The best places in Mallorca

Charming Mallorca is not only a great beach holiday with European charm in an atmosphere of blissful nonsense and free "all inclusive". Despite the water and sand "reputation" of this popular tourist destination, Mallorca will find something to occupy itself and the fans of excursions. Mallorca destinations, natural and historical, are extremely diverse and interesting: on the island, you will meet lively and bright cities, buried in the green cozy bays and, of course, monuments of world cultural heritage. Over the centuries, Mallorca has been the centre of a mix of cultures and generations, so you'll find Arab-style houses, Gothic cathedrals, and palaces. Let’s talk about the best places in Mallorca.

Nature

Mallorca's natural world is diverse and the island's underground world will be a huge discovery. Today there are about 200 caves in Mallorca, of which only five are open to the public. There are a lot of interesting caves and some other really good natural places to visit in Mallorca so if you like nature, this island will be really good choice for you. Another cave with no less interesting halls is Arta Cave. Here you will find yourself in "Purgatory", get to "Hell" and go to "Paradise". The cave with such intriguing names couldn't help becoming a tourist center of the island. The cave has the highest stalagmite in the world and light shows.

In the northernmost part of Mallorca, there is an amazingly picturesque place called Cap de Formentor. From here you have a fantastic view of the endless sea, the contours of Colomer Island, and the mountain ranges. That’s one of the best places to stay in Mallorca. You can reach the lighthouse, the highest point in northern Mallorca, explore the bay of the cozy little town of Pollensa and admire the beauty of the neighbouring island of Menorca.

History

For a historical excursion in Mallorca "responsible", first of all, the capital's Cathedral, construction of which began in the 13th century on the site of an old mosque, and much later contributed to the interior of the brilliant Gaudi. Secondly, Castle Bellver - the only Gothic building in Spain in the style of round shape, built on top of a hill, which offers a charming view of the bay of Palma and the magnificent panorama of the city. It is one of the best places to go in Mallorca. Third, Palazzo Almudaina is the current residence of the Spanish monarch and is famous for its picturesque courtyard, skilfully laid out gardens, and ancient Arab baths. Finally, it is definitely worth visiting the 13th century Luke Monastery, which houses the island's most revered shrine, the stone statue of the Holy Virgin of Luke. 

Homesteads

Mallorca has quite a few parks, nature reserves, and, of course, gardens. For example, the Alfabia gardens surrounding the estate of the same name are particularly beautiful. The Arabic style has been preserved here with many streams, springs, and fountains. In the garden, you can relax enjoying the scents of fruit, lemon and orange trees, jasmine, and almonds. By the way, Elizabeth II herself once stayed in Alfabia. Another magnificent estate in La Granja invites you not only to see the rich owner's house, in the rooms of which you can see the household items of medieval Mallorca but also to watch how the artisans work, as well as relax in the fresh air in well-kept gardens. Now let's look at some of the best places to visit in Mallorca.

A holiday in Mallorca is sure to be memorable, as the island has many beautiful places to visit ranging from unique nature reserves to historical sites of different eras and cultures. The fabulous landscapes of the natural parks have been created as a model, while the unique prehistoric caves offer an incredible light and music show. There are art galleries and museums all over the island, but the main historical attractions are located in the capital Palma de Mallorca, where we will start our journey around the island. Mallorca's capital city has art galleries, museums, nightclubs, and all the major city attractions are concentrated in the city center. You can find a lot of the best places to stay in Palma de Mallorca.

La Seu Catedral

The Palma de Mallorca Cathedral is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. The construction of the temple lasted several centuries, which affected its appearance. We can observe the Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles in the architecture of the cathedral, and in the XX century, Antonio Gaudi worked on the temple.

The Cathedral is 44 meters high and offers a stunning view of the Royal Parque de la Mar and the Mediterranean Sea. There are two museums in the cathedral, one of them has a unique exhibit - the Ark of the True Cross, and the other museum hosts art exhibitions. The temple is open daily from 10 am to 5:15 pm. Entrance is paid for except Sunday when during morning service the entrance is free for all. That’s one of the best holiday destinations in Mallorca.

Almudaina Palace

Next to the cathedral is the Royal Palace, which was built by the order of the Muslim Wali after the Arab conquest of the island. At the foot of the palace, there are royal gardens, where you can spend a pleasant time by the fountains. Notice the Arc de sa Drassana, once the "gateway" to the Royal Wharf.

The Palma de Mallorca Aquarium

Mallorca has one of the best aquariums in Europe, the Oceanarium and the adjacent Palma de Mallorca Marine Park. On a huge area of 41 thousand square meters is located 55 unique aquariums, where you can get acquainted with more than 700 species of fauna and experience extraordinary emotions when right above your head a huge shark. The tour of the aquarium passes through 5 thematic zones and lasts about 4-5 hours. In some sections, you can not only look at the flora and fauna but even touch them. For example, a sea urchin or a sea cucumber. By the way, there is a real tropical forest on the roof of the complex. The aquarium is open all year round and it’s definitely one of the best places in Palma de Mallorca. 

You can finish your walk in the capital of Mallorca on Mori, a favorite street with original houses, the windows of which are made of blown glass. The street leads to the square with the oldest church in Palma of St. Eulalia. For further travel around the island, we recommend renting a car in Mallorca and going to the picturesque parks and towns of the island. So if you are looking for some destinations from Palma de Mallorca, that’s a good choice.

What to visit in Mallorca?

Galatzo Natural Park

We certainly recommend visiting the picturesque Galatzo Park in the mountain valley near Palma de Mallorca. It is a very green park with winding paths, numerous waterfalls, and mountain lakes to swim in. The hills offer a beautiful view of the entire island. So that’s one of the best places to cycle in Mallorca.

The town of Valldemossa and the Cartesian monastery

The village of Valldemossa surrounded by wooded hills offers stunning views and Romanesque walks. The town is about 17 km from the island's capital. There is also the ancient Cartesian monastery from the 13th century, where Frederic Chopin and George Sand once stayed. Valldemossa is one of the Mallorca top destinations.

The village of Deia and Fornalutx

Ten miles from Valldemossa, on the northern crest of Mallorca, is another small village that attracts tourists. There are old stone houses scattered on a mountain slope among olive and orange groves. If you like traditional Spanish towns with stone houses and cobbled winding streets, head to the next village of Fornalutx in the picturesque orange valley.

Randa Village and Monastery

The village of Randa is located in a mountainous area and is famous for its beautiful panorama of all Mallorca. All towns and villages are well visible on a clear day. In addition, you can take a tour of Puig de Randa with three monasteries. Along the way, you can meet pilgrims.

Castle of Capdepera and Bellver Castle

You should definitely visit the majestic Castle of Capdepera if you like Gothic architecture. A very narrow road leads to the castle, which is difficult to drive even two cars, so be prepared for long walks. Thanks to its rich history, today the Castle Museum is one of the most important sights of Spain. Be sure to climb the outdoor staircase to the flat roof. The towers of the castle offer stunning views of the city and sea. And on the roof of the Virgen de la Esperanza church, you can enjoy stunning views of the city. The entrance to the castle is paid.

Another example of Gothic art with an unusual round shape, the Castell de Bellver is a few kilometres from the capital of Mallorca. The castle is located on a hill which offers a great view of the panorama of Palma. The castle itself has a museum open to the public. That’s the best places to stay in Mallorca Spain.

Caves in Mallorca

One of the most popular excursions in Mallorca is to visit the caves, which in prehistoric times served as a natural habitat and refuge. Now there are 5 caves available for tourists to visit and they are open all year round. It is possible to visit them as a small group.

Cuevas de Campanet

They are located in the north of the island at a depth of 50 meters. The 40-minute excursion will not leave you indifferent: many different tunnels, stalactites, and stalagmites, and in limestone sediments, you can find fossilized remains of prehistoric animals. Remarkably, the caves of Campanet have been preserved almost in their natural state.

Coves del Drach

In the east of the island are the largest caves, which are almost two and a half kilometers long underground. A special feature of these caves is the underground lakes where classical music concerts are held every hour under light illumination. That’s one of the best places to visit in Mallorca Spain.

Cuevas de Artá

Northeast Mallorca is home to the Art Caves. You will descend to a depth of 45 meters and get into huge halls, each of which has its own name. At the end of the tour, you will enjoy a light and sound performance.

Cuevas del Hams

Another beautiful underground lake is located in Ams caves at a depth of 30 meters. This lake is often called the "Venice Sea". It also hosts an amazing musical performance. And the lake itself is famous for its amazing shape of stalactites resembling fairytale trees. During the excursion, you can meet prehistoric crustaceans.

Cuevas de Génova

Mallorca's smallest and most easily accessible caves are on the island's south coast and are well suited for excursions with children.

Cap de Formentor in Mallorca

At sunset, the best place to go is the picturesque Cap de Formentor on Mallorca's north coast. Although it is one of the most visited places on the island, there are no buses and it's also impossible to walk here, so the best option is by car. The lighthouse is located at an altitude of 210 meters above sea level, from the observation deck, there are amazing views of the sea and waves, which are crushed against the coastal cliffs. It is one of the best places to go in Palma de Mallorca.

Palladium Casino

Palma De Mallorca is home to the only Palladium Casino on the island. Even if you're not a gambler, you can have fun at the complex. There are bars, restaurants and all kinds of entertainment. The entrance is fee-based and is only allowed for persons over 18 years old. There is a dress code: evening dresses for ladies and suits for men.

Entertainment in Mallorca

Let's say you went around the whole island and got to know the sights of Mallorca. What else do you do on the island?

Golf

Due to the sunny weather and rare rainfall golf here is especially popular. There are 11 standard golf courses in Mallorca, where only members of the club can practice and about 20 courses available to everyone.

Pule is the most challenging golf course in North-East Mallorca and is used for the European Championship.

Tracking

Picturesque views have contributed to the development of hiking in Mallorca. There are a huge number of trails, most of them with spectacular views of the coastline. Tracking guides of any length can be found and downloaded online.

Climbing

The Mallorca coastline is covered by a mountain range with an ideal structure for climbing. Routes are designed for all levels of training. You can take part in climbing as part of an organized group.

Diving

Mallorca has all the necessary infrastructure for scuba diving. The rich flora and fauna, the clean Mediterranean Sea attracts both amateurs and professionals. On the coast, you can find diving schools and equipment rentals. Of particular interest to divers in Mallorca are the sunken submarines, which have become a haven for many species of fish and invertebrates. By the way, the island constantly holds national championships in scuba diving with breath-holding, underwater fishing, and photography. To participate, you need to have a license.

Surfing

Favorable winds contributed to the development of sports such as surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and SUP surfing. The best conditions for windsurfing in Mallorca are the local wind, called Embat, which blows from April to November, but surfing is less popular, but you can still find long waves in the east and north of the island.