Outline of Mallorca
Mallorca is a beloved destination for the rich and famous, the Spanish nobility and the very average adventurer. Mallorca is the largest and chief island of the Balearics. The capital is Palma de Mallorca city.
Mallorca has everything the other Balearics have and more, even in name. Mallorca is derived from the word ‘Major’, Majorca in English and Mallorca as the locals refer to it in Catalan.
On approach to Mallorca, a honeycomb blend of sedimentary rock rises majestically out of the azure Mediterranean. It’s little wonder that Mallorca has become best known for its beaches, coves and cliffs. These are areas of stunning natural beauty.
Mallorca has been popular with British and Germany visitors for many years and still is, nevertheless it’s becoming more and more cosmopolitan. Travelers come from all over the world including places such as Japan, Korea the US and Russia.
If you are worried about not speaking enough Spanish, you don’t have to be overly anxious as there are plenty of locals who speak English or German.
Weather
The Mediterranean weather is a major source of the island’s success having approximately 300 days of sunshine.
The Winters are mild, January is the coldest month. Mallorca soon warms up for an early Spring. Summers are long and hazy with July and August being the hottest. The last few weeks of August are extremely humid.
During September and October the air is warm drier and the sun a lot kinder, although it will still burn. The weather turns at some point in during the first weeks of November and effectively brings an end to long beach days.
What to do in Mallorca
The island’s beautiful coastline is the number one attraction for most visitors, there are a seemingly endless amount of coves and secret beaches to discover.
On the west flank of the island you will find rugged cliffs jutting out of a deep blue sea. The north has ports and an expanse of beach with shallow waters. The east has less beach but more coves to discover. The south is home to some of the larger resorts having white sand beaches.
The turquoise sapphire coastline of Mallorca offers a wide range of activities from wind and kite surfing to sailing and jet skiing. Not to mention snorkeling and scuba diving in the clear waters here with exceptional visibility.
Interior
Unlike the other Balearic islands Mallorca has high mountains, the Serra de Tramuntana. For walkers or serious hikers these open up a host of alternative activities to the beach.
For cyclists too the peaks of the Serra de Tramuntana and the warm curvy mountain roads present an exciting challenge.
Walking and cycling can be relished year round except for July and August when even the most dedicated may lack desire as it’s too hot.
The hot summer applies to golfing also. Mallorca has a range of manicured golf courses which can be enjoyed all year round but in the hottest months it’s best only early morning. Often courses offer half rates for a midday tee time in July and August but that is only for the committed.
For sightseers a car journey is enough to experience the beautiful views of the island. Views of the
brief almond blossom at the end of January or Spring meadows in with grasses and wild flowers in bloom.
Inland there are picturesque villages made of honey colored stone. These are surrounded by vineyards, carob, olive and almond groves with the occasional old farm ruin.
Holiday memories often include the rural landscape of Mallorca, warm evenings to the sound of cicadas with a good seafood restaurant.
Tourist Hotspots
Palma City. Palma’s old quarter is medieval and shaped by many cultures particularly Moorish. It is a must visit place and with an appealing ambiance with shops and bars amid a maze of narrow streets to ramble. The city is also famous for is fort, castle, Almudaina Palace and the Santa María cathedral, dating from the 13th-century.
The Soller Railway is a working antique railway that runs from Palma to Soller and has been in service for over a hundred years. With little change it still winds its way through the picturesque Mallorcan country side.
The older stone-built villages of the island such as Valldemossa and Pollença, each with their own museums make an excellent day trip.
The major tourist destinations are the big resorts like Magaluf, popular with the young party crowd. Arenal and Alcudia are popular family resorts with plenty of beach.
The coves and beaches of the island are the main tourist attraction but whether it’s to relax, party or explore, Mallorca has a little piece for everyone.
Palma Airport to Menorca and Ibiza
It is possible to fly both to Menorca and Ibiza from Palma airport. Flights are approximately 35-40min long and are at regular half hour to hourly intervals during the daytime in summer. In the off season there are a number of slots throughout the day but not as frequent.
The prices for Menorca sit at around €86 and for Ibiza they vary according to when you book although it’s possible to get flights at around the €40 mark.
There is also the possibly of a ferry crossing to both Ibiza and Menorca from Palma Port. Alcudia port in the north of Mallorca also has a ferry crossing to Menorca which is much quicker than the Palma port crossing. See Ibiza and Menorca pages on this site for a ferry price guide.