What you must see on Mallorca: Here are my tips for the island's most beautiful sights.
Are you planning a vacation in Mallorca and wondering what to see there? Mallorca has many sights to offer, which are just waiting to be discovered by you! Here you will find my top 20 best places to visit in Mallorca and some helpful Mallorca hacks!
This is what you should do before your Mallorca trip!
- Find the cheapest flight to Mallorca here*!
- Book here* as early as possible your accommodation on Mallorca!
- Read my tips for Mallorca on my Mallorca page!
1. Cathedral of Palma
If you’re lucky enough to be sitting on the right side of the plane, you’ll notice it as you approach Mallorca: The Cathedral of Palma (also called ” La Seu”) is simply unmissable! It towers loftily between the old town and Palma’s long promenade.
Built in the 13th century, then expanded and restored several times, the cathedral is the most important sight of Palma! From the outside you can already admire the two huge rose windows, but a visit to the interior is also worthwhile. Since the cathedral is very popular, you should book a ticket in advance!
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Tip: In the summer months, you can also visit the roof terrace of the cathedral for an additional fee!
Visiting hours: Monday to Friday 10-17.15h, Saturday 10-14.15h (high season April to October) Monday to Friday 10-15.15h, Saturday 10-14.15h (low season November to March)
On Sunday and most holidays the cathedral is closed for tours.
Hey, I’m Tatiana and I’m the blogger behind The Happy Jetlagger. Since 2014, I’ve been sharing my personal travel stories on this blog. I don’t have a big team behind me, so I’m pretty much a one-person show: All recommendations are fully researched by just me!
2. Palma’s Old Town
For the old town of Palma you should really take a day to explore all the important spots such as the imposing Paseo del Borne, the central Plaza Mayor or the market hall Mercat Olivar and the many small streets.
In addition to numerous branches of large clothing chains, you will still find small traditional stores as well as many cafés and restaurants in Palma, which give the island’s capital its special charm.
It pays to book early:
Accommodation on the island books up quickly, especially in summer!
Here you can find the best deals for hotels & fincas on Mallorca*
3. Coves del Drac
The final show is kitschy, with musicians on small boats gliding slowly over the water of Europe’s largest underground lake, the Llac Martel, and performing the same melancholy pieces over and over again – but a visit to the Coves del Drac near Porto Cristo is an absolute classic on Mallorca!
The stalactite caves near Porto Cristo with their large stalagmites and stalactites are truly impressive! They are also the ideal excursion tip if you have already soaked up enough sun on Mallorca’s beaches and are longing for a little cooling down underground.
If you want, you can also take one of the boats to the exit.
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4. Es Trenc
It looks a bit like the Caribbean here: Es Trenc is one of the most popular beaches on Mallorca and is located in the middle of a nature reserve. Large beach stalls and littering aren’t allowed here. This is fortunate, because the approximately six-kilometer-long sandy beach with crystal-clear, turquoise-blue water is truly a place worth protecting.
Es Trenc, however, is very popular and a few tricks are helpful if you want to spend a relaxing beach day here in high season. Read more in my full guide on Es Trenc
Tip: Be sure to visit the nearby salt pans & take some Flor de Sal with you!
5. Cap Formentor
Deep blue water as far as the eye can see, impressive rocks all around and a fresh breeze: Cap Formentor is the northernmost point of Mallorca and is not without reason called the “meeting point of the winds”. You can’t climb the lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula, but the view here is so spectacular that in recent years the access road to the lighthouse and the Mirador Es Colomer viewpoint in front of it has had to be closed to private cars several times during the high season.
In this case, you can take one of the public shuttle buses from Alcúdia or Port de Pollensa, which stop at both the Mirador and the lighthouse. Line 334 goes to Playa de Formentor, line 333 goes to the lighthouse.
Timetable of the line 334
Timetable of the line 333
Tip: If you don’t want to take the bus, I recommend taking a boat trip around the cape in a small group!
Bookthe boat tour around Cape Formentor here*
6. Valldemossa
A little road trip to the Serra Tramuntana mountain range is a real must in Mallorca. Don’t miss a detour to the picturesque mountain village of Valldemossa: the former winter home of Frédéric Chopin still delights with its pretty alleyways and the Carthusian monastery worth seeing.
Tip: You should definitely try fresh cocas de patata in one of the traditional bakeries! Cocas de Patata are fluffy, sweet rolls made of potato flour and especially typical for Valldemossa!
Fancy some more Mallorca?
Here you will find all guides for Mallorca with many tips & great locations!
7. Fornalutx
Speaking of beautiful mountain villages: The tranquil Fornalutx was once even voted one of the most beautiful villages in Spain and is also one of the many sights that make Mallorca so great.
In contrast to the popular Valldemossa, Fornalutx is really tiny, but in my opinion even a tad prettier! You can easily explore both on the same day, regardless of whether you are traveling by rental car* or by public transport: bus line 232 connects Fornalutx with Soller (and Port de Soller), from where you can also take a bus to Valldemossa.
Tip: From the viewpoint near the parking lot and the cute Plaça España, you have a fantastic view of the valley and the surrounding peaks of the Serra Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And if you’re lucky, the countless orange trees are in full splendor and the fresh mountain air mixes with the beguiling scent of ripe oranges!
8. Cala Mondragó
Fancy one of the most beautiful bays that Mallorca has to offer? Okay, there are many, but Cala Mondragó is also located in a large nature reserve, the Parc natural de Mondragó. So if you prefer to get moving instead of lazing around on the beautiful beach, you’ll also find great hiking and cycling trails for an exciting outdoor experience. Cala Mondragó is located on the east coast of Mallorca between Cala Figuera and Portopetro.
9. Playa de Palma
Okay, maybe the area around the infamous Ballermann 6 isn’t your cup of tea concerning the music being played in all bars there. But firstly, Playa de Palma stretches for a whole 6 kilometers, not all of which are soaked in hits, and secondly, a visit to Ballermann 6 is almost obligatory, if only to wonder how much alcohol the human body can really take.
Playa de Palma stretches from Can Pastilla to S’Arenal and is divided into 15 beach sections, each of which has a beach bar (“Balneario”) on the promenade. Probably the most famous of these is Balneario 6, with many party venues such as the Bierkönig or the Megapark within walking distance.
10. Alcúdia’s Old Town
Alcúdia is one of the oldest settlements on the island. Around the old town center you can still walk around the remains of the old city wall from the 14th century. In the old town itself, you can stroll through the pretty streets, store for vacation souvenirs in one of the small stores or simply sip a café con leche in the cozy Plaça de la Constitució.
Tip: On Tuesdays and Sundays, the weekly market of Alcúdia takes place on the Paseo Mare de Déu de la Victòria and partly also in the old town. Worth it!
11. Sant Elm
Located in the very southeast of the island and accessible only by a winding country road, Sant Elm is located on one of the last tips of Mallorca. Mass tourism has not yet arrived here, on the contrary.
Sant Elm is a small, tranquil vacation resort set around a beautiful bay with turquoise waters. If you like to be out in nature, you will also find beautiful hiking trails here; in addition, the popular long-distance hiking trail GR221, which leads through the entire Serra Tramuntana, starts here.
12. Sa Calobra
It is not suitable for timid drivers, the trip to Sa Calobra. Curve after curve, the road leads from the Serra de Tramuntana from an altitude of 800 meters down into the bay. One bend was planned by the road engineer of the time, Antonio Paretti, so that it passes under the road and therefore bears the meaningful name “tie knot”. And the hairpin bends are narrow too, so you should really be a safe driver if you take the road to Sa Calobra.
On the other hand, a romantic bay awaits you at the bottom and an impressive rock panorama awaits you in the Torrent de Pareis gorge.
Tip: If the trip is too tricky for you, you can also book a boat tour to Sa Calobra* and reach the Torrent de Pareis by sea.
13. Tren de Soller
When the wooden train rattles through the mountains like this, you feel like you’ve been transported straight back to the last century. But it’s not just nostalgics who love the historic Tren de Sóller, also known as the “Red Lightning”, which has connected the capital Palma with Sóller since 1912. The narrow-gauge train is anything but fast, but the route from Palma through the Serra Tramuntana to the terminus in Sóller is simply picturesque.
Tip: From Soller, you can take a historic streetcar to Port de Soller and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere at the harbor!
Book the combined ticket for the Palma – Soller – Port de Soller route by train and tram* right here
14. Port de Soller
A side trip to Port de Soller is one of the best day trips from Palma! Even if you don’t take a ride on the Tren de Soller, Port de Soller is really worth seeing. It is the only protected port on the west coast of Mallorca and its location makes it look like a small oasis in the middle of the high mountains of the Tramuntana.
Tip: At Fet a Soller, sip on sorbet made from genuine Mallorcan oranges and enjoy the view of the harbor!
15. Playa de Muro
Playa de Muro, between Port d’Alcúdia and Can Picafort, is one of the most popular beaches on Mallorca. Shallow white beaches and turquoise waters have ensured that many hotels and resorts with vacation apartments have settled along Playa de Muro, attracting especially families with children. Nevertheless, many sections of the beach itself are still relatively natural, sometimes you can find dunes.
Tip: One of the most beautiful beach restaurants on Mallorca, Ponderosa Beach, is particularly chic.
16. Cavalry Mountain in Pollença
Over 365 steps, the long staircase leads up the Kavalrien Hill, which is said to commemorate Jesus’ walk to his crucifixion on Mount Golgotha, in Pollença. Each level represents one day of the year. According to legend, as you ascend each step, you should review each day of the past year; as you descend, you think of your wishes for each day of the coming year.
You’ll probably never quite succeed: especially higher up, you’ll probably be distracted by the breathtaking views over Pollença and the surrounding area. Once at the top, you can take a snack break in the café next to the small chapel.
Tip: Make sure you also take time for a stroll through the picturesque town center of Pollença and explore the small stores, galleries and restaurants. Pollença has a very special charm and is really pretty!
17. Port d’Andratx
In the hills around Port d’Andratx, the celebrity density on Mallorca is probably the highest: many well-known celebrities own a villa or a spacious vacation home here. But at some point you have to come down from your hill and so in Port d’Andratx it’s see and be seen.
The flair around the small harbor is sophisticated and the price level corresponding. Nevertheless, it is worth a visit because Port d’Andratx has managed to retain the atmosphere of a small fishing village despite the high density of celebrities: In the afternoon, you can still watch the fishermen returning with their trawlers.
Tip: You can buy the catch directly in the fish market hall at the harbor from Monday to Friday from 5 to 7 pm (in winter only Tuesdays to Fridays).
18. Farmers Market in Sineu
Almost every village in Mallorca has its own weekly market. The oldest farmers’ market on the island, which takes place in Sineu, is particularly beautiful. Here you will find the usual smorgasbord of fruit and vegetable vendors, clothing and household goods as well as products from local producers. The market is really big and stretches every Wednesday through the cozy streets of the old town of Sineu.
Tip: Get up early, as the market starts at 8 am and ends at 1.30 pm.
You can find more great markets in my big guide to the most beautiful markets on Mallorca
19. Jardines de Alfabia
The Jardines de Alfabia are a true green oasis at the foot of the Serra Tramuntana near Bunyola. Around the mansion, built in the 12th century, you will find an intricate garden with many exotic plants and animals like on a typical Mallorcan finca.
History buffs will also get their money’s worth here: In the Jardines de Alfabia you can find traces of Moorish rule in Mallorca at every turn.
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20. Cala S’Almunia
For a long time it was an insider tip, the secluded bay between rough rocks, surrounded by fragrant pine forests. But Cala S’Almunia is still beautiful, even if you are not so alone here anymore. Next door, by the way, is the now often overflowing Caló des Moro, which can only be reached by water or by a small hiking trail.
Tip: If both bays are too crowded for you, there are numerous alternatives: The southeast of Mallorca offers many other great bays such as Cala Lombards, Cala Figuera and Cala Mondragó.
More tips for Mallorca
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