Visit Mallorca: The Best Things to Do on Spain’s Balearic Island

Lace up your boots for Mallorca's UNESCO World Heritage mountain range. The Serra de Tramuntana offers trails for every level, from gentle valley strolls to challenging ridge walks, winding past ancient olive groves, stone watchtowers, and dramatic cliffs plunging into turquoise sea.

Mallorca's coastline is a string of golden sands and hidden coves. Spread out on the long, shallow beaches of Es Trenc and Playa de Muro, swim in the sheltered turquoise calas around Cala d'Or, or hop on a boat to reach quiet bays only accessible from the sea.

Descend into the Caves of Drach, one of Europe's largest cave systems, where an underground lake hosts live classical concerts. Then drive the hairpin road to Cap de Formentor for dizzying clifftop views, or explore the wild beauty of the island's northern and eastern coastlines.

Wander the old town of Palma de Mallorca, crowned by the soaring Gothic cathedral of La Seu and the hilltop Bellver Castle. Explore Arab baths, atmospheric courtyards, and lively markets, then discover the artistic heritage of mountain villages like Valldemossa and Deià.

Taste your way around the island with Mallorcan classics such as sobrassada, ensaïmadas, and fresh seafood. Sip local wines in the vineyards of Binissalem, browse the produce markets of Palma and Sóller, and end the day with sunset drinks at a seaside chiringuito.

The island's vibrant capital is built around the magnificent La Seu cathedral and a maze of old town streets, courtyards, and tapas bars. With the most hotels, restaurants, and transport links on the island, Palma is the ideal base for first-time visitors who want city life within easy reach of the beach.

Tucked into a citrus-filled valley on the northwest coast and ringed by the Tramuntana mountains, Sóller is linked to its pretty port by a historic wooden tram. It's a scenic, relaxed base famous for the vintage train from Palma, orange groves, and easy access to mountain hiking.

These twin mountain villages are the romantic heart of the Tramuntana. Valldemossa charms with cobbled lanes and the Carthusian monastery where Chopin once wintered, while nearby Deià has long drawn artists and writers with its honey-stone houses and sweeping sea views.

In the green north of the island, Pollença pairs a charming old town with a calm, sandy bay at its port. It feels lived-in rather than resort-heavy and is a favourite base for cyclists and hikers, with some of Mallorca's best mountain and coastal routes on the doorstep.

A favourite with families, Alcúdia combines a beautifully preserved medieval walled town with the long golden sands of Playa de Muro and Playa de Alcúdia. Its resort-friendly port, shallow waters, and easy access to the north make it one of the island's most convenient beach bases.

On the sunny southeast coast, Cala d'Or — "Golden Bay" — is a relaxed resort town built around a cluster of pretty coves and a smart marina. Whitewashed buildings, calm swimming spots, and a laid-back holiday feel make it a popular choice for couples and families alike.

We recommend: Mallorca Highlights

We recommend: Mountains & Villages

We recommend: Coastal Escape

We recommend: East & North Mallorca

We recommend: Palma City Break

On the east coast, descend into the spectacular Caves of Drach, where stalactite-filled chambers surround a vast underground lake with live classical music. Combine it with a stroll around the charming harbour town of Porto Cristo.

Drive to Mallorca's wild northern tip, where hairpin bends lead to clifftop viewpoints and a historic lighthouse above turquoise waters. Pair it with the laid-back old town and sandy bay of Pollença.

Ride the vintage train from Palma to Sóller through orange groves and mountain tunnels, then hop on the historic tram down to the port. A perfect introduction to the Serra de Tramuntana's scenery.

Spend a day among the most beautiful villages in the mountains. Visit Valldemossa's Carthusian monastery and Chopin's cells, then wind along the coast to the artists' haven of Deià for lunch with a sea view.

Escape to the Caribbean-like sands of Es Trenc, one of Mallorca's last undeveloped beaches, backed by dunes and salt flats. The south coast is dotted with shallow, family-friendly bays and quiet coves.

Take a boat trip from the south of the island to the Cabrera Archipelago Maritime-Terrestrial National Park, a protected haven of crystal-clear waters, sea caves, and rich marine life — ideal for snorkelling and nature lovers.