10 Best Things to Do and See in Mallorca, Spain

Many people only know the Spanish island of Mallorca as a party tourism destination, but this beautiful place has so much more to offer: wonderful nature, traditional mountain villages, hidden bays, and beautiful long sandy beaches. 

As a regular guest on the island, I can tell you that you won’t be able to explore everything in one visit. To decide what to prioritize, check out below some of my favorite things to do and see in Mallorca, Spain!

Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca is the beating heart of the Balearic Islands.

The main attraction of Mallorca’s capital is undoubtedly the magnificent La Seu Cathedral, which majestically watches over the city. If you want to visit it from the inside or even climb to the roof of the impressive building, I strongly recommend buying your ticket online in advance to avoid long queues.

Just opposite is the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, which you shouldn’t miss either. Inside the 14th-century palace, you can see many original 16th-century Flemish tapestries, beautifully painted in traditional Mallorcan black and red.

Afterward, stroll through the winding alleyways of the old town. There is always a lively atmosphere in the markets and squares. Do not forget to enjoy the local cuisine in one of the many restaurants and cafés.

If you don’t climb to the roof of the cathedral, you can also get a fantastic view over the city from the Castell de Bellver, which is located just south of the old town.

Torrent de Pareis & Sa Calobra

Did you know that the Torrent de Pareis gorge is the second-largest one in Europe? Only the Samaria Gorge on the Greek island of Crete is longer.

For experienced hikers, the trek through the so-called Grand Canyon of Mallorca is a unique challenge. The narrow 7km long passage is my absolute favorite hike on the island. It is only accessible in summer, as in winter, the gorge is filled with water. There are no signposts, and you have to find your own way between the rock faces, some of which are up to 300 meters high. You will have to climb over or under huge boulders while navigating along the dried stream bed.

If this exceptional tour is too challenging for you, you can walk as far as you like into the gorge from its mouth, at the scenic beach of Sa Calobra. Getting to Sa Calobra is also a bit of an adventure. You can reach it from Port de Soller by boat and past the beautiful coastline.

Alternatively, there is a winding 12km descent to the coast off the mountain road Ma-10. No matter how you visit Sa Calobra Beach and the Torrent de Pareis, this highlight belongs on your to-do list for Mallorca!

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Valldemossa & Deia

Valldemossa and Deià are two very beautiful villages in the middle of the Serre de Tramuntana mountains in the west of Mallorca. It is best to come early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the large groups of tourists that populate the narrow streets during the day.

Valldemossa not only has beautiful, historic alleys to stroll through, but it is also famous for its historic Carthusian monastery, the Real Cartuja. This monastery was once a royal residence and later inhabited by monks. The highlight of a visit is the cell where the composer Frédéric Chopin and the writer George Sand lived in the winter of 1838-1839.

The village of Deià is idyllically situated a little further north in the Serra de Tramuntana. It has attracted many artists, writers, and musicians in the past. Surrounded by olive groves, Deia has spectacular views of the Mediterranean, especially from the 16th-century church at the top of the hill. 

If you like hiking, I highly recommend the day hike on the GR221 trail connecting the villages of Valldemossa and Deia. To return, there is a regular bus between the two.

Hike on GR221

The above-mentioned GR221 is a long-distance hike also known as the “Ruta de Pedra en Sec” or the “Dry stone trek.” It connects Port d’Andratx in the southwest and Port de Pollenca in the island’s north. 

The 140km hiking trail leads all the way through the mountains of the Serre Tramuntana. It takes you past famous mountain villages such as Valledmossa, Deia, and Soller and through impressive mountain landscapes with fantastic views of the Mediterranean Sea.

You will also pass terraced mountain fields, olive groves, and citrus plantations. If you do the hike in one go, you will usually complete it in 8-9 stages. Thanks to good bus connections, I did explore many of the trail sections on individual day trips. It is perfectly doable if you do not want to change accommodation every evening.

One of my favorite stages leads from Sant Elm to Ses Fontanelles as it looks down on the wonderful Dragon Island almost the entire time. Although there are signposts, they are inadequate, so you should definitely have a hiking app with an offline map with you.

Soller & Port de Soller

Soller is located in their northern foothills and is the main town for excursions into the Tramuntana mountains.

The most famous and very touristy attraction is the historic Tramway, which connects the town with the nearby port of Port de Sóller. The nostalgic ride passes through the many citrus groves and beautiful landscapes on its short way. A visit to Soller and a ride on the so-called “red lightning” is a popular day trip from Palma, as you can start directly from the island’s capital by train.

Port de Sóller is a small harbor town with a beautiful, crescent-shaped beach and a popular promenade. The harbor basin is framed by old stone watchtowers at both sites. By the way, you will have the best view of Port de Soller from the Cap Gros lighthouse.

Coastal Strolls on the East of Mallorca

One of the top 10 things to do in Mallorca is, without a doubt, at least one coastal hike along Mallorca’s stunning southeast shore. Fortunately, the beautiful coastline offers a variety of options, from short beach walks to more challenging cliff walks. 

I particularly recommend the cliff walk from the Cap Blanc lighthouse to the beautiful Cala Pi, which is popular with locals on the weekend. You won’t be alone here, especially the closer you get to the turquoise waters of Cala Pi, but the views of the cliffs are unique. 

My next suggestion is further north along the coast; the easy cliff walks from the beautiful Cala s’Alnia southwards. As the outward and return routes are identical, you can turn around whenever possible. However, I would walk to the hidden little sandy beach of the Calo des Marmols and only turn around then. It is very lonely and incredibly beautiful!

My last recommendation starts at Cala Agulla, at the northern exit of Cala Rajada, and connects this beautiful bay with the large sandy beach of Mesquida. Halfway, there is a panoramic mountain with a watchtower ruin from which you have fantastic 360-degree views in all directions. Do not forget to bring your swimsuit for those easy walks along the beautiful coastline.

Alcudia Old Town

Alcúdia is known for its well-preserved medieval walls, which almost completely enclose the narrow streets of the old town. I recommend walking on the accessible part of the city wall to admire the well-preserved Xara Gate (Portal del Moll) and the Sant Sebastia Gate, as well as the large Sant Jaume church from above.

Another highlight is the Roman city of Pollentia, which is located on the edge of Alcúdia’s old town. The excavation site offers an insight into the region’s history. The Alcudia market is also popular and takes place on Tuesday and Sunday mornings.

Pollenca & Puig de Maria

The small town of Pollenca in the northwest of Mallorca still retains much of its traditional charm. The old town impresses with its narrow streets and historic buildings.

A must-see and climb is the Calvari Staircase, a big stone staircase with 365 steps (one for every day of the year) leading up to the small church on the hill. From here, you have a fantastic view of the city and the surrounding countryside.

Just opposite, on the other side of Pollenca, rises the Puig de Maria, a 333m high hill with a former monastery on its top. The steep ascent takes around 30-45 minutes and rewards you with a fantastic view over Pollenca and the north coast of the island.

Tip: Visit Pollenca on Sunday mornings if you want to buy local products and handicrafts at the popular weekly market.

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Arta

The small town of Arta is located in the northwest of Mallorca, not by the sea, and is therefore probably often overlooked!

Unlike many places that have specialized in tourism, Arta is still authentic. I really enjoyed strolling through the city and being away from the crowds.

One of the main reasons people visit the city is its rich history and culture. High above the town, the impressive fortress Santuari de Sant Salvador is perched on a hill and offers breathtaking views of the agricultural surroundings. 

The lively pedestrian zone in the center is also beautiful, with various stores, cafés and restaurants. This is where the real life of Mallorca takes place.

Arta is additionally a gateway to the Llevant Natural Park, a protected area with plenty of unspoiled nature. Thanks to the many cycle paths and footpaths, you can discover the rich flora and fauna of Mallorca here, quite undisturbed by tourist masses.

Cap Formentor

Cap Formentor is no hidden gem for Mallorca visitors anymore, but it is still a must-see on everybody’s to-do list!

One of the main reasons for visiting the “end of the world” is the famous lighthouse. The Far de Formentor, which stands on the tip of the peninsula, not only has historical significance but is also a super popular viewpoint. It offers a 360-degree view of the sea and the surrounding landscape, which is particularly breathtaking at sunset.

This spot, along with the winding road that leads up to the lighthouse, is so popular in summer that private cars are not allowed on it from June to September. From Port de Soller, you can take a regular “shuttle bus” to the lighthouse, which will travel the scenic route at a reasonable price.

Where to Stay in Mallorca

Where to stay in Mallorca depends very much on your interests and mobility. You should find a centrally located base if you don’t have a car. If you’re looking to explore the whole island by public transport, Palma is a good place to stay, as almost all of the bus lines start or end in the capital.

And if you prefer a beach vacation without a rental car, the coastal towns of Port de Pollenca, Port de Soller, or Cala Rajada are easily accessible from the airport by bus.

I recommend not staying in Palma with a rental car, as parking in the city is a big challenge. In this case, it is better to look for a good, central starting point such as Soller/Port de Soller, from which you can reach almost all destinations on the island in a maximum of one hour. 

In the low season and winter, I stayed in Playa del Palma. As soon as the big nightclubs and bars close, the long beach is deserted and absolutely beautiful. The area is also a great starting point for getting anywhere in Mallorca. You will here also find restaurants that are open all year round, which is not the case everywhere on the island in the off-season.

Linda is a travel blogging expert, avid hiker, and island enthusiast writing about her passion on She Knows Islands. Particularly during the chilly German winters, she flees and spends her time on the sunny European islands.