The reigning queen of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca is one of the Mediterranean’s most beloved islands.
Whether you are living the good life at one of the beautiful beach resorts dotting the azure seas, dancing until dawn with the international crowd, or hiking through the mountains to hidden sandy coves, it’s impossible not to fall in love here.
While the archipelago is a collection of 151 islands, Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca, and Formentera make up the core of the Balearic islands. Mallorca, or Majorca as it’s known in Catalan, is Europe’s summertime playground.
From the parties of Palma to the Roman and Moorish remains, the Mediterranean spirit permeates the air here.
Ready to explore this island paradise? Here is your ultimate Mallorca itinerary!
Planning Your Trip
With a mild year-round climate and a choose-your-adventure atmosphere, this sun-soaked island is one of the best year-round destinations in Spain.
To see the many faces of this island, I’d recommend spending at least a week or even up to ten days here to soak it all in.
If you have less than one week to explore, choose two areas and save the rest for another time.
The island is bigger than you might think and you don’t want to rush it. We opted for three nights at each destination and it was perfect. Personally, I always like to try to soak in the atmosphere rather than rushing from place to place just to check it off a must-see list.
Have more than a week to explore the island? The northeastern part of Mallorca is gorgeous and it was one area that I wish we’d had more time to explore.
Tip: Want to see more of Spain? Before you book that trip, read up on the Best Time to Visit Spain.
Getting Around
If you are staying for more than a couple of days and are planning to leave the capital city of Palma, you will want to have your own set of wheels.
Visting during August, which is the absolute peak travel time, getting a car was easier said than done…as in nearly impossible.
If you’re visiting during the summer, book your car before you even book your flight.
It’s fundamental to getting around and seeing the best of the island. The true cultural treasures of Mallorca are tucked away in the mountains and, unless you reserve an automatic car well in advance, you will need to plan on driving a small manual transmission car up to see them.
Helpful Tip:
While I do know how to drive a manual car, navigating through the towns of Valldemossa and Deià area was a challenge at times. Outside of town, we were forever on an incline. In Palma and the popular beach towns, we were squeezing into tight parking spots.
You can avoid the hills and have an easier time getting around, but the obstacle courses on the winding roads were well worth it for me when we got to our destinations.
That said, do you! Be realistic about your comfort level and plan accordingly.
Deià
The Night You Get In
Check into your hotel in Deià, and get settled in for two nights and one full day of exploring this charming little village by the sea. I always like to get an early night when I arrive somewhere and wake up fresh for the first morning out. Get settled, and adjust yourself to island time.
Hotel Recommendations:
Budget: We stayed at Hostal Villa Verde and paid far more than you’d expect to, and it was one of the last rooms they had available. While it was a simple accommodation with no air conditioning — the view was worth it!
Luxury: If you’re looking to treat yourself, there’s no place like Belmond La Residencia. This five-star spot offers an unforgettable level of luxury. More than just a posh stay, this historic property is a cultural experience.
Read More: The Best Hotels to Stay at in Mallorca
Day 1
Deià
Deià is loved by all, whether you’re interested in hiking, cycling, or just love the feeling of a quaint, hilly village. Your morning might look different depending on your interests. This is my personal experience from a sightseeing perspective.
Early Morning
Get fueled up for the day at Sa Font Fresca. While this sleepy village is quiet in the early morning, this cafe is the perfect place to sample the orange juice made from Sóller oranges and have a hearty breakfast. They’ve got good coffee here, along with plenty of milk alternatives.
Afternoon
After an afternoon in the town, plan to spend the day at the beach: Cala Deià. You’ll want to make reservations at Ca’s Patró March well in advance.
This popular seaside restaurant books out months in advance. Also, keep in mind that parking might be completely closed off depending on the time of year you come.
Helpful Tip:
Evening
Book as early as possible (before you arrive on the island even) to secure a table at the much loved El Olivo or Café Miró. Even if you only want to visit Café Miro for cocktails, you’ll want to check out the Belmond Residencia property.
El Olivo is the upscale dining option, while Café Miró is the more informal space. Café Miró might have tables available if El Olivo is fully booked, and you honestly can’t go wrong with either option.
On top of having world-class eats, the five-star Belmond hotel is famous for having the best views in town—which is saying a lot in a place like this!
Whether you book at El Olivo or Café Miró, request a reservation for 30 minutes before sunset. The views here are truly breathtaking here and arriving a bit before the sun goes down will give you photos at the golden hour as well as sundown.
The Ultimate Guide to Deià, Mallorca
From where to stay to what to do, here’s your ultimate guide to exploring the charming town of Deià in Mallorca!
Read More!
Day 2
Valldemossa
Steeped in old-world charm, this village feels like something out of a painting with its warm, yellow buildings set against the bright blue sky and lush greenery. The town only has a population of about 2,000 people and the streets are dotted with shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Early Morning
On the second day, we drove 20 minutes from Deià to Valldemossa. It’s important that you get to Valldemossa early in the morning — parking can be incredibly difficult to find.
On arrival, we made a beeline for the famous Forn i Pastisseria Ca’n Molinas. Grab Balearic pastries for breakfast here! This place has been a local institute for years and is rumored to have the best pastries on the islands.
Balearic pastries are a very big deal and you’ve got to try at least one!
There are the coquettes de patatas, a traditional light bun made from potato bread; the ensaimada pastry made from gold old fashioned lard that you’ll see advertised on every street corner; and cabell d’àngel — honey, sugar salt, and lemon zest pastry with a creamy pumpkin pie-like interior of spaghetti squash with cinnamon.
Afternoon
On the afternoon of the second day, we drove down to Palma. As soon as we arrived, I realized what all the fuss was all about. The beaches are truly drop-dead gorgeous in this famous city by the sea.
In front of the water, you will see the iconic Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca. Perched beside the sea, this impressive church is perhaps the best-known landmark of the city.
In the center of Palma, you’ll find Placa Major. This vibrant plaza is the beating heart of the city. Just beside this, you’ll find Placa de Weyler, which is another one of my favorite spots in town.
From there, you can hop directly onto La Rambla, the most famous street in town, or the buzzing Placa del Mercat. All the streets in this area are lined with restaurants, bars, gelaterias, and shops.
You can arrive without a plan and just see where the day takes you.
However, to make the most of your day in Palma, I’d recommend getting into town by 11 or earlier.
Siestas are the norm on the islands so you can expect it to be a ghost town from 4 to 6 pm, and often longer for the smaller shops. Chain stores and little bakeries tend to stay open all day, but you’ll find the local markets and other shops shuttered up.
Just beside Place Major, you’ll find the popular Bar España. This classic tapas spot is serving up all the best of the best Spanish dishes, along with a range of pintxos with vegetarian and vegan options.
Not sure what to order? Save my list of the ten essential tapas you’ve got to try, and you’ll have an instant menu guide.
Helpful Tip:
If you are looking for an easy grab-and-go pick, or just a fab dessert, Fornet de la Soca is unbeatable. Those famous ensaimadas are baked freshly here (and by day two, you might already consider these a daily essential!).
Another picnic supply spot is the famous Mercat de l’Olivar. Local farmers and vendors are serving up the best local eats in this traditional indoor marketplace.
Do note, however, that they take a siesta here and we found things were wrapping up by around 2 pm, with an official closing at 2:30. Come early for lunch, and try the ultra-fresh sushi, oyster bar, or one of the other local treats.
Helpful Tip:
Mercado Gastronómico San Juan has not reopened because of Covid, but in another time it’s supposed to be one of the bigger open-air markets.
Late Afternoon/Evening
While we didn’t — if I could go back, I would definitely recommend spending one night in Palma.
Once we were done exploring the center of town, we soaked in the sun at Platja de Can Pere Antoni. We timed our fun in the sand to coincide with all of the shops closing around town.
If you arrive in the early afternoon, you can go for lunch around 2:30 or 3:00 pm. This will give you time to see all of the key attractions in town without rushing or being met with locked doors.
If you are looking for nightlife, stick around Palma. The rest of the island tends to be quiet in the evening but you’ll find some hopping spots in the capital city.
If you want to explore Palma but not stay in Palma, look no further than the Cap Rocat.
This incredibly luxurious property is famous as the Mediterranean’s most private and secluded resort. If you want to live like the queen that you are, book at least one night here. I haven’t personally made it yet, but it’s definitely on my Spanish bucket list.
The Ultimate Guide to Valldemossa, Mallorca
Steeped in old-world charm, this village in the Tramuntana mountains should be a must on your Mallorca itinerary.
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Finca Hotel Rural Es Turó in Ses Salines
Day 3
Head to the Southeast for Ses Salines
The largest of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca is not as tiny as you might think. In fact, the island is 3,640 sq km (1405 sq mi) so plan ample time to get around.
The southwest of Mallorca is famous for its beaches and so we knew we wanted a full three nights to explore the region.
Ses Salines is a traditional village with some of the best beaches in Spain. It’s been a salt mining town since all the way back to Roman times, so there was an interesting element of history to take in, and it’s a perfect base for exploring the area.
Morning
Enjoy a slow morning in Palma (or wherever you stay the night). As you make your way to Ses Salines, make a stop at the famous Cala Pi beach for turquoise water and white sand.
Afternoon
Check into Finca Hotel Rural Es Turó! While Palma is beautiful, much of the appeal of Mallorca is in the rolling hills of the countryside.
Nowhere exemplifies that provincial beauty quite like Finca Hotel Rural Es Turó.
Just ten minutes from the beach, this rural property was a dream stay. Soaking in the infinity pool, taking in the jaw-dropping sunset views, and lounging by the cabanas will make you feel like you’re a million miles from anyone and anywhere.
Evening
Enjoy everything the hotel has to offer, we hung out at the pool and ordered dinner in our cabana, and watched the sunset.
Don’t worry about planning too much here — just soak in the magic of the property. 🙂
Day 4
Ses Salines
Morning
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Staying at Finca Hotel Rural Es Turó, we didn’t want to leave! We lingered over morning coffee, then slowly made our way into town for breakfast.
Afternoon
Head down to Platja de Cala Galiota beach for some sun and then make your way down to the adorable eatery in Cassai Beach House.
Be sure to make a reservation at Cassai Beach House for lunch!
Explore the area, there are a few supermarkets and hotels so we grabbed a few essentials for later then wandered around admiring the properties. Down the shore, there’s the very picturesque Far de la Colònia de Sant Jordi lighthouse to explore.
Cassai Gran Café
Evening
Have dinner at Cassai Gran Café! This is probably the most fun restaurant in Ses Salines. Check their live music schedule to see when they have their musicians performing. The aesthetic of the place is simply stunning and you’ll likely find yourself wanting to stay all evening.
Wherever this fits into your itinerary, make sure not to miss it!
Day 5
All of the best beaches are in the southeast. We did a full day of beaches and the key is to get started early in the morning. The beaches get very busy depending on the time of year you’re visiting.
Here is a list of beaches to visit starting with the most popular:
Caló des Moro
This beach (featured above) is popular for a reason—I mean just look at it! Get to this beach early! When we visited in August there was over an hour-long wait; they regulate the number of people that are allowed down onto the beach, so the earlier you get there the better.
We started our day on the turquoise shores of the hidden Caló des Moro cove, which is just beside Cala s’Almunia beach. While it’s a postcard-perfect beach, it gets absolutely packed.
I’d recommend going just after breakfast to beat the crowd.
When you arrive, you’ll see signs for a parking lot that is for both Caló des Moro and Cala s’Almunia. Once you have parked your car, you’ll take a little rural hike along the coastline for 15 minutes until you arrive at Caló des Moro.
There are signs to follow, but the insane neon turquoise water will let you know right away that you’re in the right spot!
Beach at S’Almonia
There are great walking paths and around every bend, the view is more beautiful than the last. Soak in the beach vistas then, if you have time, take the trail down to the beach at S’Almonia. It’s a tiny but much-loved fishing village with just a handful of families and a picturesque swimming bay.
It’s a beautiful but rugged beach. While there are plenty of areas to layout, there’s no sand so it’s not the most comfortable.
We saw a couple of people with makeshift snack stalls selling sandwiches and chips, but I’d recommend bringing a picnic (or, at minimum, a big bottle of water or two) because there are no shops or restaurants.
This is a great spot for cliff jumping and there are lots of places to enjoy the sea. In the end, we spent most of our day at S’Almonia because it was so beautiful. The crowd ebbs and flows, and this is one of the reasons people love it.
Playa de Cala Llombards
Our final beach of the day was Playa de Cala Llombards. It’s a lovely little bay that is perfect for families and kids. It was plenty big and had a beautiful sandy beach. This was the only beach that had chairs for rent as well as bathrooms and a restaurant on-site, so you can have lunch and a glass of sangria and enjoy yourself for the entire day. It was only €15 for two chairs and an umbrella for the day!
If You Have Time:
- Cala Màrmols: If we had had more time, I would have also liked to visit Cala Màrmols, which is a hidden little sandy beach in the southeastern corner of the island.
- El Caragol: I also had El Caragol on my list. It’s a 30-minute trek down, however, and a bit out of the way so you really need to plan time for it.
Helpful Tip:
Day 6
Drach Caves
Before heading out, it’s definitely worth visiting the Drach Caves. To be honest, I expected this to be touristy and lame — but it was amazing!
This is a network of the largest underwater lakes in the world and the experience is so well done. It is a self-guided experience and you just choose your window of time.
Once you are in there, you wander amongst the stalagmite and stalactites for around half an hour to 45 minutes. After that, you sit down in an amphitheater and they dim the lights then bring out a string quartet on a boat. You sit and enjoy a live classical concert for 15 minutes.
The acoustics are incredible as there are no videos or photos allowed so you sit in total darkness as silences with nothing but the sounds of the pianist and a three-string instrument.
It was straight out of a Disney movie and I was literally in tears by the end. This is one experience you definitely don’t want to miss!
We started our day early at the caves to make sure that we still had time for Calo Des Moro beach. It was an hour north, and it was around noon when we arrived. Being August, it was busy but worthwhile. If you have time, you can also make your way over to Cala Llombards and rent chairs here.
Visiting the Cuevas del Drach in Mallorca
Looking for a truly one-of-a-kind experience? Here’s what you should know about visiting the Cuevas del Drach in Mallorca.
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Bonus Spots
If you are planning to stay longer, continue to the northeast then keep heading west along the north coast. I didn’t get a chance to do anything of these things, but they were recommended to me and looked fab.
Continuing on, I would have stayed overnight at the gorgeous Hotel Rural Predi Son Jaumell Capdepera. From the southeast, I’d love to beach hop from la Font de la Cala to Cala Molto.
I would have also made my way over to more caves at Coves d’Artà and finally make my way up to the peak of the island: Peninsula Cap de Formator.
Once you’ve got your fill of beach hopping, heading back to Palma to dig a bit deeper and stay overnight would be well worth it too!
Have you been to Mallorca before or are you in the process of planning? I’d love to know what’s on your agenda!
Make sure to check out my guide to Deià and Valldemossa!
We are planning a family trip to Mallorca in August this year. We have a week in a villa in central Mallorca (near Inca) but are struggling to decide what to do with our first week. We will have a 1 year old with us but would like to do some beach days and some exploring and enjoy a little nightlife as the more central area seems likely to be quieter. How would you recommend spending our first week? Also, is car hire definitely necessary or are buses/trains/taxis readily available?
Hi Amy! Oh goodness, that’s tough as I can only report back about the itinerary I experienced and I didn’t have a little one with me. I definitely found having a car necessary to get around in a timely manner, but do be aware that many of the cars available are stick shift. AND when we went, there were barely any cars available (we got one of the last ones), so definitely book in advance.
You may want to ask in the TBA Travel Tribe on FB and see if they have any recommendations there! https://www.facebook.com/groups/tbatraveltribe/
Hey! My girlfriends and I all work remotely and are thinking about getting a place in Mallorca for the month of September and working from there! We are all between 23-26. I would love your recommendation for where our home base should be for the month? We plan on doing excursions every weekend as well, but definitely need a recommendation for a good home base. While we like to go out, beaches and fun places to explore during the day is more of a priority for us. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts 😊.
Hi Connor! That sounds so wonderful. While Deià is gorgeous, if beaches/close places are your priority, you may want to base yourself around Ses Salines and the surrounding areas. As a note, all of the best beaches are in the southeast. 🙂