My Mallorca Travel Itinerary!
PC: @biancabiancak
I just got back from a 10-day trip in Mallorca, lounging by the beach, eating paella, and spending quality time with my long-distance best friend. It was both of our first times on this island, and are a bit ashamed to admit that we did absolutely zero planning before touching down. With a full 10 days ahead, our intentions were to spend leisurely time together, rather than explore morning to night. A jam-packed itinerary didn’t seem necessary, therefore. However, looking back, we both admit a little bit of planning would have helped us milk all that the beautiful island has to offer much more efficiently. There are restaurants we missed out on and locations we couldn’t reach, all because of our poor planning. Still, all that we did get to see, like the mountain town of Deia or a sunset boat cruise, were absolutely breathtaking and worth your visit.
We kept repeating: “We’ll do this on our next trip!” and we do have every intention of returning. However, if this is your once-in-a-lifetime trip to Spain’s treasure island, then there’s a lot you should know in order to make the most out of it. I researched a ton of restaurants, beaches, and towns to visit, but was unable to make it to them because 1) I didn’t book a car for that day, or 2) no reservations were available. I certainly don’t want you falling into that same fate.
It’s worth noting that Mallorca is big! With my parents living on an island (Oahu), I half-expected the same size (ridiculous, I know, again, no research). You’re going to need a car to get around plus an extra few night stays in different parts of the island. This is not a piece of land you can circulate in a single day.
All that we did get to do and loved, I’ve included in the list below as well. Here is everything you absolutely must see while in Mallorca!
Best Towns in Mallorca
Palma
Deciding where to stay in Mallorca will be your first order of business. The most obvious answer would be Palma, as it’s the largest, most modern town on the island. You’ll find tons of shops, cafés, and nightlife here. While other towns are great for beach trips and relaxation, this town is for the young explorer. There’s one beach that’s about 30 minutes from the city center, and the 4 bus takes you there directly. For first time visitors and short stays, I recommend Palma as your destination.
Deià
Deià is nestled in the mountains and offers one of the most scenic getaways. If I were to come to Mallorca again, this would be my destination of choice. It’s less for the party people and more for the romantic getaway. The quaint town is absolutely breathtaking, and you can technically walk down to Cala de Deià, one of Mallorca’s most famous beaches. The town is small, so you really only need one day to explore it. If you choose to stay here, I recommend getting a car so you can still explore its neighboring towns.
Sóller
Right next to Deià (but takes 30 minutes to get to due to the drive through the mountains) is Sòller! Another highly recommended town, this “city” is much bigger than Deià and offers a nice mix of old-town vibes, mountains, and port-side views. There’s a very cute market in the city center, and every street offers a scenic little walk. Connected to the city is Port Sóller, which you can reach via a very famous and scenic tram.
Alcúdia
We unfortunately didn’t make it to the old down to Alcúdia. It’s on the very northern tip of the island and provides easy access to scenic viewpoints such as Mirador de Es Colomer and Cala Formentor (a local said this is a MUST). There are plenty of museums surrounding the area and various beach options as well. It’s a quieter town, so better suited for the quiet introvert and elderly couples.
Best Beaches in Mallorca
Now I know what drew you into Mallorca was the pictures of pristine beaches and crystal clear waters. The rumors are true, the beaches in Mallorca are truly breathtaking. We took a boat ride out into the ocean and still managed to see the floor—that’s how clear the water was. That being said, the beaches are spread out and you’ll definitely need a car to get to most of them. Here are my favorite ones:
Cala de Deia:
Pros: Beautiful, famous, food nearby.
Cons: Awful parking situation, crowded. Come extra early!
Playa de Illetes:
Pros: Less crowded, connected by train from Palma, stunning water
Cons: Small
Caló del Moro
Pros: Very beautiful, cute town nearby
Cons: Very crowded, ARRIVE EARLY!
S’Amarador (not visited)
Cala Banyalbufar (not visited)
Cala Formentor (not visited)
Best Restaurants in Mallorca
There’s no shortage of breathtaking restaurants in Mallorca. While initially, I thought I needed to plan each meal out, it turns out there are so many chic bistros and restaurants scattered about that you won’t make any mistakes going to the nearest restaurant. That being said, there are certainly some extraordinarily stunning eateries that are a bit of a drive out. Many of these require reservations to be made months out, so once you have your dates set, book yourself a table.
El Olivo, Deia
Restaurant Nama, Deia
Patiki Beach, Sóller
Salvia Hotel Restaurant, Sóller
Fera, Palma
Bar Abaco, Palma
Ombu, Palma
