Mallorca is the perfect destination for a mixed holiday. Whether you want to fill your days with activities, spend a whole week lazing by the beach, or a bit of both, this is the place for you.
The largest Balearic island has many charms, some obvious and some hidden, and with seven days at your disposal, you are well-placed to discover the island at your leisure.
To give you an idea about what you can get up to during your week in the sun, we’ve put together an itinerary that offers you the choice to pack your Mallorca holiday with as much, or as little, as you’d like.
Basing yourself in the Palma resort area, you’ll be perfectly-placed to explore, lounge and indulge the moment you step off your flight to Mallorca.
Day 1 – Unwind at the Beach
Although the trip from the UK doesn’t take much more than three hours, you don’t want to be exerting yourself too much on the first day of the holiday. So what better way to unwind after a flight than by hitting the beach?
After you’ve checked in at the hotel, you have a number of options in the area – one of the best things about being in Palma is that you are close to all the action.
Cala Mayor is the closest beach to the capital, but due to this fact it’s also very busy. At four-km long you should be able to find a patch of sand to put your towel on, or rent one of the many sun loungers if you prefer. The Blue Flag beach is located right in front of the Nixe Palace Hotel and is close to plenty of services and places to eat.
Another option close by is the Illetas beach, which is located to the west of Cala along the coast. This up-market stretch of sand boasts clear waters, and lots of activity to keep the kids entertained. To get here, you will need to take a 40-minute bus journey to the beach. From the bus station, the number 3 bus should take you right there.
Day 2 – The Cultural Side of Palma
Palma has plenty to see and do within it, and you can easily fill an afternoon wandering through its pleasant streets.
The imposing Palma Cathedral should be the first stop on your city itinerary – you can hardly miss this grandiose building of Gothic design, anyway. This impressive structure stands almost as tall as the Notre Dame in Paris, and you will find it very close to the city’s port. Afterwards, take a stroll through the Parc de la Mar, which is directly in front.
A stone’s throw away, you will find the Mallorca Museum, which is home to a number of fascinating artefacts and works of art.
After this, take a stroll down the lively Passeig des Born, which has been dubbed Palma’s answer to Las Ramblas. This wide, tree-lined street is full of cafes, bars and restaurants and therefore the ideal place for a pit stop.
The city is easily covered on foot, so why not just spend the rest of your day exploring for yourself?
Day 3 – Experience the beauty of Serra de Tramuntana
If you feel like escaping the city and surrounding yourself with beauty of nature, then rent a car and drive to the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range.
This incredible stretch of mountains spans the entire western coast of Mallorca, and so you can reach the southern part easily from Palma. The foothills of the range are dotted with quaint Spanish villages, which lie nestled into the dramatic, rugged scenery.
For its wonderful appearance and cultural significance, the entire range has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status.
The area is one of the best places to go hiking in Mallorca. You can also cycle or join a guided tour. Ask at your hotel if you are interested in the last option.
Day 4 – Hit the Beach (that no one knows about)
Mallorca is blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe and now that you have rented a car, it’s time to escape the masses of the popular beaches and head somewhere much more secluded.
Cala Varques lies on the east coast of the island and can be reached in an hour by car – this may sound like a trek to get to a beach, but you’ll be glad you made the effort.
The best bit about this beach is that there is basically no one there: you could have it all to yourself! The astounding beauty of the view and the crystal clear waters are also very easy on the eyes.
Please note, there are no facilities nearby, so take plenty of food and water. You will also need to park the car and walk to the beach via a secluded footpath. On your way back, stop off at the charming town of Manacor which is home to Porto Cristo – a small beach town – and the intriguing caves of Drach and Calas.
Alternatively, Cala des Moro, can reached in an hour by car and is also another beautiful secluded beach, but it can get quite crowded in the summer months.
Day 5: Experience an Alcudia Market
A 45 minute drive from Palma is the pretty town of Alcudia. Despite traditionally being known as a go-to family-friendly resort, there is much more to Alcudia than meets the eye. The old town dates back to the 13th century and features the Sant Jaume Gothic church, and on Tuesdays and Sundays the area holds a market.
This is a great opportunity to get a proper flavour for local cuisine and customs. Split into two parts, the old town market has one dedicated to the produce of local farmers. The region is renowned for almonds so, as long as you’re not allergic, why not try some? There are also a host of locally sourced meats, fruit and vegetables.
The other part of the market is more of what you are used to seeing in other parts of Spain. Pretty much everything is on sale here ranging from handbags, shoes and souvenirs.
Day 6 – Lazy Day by the Pool
Of course, you can bask by the pool at any point during your holiday, and the likelihood is that you will have at various times already. But when you have only one full day left, sometimes it can be nice to do one thing: absolutely nothing.
Cover the kids in suncream and let them tire themselves out in the pool for the flight tomorrow (this is especially handy if you are flying in the middle of the night and want to avoid any travel tantrums), and then head out for a lovely last meal in the evening.
Palma has an abundance of top restaurants to choose from, and it really just depends what you are after. For delicious seafood dishes, try La Parada del Mar. If you feel like Italian, Restaurante Bel Posto is a fantastic choice. La Cueva offers reasonable yet tasty tapas close to the cathedral, so you don’t have to trek too far from Palma city on your last night.
Day 7 – Say Goodbye to Sunny Mallorca
The final day of the holiday can be a little hectic, but if you have a few hours to spare before going to the airport then you might as well make the most of it. As you will most likely be based around Palma before your flight home, why not pay a visit to the Pilar and Joan Miro Foundation?
This museum celebrates the work of Joan Miro, an artist who lived in Mallorca from 1956 until his death in 1983. He had four workshops across the island which have kindly donated his various paintings, drawing and graphic works to the museum. Among them include Still Life with Old Shoe (1937), Dona i Ocell (1983) and Personnage Oiseaux (1978).
A relaxed walk around the museum can be the perfect way end to a great holiday.
