I first visited Mallorca in 2022 on holiday. While I used to have a full-time remote position, enabling me to travel pretty much permanently, Mallorca was one of the few places I visited on annual leave from work, allowing me a proper break!
I was spending three months working remotely from Spain, basing myself in cities across the south of the country. While in Barcelona, I took a holiday to visit Mallorca and Menorca, two of the four Balearic Islands - alongside Ibiza and Formentera. I spent just under a week on the island, based out of the capital of Palma, spending my days exploring by bus and train.
Immediately falling in love with it and proclaiming it to be my favourite island in Europe, I was so excited to head back in September 2025 with my partner for more exploring, this time with a rental car, to see even more of the island. I know I will come back to Mallorca over and over again.
I first visited Mallorca in May 2022 and returned in September 2025 and updated the original post with all the new beaches I visited. This post was first published on 31 May 2022; last updated 18 September 2025.
By flight: Mallorca has its own major airport just outside the capital city of Palma, well-serviced by airlines across Europe. One of the most common flights is from nearby Barcelona, on the Spanish mainland, just a 45-minute hop across the Mediterranean, so you might find yourself connecting through there.
From Palma Airport, it's just a ten-minute drive into Palma, or you can grab the A1 bus which gets you to Plaça d'Espanya in just over 20 minutes.
→ If you don't have your own car, you can rent one in Palma.
By ferry: An alternative to getting to the island, especially if you want to bring your own car across, is to travel by ferry. You can reach Mallorca by ferry from Barcelona, Valenica and Dénia in Spain, as well as Sète and Toulon in France.
→ Book your ferry to Mallorca.
Ferries also run between all four Balearic Islands, including Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera.
Mallorca ferry route map by MallorcaFerries.com
Although it is an island, it is really quite large, taking a couple of hours to cross it in any direction. While this means there is so much variety to explore, it does mean you'll need to get around!
Within each town, it's best to wander on foot as many of the streets are pedestrian-only.
By car: The easiest way to explore Mallorca is with your own car so you can drive between the many small towns, beaches and mountain passes as you please.
→ If you don't have your own car, you can rent one in Palma.
By public transport: Luckily, Mallorca is exceptionally-well serviced by public transport including buses, TIBs (summer-only shuttles) and an extensive train network, which service most of the tourist attractions.
→ Find all the public transport options and ticket prices on Mallorca.
Driving on Mallorca
Driving the Sa Calobra mountain pass
For my stay in 2022, I based myself in a hostel in Palma, the main city in Mallorca. This made it really easy for me without a car to have the most central base to explore the island from using public transport.
The Boc Hostel Palma (also marked as Hostel Fleming on Google Maps) was a wonderful place to stay for the week. It's large, vibey, aesthetic and clean with free wifi and big kitchens. I particularly loved the nice social atmosphere in the outdoor garden and rooftop terrace. Highly recommend!
Image via Booking.com
When I came back in 2025 with my partner, we wanted to try a finca, a typical Spanish agrotourism property, often in historic buildings surrounded by quiet, peaceful farmland. After a ton of researching to find something in a great location and with a reasonable budget (some of the Mallorcan fincas can get real pricey!), I can honestly say I think we found the perfect one on the island.
Sa Torre is just 20 minutes by car from Palma, making it the perfect central location in the island to travel in any direction each day. There is an excellent restaurant on site, two swimming pools to enjoy, tons of peace and quiet and the most gorgeous antiques decorate the entire property.
Mallorca is a popular tourist spot, so you'll find accommodation to suit any budget.
→ Check out other places to stay to suit your budget and accommodation type.
I have eaten so many yummy meals across the island, from classic Spanish dishes to finding the best gelato, so I've written a whole separate food guide for Mallorca.
Mallorca is truly my favourite island in Europe. Of course it has its beautiful beaches but I was so surprised at how incredibly mountainous the island is. Jagged peaks surround idyllic little villages and everywhere you go offers breathtaking new views.
Here is everything I have seen and done so far on Mallorca:
See the Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca
In my opinion, Palma, the main city on Mallorca, is pretty touristy and while I found it a great base for my 2022 stay, I didn't really love it that much. Trust me, the best parts of Mallorca are to be found on the rest of the island!
However, the majestic Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca overlooking the bay is a grand statement on the Palma horizon and worth a peek, at least from the outside.
Check out the Mirador de Valldemossa
Driving along the winding roads of Mallorca is such a delight and the best thing is spotting cute towns and villages along the way. This is my favourite viewpoint of Valldemossa, one of my favourite towns on the island.
→ This is the exact location of the Valldemossa viewpoint on Google Maps.
Wander the village of Valldemossa
Once you've enjoyed the viewpoint, it's time to explore the village itself. One of my favourite villages on Mallorca, Valldemossa has amazing food, fantastic shopping in little boutiques (my favourite shop is Octopus Home and I could have bought everything!) and darling little streets to get lost in.
Take a moment to breathe in Jardins Rei Joan Carles
Located in Valldemossa, these peaceful gardens are between the town hall and the museum and offer the perfect little sanctuary.
Check out the Mirador of Deià
As you can tell, I do love a good viewpoint! This is my favourite one of Deià, just a short walk or drive outside the edge of the village.
→ This is the exact location of the Deià viewpoint on Google Maps.
Wander the village of Deià
Once you've enjoyed the viewpoint, it's time to explore the village itself. Deià is tiny and definitely one of the island's most fancies, with a handful of boutique shops and cafés. The crowning glory of Deià is the Belmond La Residencia luxury hotel.
Spot the tennis courts of the Belmond La Residencia
Catch the sunset from Mirador de sa Foradada
Near Deià, overlooking the Mediterranean, this viewpoint is a great spot for sunset over the water.
Enjoy the day spa at the Belmond La Residencia
While you might want to splash out and stay at the Belmond, arguably Mallorca's most luxurious hotel, you also skip spending €3000+ per night and simply get a day pass for their spa at a fraction of the cost!
→ Check out my complete guide on how to visit the day spa at Belmond La Residencia!
Go beach-hopping
Mallorca is my favourite island in Europe, one of the four Spanish Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean. Naturally, this means it is home to plenty of stunning beaches with warm blue water to enjoy.
I love beach-hopping in Mallorca - they're seriously so photogenic - so I had to write an entire separate blog post with all my favourites:
→ Check out my guide to the best beaches to visit on Mallorca!
Watch the sunset from Capdepera Lighthouse
Although it's on the wrong side of the island for sunset, you would be mistaken in thinking that this isn't one of the best spots to catch the sun going down! The Capedepera Lighthouse is on the easternmost tip of Mallorca and, open since 1861, is still working to this day. You can't go inside the lighthouse but the rocks and walkways surrounding it are seriously gorgeous.
→ Check out all the sunsets of the world I have photographed!
Hike to Sa Dragonera
From Sant Elm, a small boat ferries passengers across to the island of Sa Dragonera where there are no, just four wonderful hiking trails. The best hike takes you up to the top of the island to Mirador Del Far Vell for panoramic views back to Mallorca.
Ferry terminal on Sa Dragonera
View from the summit
Explore the beach town of Sant Elm
Nestled into the far western tip of Mallorca, this tiny little beach town is full of cute little boutiques, waterfront restaurants and a white-sand-blue-water beach perfect for a hot dip after hiking on Sa Dragonera.
Check out the pretty façades of Caimari
There isn't much going on in this sleepy town although it's a popular stop for cyclists and the Sa Ruta Verda restaurant is a great place to visit for a fresh bite to eat with all the bikers!
Wander through Fornalutx, Mallorca's prettiest village
Fornlutx is considered one of Mallorca's prettiest villages and full of idyllic corners to photograph. In 2022, I did a lovely hike to Fornalutx from Sóller, which I really recommend.
Drive the Sa Calobra Mountain Pass
One of the best things about Mallorca is how varied the landscape is. Of course, being an island, it has countless beautiful beaches, but what really blows me away are the mountains. The best way to enjoy this is to drive the incredible mountain pass down to Sa Calobra, with spectacular views of the winding road stretched out ahead of you.
→ Check out my guide to driving the Sa Calobra Mountain Pass!
Wander around Sóller and spot its famous tram
Sóller is a touristy little town on the west side of Mallorca. Home, most famously, to a little wooden tram that bustles right through the central plaza next to the cathedral, you'll find plenty of cafes and boutique shops here to wander.
CHECK OUT MY 2022 VLOG OF MALLORCA!
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Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.
