For a relatively small island, Mallorca offers a seemingly infinite variety of landscapes and rich and diverse cultural experiences. With its mild weather, an abundance of sports can be enjoyed all year round, from hiking and cycling in the imposing Sierra de Tramuntana, a Unesco World Heritage Site, to horse-riding, golf and tennis.
There is something to suit all tastes and interests, whether that be a historic castle, a tranquil monastery, an ancient Talayotic site, a fascinating museum or a sumptuous estate with a Moorish legacy. Wildlife sanctuaries, nature reserves and the craggy coastline are ripe for exploring, as well as authentic inland villages in Mallorca’s agricultural heartland.
Find things to do by type:
- Best for history
- Best culinary experiences
- Best for families
- Best for nature
- Best for local art and culture
Best for history
Castell d’Alaró
Free | visit.ajalaro.net
Clinging to a craggy hilltop above the village of Alaró are the 15th-century remains of Castell d’Alaró, a castle that dates back to Moorish times. Today there is a pretty chapel at the site and impressive vistas to the Tramuntana mountains and distant sea. It’s a two-hour schlep from the village but worth every step, given the memorable views.
Insider tip: From the castle, head lower down the hill to Es Verger for lunch. This rustic restaurant serves superb lamb and pork roasted in a wood-fired oven. With an open hearth, and flagons of gusty wine, good cheer is guaranteed.
Ca n’Alluny
Ca n’Alluny, meaning “The Far House”, lies just outside Deià village and includes a blissfully tranquil garden. This was once home to prolific English poet, Robert Graves, until his death in 1985. Now Ca n’Alluny has become a museum yet retains the original features of the house including the poet’s knick knacks, books and letters. It is a must visit for culture vultures.
Make a brief pilgrimage to the tiny cemetery of Deià, close to the village church, to see the burial stone of Robert Graves engraved with the dates of his birth and death, along with the simple words: Robert Graves, Poeta.
El Tren de Sóller
££ | trendesoller.com
With its polished wood carriages and familiar toot, the historic El Tren de Sóller offers a one-hour scenic journey through the Tramuntana mountains. Constructed in 1912, its purpose was to transport oranges and olives swiftly to Palma rather than via the arduous and hilly tracks. Crossing bridges, a lofty five-arched viaduct and rumbling through 13 dark, musty tunnels, makes for a thrilling ride.
Insider tip: Why not combine the train journey with a ride on the retro tram from Sóller station to the local port, and a boat trip to Sa Calobra beach? A round trip with click-mallorca.com costs €79 (£67).
Jardins d’Alfàbia
With a Hispanic-Moorish past, Jardins d’Alfàbia is a mesmerisingly beautiful estate with a property that, in part, dates back to the 13th century. In Moorish times, it was owned by Ben-Abet, whose expertise in landscaping and irrigation is still apparent today in the extensive gardens. Highlights include the spectacular pergola with 72 columns and 24 stone hydras with water jets.
The estate’s shady and peaceful al-fresco café is definitely worth a visit, particularly for the delicious homemade lemonade and freshly squeezed orange juice. Before you leave, check out the main property’s magnificent coffered ceiling that dates back to 1170.
Best culinary experiences
Bodegas Ribas
£ | bodegaribas.com
A visit to Bodegas Ribas, the oldest family winery in Mallorca, established in 1711, is a must for lovers of the grape. Situated in the sleepy village of Consell in Mallorca’s agricultural heartland, Ribas offers fun and memorable tours. With 100 acres of vineyards, this family-owned business, with more than 300 years of history, has the greatest diversity of grape varieties on the island.
Insider tip: Choose from one of several excellent guided tours that include the winery, historical house and also the grounds and vineyards. Tours offer tastings of wines and olive oil accompanied by platters of appetisers of Iberian ham and cheese. Pre-booking is essential.
Es Trenc
For a fascinating and original day out, pop by the Es Trenc salt pans close to the small town of Ses Salines which have been in use since prehistoric times. In an area of outstanding natural biodiversity with a large number of bird species, a hard hat, one-hour tour of the various salt pans is offered. There’s a lovely shop selling different flavoured salts as well as a café.
Make time to see the 9th-century Talayotic Bronze Age settlement of Els Antigors nearby and also look out for the pink flamingos that cluster around the tall grasses in the marshes here, especially between July and September.
Best for families
Artestruz
Artestruz, in the rural heartland of Mallorca, is home to a friendly and curious bunch of ostriches that appear to enjoy meeting visitors. Reared and lovingly cared for by the same family for many years, the birds are treated with respect and roam a large piece of terrain. You can feed the birds from bowls of seeds while enjoying an informative and entertaining tour by a family member. Later, visitors can visit the shop which sells carved ostrich eggs and other handicrafts; enjoy a drink on the terrace or try a jumbo family-sized omelette in the kitchen.
Insider tip: Best to avoid touching the ostriches, as their behaviour can be unpredictable.
Caves of Drach
££ | cuevasdeldrach.com
Discover the thrilling subterranean world of the caves of Drach in Porto Cristo. Situated on the east coast, this vast network of caves is also home to Lake Martel, one of Europe’s largest underground lakes. Explore the underlit caves and gaze in wonder at the ancient giant stalagmites and stalactites. A relaxing boat ride on the lake and mini concert with a live orchestra are also included in the guided tour. There’s a beachside restaurant, gift shop and picnic area too.
Reserva Galatzó
£ | reservapark.net
For an action-packed day in the hills, head for La Reserva, situated at the base of Puig de Galatzó, one of the island’s most notable mountains. This vast nature reserve includes waterfalls, grottos and a natural rock pool for refreshing dips. Rescued animals such as brown bears, donkeys, goats, emus, and peacocks can be observed in their enclosures. Activities include rock climbing, riding the longest zipline in Mallorca and beekeeping guided visits. There’s a bar and BBQ grill and picnic area set in peaceful woodland.
Best for nature
Cabrera
££ | marcabrera.com
Take an hour’s sail from the port of Colònia de Sant Jordi to the national park of Cabrera off the south-east coast of Mallorca. This archipelago, consisting of Cabrera Grande and a series of islets, is now the largest protected marine environment in the western Mediterranean. Stroll to the ruined castle, historical museum and archaeological site and relax on the pristine beach.
Pop by the visitors’ centre in the port of Colonia de Sant Jordi, housed in a quirky circular stone building. It offers useful information about Cabrera island and has a substantial aquarium with 5,000 specimens of fish.
Andratx
Visitors to Mallorca can now enjoy a spot of fishing in a traditional vessel with authentic local fishermen. Many island departure points are provided with various sailing trips offered along Mallorca’s coastline. In Andratx, fishermen brothers, Bruno and Gori Bort, take paying guests out to sea to observe their method of fishing, also offering a warm rice dish as part of the experience. Meanwhile, fishermen at other ports offer visitors the chance to try their hand at fishing, or to go for snorkelling sails with the chance to see dolphins on the way. Children are also welcome at a discounted rate.
Botanicactus
Don’t be put off by the giant plastic cactus man at the entrance to Botanicactus. This is no children’s attraction but rather a breathtakingly beautiful botanical garden divided into specific horticultural zones. With 15,000 specimens and 1,600 species of fauna, you can wander around this vast peaceful park and admire the mature and towering trees and cacti, Mediterranean plants, and wide artificial lake of 10,000m2. Thankfully a map is provided as at times it feels as if you’ve stepped into a beguiling yet mysterious landscape, more fitting to that of the Lost World by author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Don’t miss the exotic hen breeds and other birds in their spacious enclosures.
Sierra de Tramuntana
Free
The Sierra de Tramuntana, a Unesco Heritage Site, stretches 62 miles (100km) from Andratx to Pollença and offers the perfect environment for hiking at all levels. An enjoyable seven-mile (12km) circular route is from the Cuber Reservoir to the charming Refugi Tossals Verds, a hostel which serves a delicious three-course lunch and dinner. Book a few days in advance.
Allow two hours for the hike and choose between two routes, an easy meandering path or an adventurous track that includes fixed chains along a short stretch of mountain. Do bring water, map and also suntan lotion and energy snacks.
S’Albufera Wetlands
Free | spain.info/en/nature/albufera-mallorca-natural-park
S’Albufera Natural Park in the north of the island is home to the largest wetlands in the Balearic Islands with a surface area of 5,000 acres. The park attracts more than 300 species of bird and shelters 10,000 more during the winter months. With marshes, coastal dunes, and a canal with river eels, it is a sanctuary for endemic and migratory birds and other wildlife. There are well-marked footpaths, and hides are provided throughout the park for observing the antics of birds such as herons, shags, cormorants, ducks and egrets. The greater flamingo is a frequent visitor from July through to September.
Best for local art and culture
Ruta de Fang
Free | visitmarratxi.es
This fascinating walking tour of Mallorca’s traditional potteries can be enjoyed on foot or by car. La Ruta de Fang, as it is known, encompasses a small historical museum and the villages of Pòrtol and Sa Cabaneta, home to pottery and clay. You can visit the mud museum and tour the workshops on the route where you can meet potters and buy ceramics including the island’s iconic siurell clay whistles.
Celda de Chopin
£ | celdadechopin.es
In 1839, Frederic Chopin and his lover, George Sand, spent a winter of discontent at a Carthusian monastery in the mountain town of Valldemossa, now the Celda de Chopin, where the consumptive composer managed to write most of his acclaimed Preludes on the Pleyel piano. One can see the instrument, alongside curiosities such as historic musical scores, pictures, correspondence and period furniture.
Insider tip: At the monastery, buy a copy of A Winter in Mallorca, George Sand’s acerbic and amusing account of their disastrous stay, and dip into it while enjoying the town’s famed hot chocolate and coca de patata (potato buns), in a local café.
Sa Bassa Blanca Museum
£ | msbb.org
One of the jewels of the north is the Yannick and Ben Jakober Foundation’s Sa Bassa Blanca Museum. Surrounded by woodland, this romantic landmark, a Hispanic-Moorish hacienda by the sea, was built by the Egyptian architect, Hassam Fathy. Today the property houses an eclectic mix of modern art installations, an observatory, and 150 portraits of European aristocratic children from the 16th to the 19th centuries, all housed in a former underground reservoir.
Don’t miss the fossilised skeleton of a Siberian woolly rhinoceros in an underground gallery, which also exhibits works by such artists as Miguel Barceló. And do be sure to visit both the fabulous rose garden and the zoological park of animals sculpted by Ben Jakober and Yannick Vu.
Gordiola
£ | gordiola.com
One of the oldest and most respected glassware brands in Mallorca, Gordiola’s origins hark back to 1719. For more than three centuries the family has overseen the business, with eight generations of artisans and master glassmakers enjoying a rite of passage at the company’s premises. Internationally renowned, Gordiola offers visitors a close-up view of traditional furnaces, crucibles and ancient kilns at its large, airy factory housed in a castle-like historical building on the outskirts of Algaida. Here guests can watch expert artisans demonstrating the art of glass blowing and afterwards buy handcrafted glassware such as lamps and glasses in its shop.
Be sure to visit Gordiola’s Museum to learn more about the history of glass blowing and to view the quirky international glassware display. Please note that visits are only available from Monday to Friday.
How we choose
Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up-to-date recommendations.