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Mallorca, Spain

Destination guide

Mallorca

Spain

Mallorca or Majorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, all governed by Spain. It's an easy-to-reach destination well-developed for tourism, with sunny beaches, fascinating old towns, mountain scenery and great food and wine.

AI insights

AI-written from the Wikivoyage listings, transport section and the video stats on this page

  • Prioritize visiting the Basílica de Sant Francesc instead of the cathedral if you want to avoid the largest tourist crowds while still experiencing the island's characteristic Gothic architecture.

  • When planning your dining, prioritize booking Béns d'Avall well in advance for its unique combination of sea views and local cuisine, as it is a standout destination that cannot be treated as a walk-in option.

  • For a quick and casual meal, grab takeaway from Es Badulake and head to the nearby Passeig del Born to eat in the shade, avoiding the need to secure a table at crowded sit-down venues.

  • Avoid using the digital maps provided by Jardins d'Alfàbia, as their digital resources are unreliable and can lead to unexpected recurring subscription charges.

  • Visit the Museu de la Mar for the view of the port even if the museum itself is closed, as the location offers a prime vantage point of the waterfront without the requirement of museum operating hours.

How we vet these picks

Every pick is drawn from real sources — YouTube creators, Wikivoyage, and Wikipedia. We only surface sources that actually exist and that we've checked for authenticity — no filler, no dead-end searches.

Best time to go

Best window: Any time — the weather is kind all year

Kind weather all year — there is no month to avoid.

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IdealGoodOkayOff-season

Rated from ten years of daily temperature and rainfall recorded at this destination, via Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Hover a month for its real numbers.

Getting around

Getting around

Toll-free highways radiate from Palma. The principal routes are: Ma-1 west to Magaluf and associated resorts, Ma-19 southeast past the airport to Campos and Cala d'Or. Car hire is available at the airport and main resorts.

Transport notes from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What to see

Places are listed from Wikivoyage and our own sourced research. Worth it means a second, independent source names the place too; “3 sources agree” means three or more do — and each card names them, so you can check.

Palma Cathedral

Worth it

Also recommended by Lonely Planet

Plaça de la Seu· Moderate

Huge ornate cathedral, impressive outside and within. It was started in 1229 but only completed in 1601, in mostly Gothic style; Gaudí had a go at improving it but quit in a strop.

Skip the line — book tickets

Palma Cathedral (La Seu)

Worth it

Also recommended by Lonely Planet

You climb 280 steps to the rooftop for stained-glass views stretching out across Palma to the blue band of the sea.

Vetted sources

Skip the line — book tickets

Castell de Bellver

Worth it

Also recommended by Lonely Planet

A circular hilltop castle a 30-minute bus ride from town gives views across the whole Bay of Palma.

Vetted sources

Skip the line — book tickets

Palau de l'Almudaina

Worth it

Also recommended by Lonely Planet

An Islamic-era fortress converted into a royal residence, still used today as the Spanish king's summer palace.

Vetted sources

Es Baluard museum

Worth it

Also recommended by Lonely Planet

A modern art museum built into the old sea walls holds a room devoted to Miró and a collection of Picasso ceramics.

Vetted sources

Skip the line — book tickets

Royal Palace of La Almudaina

west side of cathedral· Cheap

The fortress dates back to Roman times but what you see now is a rebuild from 1309. The ground floor is medieval while the upper floor, added in the 16th century, has the grand state rooms and suites.

Fundación Juan March Palma

C de Sant Miquel 11· Free

Museum of modern art, a branch of the Madrid foundation of financier Juan March Ordinas (1880-1962). Big names on display here include Picasso, Miró and Dalí, and the building is a stately 17th century mansion.

Jardins d'Alfàbia

at tunnel south entrance· Moderate

Gardens set around a Gothic mansion. The paths are unsuitable for buggies / strollers, and don't download their map, which will cost youa month for eternity.

Museu de la Mar

Santa Caterina d'Alexandria 54, Port de Sóller· Free

Displaying Mallorca's maritime history. It's worth strolling up here even when the museum's closed for the view of the port.

Basílica de Sant Francesc

Plaça de Sant Francesc 7

Church and cloister founded in 1281, in similar style to the cathedral but without the tourist hordes. The Franciscan nuns moved in with the Poor Clares in the 19th century.

Vetted sources

Banys Àrabs

200 m east of cathedral· Cheap

Sauna baths built in the tenth century, with under-floor heating; it's the only building in Palma dating to the Arab settlement. Only two or three small rooms are open, but there's a pleasant courtyard garden.

Vetted sources

Museum of Mallorca

block north of Banys Àrabs

Small museum of city heritage, crowded with artworks.

Vetted sources

Skip the line — book tickets

What to do

Mercat de l'Olivar

Worth it

Also recommended by Lonely Planet

You graze stalls of fresh local produce and seafood in Palma's main food market.

Vetted sources

Aqualand El Arenal

Palma – Arenal motorway, Exit 13 at km 15· Pricey

This water park has slides and pools for kids of all ages.

What to eat

La Bodeguilla

Worth it

Also recommended by Lonely Planet

Giant hunks of jamón serrano hang from the ceiling of this produce-led spot serving meltingly tender suckling pig.

Vetted sources

Adrián Quetglas

Worth it

Also recommended by Lonely Planet

A Michelin-starred dining room with vertical gardens, known for a market-fresh, unfussy take on modern Mallorcan cooking.

Vetted sources

Es Badulake

C de les Minyones 2

Sandwich shop, also with wraps and tacos, lots of vegan alternatives. Takeaway only, eat in the shade on the adjacent Passeig del Born.

Béns d'Avall

off Ma-10

The standout restaurant, some way west of town, superb Balearic food on a terrace with sea views. Booking essential.

Casa Julio

C de la Previsió 4

Trad homemade food in a popular cafe, you may have to queue.

La Cuadra del Maño

C del Miracle 8

Popular barbecue restaurant with steak grilled over a wood fire. Great service and value for money.

Vetted sources

Ca n'Ela Vegan Restaurant

C de la Mar 16

All-vegan restaurant, some dishes are gluten-free. Menus change daily.

Vetted sources

A Estribor

C de Berenguer de Tornamira 5

Small Chinese cafe bar, fast friendly service.

Vetted sources

Where to stay

Finca Ca's Curial

Villalonga 23· Expensive

Wonderful tranquil place in three Moorish cottages, adults only. Mountain views yet only 10 minutes walk from town centre.

Hotel Leman

Av Son Rigo 6· Expensive

Mostly good reviews for this independent hotel near the beach.

Linda Hotel

Octavi August 2, Can Pastilla

Popular inexpensive 189-room hotel, near airport and beach.

Jumeirah Mallorca

C de Bèlgica, Port de Sóller· Expensive

Very swish hotel and spa on the headland north of the port.

Reverence Life

Lisboa 4· Expensive

Bright clean place near Santa Ponsa beachfront.

Hotel THB El Cid

Vaixell 2· Expensive

Good beachfront hotel, geared up for cyclists.

Travel essentials

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Travel content from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Encyclopedic context from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Videos via the YouTube Data API.