Mallorca, or Majorca, is the largest of the Balearic Islands which are a part of Spain. These islands are in the Mediterranean and have long been popular tourist destinations for Europeans, specifically those from the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands. In fact, the airport in Palma, the capital city of Mallorca, is the busiest in Spain.
This came as surprise to me, because you (like myself), may be more familiar with Ibiza, the hard partying cousin of Mallorca in the same Balearic Island chain. When I was booking this trip, I surely thought I was booking the less crowded island, but apparently not!
During our stay, some 10,000 locals even protested our visit, proclaiming that our holiday caused them anxiety, and that mass tourism was increasing the cost of housing, drawing on resources, and of course, overcrowding the beaches.
While I can sympathize with some of these claims, with tourism being 45% of the Balearic islands GDP, I think it is in their best interest to find a way to work with tourism as opposed to against it. The suggestion to restrict home sales to non-residents is one way to reduce the stress on housing. Another of course, would be residents only beaches. However, given Spain’s history of colonizing and inquisition, I do find their protests quite ironic.
But have no worries, I have the perfect itinerary for you to beat the crowds, enjoy the Mediterranean, and savor the food and wine.
Why go?
With so many tourists, you might be thinking, what is the fuss all about? Well, a lot of things. The first is the ease of getting there. While this may be a newer destination for some Americans, for Europeans, it’s a quick flight to a world away.
The beautiful azure waters of the Mediterranean and the amazing beaches make Mallorca the perfect destination for summer. Many of the beaches are calas, which is kind of like an inlet or cove surrounded by rocks. The calas are quite breath taking, but makes for only a small beach, around 75-100 feet of sand. So, it is no wonder why these can get quite crowded, but no worries. Read on for tips to beat the crowds.
Beyond the beach, there is delicious food. Think paella with fresh seafood, tortilla Espanola, garlic shrimp, and gazpacho to name a few; not to mention the amazing cheeses. And then there is the wine – rioja, albarino, cava, and more abound. And do not forget about the Sangria!
So beaches, check, food and wine, check, easy flight from Europe, check. Even if you are vacationing already in Barcelona or Madrid, both locations yield less than 1 hour flight time, so it is an easy transition from city to island life. And of course, there is history to discover and night life to explore, so Mallorca really is a summer destination that has it all.
Mallorca 3 day Itinerary
You could easily spend a week in Mallorca, but I think you can explore a good deal of the island in a few days, 3 -4 being ideal. I would tag this at the end of a visit to mainland Spain, which makes it ideal because you are already there! For this itinerary, you will need to rent a car, which there are plenty available through the usual rental companies like Hertz, Europcar, etc.
Palma is the capital city and natural home base. There is a lot to do and see in this city alonge, but the island is relatively small, so you could definitely choose from any town to make your home base. In Palma, there is plenty of dining, shopping, bars, and nightlife to choose from as well as hotels in many budget ranges. Although, I have to give our boutique hotel a shoutout for a great location, attentive staff, amazing amenities, and beautiful property. The Convent de la Misio, is a converted convent that is still working to this day complete with a roof top pool, Michelin rated restaurant, and a spa that is open to guest use by reservation.
Day 1 in Mallorca
After arrival, hopefully in the morning hours, get your car and change into your bathing suit. It’s time to hit the beach! But first, let’s talk lunch. A short ride from the airport in route to the beach is Santanyi, which is a cute little town for lunch, a bit of shopping, and a quick stop to check out the sites. There are several restaurants to choose from around the church which serve local cuisine.
A quick note about driving in Mallorca, many towns will prevent you from driving directly in, to reduce traffic, specifically in Mallorca. If you see a sign that says, “ACIRE” turnaround and do not pass it. That is a restricted traffic zone for residents only that will inflict a 90 EUR fine if disobeyed. Because of this, plan on parking outside of the town/city center and walking. Do not follow Google maps blindly; you have been warned. Santanyi is no exception to this rule, and there is a parking available not too far on the outskirts of town near a playground.
After lunch, continue on to Cala del Moro and Cala s’almunia. Again, you will need to park about 1/2 mile away at the round about. Do not plan on sitting on the beach as there isn’t much of one. It is a cala and the rocks are sharp, so plan on bringing some water shoes for easy access to the water and jumping from the rocks. Both beaches are accessible within a few minutes of each other so it’s a nice 2 for one stop!
Day 2: Rent yourself a boat
Hopefully you are rested up for Day 2, which is a long, but well worth it day. Head about 30 minutes west of Palma to Santa Ponca and rent a boat. There are several companies that you can rent from which do not require a license because the motor is only 15 horsepower. You won’t get anywhere fast, but you will have the open water to yourself. No worries if you have not driven a boat before, they give a quick tutorial and again, you’re barely out running the waves.
This company worked out well for us and 3 hours was plenty to see the unique rock formations, boat around the cliffs, and anchor off of an empty beach. After the boat is returned, take the long way to Deia and/or Soller through the world heritage mountain range of Serra de Tramuntana for a beautifully scenic ride. Stop at Sa Fordada for lunch on the cliffside and continue on to Deia for a bit of shopping amongst the terraced mountainside and on to Soller to see the historic streetcar.
Day 3: Beat the crowds
Skip Alcudia Bay which is way too over crowded and instead, pack a picnic and head out to Necropolis de Son Real. It’s just over a mile walk on an easy path to the tombs dating back to the 7th century BCE and a splendid, sandy beach only spotted with a few people. The pristine water is inviting with enough waves to make it fun, but not dangerous. A perfect place to spend your last full day.
Day 4: Departure Day
For an easy, stress free day before catching your flight, check out what Palma has to offer. A leisurely brunch is in order as well as a look around at the historic windmills, church, and maybe even some shopping. Whatever you want or need, you can surely find it in Palma!
In conclusion
Despite the challenges that tourism affords, Mallorca is a worthy summer destination. While Ibiza may offer a more vibrant nightlife, Mallorca offers a more diverse experience, rich in cuisine, history, and of course, beaches. So the next time you are looking for a Mediterranean destination, consider a stop in Mallorca!
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