Things To Do in Majorca

The small archipelago in the west of the Mediterranean Sea has long been a favorite destination for tourists from all over the world. Of course, we are talking about the Balearic Islands. The mild climate, 300 days of sunshine a year, magnificent landscapes, beautiful beaches, rich culture, great opportunities for leisure and recreation for any, even the most demanding taste, have turned this place into a real paradise on Earth. And it is not a problem to find things to do in Mallorca.

It is easy to get to the Balearic Islands, each of them has its own airport, from which planes fly both on domestic flights and to all major European cities. Mallorca also has a railroad. The archipelago has a very well developed bus service and car rentals are quite popular with many tourists. Therefore, there are no problems in getting somewhere, the main thing is to decide on how to do it. Many people come here for holidays, and someone - to stay here forever.

Despite the large flow of tourists from all over the world, this is one of the most environmentally friendly resorts in the Mediterranean Sea. The history of its popularity began as early as the 19th century, when Frederic Chopin and George Sand spent several unforgettable months in Mallorca, after which this place became widely known among artists, musicians, aristocrats and just lovers of pleasant recreation. It should be noted that every summer Mallorca is visited by the royal family.

Today this island is one of the most popular resorts in the Mediterranean. Generous nature has not dared to give Mallorca wonderfully rich landscapes: behind the mountain ranges hide protected forests and fertile valleys, and sandy beaches are washed by crystal clear, bright blue sea. So if you still have a question: is Mallorca worth visiting? - the answer is yes!

Beach recreation

The bathing season lasts from May to October, with water temperatures ranging from 18 (May) to 28 (August) degrees Celsius. There are several resort areas on the island.

The largest of these is Arenal / Can Pastille, famous for its extremely long sandy beach. There are "Aquacity" (water amusement park), mini-golf club, many cafes, restaurants, discos.

Cala Mayor / Illetas occupies the mountainous part of the island where small cosy beaches are next to picturesque rocks. It is here, next to the city of Palma, the summer residence of the Spanish kings - Palacio Marivent.

In the resort area of Palma Nova / Magaluf were built so beloved by children and adults "Marineland" (Park of sea animals), the attraction "Pirates Show", casino "Palladium", numerous discos and entertainment centers. And for those who prefer a quiet holiday and quiet bays, the best places are Santa Ponsa, Paguera, Andratx. So if you don’t know what to do in Mallorca, you can always go on the beach.

Architecture in Mallorca

Thanks to its rich history (the island has been captured by Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Catalans and Spaniards for centuries), Mallorca has a wide range of attractions: the invaders have left behind many historical and architectural monuments, varying in color and style.

The capital of Palma de Mallorca is especially magnificent. Narrow streets in the centre, fountains, parks and spacious squares make up the unique architecture of this city. The cathedral or Bellver Castle, for example, cannot be passed by indifferently, while the Arabian baths or the fish market in the port give the city its unique flavour.

Valldemossa is a charming village with cobblestone streets, where the Cartesian monastery, the place of an idyllic winter novel by George Sand and Frederic Chopin, has been preserved. Another interesting place is the small museum of the tireless traveler and talented writer Archduke Luis Salvador, as well as an ancient monastery pharmacy. In every Mallorca travel blog you will definitely find some pictures of this place.

Alcudia is a medieval town surrounded by mighty fortress walls, which in the past protected against pirate raids. Nearby are the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Pollentia, which was founded by Cecil Metellus in 123 BC.

The Underworld of Mallorca will appear before you in the caves of Drach and Hams. Drač Cave in the eastern part of the island is 1700m long and runs through the realm of stalactites and stalagmites. The pearl of this underground world is the largest underground lake in Europe - Martel (177 m long, 40 m wide and 5-8 m deep). Concerts are even held here, during which chamber musicians slowly sail around the illuminated lake in boats. A guitar and a violin will be played for you in the cave of Hams.

Felanitx is a village surrounded on all sides by vineyards, where the most interesting festival of medieval dances is held on August 28, St. Augustine's Day. There was a famous cartography center, whose masters, according to legend, made geographic maps for Columbus. In the depths of the island there is the world-famous "Majorica" factory, where artificial pearls are grown.

Sports and leisure lovers will not be bored at the island: It’s not a problem to find things to do in Mallorca, Spain. There is everything for lovers of sailing, water skiing, windsurfing, scuba diving, sport fishing and more. Golf, parachuting, hang gliding, as well as cycling and horse riding are equally popular here.

What to do in Mallorca?

Mallorca is an ideal place for all kinds of entertainment and sports, including water sports. Sailing, diving, water skiing, surfing, snorkeling, swimming and more. Mallorca has various tennis courts, yacht clubs, golf courses, water parks, swimming pools and diving schools.

Active recreation

All amateur and experienced swimmers are advised to try diving. Mallorca is an amazingly diverse underwater world, a world of discoveries and new opportunities. Dive centers and schools can provide all the necessary equipment and teach how to dive, breathe and swim properly. Routes are designed for both beginners and professionals. The high diving season is May-June and September-October. Among underwater attractions are shipwrecks, corals, sea creatures. Almost every resort in Mallorca has diving clubs.

The most favorable season for windsurfing is July-August. During this time the waves reach their optimum size for extreme sports. Alcudia Beach (and some of North Mallorca's other beaches) kindly provides windsurfing boards for hire, so you don't have to bring your equipment.

You can enjoy the spaciousness and fabulous islands of Mallorca by boat. You can hire a yacht for one day, one week or for another period. Rental price depends on the type of boat and usually starts at 400 euros per day. You can hire a yacht at the port of Palma and other holiday destinations as well as on the Viva Yachting, Sail in Mallorca and Yacht Charter Guide websites. So if you don't know what to do in Majorca, try active recreation.

Golf

Mallorca is an ideal place for golfing. Golf courses of varying difficulty levels and golf schools have been created and maintained for golf enthusiasts. There are a total of 22 golf courses in Mallorca with varying landscapes and degrees of difficulty, 19 of which have 18 holes. Mallorca's capital Palma de Mallorca hosts international golf tournaments for golf professionals every year (Open de Baleares, Grand Prix of Mallorca and other competitions). The best of the best golfers come together here.

Hiking and cycling

All supporters of cycling and hiking should pay attention to the areas of Paquera, Soller, Monastery of Luke. Bicycles, by the way, can be rented, the cost starts from 5 euros. There are special routes for hiking, as well as old trails, most of which lie through highlands and gorges along the coastline. For example, Deia - Valldemossa is a 4 hour trail that starts at Hotel Es Moli and runs through terraces, a grove and a limestone plateau. To avoid getting lost, the right road is marked. The final stop is in Valldemossa, where you can have a snack in a cafe and take the bus to Deia.

Another option for hiking is the Deia-Soller route. The 3-hour walk does not seem tiresome, on the way to touristic Soller, you can swim in the sea, take pictures against the background of the rocks and sights of Soller.

The route with overnight stay Coober Lake - Luke begins with a lake in the northern part of Sollère. Walking around the lake and moving towards an old mountain farm, you can stay overnight at Refugi Tossals Verds. There are all the necessary amenities and reservations must be made in advance by phone. In the morning you need to move up to Mallorca Mountain. The final stop is Luke Monastery. From here you can take the bus to Soller or Palma. Hiking and cycling are the best things to do in Majorca for active people.

There are amusement parks and clubs

With friends and family you can relax in amusement parks - go to the aquarium, water park, nature park, motor safari and so on. Among the most visited and interesting places are Palma Aquarium, Aquari de Mallorca, Hidropark Alcudia, Aqualand el Arenal, Jungle Parc and Safari-Zoo.

Incendiary young people love to have fun in Ibiza, the club capital of the archipelago, where the world's best DJs play nightclubs. During the summer season, music continues unabated until morning and the local beaches dance to a variety of musical rhythms. But Mallorca's clubs, such as Titos (one of the best nightclubs in the archipelago), Puro Beach, Abraxas, BCM, Riu Palace and Garito club, as well as the Blue Jazz Club for jazz lovers, are also very popular. If you are looking for Mallorca things to do, then you can consider this option.

Shopping in Mallorca 

Mallorca not only allows you to relax on vacation, but also to take a walk in the shops. Shopping in Mallorca ranges from small market stalls to large commercial centres located in central tourist areas.

Shops in Mallorca and the capital

Perhaps some of the best shops are in Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the island. The main shopping street is Avinguda Jaume III and of course Passeig des Born. Shop hours in the centre of Palma are from 9am to 10pm. Sunday is an official day off, most major stores are closed. You can pay for your purchases either in cash or by credit card.

An excellent time for shopping is the sale season - prices for many products are significantly reduced, and real shopping lovers will be able to find quality and branded goods at a discount of up to 80%. Sales in Mallorca are in winter and summer: January to February and July to August. Porto Pi, El Corte Inglés, Festival Park - huge shopping malls with supermarkets, cinemas, restaurants and of course clothing stores.

Mallorca Markets

But for souvenirs in memory of the island of Mallorca, you should go to the market fair. There are local fairs in all parts of the island, and sales are not uncommon. Here you can buy jewellery, ceramics, pots and ethnic clothing in a variety of colours. The siurell toys are interesting and popular among tourists. These are ceramic animal figurines, plates, pots, painted in a variety of colors. The production of colorful figures and plates is done by local artisans and craftsmen.

Some of the most famous markets in Mallorca are Alcudia, Inca and Puerto Pollença. Their opening hours are from 8am to 2pm. Other Mallorca markets: Caimari, Calvia, Lloret, Manacor, Montuiri, Artà, Campanet, Can Picafort, Llubí, Porreres, etc.

The main markets in Palma de Mallorca are: the Fish Market (Llotja del Peix), located in Es Moll de Pescadores; the Food Market (Mercat Olivar), located in Plaza Olivar; and the Flea Market (Pere Garau), located in Pere Garau. The famous Night Market of local artisans near the Passeig de Sagrera promenade is also interesting.

What to buy as a gift?

It will be a mistake to visit Mallorca and don’t buy some gifts. Crafted pearls from the Majorica factory can be bought at specialised shops. Beware of fakes - real factory goods are not sold in the street benches and sidewalks. The product of pearls has a 10-year warranty. The special uniqueness of local pearls is that the method of production of products is almost manual, and all pearls are covered with nacre, the manufacture of which is kept in secret.

The island liqueur is a drink that almost all Mallorca guests take with them with pleasure. Liqueurs come in many different tastes and varieties. Most often they are liqueurs infused with herbs, almond nuts and carob pods. The alcoholic strength of liqueurs is 25%, but the taste of the drink is divine. Liqueurs on herbs and nuts - Herbas Dulses, Herbas Secas, Herbas Mixt, Palo - have not only excellent taste, but also healing properties. For example, dark Palo liqueur is made on the basis of ginseng root and carob tree pods. These plants are used in pharmacy to treat the digestive system and increase the immune system. Such liqueurs are recommended to be consumed only before eating a few tablespoons.

Ensaimada is a traditional sweet that has been cooked in Mallorca since the Arabs. All tourists are happy to take home the ensaimada, which is bought either in the shops or at the airport. Ensaimada is a sweet air dough rolled in a triangle and packed in a box. It can be stored for up to 6 days.

The creativity of Mallorca's craftsmen is endless. Products made of blown glass are also famous all over the world. There are many shops on the island where you can buy beautiful products. Glass craftsmanship to this day keeps special traditions and secrets of production of the Romans themselves. Vases, coloured figures, plates and decorative elements - blown glass products are good souvenirs in memory of Mallorca. 

Tax Free system

When shopping in Mallorca shops, remember that you can get a refund of VAT (value added tax). And this is 11-13% of the purchase price. If there is a Tax Free (Tax Refund) sticker on the door of the store, a VAT refund is valid. In order to receive a discount on an item in the form of VAT deduction, you need to buy an item with a minimum amount for Tax Free (in Spain it is 90.15 euros).

So, with every check for the minimum amount and above you can get some money back. Remember that every time you apply for discounts, commissions are deducted for various expenses. Using the services of El Corte Ingles centers in Mallorca, each purchase is charged for 6 euros.

In practice, most often the value added tax is refunded when you arrive home. The cheque is sent by mail. But do not forget to make out forms in the shop and put a stamp at customs. A filled in stamped form should be put into the Tax Free box at the airport.

Food and drinks

Doesn’t matter what Majorca things to do you will choose, everyone need to eat. Mallorca's diverse cuisine includes the best traditions and tastes of Catalan, Moorish and, of course, Mediterranean dishes. Traditional Mallorca dishes are served at small restaurants specialising in Spanish cuisine. In most cases, they are located away from the tourist centers of the islands, but there are also restaurants with mixed cuisine, including the national (Spanish).

Mallorca's dishes are pork, vegetables (mainly stew) and seafood. Spaniards also love international cuisine, with special emphasis on pork and paprika sobrasada spicy sausage, layered ensaimada sweets and liqueurs on herbs and nuts.

From meat dishes it is worth trying fried lamb el Frito Mallorquin, pork with cabbage Lomo con Col, baked pig Lechona al Horno, vegetable soup with meat and mushrooms Sopas Mallorquinas, paella with seafood, and of course for gourmets los Caracoles (snails). 

At breakfast, instead of croissant, try the typical Ensaimada (spiral-shaped buns), and for dessert Gato cake made of almonds with almond ice cream.

Alcohol highlights include local Binissalem and Felanitx wines, liqueurs, sherry and beer. Sangria is a local alcoholic drink, light and very tasty. You can find it in the menu of almost all large and small restaurants.

Seafood is represented in all its diversity. It should be noted that the average check on the menu of seafood can be more than $ 50. One of the most expensive seafood dishes is lobster stew. The cost of a dish from 100 dollars. The most common seafood dishes can be enjoyed in specialized restaurants: Dorada, Cap Roig (fish, typical only for Mallorca waters), gambas shrimps, mussels and other clams.

Snacks and drinks can be enjoyed at popular tapas bars (places with a large variety of snacks for wine, sherry and beer). La Boveda on the side of Sa Llotja, Palma is a favourite destination of many tourists and Mallorca's capital city.

The cost of mineral water starts at 1 euro. On the counters of shops will meet brands Evian and Mallorca mineral water. The price in the hotel and restaurants rises twice or even more.

Restaurants can offer complex lunches menu del dia, which includes first, second dishes, dessert and drinks. The cost of such lunch starts from 8 euros per person.

Traditions and peculiarities of local dishes can be found in many places. In the windows of almost all restaurants there is the most necessary information to choose - star status in the form of fork, the cost and menu of complex lunch, as well as the type of menu (European, national, etc.). Some of the best restaurants in Mallorca, according to culinary experts, are located in the provinces of Soller, Port Andratx and Pollença. In 2005, there were over 2400 restaurants in Mallorca.

And of course you have to visit restaurants in Palma de Mallorca, the island's capital. There are also five Michelin-starred restaurants in Mallorca. Tristan in Puerto Portals has 2* status, Bacchus in Read's Hotel (Santa Maria), Es Raco des Teix (Deia), Es Moli den Bou (Sa Coma) and Plat d'Or in the Arabella Golf Hotel in Son Vida are 1* restaurants.

A real Mallorcan flavour and cosiness in the cellars, or Sayers. There you can find real traditional cuisine, drinks and friendly Mallorca. Such taverns in great variety are found in the province of Inca. So if you don’t know where to go in mallorca, you can also check this option.

Security

Mallorca is a lively resort island with a fairly peaceful environment. There are plenty of entertainment clubs and bars, so even at night life is bustling. The locals are friendly and helpful. Stay alert in the lively city areas. You shouldn't carry a large sum of cash, and there are many ATMs in Palma and other more or less large cities. Also, bank cards, including Visa, are accepted almost everywhere (except small shops and cafes).

You should not use tap water as a drink. Most often it is desalinated sea water, so for safety reasons it is better to buy bottled water from local shops. The cost of a litre bottle of water is 1 Euro.

Many of Mallorca's beaches are considered ecologically clean. Tourist beach area is under the strictest control of environmental government agencies, and the quality of sea water is checked every week.