This list of the best places to see in Mallorca will help you not to miss anything on this magical island that brings together everything a traveller can dream of on a natural level as well as an incredible mix that combines an endless leisure offer with more cultural visits.
Mallorca, the largest island of the Balearic Islands, is not only a summer destination where you can enjoy beaches with crystal clear waters and a lively nightlife, but it is also synonymous with a great cultural and historical heritage, old and charming fishing villages, stunning natural landscapes and a gastronomy based on seafood and fresh fish, which delights any palate without forgetting of course other gems such as ensaimada and sobrasada, which have made this island a paradise for any lover of gastronomy.
Although a visit to the island is also recommendable with fewer days, the best way to get to know all its tourist attractions is to make a route of at least 7 days by car, as this will allow you the freedom to stop in villages and viewpoints that are not reached by public transport or not very often.
Although it is a large island, almost all points of interest are located within an hour's drive of the capital, so you can base yourself in Palma or Alcudia and get to know the island in short day trips if you don't want to do a circular route.
One of the best tips for travelling in Mallorca is between May and October, when you have more daylight hours and the temperature is pleasant, although it is important to bear in mind that in high season (July and August) accommodation prices get very expensive and the island becomes overcrowded.
Based on the experience of our 7-day tour of Mallorca, we have compiled this list of what we think are the 17 must-see places in Mallorca. Let's get started!
1. Palma de Mallorca
Getting lost in the narrow streets of the historic centre of Palma and discovering the beautiful interior courtyards of the old stately homes is, without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Mallorca.
In addition to the oldest part of the city, where the impressive Gothic cathedral stands out, the capital boasts castles, royal palaces, ports, beaches to relax on and patisseries where you can buy and taste the famous ensaimada, such as Ca'n Joan de s'Aigo.
The city also has a wide range of leisure activities that make it impossible to get bored both during the day, with water activities and boat trips, and at night with several discos and pubs located around the Paseo Marítimo where you can have a drink after dinner in a restaurant such as Ombú, Naan Street Food, Arume or Sa Fulla, which are some of our favourite restaurants to eat in Palma.
Although we believe that one day is enough to get to know all its attractions, we recommend you spend an extra day to enjoy it at your leisure and complete this list of places to see in Palma de Mallorca.
Palma de Mallorca2. Valldemossa, one of the places to see in Mallorca
Valldemossa, located in the Tramuntana mountain range, in a valley surrounded by mountains, is one of the most beautiful villages to visit in Mallorca.
Strolling through its cobbled streets will take you back to medieval times while you visit some of its must-see sites such as the Royal Charterhouse, the King Juan Carlos Gardens and the Palace of King Sancho. Don't forget to visit the Frédéric Chopin Museum, where the composer Frédéric Chopin and his great love, the French writer George Sand, spent a winter, as well as the birthplace of Saint Catherine Thomas, the most beloved saint of the Mallorcans.
After discovering all its charming corners, we recommend you try the delicious dishes at the Es Taller restaurant and take the winding road to the charming port of Valldemossa. We assure you that you will not regret it.
For more information you can read this list of places to see in Valldemossa and this one about the best restaurants to eat in Valldemossa.
Valldemossa3. Coves del Drach
The Coves del Drach, four large caves located near the town of Porto Cristo, is another of the most spectacular and popular places to visit in Mallorca.
Formed by the erosion of rainwater over millions of years and connected to each other, these caves are home to Lake Martel, one of the largest underground lakes in the world, where classical music concerts are held every day.
You can also take a tour of the interior, viewing stalactites and stalagmites, which lasts about an hour and ends with a 10-minute concert, and if you like, a boat trip on the lake.
If you don't have a car, a convenient way to visit them is to book this half-day excursion from Palma or this one in which you will also visit Porto Cristo, with entrance tickets and pick-up from your hotel included.
A few kilometres away from this cave are two other points of interest on the island: the Hams Caves and the Serral dels Falcons Tower, a defence tower built in 1577 that was used to watch out for pirate ships.
If you like caving, we also recommend a visit to the Coves d'Artà, which have one of the largest stalagmites in Europe and are located half an hour's drive from the Coves del Drach.
Coves del Drach4. Caló des Moro
Located in the southeast of Mallorca and hidden among the cliffs is Calo des Moró, the most famous beach to see in Mallorca.
This 40-metre long unspoilt beach, surrounded by two steep cliffs, is surprising for its calm turquoise waters and for being full of people during the summer months. It also has a very limited sandy area and the access is quite complicated as you have to walk for half an hour from the car park and then go down some stairs that are not suitable for people who suffer from vertigo.
After a swim in its waters we recommend a 10-minute walk to the beautiful Cala s'Almunia, a jetty carved by the sea forming a rocky cove and another cove with a little sand, perfect for snorkelling in its crystal-clear waters. If you prefer a beach with a car park just a few metres from the sand, we recommend you go to Cala Llombards, located very close to Caló des Moro.
Caló des Moro5. Pollença
Pollença, located in the northeast of the island and with a beautiful old town, is one of the prettiest villages to visit in Mallorca.
One of the best things to do in this village is to wander through its steep streets full of cafés, patisseries (where they sell the typical ensaimadas, such as the popular Ca'n Xim), craft shops and charming corners, until you find the impressive Plaza Mayor, which has a 17th century church and is the place where one of the best markets on the island is held every Sunday.
Another must is to climb the 365 steps to reach El Calvari, from where you can enjoy fantastic panoramic views of the surrounding area, and visit the old Roman Bridge to remember its past.
After this more cultural visit, you can go to Puerto de Pollença to take a refreshing dip in its extensive beach and have lunch in one of its beach bars or restaurants.
For more information you can consult this list of places to see in Pollensa and this list of the best restaurants to eat in Pollensa.
Pollença6. Hiking in the Serra de Tramuntana, one of the things to do in Mallorca
Hiking in the Serra de Tramuntana, a long, narrow mountain range of almost 90 kilometres, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is another of the must-do things to do in Mallorca.
Dotted with pretty villages and stone houses, hidden coves between imposing cliffs, terraced crops and peaks over 1,000 metres high, this mountain range will leave you speechless in the face of so much natural and cultural beauty.
Bear in mind that in the area you can find several itineraries, some of them of little difficulty such as the path from Esporles to the Ermita de Maristella and others more demanding such as the ascent to Puig des Teix and the famous Ruta de Piedra of 280 kilometres that is done in 8 stages.
If you don't want to go hiking, a good option to get to know this mountain range is to take a route by car from Andratx passing by the viewpoint located in San Telmo with views of the island of Sa Dragonera (which owes its name to the numerous lizards that inhabit it), and stopping at the villages and viewpoints on the north coast such as the Torre del Verger and the village of Bañalfugar. If you have more time, you can reach the Torrent de Pareis with its famous Calobra cove, and the Faro de Formentor lighthouse, which we will talk about in other places.
Tower of Verger7. Alcúdia
Alcúdia, located in the northeast of the island and the former capital of Mallorca, is another of our favourite towns on the island. It is well worth spending a morning exploring the cobbled streets of the historic centre, which will take you back to a bygone era, and visiting its main points of interest such as the wall surrounding the town, the church of Sant Jaume and the Plaza de la Constitución, among others.
After the visit you can go to the port of Alcúdia and the beautiful beach of Muro, which forms part of S'Albufera, a natural park with areas of sand dunes and pine trees.
In this beach area you will find some of the most recommended restaurants where to eat in Mallorca, such as La Ponderosa or Figueret, one of our favourites in Mallorca, whose menu includes cod au gratin with sobrasada and honey, which is its star dish.
Although any time is a good time to visit this Mallorcan town, remember that on Tuesdays and Sundays there is a busy market.
For more information you can consult this post on places to see in Alcúdia and this one on the best restaurants to eat in Alcúdia.
Alcudia8. Deià
Deià, perched on a mountain in the Serra de Tramuntana and overlooking the Mediterranean, is one of the most charming villages to see in Mallorca.
Picturesque and charming, this village is perfect for enjoying the peace and quiet after a few days on the beach and some frenetic nights on the island, strolling around its natural surroundings and sitting on one of the terraces in the old part of the village, where you can just watch life go by.
For more information you can consult this list of places to see in Deià.
Deià, one of the towns to see in Mallorca9. Cap de Formentor
Some of the most spectacular landscapes in Mallorca are to be found at the Cap de Formentor, located at the end of a 20-kilometre-long peninsula.
At this point, where the winds and waves crash violently against the rocks, you will see cliffs over 300 metres high and one of the best sunsets on the island. Moreover, along the route along its winding road, you will come across fantastic viewpoints such as the Mirador d'es Colomer and the Talaia d'albercutx, until you reach the Faro de Formentor, its most iconic point.
Another of the best things to do in Mallorca and in this area is to swim in the Calas Figuera and Formentor, two virgin beaches of white sand and crystal-clear waters that are the perfect complement to the sight of this emblematic lighthouse.
Lighthouse of Formentor10. Es Trenc
If your trip is with the family or if you want to enjoy a beach with turquoise waters without having to walk several kilometres, we recommend you visit Es Trenc, another of our favourite beaches to visit in Mallorca, which we assure you will not leave you indifferent.
Located in Las Salinas and with almost 2 kilometres of white sand, before arriving at the large car park of Es Trenc you will pass by its salt mines from which its famous salt is extracted, which you can buy in several shops on the island and where you can make a stop.
Once on the beach, we can assure you that one of the first things you will notice will be the colour of the water, which is reminiscent of the Caribbean, and which has some services, such as a restaurant where you can eat after several swims and sunbathing sessions.
Es Trenc11. Fornalutx
Located among the most beautiful villages in Spain, in the valley of Sóller, in the heart of the Sierra de Tramontana, Fornalutx stands out for its network of streets decorated with flowers and its old stone houses.
After a stroll through its most picturesque streets, such as Carrer del Metge Mayol, Carrer de l'Esglesia and Carrer de Sant Sebastià, you can end your visit in the Plaça de España with a drink or a meal on one of its terraces.
If you read that Formalutx is nothing but stone houses, it is true. We are not going to deceive you. But that's what makes Fornalutx incredible: how a village and a group of houses can be so beautiful that it has become one of the most attractive places on the island.
For more information you can consult this post about the places to see in Fornalutx.
Fornalutx12. Capdepera Castle
Capdepera Castle, a walled fortress built in the 14th century at the top of Puig de Capdepera (159 metres high), is another of the places to visit in Mallorca.
In addition to guarding maritime traffic in the Menorca Channel, this castle, declared a site of Cultural Interest, played a fundamental role in the surrender of the Muslims who controlled Mallorca.
After leaving the car in the upper part of the municipality of CapdePera and going up some steep streets, you will arrive in just a few minutes at the castle entrance (3 euros), which gives access to the grounds where you can see the governor's house, a church and different archaeological remains, although the best thing to do is to walk along the walls and enjoy the views of the town and the surrounding area.
On the way to Capdepera you can stop in Artà, a pretty traditional Mallorcan village where tourism has not had a great impact and where you can enjoy a relaxing stroll.
Capdepera Castle13. Pareis Torrent
Another of the best things to do in Mallorca is to travel the 14 kilometres and overcome the 800 metres of unevenness of the winding Sa Calobra road that will take you to the Torrent de Pareis, a canyon more than 3 kilometres long.
Once you arrive at the Port of Sa Calobra car park, you must follow a path of just over a kilometre that passes through tunnels carved into the rock with windows to the sea until you reach the famous Sa Calobra cove, a small pebble beach with turquoise waters.
If you don't have a car you can get there by bus or boat (our favourite option) from Puerto de Sóller, and the more adventurous can complete the demanding 4-hour hiking route that starts in the village of Escorca and ends at this cove.
Sa Calobra14. Sa Foradada
In addition to the Faro de Formentor lighthouse, our favourite place in Mallorca to watch the sunset is Sa Foradada, a peninsula in the Sierra de Tramontana mountain range that surprises us with its enormous hole in the rocks.
To get to the end of the peninsula, you must follow an easy path of less than 3 kilometres from the Sa Foradada car park that will take you to a restaurant, a jetty and the Sa Foradada rock.
In our case, as this path was closed due to landslides and to avoid overcrowding, we opted to watch the sunset from the Sa Foradada viewpoint, which offers a unique perspective and also has a restaurant for a drink and tables, where it is best to arrive or book in advance if you want to sit in the front row and enjoy one of the most beautiful things to do in Mallorca.
Sa Foradada, one of the places to see in Mallorca15. Sóller
Sóller, famous for its surroundings dotted with orange groves, is one of the most beautiful inland villages to see in Mallorca.
In addition to observing the beautiful valley of orange trees, we recommend that you stroll through the narrow streets of the centre, where palaces and stately homes such as the Posada de Can Prohom and Can Prunera are mixed together, until you reach the Plaza de la Constitución, its nerve centre with the Church of Sant Bartomeu as the main protagonist. After having a drink on one of the terraces in the square, you can take an old electric tram that will take you to the picturesque Port of Sóller, where you can eat good fresh fish in one of its restaurants.
After lunch, we recommend a visit to the Torre Picada, which has excellent panoramic views of the Mallorcan coast and the Mediterranean Sea, and to the Ses Barques viewpoint, which has the best view of the port.
The most romantic way to reach this village is to board the 100-year-old wooden train that leaves from Palma, crossing the breathtaking scenery of the Tramuntana mountain range, and which is one of the most highly rated excursions on the island.
For more information you can read this post about places to see in Sóller and this list of favourite restaurants to eat in Sóller.
Port of Soller16. Other beaches to see in Mallorca
Another of Mallorca's great attractions is the large number of fantastic beaches of white sand and crystal clear turquoise waters, which have nothing to envy to those found in the Caribbean.
In addition to their beauty, one of the best features is that there is a wide variety of options, allowing you to choose between family beaches with all the services, small coves hidden between cliffs, rocky bays perfect for snorkelling or others where you can enjoy a fantastic sunset accompanied by a cold beer.
Although the options are endless, some of the best beaches and coves in Mallorca include Cala Pi, Cala Mondragó, Cala Mitjana (another of our favourites), Cala Agulla, Cala Torta, Cala Mesquida and Cala Varques.
Remember that although the season on the island is relatively long, one of the disadvantages of travelling in summer is that the most famous beaches fill up and it is difficult to find parking if you don't arrive early or if you have a motorbike, so as we mentioned earlier, it is very interesting to travel outside these months if you want to enjoy these places with a bit of peace and quiet.
Cala Mitjana17. Cabrera
To finish off this list of must-see places in Mallorca, we suggest a day trip to the Cabrera Archipelago, made up of 18 islets and located 15 kilometres south of the island.
This island, which owes its name to the mountain goats that inhabited it long ago, was a prison for French soldiers captured during the War of Independence in 1808. Today it has become a paradise of crystal-clear waters and a wild natural environment, where you can feel like Robinson Crusoe for a day.
To get to the island you should take a boat from Colonia de Sant Jordi, which takes about half an hour. Once on Cabrera, you can take a hiking route that passes by its main points of interest, such as the Faro de n'Ensiola lighthouse, the Blue Cave or the Castle of Cabrera, not forgetting the beaches of s'Empalmador and Sa Platgeta.
Cabrera
If you have more time you can complete these lists of must-see places in the other Balearic Islands:
16 must-see places to see in Menorca
16 must-see places to visit in Ibiza
12 essential places to see in Formentera
Where to sleep in Mallorca
Finding Your Ideal Stay in Palma de Mallorca: A Home for Every Traveler
Palma de Mallorca, the captivating capital of the Balearic Islands, beckons travelers from all around the world with its picturesque landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. With a diverse range of accommodation options, there is something for everyone in each of the Mallorca hotels. Whether you seek a luxurious beachfront escape, a cozy apartment in the heart of the city, or anything in between, Palma de Mallorca has it all.
Casa En Centro Apartment: A Cozy Haven in the Heart of Palma
If you prefer a more intimate and authentic experience, consider staying at Casa En Centro Apartment Palma de Mallorca. Nestled in the heart of the city, this cozy apartment offers a home-away-from-home ambiance, allowing you to immerse yourself in the local lifestyle. Enjoy easy access to the city's cultural attractions, vibrant markets, and charming streets, all while relishing the comforts of your own private space.
Casa En Centro Apartment provides a delightful option for solo travelers, couples, or small groups seeking a personalized and flexible stay. Discover this charming accommodation option and make your Palma de Mallorca adventure truly special.
Read Also:
One of the best places to stay in Majorca, if you are not doing a circular route, is Palma, as it has a wide range of hotels and restaurants, as well as enough tourist attractions that you can combine with other visits in Majorca.
Last time, we stayed at the hotel Apuntadores 8, located in the centre of the city and close to the Cathedral. In addition to the magnificent location, the hotel has a terrace with good views of the Cathedral and the city centre.
Other hotels with an excellent quality/price ratio and location are the HM Jaime III, located next to the bus line 1 that takes you to the airport, and the Hostal Regina, if you don't want to spend so much.
If you prefer a beachfront hotel with a swimming pool, you can opt for the Grupotel Los Principes & Spa or the Hotel Condesa, located in Playa de Muro, near Alcúdia.
How to get to Mallorca
The easiest way to get to Mallorca is to take a direct flight to Palma de Mallorca airport, which has good connections with the main cities in Spain, and once you land, hire a car to explore the island at your own pace.
Another good option is to book the ferry that leaves from Barcelona or Valencia, with the advantage of being able to take your own car and so be free to explore all the places to see in Majorca that we suggest in this post.
