Discover 33 Delightful Things to Do in Mallorca, Spain

Are you planning a trip to Mallorca?

Many travel articles lament that some resort areas of Mallorca (namely Magaluf on the southwest coast) are overbuilt and overrun with hordes of sunburned tourists, interested only in party beaches, booze and wild nightclubs.

As we weren’t interested in these types of Mallorca tourist attractions and activities, we never saw that side of the island.

On the contrary, we discovered there are many wonderful things to do in Mallorca!

Best things to do in Mallorca

If you’re looking for what to do in Mallorca, you’ve come to the right place!

We’ve visited Mallorca twice now (most recently for three weeks). Both times, we were completely taken by this beautiful island – from hiking the oh-so-picturesque countryside and swimming at ravishing beach coves to touring manor houses oozing with history.

As for accommodations in Mallorca, we found the fincas especially enchanting.

On both of our trips, we were determined to find the best places in Mallorca to visit – and to experience the best of Mallorca!

On our most recent visit, we kicked off our trip in the beach town of Puerto Pollensa and finished up in Palma, after exploring the island’s west, north and east coasts.

Spelling and location of Majorca

First, before we cover what to do and places to see in Mallorca, let’s clear up any confusion over the island’s spelling.

You might have seen the word “Mallorca” (Spanish spelling) spelled “Majorca” (English spelling). We mix it up and use both spellings here.

You may also want to know: Where is Mallorca?

The largest island in Spain’s Balearic Islands, Mallorca is set in the Mediterranean, almost due south of Barcelona. (The other Balearic Islands in Europe are Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.)

Okay, ready now to discover what to do in Majorca?

We’re delighted to share all the following must-do Mallorca experiences with you!

1) Get lost in the narrow streets of Palma

You’ll likely fly into Palma de Mallorca – and you’ll want to spend at least a couple of days here at the beginning or end of your Mallorca visit.

The historic Old Town is an enchanting rabbit warren of cobbled streets, lined with shops (ahh, the shoe stores!), cafés and bistros.

You may get lost. But that’s part of the fun of exploring, right?

And you can always ask a store owner or other local for help to orient yourself if you’re hopelessly confused.

Pssst! For a super fun way to explore the Old Town of Palma de Mallorca (where you won’t get lost!), join a guided half-day e-bicycle tour.

2) Ogle the Palma de Mallorca cathedral

Apart from shopping and eating, one of the best things to do in Palma de Mallorca is to visit its fabled Gothic cathedral.

The Palma cathedral (known as La Seu) is the most-visited of all Palma de Mallorca attractions.

Perched overlooking the seaside, it’s truly a stunning landmark. (Unlike most other Catholic churches, there’s a fee to enter and see it – get your skip-the-line tickets here.)

We were struck by the enormity of the pillars holding up its vaulted ceilings and the beauty of a large rose window (one of the world’s largest stained glass windows).

The cathedral isn’t all medieval though.

A huge, quirky crown of thorns above the altar was sculpted by the quixotic architect Antoni Gaudi.

It has you scratching your head over whether its eclectic style (frankly, it looks a bit like papier mache) clashes with or enhances the traditional cathedral design elements.

Knowing Gaudi, that’s probably what he intended.

3) Admire the Royal Palace of La Almudaina

When sightseeing in Palma de Mallorca, the Royal Palace of La Almudaina is very much worth visiting too. It’s opposite the cathedral, so it’s easy to do.

While the site dates back to Roman days, the current palace was rebuilt in the 14th century. (Almudaina means “fortress” or “citadel” in Arabic.)

The Spanish royal family still celebrates official functions in the palace when they visit.

Inside, many original 16th century Flemish tapestries hang on the walls, and some ceilings are ornately painted in traditional Mallorcan black-and-red colors.

You can really soak up its long and rich history, as many of the palace’s vast rooms exhibit furniture and treasures from different past eras.

Peek out the windows too. Yes, the architecture and furnishings are impressive. But so are the gorgeous views you get over the Bay of Palma, dotted with luxury ships and yachts.

(By the way, you too can enjoy sailing from Palma de Mallorca. On this half-day sailboat cruise, you can swim, snorkel, try stand-up paddleboarding, sip bubbly and nibble on Majorcan tapas.)

4) Visit the Joan Miro Museum

The surrealist artist Joan Miro married Pilar Juncosa, a Mallorcan, in Palma in 1929 and later settled down with her in Palma de Mallorca.

Miro’s workshop and light-filled studio are now the Miro Mallorca Fundacio. And it’s also a top contender on the list of what to see in Mallorca.

Set atop a hill overlooking gardens and the sea, this museum houses more than 6,000 pieces of Miro’s art work. You can see unfinished paintings, as well as sculptures and graphics.

The displays are set out in a way that looks as if Miro just put his paintbrush down and wandered off for lunch.

For art aficionados, visiting this museum is a must-do in Mallorca.

(Note: The museum is closed on Mondays.)

5) Stroll the Jardines de S’Hort del Rei

Another of the most popular places to see in Palma de Mallorca is the Garden of the Royal Palace (Hort del Rei Park).

Found in the historic center of the city, near the cathedral (#2), the gardens were originally part of the Almudaina Palace.

Today they’re a small public green space, with lovely fountains and shady trees.

6) Shop at the Mercat de Santa Catalina

Still wondering what to do in Palma de Mallorca? Check out the Mercat de Santa Catalina (Santa Catalina Market).

Established in 1920, it’s Palma’s oldest food market. Dozens of artisan food producers sell fruit, veggies, meat, cheese, seafood, flowers and pastries.

Staying on a super yacht? (Why not!) The market is the perfect place for your chef to stock up on fresh produce and other great food supplies.

Or just browse, and maybe sit down at a little café in the market for a tapa with a glass of wine.

The train has been trundling through the craggy Serra de Tramuntana mountain range since 1912, carrying locals, day-trippers and other visitors.

The vintage wooden carriages are a trip back in time, with brass ceiling lamps, burnished wood paneling and wood benches.

The Soller train trip takes about an hour – squeezing through 13 tunnels. The time passes all too quickly because the scenery is just so darn scenic!

8) Stroll the streets of Soller

Now that you’re in Soller, spend some time just enjoying being in this lovely small village in the countryside.

9) Enjoy the art at the Can Prunera Museum

In Soller, be sure to visit the Can Prunera Museum.

In a beautifully restored Art Nouveau mansion, this art gallery showcases modernist and contemporary art, featuring the works of Joan Miro, Paul Klee and Fernand Leger. (And on a hot day, its air conditioning is a welcome reprieve.)

From Soller, you can hop aboard an open-air streetcar that rumbles the few miles out to the fishing village of Port Soller.

Port Soller is a great place for strolling its waterfront promenade and enjoying a seafood lunch or dinner.

Riding the streetcar (tram) is one of the top things to do in Mallorca when visiting Soller or Port Soller.

11) See Es Pontas

The wind and sea have carved some incredible rock formations and cliffs in Mallorca.

One of the most unique formations is Es Pontas.

This 65-foot natural rock arch in the sea is found off the coastline in the southeastern part of the island, near Cala Santanyi.

We confess we actually didn’t see it for ourselves, but it gets good TripAdvisor reviews!

12) Hike the GR221 “Dry Stone Route”

Mallorca is laced with many fine walking trails. Naturally, walking in Mallorca is a hit, and outdoor enthusiasts love walking and hiking holidays on the island.

Hiking the GR221 “Dry Stone Route” is popular.

An ancient 90-mile trail of stepping stones, the path was used by Mallorca locals to walk across the mountains from village to village before roads were built on the island.

Today, the well-maintained GR221 trail runs from Port D’Andratx in the southwest of Mallorca to Pollensa (also spelled Pollenca) in the northwest, and the full trek takes about eight days.

At the end of each section, you can find a hostel (“refugio” in Spanish), set up for hikers to stay the night.

13) Walk from Soller to Fornalutx (Spain’s prettiest town)

As an alternative to tackling the whole Dry Stone Route (#12), do as we did – and walk just a short part.

We walked the section from Soller to the town of Fornalutx, looping back to Soller, on both of our trips.

Set against a backdrop of imposing mountains, Fornalutx has been dubbed “Spain’s prettiest town.”

Whether that’s true is debatable; Deia (covered next) could claim that title too. But the walk (okay, let’s be honest, “hike”) to Fornalutx is certainly a thoroughly enjoyable one!

The gradual climb takes you through bucolic countryside, past farmhouses and orange and olive groves, to Fornalutx’s leafy town square.

At an outdoor café, refuel on cappuccinos and a crusty ham baguette or sweet treat before returning to Soller.

It’s about a 4.5-mile hike there and back (2 to 3 hours of walking time).

The second time we hiked to Fornalutx, we continued on from Fornalutx to the village of Biniaraix (for another café stop!), before looping back to Soller.

On both occasions, the hike was one of the most fun things to do in Mallorca for us, especially as we badly needed the exercise.

14) Visit Deia

Deia is home to artists, poets (Robert Graves lived here for the last 50 years of his life) and those wealthy enough to afford its pricey real estate.

It’s charming to stroll the streets of Deia – it’s a village you really must see in Mallorca!

15) Swim at Cala Deia

There’s a donkey track that winds through the forest of pine trees beyond Deia. Follow that, and you reach what’s touted as one of the best beaches in Mallorca – Cala Deia.

(You can also walk down the hiking trail in front of Hotel Es Moli to get to Cala Deia.)

This hidden pebble cove at the bottom of the village is where you can swim in limpid crystal clear water and eat fresh fish at a rustic seafront restaurant, Ca’s Patro March. (The restaurant is now famous after being featured in the The Night Manager hit mini-series.)

Of course, retracing your steps is another matter, depending on the route you take to get back up to Deia.

Our thighs burned big time on the hike back up the 1,000 vertical feet to Deia.

But such are the delights – and challenges – of the sun-splashed Spanish island of Mallorca!

16) Walk to the Capdepera lighthouse

From the port town of Cala Ratjada on the northeast coast of Mallorca, it’s an easy 30-minute walk through pine forests to the Capdepera lighthouse. Try not to envy the beautiful villas along the way too much!

At the lighthouse, perched high on rocky cliffs, the sea views are simply gob-smacking. On a good day, you can see the small island of Menorca.

Marked walks take you around the clifftop to view the lighthouse from different angles too.

Mallorca produces some great wines too. That’s not surprising given its climate, and the island is home to more than 70 vineyards (by last count).

The oldest winery on the island is the family-owned Bodega Ribas winery (established in 1711), located in the village of Consell.

One of the best things to do on Mallorca for wine lovers is to take a historical tour of this winery. Afterwards, seated in a lovely courtyard, you get to sample some of their wines along with tapas.

Other recommended Mallorca wineries include Bodegas Macia Batle and the boutique Bodega Ramanya.

If you’re looking to try wines in the midst of Palma Old Town, you might like this wine-tasting experience held in a cozy colmado wine store. It includes tasting several wines, along with different cheeses and cured local sausage.

18) Check out some cool caves

There are two sets of caves near the town of Porto Cristo.

The temperature inside the caves is about 70 F – so on a hot summer’s day, they’re one of the most pleasant tourist attractions in Mallorca to visit!

Drach Caves

The most famous Mallorca caves are the Drach Caves (Cuevas del Drach).

They comprise four inter-connected caves which extend for well over a mile. It’s particularly interesting to see the stalactites, which are shaped like fishhooks.

The caves also contain an underground lake (Lake Martel), one of the largest underground lakes in the world.

You can visit the Caves of Drach on a one-hour long tour. The tour includes a classical music concert and a boat trip across the lake. This half-day Drach Caves excursion from Palma takes you there.

Or hit the road and visit hidden Mallorca gems plus the caves on a “WithLocals” private day trip.

Caves of Hams

The other set of caves are the Hams Caves (Cuevas dels Hams).

There are three key caves, and you can learn about the history of Mallorca and how these amazing caves were shaped. One of the caves even has a large underground lake called the “Sea of Venice.”

You can visit both sets of caves on this full-day Caves of Drach and Hams tour. (It also includes a stop at the pretty fishing village of Porto Cristo.)

19) Tour Mallorca manor houses

Another pleasant activity in Mallorca?

Touring the island’s elegant palatial manor houses.

We visited Son Marroig, a medieval mansion built on top of a steep hillside. Later in the 19th century, it was acquired and remodeled by Archduke Ludwig Salvatore of Austria.

From the white neoclassic marble temple at one end of the garden, there are magnificent views of the ocean below and of the surrounding terraced hillsides, studded with almond and olive trees.

We also enjoyed peering through glass showcases at old Ludwig’s red leather-bound books. He loved the island so much that he wrote a nine-volume set detailing Mallorca’s botany and natural history.

20) Stay in a finca

Mallorca is blessed with many rural fincas – farm estates converted into delightful escapist accommodations, typically including organic country-style breakfasts in their rates.

They offer a different type of stay than a conventional hotel, and you shouldn’t leave Mallorca without bedding down in at least one finca.

21) Climb the steps in Pollensa Old Town

Pollenca (Pollensa) is another scenic town on the north coast of Mallorca. Like Deia (#14), it oozes charm.

A popular activity in Pollenca is to climb the 365 Calvari steps from Pollensa Old Town up to the 18th century chapel, Oratori del Calvari.

At the church, you’ll be rewarded with great views!

Also spend some time leisurely exploring Pollenca’s cobblestone streets; you’ll enjoy checking out the town’s shops and restaurants.

22) Drink in the view at Cap de Formentor

Located on the northernmost point of Mallorca is Cap de Formentor.

It’s an understatement to say this stretch of coastline is dramatic. Think soaring limestone peaks buffeted by winds.

The lighthouse at Cap de Formentor stands at an elevation of 1,260 feet above the sea. The panoramic views from here make you feel there’s just you, the sky and the sea.

You get there by driving a windy 8-mile road from the town of Pollenca.

Road access to the lighthouse is limited in the summer months, however.

23) Escape to SaTorre

Close to the Palma de Mallorca airport, you can escape to SaTorre, a 15th century rural estate that’s been turned into a luxury resort.

Antonio Parietti, the same Italian engineer who built the road to Cap de Formentor, also constructed the “snake” road to Sa Calobra.

Because the mountain slope is so steep, the road had to be designed as a switchback – making the pattern of a snake.

And it’s one of the most epic drives in the world!

Starting from the town of Escorca at the foot of Puig Major (the highest peak on the island), the 8-mile stretch of road is very narrow with few guardrails and no central divider or marking.

And there are 12 hairpin curves of 180 degrees or more on the Sa Calobra road.

The most famous curve is the legendary Nus de Sa Corbata (Knot of the Tie), where the road passes under itself in a 360 degree curve. Gulp!

Some say Platja des Coll Baix is the best beach in Mallorca.

Near Alcudia on the northern coast, it’s certainly one of the island’s most remote and beautiful; you can only reach it on foot or by boat.

If hiking there, be prepared for a medium-difficulty trek about four miles each way.

But it’s very picturesque. You pass through pine forests and then have to do some rock climbing, navigating massive boulders.

The quiet beach itself is a mix of pebbles and coarse sand, lapped by the clearest turquoise water – and you may be visited by wild goats.

26) Tour the Santuari de Lluc

Founded in the 13th century, the Santuari de Lluc is a monastery and important pilgrimage site, surrounded by high mountains in northwest Mallorca.

The main attraction is the beautiful Basilica, with its gold ornamental motifs. Also try to catch a performance by the Lluc Choir (Els Blauets) – their singing is beautiful!

There’s a small museum attached to the monastery site, and you can also wander through tranquil botanical gardens.

For a unique overnight experience, you can even stay in one of the former monks’ cells.

27) Go horseback riding in Mallorca

If you or your children would like to go horseback riding, check out this horse riding experience in the mountains.

This mountain ride to Alcudia Bay lasts for one or two hours (depending on the option you choose).

For the brunch option, you also get to enjoy a light lunch of bread, Serrano ham, Mallorcan cheese and sobrasada (a Balearic island pork sausage).

Cala Figuera is the quintessential fishing village, with a laid-back charm. White-painted houses cling to hills lining the narrow harbor.

Actually, Cala Figuera is so captivating that, in our books, spending a good half day here is one of the top 10 things to do in Mallorca!

29) Visit Valldemossa and Chopin’s love nest

Another one of the best places to visit in Mallorca is Valldemossa.

Pretty as a picture, Valldemossa is a small village set high in the Tramuntana mountains, about a 20-minute drive from Palma de Mallorca.

It’s probably most famous as the place where Polish composer Frederic Chopin spent a winter with his love, the French writer George Sand. They stayed at the Royal Charterhouse Valldemossa, a palace-cum-convent.

Today, you can tour the Charterhouse and see the cell where Chopin and Sand lived. Not only is the building lovely, but you also get spectacular views of the surrounding mountain ranges!

It was hot when we visited Valldemossa, so we bought ice-cream in the village after our tour. (It didn’t really cool us off, but it sure tasted good!)

We also sampled coca de potatas – Valldemossa’s famous pastry – which is a sweet bun made from potatoes, sugar and lard.

You can visit Valldemossa as well as Soller and Port de Soller on this private 5- to 6-hour excursion (rated 5 stars) from Palma. It’s particularly ideal for cruise ship passengers, as you’re guaranteed to get back to the ship on time.

30) Tour Bellver Castle

Commanding a fabulous hilltop position on the outskirts of Palma de Mallorca, Bellver Castle (Castell de Bellver) was built in Gothic style for King James II in the 14th century.

It was intended to serve as a royal residence. Few royals actually lived in it though, and it was later used as a military prison in the 1700s.

What’s unique about the castle is that it’s circular in shape – one of just a handful of European castles built like this.

You can also enjoy some of the best views of the city from the castle.

31) Explore Mondrago Natural Park

With sand dunes, forested ravines, wetlands and gorgeous sandy beaches, Mondrago Natural Park (Parc Natural de Mondrago) is one of the best places to go in Mallorca for nature lovers.

You can walk the hiking trails, sunbathe and swim at the beaches (the main beach is S’Amarado Beach) and see all sorts of birdlife.

Located on Mallorca’s southwest coast near the small town of Santanyi, the park is quite secluded.

We parked our rental car at the S’Amarador Beach parking lot, where we walked along a coastal cliff path to the beach.

The other option for getting to the park is to take the public bus from Cala D’Or to Cala Mondrago (which is another beach in the park).

32) Float in a hot air balloon

Talk about a Mallorca bucket list experience!

Okay, we know you want to know more about Majorca’s beautiful beaches.

And those beaches really are some of the best Majorca attractions when it’s hot and sunny outside!

On the southeast coast, Calo del Moro (Cala des Moro) is not exactly a secret. But it’s worth going for a swim in its impossibly turquoise waters.

The beach itself is a tiny stretch of white sand bordered by steep cliffs. (And you lose the sand at high tide, when you’ll be sitting on boulders by the water instead.)

It’s a bit tricky to reach though, as you have to walk down a very steep path.

Note that this is a natural beach – there are no restaurants or facilities. So bring drinking water and whatever else you need to be comfortable.

Mallorca travel tips

Mallorca car rental tip

When renting a car to get around the island – recommended to see some areas – smaller is better.

Our first trip, we regretted our free “upgrade” to a larger rental car. It was hard to navigate on Mallorca’s twisty narrow roads.

Our second trip, we were wiser. Thankfully, we got the small automatic car we’d booked from VIMA Rent a Car to explore the Santanyi area.

Best time to visit Mallorca

If you want sunny and hot weather, the peak summer months are the best time to go to Mallorca. But July and August are also the high season, so everything will be more crowded.

We visited Mallorca in September on both our trips (the second trip extended into October) – and the weather was perfect. We could hike, swim and sightsee.

In fact, it was still hot in October on our recent visit!

If you’ll be doing a lot of hiking, maybe travel to Mallorca in May or mid- to late-October for more comfortable hiking weather.

May (and early June) as well as late September and October will see fewer tourists too.

Where to stay

In case you missed it, here’s our comprehensive post on where to stay in Mallorca. It covers the best areas to stay on the island, as well as 20 enchanting hotels and fincas.

Or you could end your Majorca visit in Palma de Mallorca, before flying back home.

Now you know the top things to do in Majorca and how to visit!

If you seek culture, history (and yes, shopping) – along with elegant hotels and quaint country inns, tranquil beach coves, scenic hiking trails and off-the-beaten-path explorations – pack your bags for a Mallorca vacation!

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Photo credits: 4, 6, 9 to 11, 15, 16, 18, 19, 22 to 24, 28 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase | 25, 27 Belmond La Residencia | 31 Caves of Hams | 34, 35 Fincahotel CanColl

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