Mallorca is a magical place, and there really is something for everyone on this picturesque island. Featuring a Mediterranean climate, Mallorca sees more than 300 days of sunshine every year, and was the perfect destination to escape to from the gray weather of London. Mallorca is the largest island in Spain, and is known for it’s well-preserved medieval city center, beautiful beaches, and natural scenery. It’s picturesque hilltop villages have become a hub for creatives and celebrities (fun fact: it was a favorite vacation destination by glamorous celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn), and the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range located on the island is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. We spent a weekend in Mallorca and had a blast beach-hopping, wandering the vibrant streets of Palma, and savoring warm evening nights with seafood tapas and cold drinks. Check out my weekend guide and Mallorca photo diary below!
Streets of Palma
Palma de Mallorca is the island’s capital, and is a medieval town that is clean, charming, and super walkable. We loved strolling the narrow alleyways, visiting the Cathedral, perusing the local market (picking up a few fresh fruits for snacking on), and witnessing the exciting buzz of glamorous vacationers wining and dining al-fresco on the cobblestone streets. Around half of Mallorca’s permanent population lives in Palma!
TIP: Make sure to save some room for gelato at Rivareno Heladeria which is an artisan gelato shop located near the main square of Palma. You can choose to have your cup/cone filled with liquid dark or white chocolate. OMG.
Lunch at Ca Patro March
By far, my favorite meal in Mallorca was our leisurely lunch at Ca Patro March. This waterside chiringuito serves up simple but beautiful seafood dishes (the grilled fish is particularly good). You might recognize the restaurant from the BBC show The Night Manager. Located a scenic thirty-minute walk from the village of Daia (it’s worth spending some time exploring the village as well), dining at Ca Patro March certainly feels like you are in a movie scene – it’s situated on a small beach surrounded by pine forests and crystal clear blue water, and is absolutely beautiful. We enjoyed a refreshing cold Aperol Spritz, some fried calamari, the freshest grilled sea bass; everything we ordered was delicious. I could’ve lounged there all day had it not been for a persistent bee who kept trying to attack me because it liked the smell of my sea bass…
TIP: Make sure to book a table in advance. There was a HUGE line of dining parties waiting for a table when we visited during lunchtime, and we were so thankful that we showed up right at opening time.
Hike to Calo des Moro
This secluded cove/beach on the southeast corner of Mallorca is one of the most stunning spots I’ve ever witnessed, and definitely one of the highlights from our weekend in Mallorca. Rocky white cliffs protect the bright turquoise blue bay from prevailing winds, and the small beach features soft white sand. It’s the perfect place to sunbathe and take a dip in the water. Note – getting to Calo des Moros does take some effort – it requires walking 15-20 minutes from the Cala Llombards car park along an open road (there’s no shade so the walk can get realllllly hot!), as well as down a steep stone staircase to the beach. Also know that there are no facilities at Calo des Moro i.e., no lounge chairs or umbrellas for rent, no restaurants, and no restrooms. Go here if you’re looking for a local hidden gem, and a more adventurous place to swim and snorkel.
Explore Valldemossa
Perched on a hilltop, Valldemossa is a charming town (it’s also the highest town in Mallorca) situated in the Tramuntana mountains that is worth visiting. While there are several cultural and historical sites to visit (the Royal Carthusian Monastery, Chopin museum), the best thing to do in Valldemossa is to simply stroll around the picturesque cobbled streets that are lined with cafes and boutique shops. On Sundays, the streets of Valldemossa are overtaken by the local farmer’s market where you can source all sorts of goodies such as fresh produce, artisanal cheeses and charcuterie, and locally produced jams and olive oil.
Beach time at S’Amarador
For a more traditional beach experience, look no further than S’Amarador. Located within the Parque Natural Cala Mondrago, this beach features fine-grained white sand, clear shallow water, and plenty of space to spread out a towel and hang out. There are also a few food stands and sun loungers for rent. You can also walk to the neighboring beach of Cala Mondrago (the walk takes about 15 minutes from one beach to the other) which has several restaurants and another sandy beach area to chill. We rented a sun lounger at S’Amarador and spent several hours napping and reading our Kindles – it was a perfect lazy afternoon!
Port de Soller
Port de Soller is a small, picturesque coastal village that is famous for it’s historic tram, expansive bay, old fishing harbor (which also happens to be a popular place to eat seafood), and scenic marina filled with expensive yachts and sailboats. The town also happens to be surrounded by the high mountains of Tramuntana, offering dramatic views everywhere you turn! The tram is famous for traveling between Palma and Soller, providing riders with a scenic tour past citrus gardens, through a mountain tunnel, and along the sea.
Cap Falco Beach Bar
Another great dining experience in Mallorca is the Cap Falco Beach Bar. Located on the idyllic beach of Cala Falco, this bohemian beach club offers a dreamy setting for relaxing on a sun lounger, dipping a toe in the water, drinking a cold beverage, and devouring some fresh seafood or salads. We spent a few hours hanging out at the beach club and really enjoyed the atmosphere and the food (get the feta cheese with watermelon salad!).
Sa Calobra and Torrent de Pareis
The beach of Sa Calobra is located at the foot of the Sierra de Tramuntana, and at the mouth of the Torrent de Pareis, which is the deepest canyon in Europe. This narrow beach is a hidden gem featuring dramatic scenery – because of it’s location, the beach is protected from rough waves and is framed by two cliffs. Note – because of it’s remote location, Sa Colbra does not have any beach chairs or restaurant/snack bars. It’s also a pebble beach so make sure to pack some towels and sturdy shoes for your visit.
To get there, you have to drive a 14km route of 26 hairpin turns, and it’s quite the adventure! This route is a popular advanced biking route as well – we saw several bikers going up the mountain road and were absolutely amazed at their physical stamina (I definitely wouldn’t have made it). Apparently, Mallorca welcomes thousands of professional cyclists each year who like to take advantage of this challenging terrain for training purposes.
Cap de Formentor
Cap de Formentor is located on the northern tip of Mallorca (literally means ‘end of Formentor’) where the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range meets the Mediterranean Sea. A lighthouse located on this promontory offers a picturesque view with jaw-dropping vertical cliffs, and this location is also famous for hosting thousands of seabirds during peak migration periods. Getting to Cap de Formentor requires driving up a winding scenic road; go early as parking is fairly limited and this is one of Mallorca’s most visited destinations.
TIP: The lovely pine-surrounded Formentor Beach is located nearby if you want to combine a visit to Cap de Formentor with some beach time.
Dinner at Es Coll d’Os
If you’re looking for a romantic dining spot to celebrate a wonderful weekend in Mallorca, look no further than farm-to-table restaurant Es Coll d’Os. This restaurant is located in the green oasis of Cala Ratjada, and features a rustic elegant ambiance. Our fixed price multi-course meal was served on the outside terrace which was romantically covered in beautiful hanging plants and blooms. Most importantly – the food tasted like it was made with love. The menu at Es Coll d’Os changes on a weekly basis and features largely seasonal, organic products that are grown on their farm which is located near the restaurant.
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