Luxury Mallorca Holidays

The island of Mallorca (also known as Majorca), is the largest of the Balearic Islands grouped in the Mediterranean Sea. Visitors can wander through Palma's gothic quarter and wonder at its cathedral. Laze on golden sandy beaches or delight in the Tramuntana Mountains. Luxuriate in charming manor houses or relax in a sophisticated boutique hotel. For romance or fun, action packed or lazy days, there's something to suit everyone in Mallorca

The Balearic Islands of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera comprise an archipelago to the east of the Spanish mainland with Mallorca the largest, the most popular, and the best known of these delightful islands. Mallorca is often likened to a continent rather than simply an island due to its variety in culture, history and natural landscapes and it is not surprising that the sheer beauty of the island captivates everyone who visits it. No other European island boasts more contrasting terrain from the fertile plains of the centre to the almost alpine peaks of the Tramuntana Mountains in the northwest and across to the gentle hills of the Levante to the east.

The island's 500km of coastline offers a succession of lovely coves, beautiful sandy beaches and secluded bays with some extraordinary caves to explore: notably the Coves del Drac near Porto Cristo. And together with a mild climate and a rich cultural history, it really does provide a delightful holiday destination.

Mallorca’s idyllic appeal lies also in its charm as a living, working island: the cereal and fruit crops of the central plains and the vineyards around Binissalem are vital to the island’s economy. Due to their geographic location at a crossroads in the Mediterranean, the islands were constantly plundered and colonised by Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Moors and Turks. And in the 13th century, Catalan settlers brought their language, a dialect (Mallorqi) which today is spoken throughout Mallorca. Spanish (Castilian) is spoken universally, especially in business, and English and German are widely understood. All the islands, and Mallorca especially, justifiably claim to cater for all tastes from fun and sun-seeking holidaymakers, walkers, cyclists, painters and photographers to jetsetters and film stars wishing for anonymity in discreet, yet exceptionally luxurious, mountain hideaways.

The Best of Mallorca

There’s a sharp contrast to the lively and sparkling bay of Palma with its multitude of hotels and dazzling nightlife, to the alternative Mallorca that is hiding from the main tourist spots and is composed of captivating little villages mainly untouched by the passage of time. These villages are sometimes found weaving their way up mountain sides, or perched right on the top in the case of the most famous and beautiful of them all, Deya. Quaint village beauty is added to by multitudes of trees including ancient olive groves, fragrant almond orchards, refreshing pine forests and ancient oak groves.

When to go to Mallorca?

With numerous direct daily flights from all over the UK and a flying time of just over two hours, Mallorca is perfect for short breaks and weekend trips as well as longer holidays. Mallorca enjoys a temperate Mediterranean climate in high summer with high maximum temperatures lowered slightly and made very pleasant by the cooling influences of the sea. It is warm and sunny from March to November, and only a bit cooler from December to February.

Mallorca (or Majorca) has something to suit all tastes: from designer shopping in Palma to haggling for leather souvenirs at the Inca market, from water parks to theme parks, from sailing trips to cruises and exclusive restaurants to tapas bars and evening entertainment shows. There is an abundance of things to do in Mallorca to suit everyone.

Tramuntana Mountains

For nature lovers, the Tramuntana Mountains which dominate the northern coast of the island provide excellent walking for ramblers and hikers although we recommend walkers to invest in large scale walking maps and stout boots!

The highest peak is Puig Major (1,445m) and although part of this is used by the military and closed to visitors, the steep sloped areas that are open to the public are covered with sweet wild rosemary and are home to goats, sheep and wild birds.

The Parc Natural de S’Albufera just south of Port d’Alcudia is a wetland area occupying the shores of Lake Grande. Marked trails provide ample opportunity to observe more than 200 bird species including heron, osprey and falcon.

Ses Salines is a modest little town close to the large salt lakes and marshes of Salines de Llevant. The many cycling and walking paths through the marshland provide a paradise for bird-watchers with spotted crane, marsh harrier, kestrel, warbler and hoopoe as well as visits by plover, avocet, tattler, godwit and osprey during the migration season.

Park Natural Mondrago is a relatively small but unspoilt area with well-marked routes through the pine forests along the rugged coastline to the small sandy coves at Mondrago, S’Amarador and Calo des Burgit.

Amaze'n Laberintos

The maze at Playa de Muro is one of the largest in Europe, stretching for nearly 1.4km on the beach beneath the pines of Playa de Muro. A great idea for family things to do in Majorca with its, water dragons, monsters, witches, clowns and magicians lurk around hidden corners. There are baffling puzzles and riddles to help or hinder your progress. Open daily.

Arta Caves

A fascinating network of caverns, the Arta Caves, on Mallorcas east coast at Cap Vermell, are nearly 50 metres above the sea. The cave chambers rejoice in names such as Hell, Purgatory and Paradise. The 22m tall stalagmite known as Queen of the Pillars is the highlight. Open daily it is a great attraction to visit when looking for things to do in Majorca.

Palma Aquarium

Exhibiting an exceptional variety of flora and fauna of the Mediterranean Sea, Palma Aquarium boasts a very large array of species; including fish from the Australian coral reef and sharks amongst the 55 different aquariums. The aquarium is another great attraction for adults and children alike when looking for alternative things to do in Mallorca, away from the beach. The aquarium is open daily.

Palma de Mallorca International Boat Show

A floating exhibition displaying more than 300 boats ranging from 6m to 35m in length, the International Boat Show is hosted in the Moll Vell port area of Palma during the last few days of April and first few of days of May. The show focuses on recreational sailing and the best of sailing as a sport.

Inca Market

Held on a Thursday, Incs weekly market is one of the best ways to get a feel for the real Mallorca. Although holidaymakers do visit in large numbers, the vast majority of customers are Mallorcans keen to track down a bargain as almost everything is sold there. The leatherwork is particularly good and high quality handbags, sandals and baskets are available. It is a great place for shopping and gifts on Mallorca holidays.

Caves del Drac

Situated in Porto Cristo on the east coast, the stunning limestone caves of Caves del Drac is one of the island’s top attractions and some of the most remarkable on Mallorca. A 1.2km well laid path takes visitors through the beautiful and magically lit chambers adorned with spectacular formations, stalagmites and stalactites and on to one of the world’s largest subterranean lakes, Lake Martel, where a brief boat ride is accompanied by a classical music recital. Open daily.

Joan Miró Museum

The Catalan painter and sculptor Joan Miró settled in Mallorca in the 1950s and his purpose built studio and extended house in Cala Major is a wonderful art gallery and museum showcasing a collection of more than 100 paintings and drawings, an array of sculptures, as well as the studio, left untouched since his death, with a number of unfinished canvasses on display.

Scenic train ride

An immaculately kept vintage electric train, the Red Arrow, runs on a narrow gauge railway between Palma and the rural town of Soller and provides a fabulously scenic journey through Mallorca’s beautiful countryside, along the way crossing numerous bridges and passing through an impressive thirteen tunnels, the longest of which is 2.9km long. From Soller the train connects with the Orange Express vintage tram for the 5km journey to Puerto de Soller, a bustling seaside resort on the west coast.

Beaches

There is a wealth of beaches, bays and coves around Mallorca’s coastline ranging from wide sandy stretches with a host of amenities to rugged and off the beaten track coves reached by boat or a long walk, with around 40 beaches boasting blue flag status. The resorts of Puerto de Alcudia, Playa de Muro and Puerto Pollensa offer long, fine sand stretches with an array of watersports facilities, bars and restaurants, Santa Ponca and Cala Millor are especially good for families and for those in search of something a bit more secluded there’s Cala Portals Vells and charming Cala Deya. Hidden and deserted coves include Cala Varques and Cala Tuent both reached by a 15-30 minute walk, Cala Mondrago and Es Maquer are some of the best natural beaches, whilst Es Trenc is considered by many the greatest beach on the island.

Golf in Mallorca

Mallorca boasts nineteen golf courses and the fine year round climate of good sunshine and low rainfall makes this, the largest of the Balearic Islands, an enjoyable destination for golfers. Distance is never an issue as our featured hotels are never more than an hour’s drive away and some are located right beside their own courses. You can, of course, stay at any of our featured hotels to play golf, but we highly recommend four particular hotels, namely, Castillo Hotel Son Vida, The St Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort, Bendinat and Mon Port Hotel & Spa.

Mallorca Sports

On an island surrounded by the sea the top sport has to be sailing, with some sailing to Mallorca in their own yacht, or hire one there to go dinghy sailing, whilst others join an organised boat trip.

Courses are run in sailing, scuba diving, canoeing, swimming and water-skiing in many different parts of the island. Cycling has become increasingly popular on the island and aided by the good weather, cyclists pedal up or down the sometimes gentle, sometimes steep mountain slopes, or there are meandering coastal cycle paths for those wanting something more leisurely with cycle hire available in many resorts.

The more adventurous might prefer to go paragliding, gliding or take a hot-air balloon trip and those keen on horse-riding can choose from more than a dozen clubs, plus there is tennis, indoor football, volleyball, petanque, go-karting, hiking, climbing or fishing to be enjoyed.

Dining Out

Traditional-style cellar restaurants for Mallorcan classics, tapas bars in Palma’s La Llotja area serving Pimiento de Padron and tidbits of octopus and jambon, the fantastic Michelin star restaurants, and excellent fresh fish island-wide; in Mallorca, even the most discerning palate is spoilt for culinary choice.

Mallorcans eat late... very late! Lunch starts no earlier than one and you will often find that locals are only finishing at four. Ten in the evening is early for dinner and in the height of summer don’t be surprised if local diners are ordering their starters after midnight. Restaurants are aware that not all nationalities enjoy such nocturnal dining arrangements and do accommodate earlier dining.

Mallorca has a wide variety of restaurants from the basic rustic style offering rural cooking to Michelin star-rated establishments where celebrity chefs are enjoying a break from mainland European eateries. Some of the island’s best restaurants can be found within the island’s own hotels and charming rural hideaways.

Cuina Mallorquina

Traditional Balearic food has much in common with Catalan cuisine, with interesting combinations of sweet and savoury. Cuina Mallorquina derives from simple country fare, cooked in olive oil with whatever ingredients happen to be in season.

Pa amb oli is served everywhere on Malllorca. It is quite simply toasted bread, rubbed with garlic, lubricated with olive oil and sprinkled with salt. To refine the dish further you can always rub in a fresh tomato or two.

Pork is a mainstay of the Mallorcan diet, although hearty soups, casseroles and spiced meats abound. Mallorca is the home of the sobrasada - a spiced sausage made from the meat of the local black pig. Jamon Serrano and jamon iberico are delicious cured hams. Pork is also served with cabbage and raisins or rice.

A dearth of cattle means that beef is rarely seen on restaurant menus; both chicken and rabbit are more common in a variety of guises, including rabbit with snails, something of a delicacy on the island. Fish and seafood can be found in restaurants on the island, but the waters around Mallorca cannot cope with the demand, so much of this is imported from the mainland ports.

There are some wonderful sweet pastries and almond and honey desserts, all of which are a reminder of the island’s Moorish past. Rich, dark, fig cake is particularly popular. Pastry shops are a must and you simply have to try the sweetest of confections, the Balearic’s gastronomic pride and joy, ensaimadas, spiralled flaky pastries, dusted with sugar which are delicious for breakfast, especially when dipped in coffee!

The Balearic Islands produce a small number of wines with the main centre of production close to the village of Binissalem, which lies inland close to Inca, where mainly light white and rosé wines are produced. Several Mallorcan reds are available but all are best drunk young.

A large selection of herb and other liqueurs are worth trying including horchata de chufa – a milky drink made from ground almonds and produced in the Bunyola area, and palo, made from herbs, carobs and crushed almond shells.