Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
Mallorca is the largest of Spain's Balearic Islands, set in the western Mediterranean. Beyond its well-known beach resorts, the island has a historic capital, stone villages, almond and olive groves, and the Serra de Tramuntana, a mountain range along the northwest coast recognized by UNESCO as a cultural landscape. Catalan, in its Mallorcan variety, is spoken alongside Spanish.
Palma, the capital, is dominated by its Gothic cathedral beside the sea, with later contributions from Gaudí inside. Bellver Castle, a circular fortress on a hill, looks over the bay. In the Tramuntana, Valldemossa is known for the monastery where Chopin and George Sand spent a winter, and Deià has long attracted artists and writers. A historic wooden train runs from Palma to Sóller, where a tram continues to Port de Sóller. A famously twisting road descends to Sa Calobra, where a path leads to the mouth of the Torrent de Pareis gorge. In the north, Cap de Formentor ends in steep cliffs and a lighthouse, and Alcúdia has medieval walls near long beaches. On the east coast, the Caves of Drach hold an underground lake.
The island suits a wide range of travelers, from beachgoers and cyclists to hikers on the GR221 trail. Renting a car makes exploring easier. Spring and fall are excellent for hiking and cycling, while summer is busiest.
WiserMap travel guideMallorca Spain Palma Cathedral and Tramuntana VillagesPlan Mallorca: Palma's cathedral and old town, Tramuntana villages, the Sóller train, Sa Calobra, Cap de Formentor, Alcúdia, coves, food and driving tips.Read the guide
La Seu, a huge Gothic cathedral on the seafront of Palma, with one of the world's largest rose windows. Antoni Gaudí worked on the interior, and a chapel was decorated by Miquel Barceló. On sunny mornings, light through the windows throws colors inside. Buy tickets online.
A royal palace facing the cathedral, built on a former Moorish fortress and still used by the Spanish king for official events. The visit covers Gothic halls, royal rooms with tapestries and a chapel. The gardens of S'Hort del Rei lie at its foot.
A rare circular Gothic castle from the 14th century on a wooded hill above Palma, with a round courtyard and a museum of city history. Its rooftop terrace has wide views of the bay and the city. It is a steep walk up, so many people take a taxi or bus.
A stone village in the Tramuntana mountains, known for the Royal Charterhouse where Chopin and George Sand spent the winter of 1838 to 1839. Lanes are lined with flowerpots and cafes. Try a coca de patata pastry, and arrive early to avoid the tour buses.
A hillside village of honey-colored stone houses above the sea, long loved by artists and writers including poet Robert Graves, whose house is now a museum. A path leads down to the small rocky cove of Cala Deià. Parking is scarce, so come early or by bus.
A valley town of orange groves and a modernist church, reached from Palma on a wooden train running since 1912. A vintage tram continues to Port de Sóller on a round bay. Boats leave the port for Sa Calobra, and ferries sell out in high season.
An old town in the north of the island, known for the Calvari steps, a stairway of 365 stone steps lined with cypress trees climbing to a chapel with views. The Sunday market fills the main square. Port de Pollença on the bay is a few kilometers away.
A historic town in the north with well-preserved medieval walls and gates around a lively old center. Just outside are the ruins of Pollentia, the main Roman city on the island. Visit on Tuesday or Sunday for the market, and walk on top of the walls.
A cove at the end of a road with dramatic hairpin bends through the Tramuntana mountains. A path through tunnels in the rock leads to the mouth of the Torrent de Pareis gorge, with a pebble beach between cliffs. Go by boat from Port de Sóller if you prefer not to drive.
A rugged peninsula at the northern tip of Mallorca, with cliffs, coves and a lighthouse at the end. The Mirador Es Colomer viewpoint is a must stop. In summer, private cars are restricted on the last part of the road during the day, so use the bus or go early.
Large caves near Porto Cristo with stalactites, stalagmites and Lake Martel, one of the largest underground lakes in the world. The visit ends with a short classical music concert played from boats on the lake. Tickets are timed, so book ahead in summer.
A long natural beach of white sand and turquoise water in the south of the island, backed by dunes and salt flats without hotels. It is popular in summer, and paid parking fills by late morning. Bring shade and water, as facilities are limited.
No reviews yet. Been to Mallorca? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to Mallorca? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photosPhoto: Kritzolina, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Streppel assumed (based on copyright claims)., Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder. Feel free to use my photos, but please mentio…, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Isiwal, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Pom' from France, European Union, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Isiwal, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Isiwal, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Photo: Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Steffen Mokosch, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Antoni Sureda, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Olaf Tausch, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: S. John, Elsterwerda, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5
Photo: Olaf Tausch, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Original uploader was User:Li-sung cs [2]; nachbearbeitet von de:User:Oltau (Ori, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Mark Kelly, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Olaf Tausch, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: de:Benutzer:ch ivk, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Pep marfran, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Olaf Tausch, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Photo: Isiwal, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Kritzolina, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Kritzolina, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Unforgettable editor, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder. Feel free to use my photos, but please, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Malopez 21, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Kritzolina, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Kritzolina, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder. Feel free to use my photos, but please, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Kritzolina, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Abrget47j, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Joan Gené, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joan Gené, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Antekbojar, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Michal Osmenda from Brussels, Belgium, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Vicenç Salvador Torres Guerola, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Michal Osmenda from Brussels, Belgium, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Michal Osmenda from Brussels, Belgium, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Kritzolina, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Kritzolina, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Kritzolina, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Kritzolina, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Silar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jodafo, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Andrés Nieto Porras from Palma de Mallorca, España, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Chixoy, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Michal Osmenda from Brussels, Belgium, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Kritzolina, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Kritzolina, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Kritzolina, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Antonio De Lorenzo -> Kufoleto, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5
Photo: Isiwal, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: User:Nikater, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: S. Plaine, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: rene boulay, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Isiwal, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Photo: H. Zell, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: H. Zell, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: no, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: INDALOMANIA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Yikrazuul, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: juliette.dnl, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Bogdan Giuşcă, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Bogdan Giuşcă, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
