Mallorca Travel Guide – Highlights, Map & Best Time to Visit
Mallorca reads easily if you split it into four lines: Palma & the Bay, Serra de Tramuntana, East & South coves, and the Central plain. Give each line its own day or half-day. The island feels larger on maps than in practice; distances are short, but roads ask for unhurried driving.
Places & Landmarks
Start with a piece of history, then move outward to water and views. A few steady anchors:
- Palma Cathedral · Gothic stone by the sea; quietest at opening.
- Fundació Miró · White rooms, clear light, work that belongs near water.
- Jardines de Alfabia · Water channels and palms at the Tramuntana’s foot.
- Rafa Nadal Museum · Sport told plainly in Manacor.
Keep days compact. Palma with nearby culture; Tramuntana villages together; east-coast coves on one run. Park high above coves and walk down. Early light favors the east and plain; golden hour suits the west and northwest.
Tours & Activities
One simple plan per day is enough. A few ideas that hold their value:
- Catamaran Cruise – swim stops, a deck in the shade, slow return near sunset.
- Vintage Train to Sóller – wood carriages through orchards; tram to the port.
- Caves of Drach – underground lake and a short classical piece in the dark.
- Tramuntana Hiking – old stone paths and views where terraces meet sea.
- Tapas & Wine Walk – small streets, local plates, evening air.
Season & Timing
- May–June · clear water, flowers, mild heat.
- July–August · long days and full beaches—reserve boats, caves, family rooms.
- September–October · warm sea, soft light, calmer towns.
- November–April · quiet trails and village bars; some hotels pause.
Where to Stay
- Palma & Bay – culture, buses, easy food; car optional.
- Northwest (Sóller, Deià) – Tramuntana views, old paths, slower evenings.
- East & South – family coves and flat walks; car helps.
- Central Plain – fincas, markets, big sky between towns.
Getting Around
- Car is useful for villages and scattered coves; roads are narrow—drive unhurried.
- Buses link Palma with main towns; trains reach Inca, Sa Pobla, and Manacor.
- Carry water, reef-safe sunscreen, and a light layer—sea wind cools after sunset.
Sample 3-Day Plan
Cathedral at opening → quiet streets behind the walls → Miró or a harbor walk → evening tapas.
Valldemossa lane walk → viewpoints above Sóller → Jardines de Alfabia for shade and water channels.
Coves with calm entry → Caves of Drach → late swim and a simple dinner near the sea.
If language helps, the Intensive Course covers what you use the same day: greetings, directions, cafés and small talk—enough to turn a place into a conversation.