Being the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, Majorca (Mallorca) has long been a popular tourist destination for Europeans in search of summer fun. From the package holiday heyday of the 60’s to the all-inclusive resorts we find dotted around the island today, Majorca is still a top choice destination for a fun packed vacation.
Blessed with a century’s old historic capital that dates back to pre-Roman times and a mountainous countryside dotted with terracotta tiled farmhouses, Majorca is a Mediterranean gem just waiting to be discovered.
Mallorca Travel Guide
Where is Mallorca?
Lying just over 200 kilometres off the east coast of Spain, Mallorca/Majorca is the largest island in the Balearic archipelago and is more diverse than the party island of Ibiza and the Martha’s Vineyard-esque quiet beauty of Menorca/Minorca. Surrounded by turquoise-hued crystal-clear water and sweet-smelling pine forested mountain peaks, Mallorca is an adventure playground that can be enjoyed by the entire family.
History & Architecture in Mallorca
Seeing Mallorca’s/Majorca’s capital city of Palma for the first time is akin to falling in love at first sight. With its magnificent gothic cathedral and palm-fringed waterfront, a stroll through the Moorish architecture of the Old Town will have you wishing that you never had to leave.
When is the best time to visit Mallorca?
With over 300 days of sunshine per year and a mild southern Mediterranean climate, there is never a wrong time to visit Mallorca, but obviously, the peak months are between May and October when most people take their summer holidays. October and November are the months that see the largest amount of rainfall, with January and February being the coldest. Despite being a little chilly at night, the winter months are when the island’s four million almond trees blossom, creating a pink and white spectacle set against the azure blue cloudless skies.
How to get to Mallorca
The main airport for the island is Palma de Mallorca PMI airport. With daily flights, including many with low-cost carriers from most major regional airports in Europe, getting to Mallorca has never been easier. Visiting the island from outside Europe will require a stopover in either Barcelona or Madrid. You can also get to Mallorca by ferry with regular sailings between the mainland and the island from Barcelona, Valencia and the small Alicante port of Denia.
Majorca airport has many options for public transport. There are no trains directly from Majorca airport unfortunately, however there are a lot of buses to and from there frequently throughout the day.
Another option is contacting and arranging a transfer from Palma Airport that can be booked in advance which will save you having to wait for taxi from the airport.
There are also a number of car hire companies located within the airport itself.
Where to stay in Mallorca
While the purpose built resorts of Magaluf and Alcudia on the north coast continue to attract youngsters and families looking for a budget holiday, elsewhere on the island the trend has moved towards upmarket boutique hotels and farmhouse retreats.
Things to do in Mallorca
Summer beach time fun remains the main reason for holidaying in Mallorca/Majorca, but you will also find plenty of activities to do away from the sea and sand as well. Being geared up for tourism there is no end of excursions to go on that run the gauntlet from a classical serenade in the Caves of Drach (Cavern of the Dragon) to a wine tasting and cookery class in a mountain village.
A 24-hour pass on the open top hop-on-hop-off bus tour is a perfect way to explore the capital Palma and with its 16 convenient stops you can visit the main attractions at your leisure.
If you want to explore the real Mallorca/Majorca away from the tourist trail, rent a bicycle and follow in the footsteps of cycling hero Sir Bradley Wiggins. The five-time gold medal winner and self-professed Mallorca lover spends his winters on the island training in the Tramuntana Mountains.
