
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.Watch first
Ranked by views and how well each landed with the people who watched it, judged against the other coverage of this place — plus a local creator where we found one.
Best time to go
Best window: Any time — the weather is kind all year
Kind weather all year — there is no month to avoid.
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 itAlso 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.
Vetted sources
Palma Cathedral (La Seu)
Worth itAlso 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
Castell de Bellver
Worth itAlso 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
Palau de l'Almudaina
Worth itAlso 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 itAlso 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
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.
Vetted sources
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.
Vetted sources
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.
Vetted sources
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.
Vetted sources
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
What to do
Mercat de l'Olivar
Worth itAlso 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.
Vetted sources
What to eat
La Bodeguilla
Worth itAlso 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 itAlso 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.
Vetted sources
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.
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Casa Julio
C de la Previsió 4
Trad homemade food in a popular cafe, you may have to queue.
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La Cuadra del Maño
C del Miracle 8
Popular barbecue restaurant with steak grilled over a wood fire. Great service and value for money.
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Ca n'Ela Vegan Restaurant
C de la Mar 16
All-vegan restaurant, some dishes are gluten-free. Menus change daily.
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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.
Vetted sources
Hotel Leman
Av Son Rigo 6· Expensive
Mostly good reviews for this independent hotel near the beach.
Vetted sources
Linda Hotel
Octavi August 2, Can Pastilla
Popular inexpensive 189-room hotel, near airport and beach.
Vetted sources
Jumeirah Mallorca
C de Bèlgica, Port de Sóller· Expensive
Very swish hotel and spa on the headland north of the port.
Vetted sources
Reverence Life
Lisboa 4· Expensive
Bright clean place near Santa Ponsa beachfront.
Vetted sources
Hotel THB El Cid
Vaixell 2· Expensive
Good beachfront hotel, geared up for cyclists.
Vetted sources
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.




