8 Top Places to Visit in Mallorca
8 Top Places to Visit in Mallorca
This year I visited Mallorca in early June for a long weekend in this island in the western Mediterranean Sea. Located just off the south east coast of Barcelona, Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands, that are part of Spain. I had the best time in my short getaway, so I want to share with you my list of 8 Top Places to Visit in Mallorca.
It was not my first time in the island. I had been there many years ago, and I went to the most known touristic places like Palma and the southwest coast. But that was not my objective this time. I wanted to explore the non touristy side of Mallorca, get lost in its idyllic calas and walk around its typical mountain villages. I couldn’t be happier about my choice because I felt in love with the off the beaten track of this amazing Mediterranean island.
How long to stay around? Definitely Mallorca deserves at least one week to explore the diverse areas in the island. I only stayed 4 days and I didn’t have enough time to cover everything I had planned, so I recommend to stay longer. You will be surprised about how much Mallorca has to offer.
The best way to travel around is to rent a car. I booked a car a couple of months in advance and I picked it at the airpot. This gave me the flexibility to see the selection of places I wanted to visit at my own pace.
When to go to Mallorca? Most visitors go to Mallorca in Summer, to get the most of the Mediterranean summertime. But the island is a year round destination and from Spring you can have already mild temperatures around twenty degrees. If you go in July or August you will have temperatures from 30 to 35 degrees and the seawater rises up to 25 degrees. But make sure to reserve accommodation, restaurants and car way in advance because many things get fully booked.
I went in the first half of June, which was perfect. I had already warm temperatures, but the island was not yet too crowded. I stayed in Cala d’Or at the southeast of Mallorca, which I really enjoyed. Bet there are many options of places to stay in this Spanish island, from beach resorts, to historical towns or mountain villages. I will mention some of them in this article about 8 Top Places to Visit in Mallorca.
Cala d’Or
Located in the southeast of Mallorca, Cala d’Or is a perfect place to stay while in the island. Its beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters, combined with many options of accommodation, restaurants, bars and shops, makes it a perfect vacation spot. Once a small fishing village, Cala d’Or has been transformed into a popular resort, yet still relatively calm.
Additionally it is conveniently located near many other great places to explore in Mallorca. Even when you want to visit sites at the other side of the island (like Valldemossa or Deià that I will cover later in this post), it only takes you 1h30 driving from Cala d’Or.
There is no shortage of beach options around Cala d’Or. To be more precise I should say calas, which are very popular in Mallorca. Do you know what calas mean? They are small beaches located in coves, small bays or inlets in the sea. Sometimes they are located near villages, sometimes in secluded areas accessible only by trails.
Around Cala d’Or there are several calas easily accessible and remarkably beautiful like Cala Gran, Cala Ferrara or Cala Esmeralda, my favorite one with pristine and warm waters. You will find lounge chairs and umbrella rentals available.
There is also a marina with many restaurants to choose from, which is considered the biggest in the east coast of the island.
Cala Llombards
If I had to choose my favourite beach (or cala) in Mallorca, it would be probably Cala Llombards, a secluded cove in the southeast of the island. It is located not far away from Cala d’Or, at 10km from Santanyi and near Es Llombards village.
The white sand and the surreal turquoise waters makes it one the most beautiful beaches I’ve visited. The beach only has around 55m long, but it stretches far back at a cone shape to the pine trees. It is surrounded by some steep cliffs.
In the cliffs located at the right side of the beach there is a pathway that I recommend you to take. You will have beautiful views to the beach below and the small village carved into the rocks, at the other side of the beach.
Cala Figuera
In the same area, there is another cala not to miss. This one is not a beach, but an old fisherman’s village dating back from 1306. Probably one of the most authentic villages in the island, Cala Figuera still preserves a charming atmosphere from the past.
It’s worth to take some time exploring this small village with beautiful views to the sea. Stop by the picturesque harbour and admire the typical fishing boats, the white washed houses nearby and the stunning turquoise waters surrounded by pine trees and rocky cliffs. There are several restaurants with beautiful terraces facing the coastline that forms a Y-shape with two inlets shaping well-protected coves.
Cala Figuera is also the starting point for some boat tours to the renowned Calo des Moro Bay and the rock arch of Es Pontas.
Es Trenc Beach
Even if Mallorca is mostly known for its beautiful and secluded calas, it has also stunning wide beaches. Es Trenc is the perfect example, a postcard beach with Caribbean like blue waters, soft white sand dunes and an extension of more than 2km.
At the south of the island, close to the popular resort town Colonia Sant Jordi and Ses Salines village, Es Trenc is ideal for its remoteness and relaxing vibes.
Ses Salines
I’ve discovered Ses Salines by chance, while I was driving from Cala Llombards to Es Trenc. But I really enjoyed the great mood of this small town. It is indeed located near some of the most amazing beaches of the island, but it has much more to offer.
Ses Salines has a rich history that dates back to the Bronze Age. Throughout the centuries it became famous by the production of salt nearby. In fact, the name of the town means source of salt. Near the city you can find the famous salt pans and wetland environments that are the habitat for diverse species of birds. This makes of Ses Salines a great birds observation spot for bird-watchers from all over the world.
Beside the natural beauty of its surrounding amazing beaches, rugged coastline and flat-lands, the town itself is picturesque and worth to spend some time. Most of the houses are built in the golden sandstone typical from the island, or in a white and grey stone characteristic from this specific region. There are several historical buildings, including the Church of Saint Bartholomew built in the beginning of the 20th century.
Ses Salines is also known for the diverse offer of both typical and trendy restaurants, as well as design and traditional shops.
Valldemossa
At the heart of Tramuntana mountain range, Valldemossa is a must visit village while in Mallorca. It is located in the east coast, at a 30m drive from Mallorca’s capital Palma and near Port de Soller, another very known town in the island.
Nestled in a hilltop and surrounded by a terrain in terraces, Valdemossa is a perfect day trip from one of the many beach resorts in the island. You can combine it with Fornalutx and Deià,.
There are many things to do in Valdemossa, so you should dedicate at least a few hours to explore it. Just walking around its cobbled stone streets decorated by flowers with diverse colors is an amazing experience. You will find many shops, as well as places to eat and drink absorbing the charming atmosphere of the village.
But its cultural heritage should also be considered. One of its highlights is Valdemossa’s Real Cartuja, a Royal Carthusian Monastery which comprises a church, cloisters and an old pharmacy. If you visit it, the tickes include a short Chopin piano recital
The beauty of Valdemossa attracted several artists that visited the village throughout the centuries. That is the case of the Polish composer Frederic Chopin and the French writer George Sand that stayed some time in Valdemossa. There is now is a museum with their names.
Another interesting place to visit is the birthplace of Santa Catalina Thomas (the only saint born in the island), an house behind the Church of Saint Bartholomew. Last but not least, don’t miss Miranda des Leedoners observation deck with some of the best views to the surrounding landscapes.
Even if Valdemossa is not by the seaside, there are a few secluded beaches nearby. This village is also the starting point for outdoor activities like hiking on Tramuntana, including Puig des Teix, one of the most famous peaks in this mountain range.
Fornalutx
Did you know that you can visit in Mallorca a village that has been often considered the prettiest in Spain? With more than 1000 years of history, Fornalutx is definitely worth this recognition with its picturesque stone houses, traditional facades and red tiled roofs.
Exploring Fornalutx is getting lost in the narrow cobbled stone streets and alleys and feeling to be back in the past. Stop by the Town Hall, one of the buildings standing out with a defense tower from the 17th century. Fornalutx Church built in the 13th century in gothic and baroque architecture styles, is also worth to visit.
You can have some food or drinks in Plaza de Espana, the main square, located at the heart of the village.
Deià
My favourite village in Mallorca is probably Deià. Not far away from Valdemossa, Deià is located in a ravine at the foot of Teix mountain, with coastal views to the Mediterranean below. It is part of the Cultural Landscape of the Tramuntana Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage site, constituting a great example of the Mediterranean agricultural landscapes.
The beauty of Deià has also captivated artists, like the writer Robert Graves that discovered the village in the 1930s and decided to have a house family there for many years. This house is now a museum that can be visited.
The slow pace of living of Deià, together with the stunning surrounding landscapes, makes it the perfect place for a relaxing day. Walk around the picturesque cobbled streets and enjoy the bohemian atmosphere of the village. Stop by Robert Graves house museum, the Archeological Museum and St. John Baptist Church.
Another landmark of the village is the luxury Belmond La Residencia Hotel. Even if you are not staying there, you can make a reservation at the restaurant (just make sure to book it in advance) and enjoy the most amazing views to Deià.
After visiting the village, you can head to Cala Deià, a small rocky cove with a beach and some cliff-side restaurants famous for the fresh fish.
Finally don’t miss Soi Marroig, a small palace that belonged to Archduke Ludwig Salvator of Austria and had the visit of Empress Sissi. Nowadays it is owned by a local family that covers a small fee to enter. The aristocratic mansion and the spectacular viewpoint to Mediterranean, makes it a great place to visit in the island. It also hosts the Deià International Music Festival.
For more travel inspiration about Summer destinations in the Mediterranean, check my article Top Things to Do in Malta or my Travel Guide to Mykonos.
