Less than half an hour away by flight, or a six-hour ferry crossing, Mallorca is a get-away definitely worth considering. And with Easter just around the corner – and the weather starting to get warmer! – now is as good a time as any to start planning for the trip. Here, then, is The City Trail’s top tips about why you might want to go, and what you will find when you get there.
Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands, the small Spanish archipelago that is nestled in the waters of the Mediterranean, south of Barcelona. Mallorca is more low-key than Ibiza, its much smaller neighbour so beloved among sun-seeking party-goers, and because of this it is definitely worth a visit.
It’s true that the place can get quite crowded during the summer months, but if you choose carefully the period to go, and Spring is the ideal time, you can still escape some of the crowds…
Palma
Whether you arrive by ferry or by plane, your first port of call is almost certain to be the capital, Palma.
You can easily spend a few days in Palma walking around the small pretty car free streets, admiring the beautiful architecture, tasting some great food and visiting some iconic places.
Here are some fun things you can do:
La Seu Cathedral
With its interesting audio guide and the magnificent esplanade overlooking the sea, this stunning architectural masterpiece stands as a testament to the island’s rich cultural heritage and religious significance. The imposing Gothic facade soaring columns and ornate stained glass windows are impressive.
Bellver Castle
Bellver Castle boasts stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and the shimmering Mediterranean. This circular castle is quite unique, and one of the very few ones still standing in Europe. The sturdy limestone walls stand as a testament to the island medieval past and strategic importance.
Palma Aquarium
You can easily spend a few hours here, meandering around the various tanks and learning about the sea life. There are a couple of interesting experiences that you can book, too: taking a glass-bottomed boat over a tank filled with sharks and manta rays, or taking the plunge and diving with sharks. This is one of Palma’s attractions that really is open 365 days a year, so if you are at a loss to do during public holidays (over Easter, for example, or Christmas and New Year), then the aquarium is always an option to think about!
Bowling
Why not unwind with a trip to the local bowling alley. There are a few around town. The one that we have linked to also has air hockey, billiards and other games to enjoy. There is a small café attached.
Pitch and Putt
If you’re after other leisure pursuits to do with the whole family, the local nine-hole pitch and putt course at Arabella Golf is reasonably-priced and suitable for children from the ages of nine.
Glass-blowing
Palma is famous for its glass and there are a number of places where you can visit to see glass-making in action. Arguably the most famous one, and easiest to get to, is Gordiola. There is a showroom in the centre of Palma, and a manufacturing unit slightly outside of town. But there are other places too. Lafiore is highly recommended. Here you do not have to pay to see glass-blowing but at Gordiola you do.
Outside of Palma
There is definitely a lot of Mallorca to see outside of Palma, and having a car will certainly help you get the most out of your stay. The following list is by no means definitive, but it will give you some thoughts of what there is to see and do as you are planning your trip:
Porto Cristo
There are a few reasons to come to Port Cristo: to visit the beautiful Drach Caves, to have a stroll along the beautiful beaches nearby and to try some nice food.
There are several cave complexes in Mallorca, but the Drach Caves (from the old word for ‘dragon’) are probably the most well-known and most spectacular of them all. Legend has it that a valuable treasure is still hidden in a secret place in the Drach Caves. In ancient times, pirates and buccaneers explored the dark passages of this complex in search of such precious booty.
The caves are certainly impressive, full of ancient stalactite and stalagmites and with a huge lake deep underground. This is a magical setting for a short concert that is performed on the water after every visit.
Exploring the caves is only possible with a guided tour; you cannot visit on your own. Visits start at precise times, and you will have to walk in a group with other people – exactly how many depends on the time of year and how many tourists are around. Don’t expect any explanations on this tour though!
The cave complex has a nice outdoor space with café and shops and a big and free parking place.
If you are looking for a nice beach to relax at, try Cala Anguila and Cala Mendia.
Port Soller
This small coastal village gets extremely busy during the summer months, making the roads horrendously congested, so it’s a good idea to take advantage of the slightly quieter Spring months when visiting.
The town is indeed very pretty. It’s lovely to simply stroll along the seaside and admire the scenery. You can also walk up a short incline and admire the small port from above.
One of the most well-known attractions is a small wooden tram that trundles between the town of Soller and the port. This is a great experience but a little pricey – although during the summer months it may be your only way of getting to the port, as the roads and parking become chock-full of holiday-makers. A one-way ticket on the tram is €9 per person – and there are no discounts for buying a return. The tram ride takes around 20 minutes.
The town of Soller is less touristy than the port and has better (less touristy!) restaurant options. While still a bit tourist, Soller feels a bit more ‘local’ and is pleasant to take a stroll around.
Fonalutx
This is a beautiful village Fornalutx, a real hidden gem nestled in the heart of the Tramuntana mountains. Steeped in
history, this quaint village is a labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets lined with rustic stone houses, adorned with colourful flowers
that cascade from wrought-iron balconies. There is a timeless beauty and authentic charm to this village that is worth exploring while in the area.
The house of Robert Graves
For nearly 50 years, renowned British poet Robert Graves made Mallorca his home. When he moved to the island in 1946, Graves was still recovering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder that he had endured from his experience in the First World War.. The pleasant island of Mallorca – seemingly so detached from the mainland and the tightening iron grip Francisco Franco – was an ideal place to come.
Graves chose a spot outside of Deia and it is now possible to visit the house where he spent most of his years on the island living.
Getting to Mallorca from Barcelona
By boat
The great thing about travelling by boat is that you can take your own car with you, thereby removing the need to hire one when there.
There are two ports in Mallorca, the most common one is La Palma and the other is Alcúdia. The distance between the two ports is about 58 kilometres, which is about one hours by bus or 45 minutes by car.
The length of journey by boat is around six-and-a-half hours. If you want to sleep on the boat, you can either book a spot on a reclining chair (which is the cheaper option) or reserve a proper cabin with private bathroom. Alternatively, if you are really on a budget, you can do neither and simply park yourself on one of the many public chairs that are dotted around the ship.
Most of the ships have a cafe-and-restaurant area, a small place for kids to play and a TV area.
When taking the ferry, you will need to arrive in advance (the recommended time is two hours before departure). If you are lucky and the ferry is ready you might be allowed to board earlier. The annoying things is that most ferry companies in Barcelona require you to leave your car somewhere and then go to the ticket office, even if you have booked in advance. The queue there can be pretty long.
There are a few number of companies that run ferries to Mallorca, and so you should check the times and prices that work best for you: Trasmed, GNV and Balearia.
By plane
The journey between Barcelona and Mallorca by plane takes around 50 minutes. There are a number of companies that operate flights there: Vueling, Air Europa, Iberia, Air Algerie and Ryan Air.