10 Best Things to Do in Mallorca

No trip to Mallorca is complete without visiting its capital, Palma. Palma is a vibrant but laid-back city full of street-side cafés, high-end shopping, and beautiful Spanish architecture. It’s also home to the large Gothic Roman church, the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma – or La Seu, as it’s more commonly known.

The city can get quite hot during the day, so the best time to go exploring is early morning or late afternoon. By nightfall, the city’s plaza comes to life with outdoor restaurants, artisans selling crafts, and music on the streets.

You can’t visit Mallorca without going to the beach. There are several beautiful beaches, which can make choosing one challenging, but if you want a long and luxurious stretch of sand with vibrant waters, then visit Cala Mesquida Beach in Northeastern Mallorca. Cala Mesquida has over 300 metres of sandy shoreline coupled with a long stretch of clear shallow waters.

Another beach in Northeastern Mallorca that’s worth seeing is Cala Torta. It has a wide expanse of shoreline, making it popular for families who enjoy beach volleyball or picnics on the sand.

Located in a valley between 2 mountain ranges, Sóller is a picturesque town with old-world charm. Narrow streets dotted with Spanish cottages, ice cream stores, and cafés lead to the city’s main plaza called the Plaza Constitucion where you can enjoy street performances and delicious local cuisine like tapas.

One of the most popular things to do in Sóller is to take a trip on the vintage wooden tram that runs from the city centre to the Port de Sóller. The trip takes roughly 30 minutes and transports you through the town in beautiful wooden carriages.

Bellver Castle was once a stunning castle built in the 14th century before it was turned into a formidable royal fortress. The impressive circular structure has a central courtyard surrounded by 3 towers and offers beautiful views of Palma Bay.

If you’ve ever wanted to visit a completely round castle, then Bellver Castle is for you. You can also enjoy the Palma Museum of Municipal History, which showcases artefacts from the Roman, Arab, and Spanish periods of the island’s history.

Characterised by high ceilings and lavish art, the Royal Charterhouse was built in the 14th century as a royal residence and was later turned into a monastery. Set within the Tramuntana Mountains, it became the winter home of famous composer Frederic Chopin.

When you visit, you can roam through the gardens, explore the library, and enjoy panoramic views of the city from the terraces. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a piano concert performance of Chopin’s most famous compositions.

A must-do in Northwest Mallorca is to rent a car so that you can take the scenic drive on the Sa Calobra road. The road winds through the mountains, and each narrow hairpin turn is even more stunning than the last. You’ll spot roaming animals, seaside views, mountains, cliff faces, and glistening lakes. You’ll be stopping more than once to snap a photo or just to enjoy the panoramic views.

Give yourself an entire day to make this journey as cars drive through very slowly, and it’s not uncommon for some traffic to build up.

Deia is a pretty western coastal village in Mallorca that’s characterised by clay-coloured houses with deep-green shutters. Through carefully controlled urban expansions, this little village has retained the old world charm and unique beauty that made poet and artist Robert Graves decide to call it his home. You can even visit his house, which has been turned into a museum to document his life in Deia.

Today, the town is still quite the artist’s hideaway, and you can visit a variety of art galleries and gift shops. It has become a top destination for the rich and famous, including celebrities like Andrew Lloyd Webber, Princess Diana, and Kate Moss.

The impressive Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, known as the backbone of Mallorca, was honoured as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2011. The mountain range stretches over 90 km and looms over the sea.

Rent a car and make the drive through the Serra de Tramuntana so you can stop for photos at any time. There’s a variety of landmarks you don’t want to miss on your trip, including an ancient watchtower, the serene Lluc Monastery, rustic hilltop villages, wineries, and several hideaway restaurants.

Mallorca is known for secluded caves, and if you’re the adventurous type, you should make the trip to see the Coves del Drach and dels Hams in Porto Cristo. These caves are a top tourist attraction and have food outlets, shops, and bathroom facilities. They also run organised tours and walkthroughs for travellers who would like a guide.

Be sure to wear good shoes, because you’ll be trekking over rocks and uneven terrain. The payoff is worth it though, as you experience gorgeous underground stalactites and stalagmites. In the end, you may even be treated to a musical concert on the underground lake.

If you want activities aside from relaxing on the beach and appreciating the charm of local villages, a night out for some drinks and dancing can certainly add some thrill to your schedule. Visit Magaluf for the best nightlife choices. On the main strip, known as the Punta Ballena, you’ll find over 50 different bars, nightclubs, tattoo parlours, and fast food options. Popular hotspots to try include Piano Bar, Oceans Beach Club, and the re-opened world-renowned BCM Planet Dance.

Restaurants and some bars are open all day, but the strip really picks up once the sun goes down with nightclubs usually opening around 11pm until 6am.