I was utterly wowed by Mallorca—the sights, tastes but especially the vibes. Mallorca imbues island life with a mix of international and Spanish culture all in one. Here’s how to make the most of your vacation to Mallorca.
When to Visit
Of course, summer is the warmest time of year, so if you’re there for warm waters, maybe visit then. If you want to beat the crowds, I recommend visiting in the fall or spring. We went in October when the weather was still warm, the waters weren’t too chilly, and the crowds were minimal.
Where to Stay
We stayed at the Aparthotel Fontanellas Playa. Reaching Mallorca’s top sights from this hotel requires a drive, but it’s located right along the beach and conveniently close to the airport.
Start your morning at Aparthotel browsing through the buffet that boasts a wide variety of food, and enjoy your meal with an expanisve ocean view. Take a dip in the hotel’s pool or neighboring Mediterranean Sea. We personally enjoyed strolling along the boardwalk in the evening and dining at the countless seaside restaurants that offer delicious Spanish cuisine. End the day with one of the hotel’s nightly events—many of which are kid-friendly.
Just don’t forget to venture outside your hotel and see everything else Mallorca has to offer.
Top Attractions
Visit Soller & Soller de Porta
Nestled within the hills of Mallorca, Soller is famous for its iconic church steeple and trolley. Stroll along Soller’s cobblestoned streets to discover delightful eateries and trendy boutiques selling quintessential Mallorcan momentos.
Enjoy a leisurely train ride on the classic yet still operating trolley to reach Soller de Porta: an idyllic port town that offers visitors even more shops and restaurants to mill through. Plus, it boasts gorgeous sea views with some sandy shores and swim-friendly waters.
Get to Soller early to avoid the crowds and find an open parking spot, as parking gets increasingly limited throughout the day.
Kayak, Paddle Board or Snorkel the Mediterranean
There are plenty of kayak and paddle board tours to choose from. The tour we hopped on included kayaking, snorkeling in a cave, cliff jumping and lunch. We also learned a lot from our tour guide about the local habitat and Mallorcan culture.
Behold Palma’s Historic Sights
Unlike most capitals with their massive skyscrapers and busy streets, Palma offers charming, historic buildings and must-see landmarks. La Seu Cathedral is a sight to behold and the grandest church I’ve ever had the privilege of seeing. It demands attention with its immense size and seamlessly beautiful blend of Catalan Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. Then there’s the Bellver Castle, Almudaina Palace…so much to see and do in this city that it’s almost overwhelming. My advice is to just pick one or two specific sites to see, and then walk around the pedestrian-friendly city to discover what else you stumble upon.
Browse Through Palma’s Alleys
Palma boasts cobblestoned streets lined with charming boutiques and restaurants. The antique alleyways seem to weave through the city for miles. We spent hours browsing through shops and eating soul-fulfilling food.
Things to Keep in Mind…
- In typical Spanish fashion, most restaurants in Mallorca are open for lunch but close for a period of time before opening up fairly late for dinner. It may feel as if they open for dinner a little too late if you typically go to bed on the early side or have young children. Some of the restaurants offer limited menus between lunch and dinner.
- We rented a car which is likely ideal for most travelers. Public transit in Mallorca is not as developed as other European cities. Still, if you’re looking to save money, busses are available, and taxis are also an option.
- Mallorca is a culinary delight’s dream. Some local cuisine must tries are any and all of their local catches, arroz brut, tumbet and seafood paella. Don’t forget to pair your food with some delicious tinto de verano: an alcoholic beverage that’s like red wine, but so much better.
Living the Holloway 