Epic Things to Do in Mallorca, Spain

With more than four million tourists from Germany each year, Mallorca (or in English Majorca) is not a hidden gem to Germans (aka me). However, in most other parts of the world, many people have never heard of this Balearic Island.

Although Mallorca has a bad reputation because of cheap parties and clubbing, there are many other things to see and do. While I visited Mallorca as a solo female traveler I enjoyed a wonderful week without clubbing or drinking at all – so Mallorca is for everyone, whether you are into partying or not.

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PLAN A TRIP TO MALLORCA

Before talking about the best Mallorca activities, here are some essential travel tips for Mallorca.

Is Mallorca Worth Visiting?

Yes, Mallorca is definitely worth visiting. The largest of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca boasts stunning beaches, picturesque villages, historic landmarks, and a vibrant nightlife.

The island has a rich cultural and historical heritage, including Gothic cathedrals, royal palaces, and castles. It also has a variety of natural landscapes, from the Tramuntana mountains to the Parc Natural de Mondragó. Mallorca is also famous for its food and wine, with a thriving wine industry. With so much to see and do, Mallorca is a beautiful and diverse destination that is well worth a visit.

How to Get to Mallorca

By Air: The easiest and most common way to reach Mallorca is by air. Mallorca has its own international airport – Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI), which is located just 8 km east of the capital city of Palma. There are numerous airlines that fly to Mallorca from many European cities.

By Sea: Mallorca can also be reached by sea. There are several ferry companies that operate between the island and mainland Spain or other nearby islands, including Ibiza and Menorca. There is a ferry from Barcelona to Mallorca, but it does take seven to eight hours.  

Where to Stay in Mallorca

Here are some tips for accommodations in Mallorca. 

Mallorca is well known for all-inclusive hotels, including the one where I stayed:

• A 4-star hotel called Globales America in Cales de Mallorca (Nice location (far from many other sights but just at the beaches) but bad food).
• And though it is not as fancy as staying in a medieval castle, I absolutely loved the area. I would book it again if I wanted to relax since it is a bit quieter and quite far from Palma de Mallorca (the capital) or the airport and public transportation is not great.

If I booked another trip to Mallorca, I would probably choose the West Coast of Mallorca this time. But not in the party area of EL-Arenal.

Despite staying in the All-Inclusive Resorts myself, I actually do not recommend booking All-Inclusive. To make the most of your Mallorca trip, it is important to walk around, dine outside, and not be tied to your hotel. However, booking all-inclusive often is not much more expensive than just booking a room with breakfast only.

• Find the best prices for accommodation in Mallorca
• Tip: One of the top hotels in Mallorca is the Jumeirah Hotel in Soller. If you like to indulge in luxury, this is probably the best pick for you.

How to Get Around in Mallorca

If you stay in Cales de Mallorca, you will definitely need a rental car to get around and enjoy your trip to the fullest extent. 

But even if you do not stay there, I suggest getting around by car. 

Rent a Car in Mallorca:

I booked a rental car once I was in Mallorca and I had to pay about €35 for the smallest model (a day), which personally I think was quite expensive because I traveled during the shoulder season. But booking earlier probably pays off rather than waiting until the end. 

Definitely book full insurance that covers everything. You should also double-check that there is no self-participation in case of accidents in your car hire insurance document. Though it was advertised with no self-participation, my contract said differently and needed to be removed by the salesperson.   

There are only very few roads where you have to pay a toll. I drove around avoiding those toll streets (which was not difficult because are not many), and tolls are quite cheap anyhow.

Renting a car? Then compare prices and get the best price for your rental car here (I booked my car via their site on my last trip to Albania).

Public Transportation

If you want to stay outside of Palma, the capital, public transportation can be a little tricky. 

Although there is a bus that travels from the East Coast to Palma it is not easy to hop on as they only leave a couple of times a day.   

Remember these important tips for your trip to Mallorca, and you’ll be all set to make the most of everything the island has to offer. 

Hop-on and Hop-Off in Mallorca

If you want to get around in the capital Palma, then check out the hop-on and hop-off bus tickets.

Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers in Mallorca

I visited Mallorca as a solo female traveler and felt safe. Always use your common sense and avoid side streets at night – keep your purse close to your body.

I never left my stuff unattended (unless on the boat), and if you are staying at the beach and want to take a swim, bring your towel and stuff close to the water so you can have an eye on it. 

In general, only take things with you that you will actually need and leave some money and other valuables at the hotel (in a safe!). Pick-pocketing is not uncommon in Mallorca.

I have to admit that I did not go out at night and avoided the area around El Arenal, but if you are fine to be hit on by drunken men, you can surely visit those areas.

These activities I mention here are great to do solo in Mallorca but do not include any partying.

All in all, Mallorca is a great place to visit solo, and I can definitely recommend visiting Majorca as a solo female traveler. While I cannot wait to visit more Spanish islands, like Tenerife, Mallorca has won me over.

How Long to Stay on Mallorca

Mallorca has a lot to offer  – but it is also a great place to relax. While it really depends on what kind of traveler you are, 7-8 days is probably a good time – you will be able to see a lot and have time to chill without getting bored.

You could do a 5-day Mallorca trip, but since Mallorca is also about relaxing, I guess 5-7 days is the minimum amount of days to spend in/on Mallorca.

Best Things to Do in Mallorca

Now, let´s find out about the most fun things to do in Mallorca.

Explore the “Calas” of Mallorca

The most fun thing to do in Mallorca is to visit the beautiful, beautiful “calas”. A Cala is basically a bay or cove – with a small beach surrounded by mountains or rocks with crystal-clear water.

Many calas are accessible only by foot or by boat, which adds to their charm and secluded feel.

Mallorca has some of the most beautiful calas in Europe, and you will not believe how beautiful the water is! According to the locals I met, the calas on the east coast are the prettiest, and especially the Cales de Mallorca is a must-see.

Cala Mondragó. I  got to see quite a few Calas as I made visiting them a priority of my Mallorca trip, and my favorite was Cala Mondragó.

 The Cala Mondragó is located – on the east coast – within a national park, Mondragó Natural Park, and can be reached by a car journey and a short walk. There are stunning beaches, so you can easily go from one section to the other, and check out several calas.

The area is busy (understandably), given its beauty and range of restaurants to choose from, but please read on for hidden gems in Mallorca. 

Here are some more Calas to visit in Mallorca (but there are many, many more and you should consider visiting at least a few of them):

Cala Llombards: Located in the southeast of the island, this Cala is known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters and soft white sand.

Cala Deià: This cala is located on the northwest coast of the island, near the village of Deià. It is surrounded by dramatic cliffs and is a popular spot for swimming and snorkeling.

Cala Varques: This secluded Cala is located on the east coast of the island, and is only accessible by foot or by boat. It is known for its crystal-clear water and unspoiled natural surroundings.

Do a Boat Trip

In my opinion, a must-do activity in Mallorca is a boat cruise. And you can choose from several different options. 

You can either do a speed boat trip or as I did, book a boat tour that shows you around the east coast and takes about half a day. Of course, there are also private boat cruises you can opt for if your budget allows it.

The great thing about the boat trips is that they have a couple of stops, starting from Calas de Mallorca, our boat stopped at Cala Millor for about 90 minutes. 

Also, they have a short stop for half an hour where you can leap into the pristine water. There are also speedboat tours to see Mallorca from the water.  

MORE BOAT CRUISES IN MALLORCA:

• There are different tours available: This seems pretty much the same tour I did.
• This catamaran sails around the Malgrats Islands Marine Reserve 
• This tour focuses on the north of Mallorca and has lunch included

Relax at the Beach

Mallorca has some of the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the Mediterranean, offering visitors a chance to relax and soak up the natural beauty of the island.

Those gorgeous beaches are, at least in the summer quite popular and crowded. Cala Millor, for example, on the east coast, is a great beach to relax and unwind where you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas.  

Honestly, all around the coast, you will always find some beaches (though not always sandy and white) – so make sure to plan some time for relaxing and chilling at the beach. Some could even spend days at the beaches here.

Stroll Along the Ports

Many cute ports wait for you to be discovered in Mallorca – because the ports in Mallorca are not just for transportation and business. They are also fantastic spots for tourism, where you can enjoy stunning coastlines and water activities like sailing, yachting, and water sports.

What’s more, the ports in Mallorca have plenty of fantastic amenities, such as restaurants, shops, bars, and places to stay, which make them a popular destination to visit.

Port d’Andratx is an exclusive port, located on the southwest coast of the island, and is a popular destination for luxury yachts and high-end tourism. It became one of my favorite ports in Mallorca because it offers a range of shops, restaurants, and bars, and is surrounded by beautiful beaches and natural landscapes.

Get Lost in Beautiful Towns

Mallorca has some incredible towns, and you should visit the most beautiful ones. 

One of my absolute favorite places in Mallorca was actually Valldemossa, a little town west of the capital of Mallorca. Valldemossa is about a twenty-minute drive from Palma de Mallorca into the Tramuntana mountains. It is one of the most famous towns here and probably one of the most stunning! 

There you can get lost in the little cobblestoned streets, have a coffee, enjoy life, and take in wonderful views of Mallorca. It is extremely picturesque and a must–see place, but don’t miss out on other places/towns you should see like Sóller – another gorgeous town close to Valldemossa.

Deià is another beautiful town that is so close – this would allow you to visit all three places in one day! 

Visit Palma de Mallorca

You should definitely check out Palma de Mallorca, the capital city of Mallorca which is located in the west/south of the island. 

Palma is a fascinating mix of history, culture, and modernity, offering visitors a range of attractions and experiences.

The city’s main attraction is its stunning Gothic cathedral, the La Seu, which sits on the waterfront and dominates the city’s skyline. Other historic landmarks in the city include the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, the Bellver Castle, and the ancient Arab Baths.

Palma is also known for its lively atmosphere and nightlife, with a range of bars, clubs, and restaurants. The city’s old town, with its narrow streets and charming squares, is a great place to explore on foot, with many shops and boutiques offering a variety of local products and souvenirs.

In addition to its cultural and culinary attractions, Palma is also a great base for exploring the rest of the island, with easy access to some of Mallorca’s most beautiful beaches and natural landscapes.

I would plan at least a day for discovering Mallorca´s capital because there are quite some things to do – including a relaxing time at the beach. I often opt for self-guided tours and get lost (sometimes literally), but if you prefer guided tours, click here.

• Check out this Skip the Lines Ticket for the Cathedral

Flower Hunting

Okay, this might seem weird, but I have a thing for flowers…Seeing colorful flowers in particular and Mallorca was like heaven.

Luckily, you do not have to search for long to find them but will stumble upon them. Just drive along the scenic roads, and you will see gorgeous little houses with flowers hanging all around them. It is wonderfully quaint and the bright colors against the cobble-stoned houses are really worth taking the time to snap some pictures of. 

I visited in October and they were still everywhere!

Enjoy Great Views of Mallorca

As Mallorca has mountains – so great views come naturally.   

While we’re talking about eye candy, one of the best views you will find and that is definitely a point of interest is the Sanctuary of Sant Salvador, close to Felanitx in the eastern part of Mallorca close to Manacor. 

Here you can either cycle, drive or hike up to the top of the hill – and then you will find amazing views. It is definitely worth a visit! 

Road Tripping  – Serra de Tramontana

Another ‘must do‘ that I mentioned at the beginning is getting around by car. A road trip is actually more than a necessity. It’s fun!  

Driving along the coast and the Serra de Tramuntana Mountain range, which is almost 90km long and is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is amazing. You do need to be careful because in Spain people sometimes drive a little carelessly (so do not be surprised to see all the cars having scratches and damage at some point).

The drive along the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range is on the west coast, starting closely after Palma de Mallorca, and beats out by far, the less scenic areas in central Mallorca.  

Enjoy the Sunsets in Mallorca

Many of the above-mentioned activities in Mallorca are free – and so is this tip: Watch sunsets.

No doubt, to end your days, you’ll find yourself enjoying one of Mallorca’s many spectacular sunsets.  I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy a couple of them, and they are well worth staying outside for even after a long day.

Go-Wine Tasting in Mallorca

Another thing to do in Mallorca is to visit a winery for some wine tasting. I am not a wine person, so I skipped it, but wine tasting in Mallorca is quite popular.

Admire Caves

The Cuevas del Drach cave is a famous cave located on the east coast, not too far from Cales de Mallorca. The Caves of Drach are four caves extending to a depth of 25 meters and reaching approximately 4 km in length.

You have to purchase your ticket in advance. Being spontaneous might not work in your favor here.