The favorite island of the Germans is called Mallorca and has much more Top 10 Mallorca sightseeing and travel tips to offer than you would expect from a vacation island. Palma de Mallorca is the central point for tourists coming to the island by plane or ship for Mallorca sightseeing.
Majorca is the largest Spanish island and is located about 170km from the Spanish mainland. The Mallorca sightseeing top 10 travel tips know the fewest tourists who arrive at the airport Palma de Mallorca (PMI). Therefore, I would like to give you an overview, the top Mallorca sightseeing of the Spanish island.
Facts and information about Mallorca Sightseeing
Mallorca is also known by the Germans as “Malle” or as the “seventeenth state”. Originally, the name Mallorca comes from the Latin “insula maior” and means “the larger island”. Later it became “Maiorica” and then “Mallorca”. In contrast to Menorca “insula minor” – “the smaller island”.
Besides Mallorca and Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera belong to the Balearic and Mediterranean islands. Besides Spanish and Catalan, Mallorca speaks “Mallorqui” – a dialect of Catalan. In English, Mallorca is called “Majorca”.
I personally was as a toddler a few times on Mallorca near Cala Ratjada. I remember the hotel complex, the beach and the windmills. The beach was reached at that time via a footpath with the typical small rectangular cobblestones. Beautiful nature and at that time delicious Langnese ice cream, or Frigo ice cream.
After that time I was not on Mallorca for more than 20 years. Why? Through various TV reports and the check-in queues at the airport, you get a completely wrong picture of Mallorca. I actually only imagined the “Ballermann” and then always decided for another destination.
By a TV Umstyling action, which I should observe backstage, I was then nevertheless once again on Mallorca. When you leave the airport in the rental car, you experience a completely different Mallorca than I had imagined.
In the past, Mallorca was considered an island of tranquility – but this was far before the time of mass tourism. I spent my time in Porto Petro at that time and got to know Mallorca from a completely different side. A short time later I was back on Mallorca and explored the island a bit further and visited many of the Mallorca sightseeing.
However, will not have been my last visit to this Mediterranean island. Certainly, for many Mallorca is not an insider tip, but to find the special places, that’s exactly what you need the travel tips of the locals. My top 10 Mallorca sightseeing I present to you with pleasure more exactly.
Mallorca sightseeing my top 10 travel tips for Palma and surroundings
Cathedral of the Holy Mary – La Seu
Palma de Mallorca is located in the south of the island. If you drive along the coast the MA-19 and PM-1 through Palma, then you will certainly notice the pompous church next to the large port. The top 1 of the Majorca sightseeing you have already found. The Cathedral of the Holy Mary is also known as “La Seu”, the “bishop’s seat”.
From 1230 after the Moorish rule, the cathedral was built on the site of an Islamic mosque. The cathedral was consecrated in 1601. Work on the main facade was not completed until the 20th century. 44 meters high with a round window that is considered the “largest Gothic rose window in the world” with a diameter of more than 12 meters. Architect Antoni Gaudí was also responsible for part of the interior design.
However, it is not possible to visit the cathedral from the inside. An impressive building in Palma, which with its city walls is one of the most important Palma de Mallorca sightseeing.
Palacio Real de La Almudaina and Old Town
Next to the cathedral is the “Palacio Real” the Royal Palace. A former Arab fortress with Gothic alterations. Today the royal family uses the premises for ceremonies and official occasions. The summer residence of the royal family is located in the Palacio de Marivent. A modern building near Cala Major.
The old town has many other beautiful places that tourists can easily explore on foot. Through beautiful alleys you can just drift and find numerous stores. One should be able to buy shoes here wonderfully. I personally have not been able to do this yet.
On my shopping day, I was unfortunately too many tourists (due to three cruise ships) in the shoe stores in the summer. I like to hang out in the Porto Pi shopping center from time to time. To the north of the old town, you’ll find Plaça Major and the indoor market Mercat de L’Olivar.
Es Baluard (museum of modern and contemporary art)
For an entrance fee to this Mallorca sightseeing of EUR 6,00 (Fridays EUR 0,10) you can see modern and contemporary art at “Es Baluard”. The name means “bulwark” and stands for the function at that time in place of the museum. The new building was created in the dilapidated “Baluard de Sant Pere” fortress.
The museum has a total area of 5,000 m² on different levels with ramps, balconies and galleries. Various paths lead to different vantage points of the city walls partly with views of the Bay of Palma, the Castell de Bellver and the Cathedral. A visit to the museum combined with the exploration of the historic structure.
Castell de Bellver
One of the most beautiful views of Palma is from the 112 meter high Castell de Bellver as Mallorca sightseeing. The circular fortress has a four-meter wide moat and a museum on the ground floor about the history of Palma. The Castell de Bellver not only offers a beautiful view in all directions, but also the courtyard looks very inviting. In the past, the fortress was often used as a prison. In 1311, the fortress was completed as the residence of James II.
The walk to this Mallorca sightseeing takes about 20 minutes and starts at the disco “Tito’s” at the Paseo Maritimo. By car, you take the street Carrer Camilo José Cela to the mountains. In Mallorca there are more beautiful castles to visit as Mallorca sightseeing.
Cap Formentor with lighthouse
Cap Formentor is located in the north-east of Mallorca. Here, impressive cliffs and beautiful bays await the Mallorca sightseeing visitors. In the north it is always a bit cooler and windier than on the rest of the island.
A lighthouse awaits at the end of the impressive road. From some places you can see the neighboring island of Menorca or Cala Fiquera as well as Alcúdia (a city with a beautiful old downtown). A beautiful destination of the Mallorca sightseeing in the north of Mallorca.
Botanicactus at Ses Salines – dripstone caves
In the south of Mallorca lies Ses Salines with the Botanicactus. In this region the salt production with the “Flor de Sal” as well as nature reserves are in the foreground. The botanical garden Botanicactus is a popular destination and Mallorca sightseeing. On a beautiful area, many different cacti, plants and Mallorcan flora await you. The entrance fee is EUR 10.00.
If you are already in Ses Salines, you can also visit one of the stalactite caves. “Coves del Drac” or “Cuevas del Drach” is located near Portocristo. This cave has the largest underground lake, the Martel Lake. For an entrance fee of EUR 14.50 you can see the cave from the inside in groups.
In the past, people did not dare to go further into these caves – today many tourists stream through the cave. It is advisable to be here at 10 am or again from 4 pm. Photography and filming are not allowed here. There is room for 1100 visitors at Martel Lake. You can hear music in the caves – it is really quiet here only when the cave is closed.
Alternatively, you can find other stalactite caves, such as the stalactite cave “Coves d’ Artá” in the north-east on Mallorca. Here the entrance fee is EUR 13.00, photography is allowed without tripod. Show and sound effects are also dispensed with here. Dripstone caves belong to the top Mallorca sightseeing.
Serra de Tramuntana with Valldemossa
The Serra de Tramuntana is a mountain range in the north-west of the island. There are many good hiking trails and pristine nature here. The monastery Santuari de Santa Maria de Lluc with a small botanical garden is located in the northern part of the mountains. Here you can even stay overnight as a pilgrim almost next to the “Black Madonna Statue”.
Mass tourism can only be found in the places of pilgrimage and monastery towns. Valldemossa, for example, has a Carthusian monastery from the 14th century. Fréderic Chopin and George Sand lived here (the premises can be visited). On the initiative of Michael Douglas, the Costa Nord Cultural Center was established here.
The main sights are the Valldemossa Charterhouse (Cartoixa de Valldemossa) and the parish church of Sant Bartomeu. Valldemossa is located at an altitude of 420 meters and is said to have a pleasant climate in summer. If you want to see the town without mass tourism and eat a coca de patata in peace, you should avoid the summer months. Also the parking situation shows that it would like to earn here gladly at tourists 🙂 – Nevertheless, a beautiful old town with beautiful Mallorca sightseeing.
Soller and Tren de Soller
An old railroad line “Tren de Soller” does not carry vegetables, olives and oranges from Palma to Soller today, but many tourists. For a fare of EUR 19,50 (price for there and back) you can travel almost 30 km in one hour by train. The Serra de Tramuntana mountains are very worth seeing, because you drive over viaducts, through tunnels and tight curves. In addition to Soller, Port de Soller is also a popular Majorca sightseeing and stop for tourists.
Top Mallorca sightseeing in Soller is the parish church of Sant Bartomeu (San Bartolomé), built in 1236 on Plaça Constitució. The facade of the church was designed in 1904 by Joan Rubió i Bellver (student of Gaudí), also in 1889 the facade of the Banco de Sóller (bank building next to the church). The pretty patrician houses in Soller are striking. In the south of Soller you will find the Museu Balear de Ciències Naturals (Natural History Museum of the Balearic Islands) with the Jardín Botánico (Botanical Garden).
Museum Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró
In Palma is the Museum Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró entrance fee EUR 4.80 (camera surcharge EUR 5.00) with 2,500 works by Miró, as well as hundreds of objects that Miró collected. The painter and artist Miró has a strong connection to Mallorca, as his mother and wife came from this island. The museum, as well as the works were bequeathed to the city of Palma. The roof looks very photogenic.
Recreational parks in Mallorca
Besides the crowds, Mallorca also has many quiet corners and various parks for recreation. My brief assessment of the recreational parks in Mallorca:
Gardens of Raixa
Entrance fee EUR 3,00 – a finca near Bunyola (open Tue and Thu, 10-14) – not only Jil Sander and Michael Douglas were interested in this piece of Mallorca, also many film and TV productions like to use the spectacular scenery. The finca can be booked for special occasions, such as weddings and events.
Jardins d’Alfabia
Entrance fee EUR 6.00 – a Moorish garden with canals that turn the garden into a jungle. Trees, exotic plants and flowering shrubs embellish the manor house, located at the entrance of Bunyola (on the way from Palma to Soller).
Son Marroig
Entrance fee EUR 4.00 – between Sóller and Valldemossa, near Deià, lies the former residence of Archduke Ludwig Salvator von Habsburg. The museum offers a unique dreamlike coastal view with the cliffs of the Tramuntana as Mallorca sightseeing.
Parc natural de Mondragó (Mondrago Nature Park)
A nature reserve in the southeast of the island near Migjorn and Portopetro. The bird sanctuary has many different beautiful stretches of beach. Nearby you can find Ses Salines with again different nature.
Parc natural de s’Albufera de Mallorca (L’Albufera Nature Park)
A nature reserve near Alcudia. A wetland with dunes, lakes and an observation stand for bird watching.
Sa Dragonera
A nature reserve in the southwest as a small island that can only be reached by boat. The 4 km long Dragon Island near Andratx has a lighthouse at the highest point (353 meters) and a cliff on the side facing the Mediterranean Sea.
Parc de les Estacions
Palma also has beautiful recreational parks. Above the train station is the modern and photogenic “Parc de les Estacions” park. A planned park that serves as a green oasis for the people of the city.
Dream beaches in Mallorca
Mallorca is known for beautiful beaches. You can find small bays and wide sandy beaches, depending on your preference. Partially located on cliffs or conveniently located near hotels. However, it is important to know that beaches in Mallorca must always be accessible to all residents of Mallorca. No hotel is allowed to claim a beach for itself. A very useful law to be able to use the beautiful sides of Mallorca at any time. I present you a few beautiful beaches or even dream beaches on Mallorca.
Torrent de Pareis: Sa Calobra – (north-west – north of Soller)
A river mouth into the sea with fine sandy beach and framing high rocks. However, an adventurous drive to the beach.
Calo des Marmols – (south-east – east of Ses Salines)
Picture book bay as Mallorca sightseeing with green-blue sea and small rocks in the water. Still considered an insider tip! The lighthouse at Cap ses Salines is also not far away.
Cala Mondrago (S`Amarador) – (Southeast near Santanyí in the Mondrago Park)
A beautiful beach with rocks and lots of green and crystal clear water.
Cala de sa Comuna (also Calo des Moro) – (Southeast of Santanyí in the Mondrago Park)
A Caribbean dream in the Mediterranean Sea. Sandy beach and clear waters create turquoise waters.
Cala Varques – (East near Manacor)
A remote cove near Porto Cristo with green plants and sometimes small boats in the clear bay with sandy beach. Cala Varques is also known as “the quiet one” and is still considered a little insider tip. 🙂
Playa Es Trenc – (South near Campos)
A 5 kilometer long 35 meter wide sandy beach with blue-turquoise colored water in a nature reserve. Therefore there are no hotels on this beach. You almost feel like you are in the Caribbean.
Cala Figuera – (far north near Formentor)
The rough north with lonely bays. Besides Cala Figuera, Cala Murta is also a small insider tip. Hidden lonely bays without tourists.
Playa de Muro – (Northeast near Alcudia)
A more than 5 kilometers long fine sandy beach with a shallow entrance and many tourists. Entertainment with banana boat rides and kite surfing is very important here. Not a beach for rest and relaxation.
Cala Torta – (Northeast near Cala Ratjada)
The cake bay with a wide sandy beach – since the sea drops deeply, the beach is not very suitable for children. Nudism is not uncommon here.
Cala Agulla – (Northeast near Cala Ratjada)
A sandy beach with beach bars, framed by a pine forest. Younger crowd.
Cala Sa Nau – (Northeast near Cala Milor)
Somewhat hidden, surrounded by pine forests, you will find a 35 meters long beach with 80 meters wide and clear waters.
Cala Llombards – (South-East – East of Ses Salines, South-East of Santanyí)
A beach surrounded by rocks. 230 meters long and 50-140 meters wide as a sea inlet. There is a beach bar with music, sunbeds can be rented. There are similar neighboring coves.
Portals Vells – (South of Santa Ponsa)
Here you can find four similar bays, some of which offer nudism. Many boats are anchored here.
Waterparks
If you are more interested in water parks, you might like the Western Water Park near Magaluf or the Hidropark near Port d’Alcudia.
CONCLUSION – Mallorca sightseeing Top 10
If you still haven’t seen enough of the sightseeing on the vacation island of Mallorca, there are plenty of manor houses, excavation sites or watchtowers to visit.
The many Mallorca sightseeing windmills (which you always meet on the island and already see during the landing) were formerly used for the production of grain, gunpowder or tobacco. Since 1847, the windmills were converted to pump water. Now, thanks to the Dutchman Paul Bouvij, mules and donkeys did not have to walk many rounds to pump the water from the ground.
Mallorca has to offer not only various water sports, but also many golf courses. A sport that you might not associate directly with Mallorca. One of the oldest golf courses can be found at Son Vida. For cyclists and triathletes Mallorca is also a paradise. Not without reason the Ironman takes place near Alcudia again and again.
Who knows Mallorca rather from the television, which would like to visit possibly the cafe catberger of the TV Blondine – Santa Ponca, Av. del Rei Jaume I, No 78 – except Monday daily from 10-24 o’clock. Alternatively, of course, the Ballermann 6 is known. The beach bar Balneario 6 at Playa de Palma is the most famous beach bar in Mallorca. However, recently there are new rules of conduct for the party people.
Palma de Mallorca and the Mallorca sightseeing are very popular not only with tourists, but also with residents. Almost half of Mallorca’s residents live here, over 400,000 people. 100 years ago there were just under 70,000 people – since then much has changed on the island. I always find the many Lidl supermarkets irritating, but the bread here is really delicious, if you ever get homesick for bread :).
Mallorca and the Mallorca sightseeing is so much more than just party, drunken vacationers and the Ballermann. There are beautiful beaches and nature, many different Mallorca sightseeing and beautiful fincas as well as luxury hotels.
I took a closer look at the three luxury hotels from Starwood and found my favorite with the St. Regis Mardavall. In Mallorca, you can spend your vacation exactly according to your preference. A huge advantage of this beautiful island in the Mediterranean. No matter if beach hotel, golf hotel or an old castle.
I wish you a lot of fun and good rest under the sun of Spain with many top Mallorca sightseeing.
