We chose Mallorca for our extended weekend getaway mostly because I found cheap flights, and honestly, we didn’t know much about the place other than it being a Spanish island where, supposedly, Germans go to party. So our expectations weren’t exactly high. We just wanted some sunshine, warm water, and a few days to completely switch off. But what we ended up getting was something quite different – an unexpected adventure and a real desire to stay longer.
Mallorca turned out to have so much more to offer than beautiful beaches and sunny weather. The island surprised us in the best way possible. If you’re curious about what to do in Mallorca, keep reading – I’ll share what made us fall for the place.
One thing that really stood out was how much of a German presence there is on the island. It was actually easier to find a German schnitzel than a Spanish paella! In some restaurants, they didn’t even have English menus printed, but they did have them in German. Even the souvenirs were mostly written in German – it was both surprising and kind of funny to see.
Car
If you plan to explore different parts of the island, especially those off the beaten track, I’d definitely recommend renting a car – but go for something small. We originally booked a fairly compact one, but got “upgraded” to a Jeep. And for the first time ever, I wasn’t thrilled about an upgrade. The thing was massive! Trying to park it anywhere was a real pain. And this was at the beginning of June, before the peak tourist season had even started. I can’t imagine how impossible it must get once the island fills up in summer.
Where to stay
It really depends on the kind of holiday you’re after. If you’re looking to party, then staying near Palma is your best bet. Most young Germans head to El Arenal or Playa de Palma. We actually spent our last night in El Arenal before our flight home – and at the time, I had no idea it was such a hotspot for the younger crowd (I feel ancient just saying that).
It was exactly what you’d imagine: everything in German, bars blasting German disco polo, and groups of sunburned partygoers in football shirts, white socks, and flip-flops. Bachelor parties everywhere, people drinking on the streets, the whole scene. I was very glad we only booked one night there.
For the rest of our stay, we were in Can Picafort – a small, laid-back town with a lovely sandy beach. From what we saw, most visitors were young couples or families with small kids. It was calm, easygoing, and genuinely relaxing. There were enough restaurants to keep things interesting, and it turned out to be a great base for day trips around the island.
What to see and do
You can think of Mallorca as a mix of three worlds: towns, mountains, and coastline. No matter which one you choose, you’re in for a good time. The towns are small and charming, perfect for slow walks and coffee/sangria breaks. The mountain range gives you incredible viewpoints and some of the most memorable sunsets. And then there are the coves and beaches, where you can swim in clear, turquoise water and try all sorts of water activities. It’s hard to go wrong with any part of the island.
Visit Palma
We only had half a day in Palma, and that really wasn’t enough. I left wishing we’d planned at least a full day there. Instead, we wandered through the old streets, took a few photos, and left feeling like we’d only had a tiny taste of what the city has to offer.
Here are a few places that are worth checking out when you visit:
Palma Cathedral (La Seu)
After the conquest of Madina Mayurqa in 1229, King James I dedicated the former mosque to the Virgin Mary and ordered a new church to be built on part of the same site. Construction began in the 13th century and wasn’t completed until the 1630s. Over the centuries, many architects left their mark on the cathedral, but one of the most famous contributors was Antoni Gaudí, who worked on parts of the interior between 1903 and 1915.
Royal Palace of La Almudaina
This palace started as an Arab fortress before being turned into a Christian royal residence after the island was taken by King James I in the 13th century. Today it’s still used as the official residence of the King and Queen when they’re in Mallorca.
S’Hort del Rei
S’Hort del Rei means “The King’s Garden” in Catalan. It sits just below the walls of the Almudaina Palace and is a peaceful place to take a break, wander through the greenery, and enjoy the fountains and shaded paths.
Palma Aquarium
If you have a bit of extra time – or the weather suddenly turns on you – Palma Aquarium is a good option. My fiancé never misses a chance to visit an aquarium, so of course we ended up there. It’s not the biggest one we’ve seen, but we still had a great time wandering through the different sections and watching all the sea life. The best part is that it’s really close to the airport, so it’s easy to fit into your plans without going out of the way.
Take a scenic train
One of the most popular day trips from Palma is heading to Port de Sóller on the north side of the island. You can get there by car or bus in about half an hour, but the more memorable option is taking the historic Ferrocarril de Sóller. This narrow-gauge railway, with its old wooden carriages, has been running since 1912.
The train takes you from Palma to Sóller, and from there you can hop on the classic tram that continues down to Port de Sóller. The line was originally built to transport citrus from the valley to the capital, and today it’s known for its scenic route through tunnels, mountains, and orchards. The station is right next to Palma’s main train and bus terminal, so it’s easy to find.
The journey from Palma to Sóller takes about an hour, and the tram ride to Port de Sóller adds another half hour.
We didn’t get the chance to try the train ourselves since we drove, but it’s definitely something I’d want to do next time.
More info about it on the official website.
Drive through Serra de Tramuntana mountain range
Mallorca’s Serra de Tramuntana stretches for about 90 kilometers along the northwest side of the island and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The route takes you through mountains, small towns, quiet villages, and orchards. When the sun starts to set, the whole landscape turns golden, and it’s stunning. We didn’t know what to expect, but when we noticed the sky changing colors, we stopped for a moment and just took it all in. It was one of those simple but memorable travel moments.
We started our drive in Port de Pollença and continued through the mountains almost all the way to Palma. The trip took an entire day, and honestly, we still ran out of time. By the time we got out of the mountains, it was already dark. We even had to skip a few towns, which means we’ll probably have to return. If you’re planning this drive, keep in mind that you won’t see everything in one go.
When it comes to driving, be aware that some parts of the road are narrow and full of twists, and there are plenty of cyclists. Sometimes you end up crawling behind a group, waiting for a safe moment to pass. It can take a while.
There are plenty of places to stop, but here are a few towns and villages worth putting on your list, among them: Deià, Valldemossa, Fornalutx, and Sóller. We only had time for Sóller, but each place has its own charm.
Deià
Often called one of the prettiest villages on the island. Back in the eighth century, Arab settlers created an advanced irrigation system—still used today—and gave the village its name, from “ad daia,” meaning hamlet. Olive groves kept the village thriving over the centuries, along with citrus farming, fishing, and agriculture.
Valldemossa
Best known for its connection to Frédéric Chopin and George Sand, who spent the winter of 1838–39 in a rented cell at the monastery. The village is famous for its cobbled alleys, stone houses, and the serene atmosphere. It’s also the birthplace of Santa Catalina, the patron saint of Mallorca.
Fornalutx
A beautifully preserved mountain village known for its traditional stone façades, narrow lanes, and peaceful atmosphere. Many consider it one of Spain’s best-preserved villages.
Sóller
Set in the “valley of oranges,” often called the “valley of gold.” Thanks to the citrus trade, the town grew prosperous in the 19th century. From Sóller, you can take the historic tram to Port de Sóller in about half an hour—sadly, we didn’t have time for that. We wandered through the town, grabbed a quick lunch, and continued our route.
Finding parking in Sóller was a bit of a struggle, so keep that in mind if you’re coming by car. If you want to avoid the hassle, consider visiting from Palma by taking the historic train.
Sa Calobra
If you’re not scared of winding serpentines, this is a must. The road to Sa Calobra is one of the most stunning—and adrenaline-inducing—drives in Mallorca. Every time I saw a cyclist working their way up that climb, my respect for them went through the roof. The 9.5-kilometer route is not for the faint-hearted.
Make a stop near the top for incredible photos of the road curling its way down the mountain. There are a few parking spots and a small shop up there.
Sa Calobra has two beaches. Cala Sa Calobra is the smaller one, a tiny 30-meter stretch of pebbles and sand. There’s parking nearby – just note that the reception can be unreliable, so having cash helps, as we had some trouble paying by card. There are also a few simple restaurants serving beach food.
The second beach, and the main draw, is Torrent de Pareis. It’s about 100 meters long and reached by a footpath and a narrow tunnel, which makes it one of the more unique beaches on the island. If I’d done my research earlier, I’d definitely have visited it. Instead, it goes on my growing list of things to see next time.
Santuari de Lluc
Santuari de Lluc is Mallorca’s most important religious site and has been a place of pilgrimage since the 13th century. Visitors can explore the monastery, which is known for its daily choir performances. At 13:15, the choir Es Blauets, founded in 1531, sings religious hymns.
The sanctuary also has botanical gardens with rock formations and plants from around the Balearic Islands.
More info here.
Cap de Formentor
Cap de Formentor is one of Mallorca’s standout viewpoints and a favourite place to watch the sun go down. It marks the island’s northern tip and belongs to the Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO-listed mountain range. At the far end of the peninsula you’ll find a lighthouse, reached by a long, twisting road carved into cliffs with stops that practically force you to pull over for the view.
When people mention “Cap de Formentor,” they’re usually talking about the whole stretch — the viewpoints, the sharp cliff edges, the small hidden coves, and the lighthouse. The road that takes you there was built in the 1930s by engineer A. Parietti Coll, well-known on the island for designing some of its most memorable routes, including the drive to Sa Calobra. So even though the trip is incredibly scenic, it’s not the easiest ride if you’re a cautious driver.
For a full guide, you can check out this post.
Drach Caves
When you think of Mallorca, caves probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind, but the island is home to one of the most impressive underground systems in Europe. Cuevas del Drach contains one of the largest underground lakes in the world – Lake Martel – which is also the biggest in Europe.
The name “Cuevas del Drach” translates to “Dragon Caves,” and they’re made up of four interconnected chambers close to Porto Cristo. The caves stretch for almost 1,200 meters and reach about 25 meters below the surface.
The tour leads you through the caverns and ends with a short classical music performance on the lake. With the reflections on the turquoise water and the formations hanging from the ceiling and rising from the floor, it’s hard not to stop constantly for photos. Everything looks surreal down there.
If you’re visiting during peak season, it’s best to book your tickets online in advance.
Beaches
One thing you can enjoy endlessly in Mallorca is the variety of beaches and hidden coves. We didn’t spend huge amounts of time sunbathing, but we still managed to see a few – ranging from quiet little spots to full-on party beaches. My list of places I wanted to visit is much longer, but time just wasn’t on our side.
There’s a trio of beautiful beaches sitting right next to one another. They’re not huge, but they look fantastic and are surrounded by nature. You can park here and walk to each one.
- Caló des Borgit
- Cala Mondragó
- S’Amarador
We were staying near Platja de Can Picafort, so we ended up going there a couple of times. It’s a classic beach setup with sunbeds, restaurants, and plenty of space—not exactly a secret, but still a nice place to relax.
Sa Calobra is another small but stunning beach, tucked between cliffs and reachable after that unforgettable serpentine drive.
If you’re after a party vibe, head to Playa S’Arenal. It’s full of energy, music, and a much younger crowd.
Diving
I learned how to dive a while ago during a trip to Borneo, but since then I haven’t really had many chances to do it again. So when we arrived in Mallorca, I figured it was the perfect opportunity to get back into it. My fiancé, on the other hand, had never tried diving before and was a bit nervous about it. I found a diving school (Barracuda Diving Mallorca), and we decided to give it a go together. If you’re looking for a place to dive while you’re there, I can honestly recommend them.
We started from the shore, where my fiancé got a short introduction and practiced a few basic exercises before we gradually went deeper. What really helped him relax was the fact that we weren’t too deep – around five meters. He felt comfortable knowing he could easily reach the surface if needed. Once he got used to breathing underwater, we swam around while our instructor took videos and photos of us.
By the time we finished, he was absolutely thrilled. He couldn’t stop smiling and kept saying how happy he was that he tried it. The only regret we both had was not having more time left on the island – he was already talking about doing another dive!
