Destination Guides: Mallorca (Majorca)

In 1950 the first charter flight landed on a small airstrip on Mallorca, the largest of the Balearic Islands (3640 sq km). Fringed by sandy beaches, rocky coves and clear seas, Mallorca is a favourite holiday destination. But there’s much more to Mallorca than the beaches. Palma de Mallorca (or simply Palma) is the main centre and a place where there is something for everyone. The northwest coast, dominated by the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, is a beautiful region of olive groves, pine forests and ochre villages, with a spectacularly rugged coastline.

Mallorca is full of unexpected treats, from a 7000-year-old Stone Age house to the glamorous modern art galleries of the elegant capital Palma. It's easy to escape the crowds by heading inland to the island's un spoilt countryside and mountains.

Sightseeing in Mallorca

Palma

Palma

La Seu - Palma's magnificent Gothic cathedral which dominates the waterfront. Its foundations were laid in 1230 under the instruction of Jaime I and took 500 years to complete. Now the sandstone walls and flying butresses tower over the newly restored streets of the old town.

Next door is the Palau de l'Almudaina, once a Moorish palace and later remodelled in Gothic style in the 13th/14th centuries by the Kings of Mallorca. Explore the maze of narrow streets in the old quarter behind the Cathedral.

Castell de Bellver - a well-preserved 14th-century royal hill fortress built for Jaime II with museum and great views over Palma Bay. 3km from central Palma.

And try not to miss Palma's Museum of Mallorca, where historical artefacts are tucked away in a 15th-century mansion

Finally, there's Abaco Bar, which is a 17th century palace. The beautiful décor, antique furnishings and sweeping stairway will lead you to believe you are in a movie - or a fairy tail. Fresh flowers and fruit adorn the wonderful backdrop, classical music is piped out, and the luscious cocktails will keep you in high spirits. Drinks can be expensive, but are well worth it for this once in a lifetime experience. Located in Palma.

Mallorca Mountains

A drive through the mountains is a highlight of any holiday in Mallorca, although traffic can be heavy in summer. Explore villages with cobbled streets, honey-coloured stone houses and rustic bars. Walkers can tackle ancient tracks through the pine-clad slopes.

The mountain town of Deia is supposedly an artists' and poets' retreat, but where Robert Graves or Joan Miro once worked you're now more likely to find jet-setters and celebrities.

Soller

The rail trip from Palma to Soller is an another way to explore Mallorca's wild west. The rattling single-track train passes through almond, lemon and orange groves. At Soller, transfer to the ramshackle tram that takes you to the waterfront at Porto de Soller. Further north, a cliffpath from Sa Colobra leads through tunnels to an awe-inspiring limestone gorge that narrows to a tiny beach. The flatter north coast is more developed but still has ancient attractions like Pollenca's Shrine of Calvary, the dramatically sited Monastery of Lluc and Iron Age cemetery at Son Real. The east coast is dotted with small resorts whose rocky coves, white beaches and clear seas show why Mallorca has become so popular. The quietest beaches are Cala Mondrago or Porto Petro. Drach caves – a complex of underground caverns dotted with lakes and pools – and Porto Cristo aquarium are interesting but get busy.

Amaze'n Laberintos, Playa de Muro, Alcudia

The giant wooden maze at Amaze'n Laberintos is much more than just a maze. Not only are you searching for the exit but four check points are hidden along the way...just make sure you don't get distracted by the unusual maze dwellers. Clowns, witches, fairies and water monsters have their own reasons for entering the maze...and a visit wouldn't be complete without meeting one of them.

South Coast

Mallorca's south coast is dominated by high-rise package resorts. S'Arenal is mostly German, while the British congregate in sizzling Palma Nova and Magaluf. Behind the all-night bars and chip shops, Palma Nova's beach is among the island's best.

Inland Mallorca

Away from the coast is an agricultural plain punctuated by crumbling stone farms and villages. Olives, artichokes and melons vie for space alongside wild flowers and cactuses. Towns such as Felanitx, where farmers fill a colourful Sunday market around the church, and Petra, where families sit at quiet cafes in tree-shaded squares, give glimpses of how life was here before the tourists arrived.

Things to do in Mallorca

Mallorca

Glass bottomed boats are a great way to see Majorca's marine life without getting wet! Glass-bottomed Boats will take you out from shore, anchoring once out for those who wish to dive, swim or snorkel from the boat.

Bike hire is widely available, and Mallorca boasts many excelent golf courses. There is also the shopping:Palma has all the shopping quality and variety of any Spanish city. Elsewhere most shops are geared towards tourists. Look for locally-made souvenirs made like glasswear, pottery and ceramic tiles, hand-embroidered tablecloths and linen.

Eating on the island ranges from gourmet restaurants of Palma to pie and chips in Palma Nova. The most memorable meals will be somewhere in between - eating fresh grilled sardines with local wine and bread on the terrace of a café overlooking the sea. Local specialities include 'Pa amb oli' – bread rubbed with tomato and olive oil eaten as a starter, and 'Porcella' – a roast suckling pig.

Nightlife

From the all-night bars and clubs of big resorts to quiet nights in small village bars, Mallorca has plenty of variety. Palma has the most sophistication with cocktail bars, live music, traditional restaurants and exclusive clubs.

The big resorts have plenty of options too, veering more towards karaoke, Miss Wet-T-Shirt and foam parties for the young and lively. Alcudia even has a big dance club, called Menta, with an indoor swimming pool. Around the Bay of Palma there are also big family cabaret shows, casino and major pop concerts and dance events, and top-class Spanish football matches.

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