after he had an argument with the contractor!

Catedral de Mallorca is open to visitors Monday to Friday 10:00 to 15:15, with later opening hours during the summer. On Saturdays the cathedral is open from 10:00 to 14:15.

Castell de Bellver

This circular Gothic castle is found on a hilltop on the outskirts of Palma. Surrounded by forest, it dates back to the 14th century. The former home of various Kings of Mallorca, the castle now houses the Palma History Museum. It’s well worth exploring to learn more about the history of the island, as well as to enjoy the impressive surroundings of the castle.

Castell de Bellver is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00 (or 18:00 between October and March), and Sundays from 10:00 to 15:00. Standard entry costs €4.

Mirador d’es Colomar

This viewing point in the Sierra Tramuntana is 300 metres above sea level and offers stunning views. Found in the north eastern corner of Mallorca, not far from Port de Pollensa, this is a great way to get a sense of the island’s rugged beauty.

Alfàbia Gardens

These gardens in the town of Bunyola incorporate an interesting combination of Islamic and Italian influences, with orange and lemon trees, tropical plants and grand fountains adding to the atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to visit for an afternoon stroll.

Alfàbia Gardens is open daily from March to October between 9:30 and 18:30, with shorter opening hours during March. Entry costs €7.50 per person.

Beaches in Mallorca

The immense coastline of this Balearic Island means there is no shortage of beach experiences to be had in Mallorca. In fact, there are more than 260 beaches to choose from across the whole island, 60 of which have Blue Flag status. Make your way to popular beaches and secluded bays, or spend the day at one of the island’s many beach clubs for extra special amenities.

North

The top tip of Mallorca is known for its long beaches offering a range of water sports. The popular centres of Alcudia and Pollensa both have wide sandy beaches, plentiful facilities and water sports ranging from kitesurfing to paddle boarding. Many people combine beach trips here with visits to S’Albufera nature reserve – wetlands covering more than 4,000 acres with 200 species of birds. Alternatively, make your way to Cala de Sa Calobra for a beach with a little rugged beauty, surrounded by dramatic cliffs.

South

For those who like plenty of facilities and family-friendly activities, Playa Gran is one of the best beaches in southern Mallorca, found in the resort town of Cala D’Or. There is also plenty of opportunity to get a little off-the-beaten-track in the south of the island, with beaches such as S’Amarador and Playa del Caragol located surrounded by trees and natural wonders.

East

This stretch of Mallorca’s coastline combines pretty coastal towns with nature reserves, meaning there is a beach to suit all tastes. Playa de Cala Millor, Playa de Sa Coma and Cala Agulla all have plenty of activities on offer, including beach volleyball, kayaking and windsurfing. Playa Romàntica is a smaller beach with more secluded spots to enjoy some quiet time.

West

The western coast of Mallorca is the island’s busiest area, thanks to the location of the capital city of Palma here. There is still an excellent choice of beaches, from Playa de Palma – a 6km stretch of beach by the city full of bars, restaurants, sun loungers and water sports. Those who like beach clubs can find the high-end Nassau Beach Club on Playa Ca’n Pere Antoni, while Playa de Santa Ponsa offers a relaxing beach experience, with a massage tent for an extra holiday treat.

Shopping in Mallorca

Palma

Whether it’s designer fashions or artisanal products, Mallorca’s capital city of Palma is one of the best places on the island to go shopping. Discover the world’s major fashion brands in the area around Avenida Jaime II and Paseo del Borne, or head to the old town for arts, crafts and locally made souvenirs.

Markets

Every village, town and locality in Mallorca has a market nearby – and visiting one is a great way to get a flavour of local life as well as to buy some original souvenirs. The largest market on the island is the Sunday market in Pollensa, open throughout the morning until early afternoon. Everything is sold here, from fruit and vegetables to hand-crafted products. The Sunday market at Santa Maria, the Tuesday market in Artà and the Thursday market at Inca are also firm favourites. Alcudia’s market is on Tuesday mornings, while Port de Pollensa’s market is on Wednesday mornings.

Places to eat and drink in Mallorca

Mallorca has hundreds of restaurants to choose from across the island, from coastal eateries serving the freshest seafood to quaint tapas bars offering local specialities. Most restaurants will serve delicious almonds and olives as bar snacks, since both are grown on the island. Speciality dishes of Mallorca include the cured sausage sobrassada and a meat version of paella known as arròs brut. Tea and coffee is popularly served with a sweet pastry known as ensaïmada.

You really can take your pick when it comes to eating experiences in Mallorca – here are some of the best.

Ecovinyassa

Known for its lush orange groves, Sóller is a locality in Mallorca many people want to visit for the beautiful surroundings. Take your experience a step further by visiting the Ecovinyassa orchard. Learn more about the oranges and lemons grown here and why Mallorca’s micro-climate produces some of the tastiest citrus fruit in the world. At the end, taste some freshly squeezed organic orange juice.

Ecovinyassa is open from February to October on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 to 14:00. Entry costs €12, which includes some fresh juice and a snack.

Jazz and food

For an evening of entertainment and culinary delights, make your way to one of Mallorca’s jazz clubs. The Jazz Voyeur Club is an institution on the island, found inside a 16th century mansion in Palma. Eat in one of the many quality local restaurants or tapas bars before taking in a performance by a live band.

The Jazz Voyeur Club is open Tuesday to Sunday, with performances starting from 22:00. The bar also runs a summertime jazz festival every year.

Michelin star restaurants

For those who like to indulge in the world’s best food, Mallorca has seven Michelin star restaurants to choose from, which can be found across the island. In Palma, try Adrián Quetglas and Restaurante Marc Fosh, or in Es Capdellà, dine at the island’s only two Michelin star restaurant, Zaranda. For a new twist on local recipes, try Restaurante Jardín in Alcudia, or Es Fum just along the coast from Palma in Costa d’en Blanes. In the pretty village of Deya, dine at Es Racó des Teix for Mallorcan and Mediterranean cuisine. Or in Capdepera, eat at Andreu Genestra restaurant while overlooking the castle.

Wine route

With an estimated 70 vineyards and bodegas in Mallorca, the island is becoming synonymous with wine. The interior region of Binissalem has become particularly well-known for wine, with a well-established wine route for wine aficionados to explore a number of bodegas and wines along the way.

Bodega tours by Mallorca Wine Tours run from Monday to Saturday and cost €45 per person.

Things to do in Mallorca for families

Water sports

Families with teenagers and older children can take advantage of a huge range of water sports on offer at many of Mallorca’s beaches. As well as all the usual water sports, it is also possible to try some more unusual pastimes. This includes FlyBoarding, where participants hover above the water and glide above the sea.

A FlyBoarding course and excursion costs from €65 per person with FlyBoard Mallorca.

Other water experiences

Since the weather in Mallorca in the summer is often pleasantly warm, children love nothing more than finding new ways to cool off. There are plenty of options on the island, including water parks such as Hidropark and Aqualand. For children who love sea life, Marineland is the place to go to see dolphins, while Palma Aquarium is the city spot to take in hundreds of marine species.

Artestruz

This ostrich farm in the south of the island makes for a fascinating day out for the whole family. Guides tell visitors all they need to know about the biggest bird in the world, with opportunities for feeding, playing and riding them too. Those who want to make a day of it can also pre-book an experience to barbecue a giant ostrich egg!

Artestruz is open between April and October from Monday to Saturday, with tours starting at 11:00 and 12:30. Entry costs €12 for adults and €7 for children.

ESA Soccer Academy

This soccer school in Alcudia is ideal for keeping children fit and energised while on holiday. The academy offers coaching and fun sessions to children aged between five and 16 years old by FA and UEFA qualified coaches.

ESA Soccer Academy is open between June and August, from Monday to Friday. Daily sessions last two hours and a place on a two day academy costs £41 per child.