Mallorca without a doubt is my favorite summer destination in Europe. It’s the biggest of Balearic Islands (Spain), located on the Mediterranean Sea, only 30 minute flight from Barcelona. Mallorca is famous for its beautiful, sandy beaches surrounded by crystal clear waters, sheltered coves, rugged mountains and picturesque villages. Mallorca is sometimes called Majorca in Catalan, this island has a rich history and even has its own language - Mallorquin, Catalan dialect. This paradise island is colorful, diverse, have a great culinary scene, amazing restaurants, beautiful nature. I went to Mallorca nine times and one day I plan to move there, because I love this island so much! I hope you will love this Ultimate Travel Guide to Mallorca, I share with you my favorite places, where to stay on the island, where to rent a car, where to eat and what to see. I hope you will enjoy it!

When is the best time to come to Mallorca?

The main season starts in June and ends in September - the weather at that time is the best (hot and sunny) and the water is warm. You can expect around 30 celcius degrees and 9-10 hours of sunshine a day. Summer is also the busiest time of the year, since lots of Europeans having their vacation, they visit the island with their families, kids etc. I think that the best time to visit the island is September. The water is still warm enough to swim, the crowds are gone and it’s cheaper. It’s also easier to find the parking at most of the beaches, coves and view points.

Mallorca is a great destination year-round, though winter can bring some rain. I once visited in December — it was sunny, around 20°C, and the island had a magical ambiance with beautiful Christmas decorations in Palma de Mallorca.

How to get to Mallorca?

Plane is the best way do get to Mallorca. If you plan on flying from Europe, you can check cheap European airlines such as Wizzair, Ryanair and EasyJet, the flights start at 30-40 EUR. Palma is well connected with most bigger cities in Europe. Obviously, it’s possible to fly to Mallorca from the US, even directly (but it’s more expensive than from Europe). Last year (2024), United opened a direct connection from New York (Newark) to Palma de Mallorca which is amazing! You can check that on their website.

How to get around Mallorca?

The easiest and the best way is by car. Don’t stay in Palma only, rent a car and explore the island to soak it all in, becase it’s full of wonderful places! You won’t regret it, I promise! I travel to Mallorca often and every time I rent a car from OFF U GO - book it here. It’s so far my favorite car rental company, they have brand new cars (also automatic) and great rates (there’s no deposit or hidden rates). The pick up and drop off are contactless, what makes the experience even better.

TIP: If you plan to visit Mallorca in the summer, remember to make a car reservation at least 4-8 weeks in advance to make sure you will get it. Summer is an absolute peak travel time, especially August.

Where to stay in Mallorca?

Choosing where to stay in Mallorca depends on several factors, especially how much time you have on the island. If you're visiting for a short stay — around 3 to 4 days — I recommend staying near Palma de Mallorca, as it offers convenient access to many of the island’s most iconic spots. If you’re planning a longer trip (5 days or more), consider staying in the East or North of the island, where you'll find some of Mallorca’s most breathtaking beaches and hidden coves. Scroll down to see my recommended areas and a curated list of my favorite hotels.

Palma / South of the island - the center of the island

If you want to be well-connected and close to Mallorca’s top spots, I recommend staying in the south, near Palma. I’ve stayed in Playa de Palma a few times — it’s close to the airport, has a beautiful long beach, great cafés and restaurants, and a fun, vibrant vibe. It’s also a great base for exploring the rest of the island. I stayed at Occidental Playa de Palma (book it here) and really enjoyed it. The location and food were great!

Check out some photos from my stay below.

My favorite hotels in Playa de Palma (near Palma):

Iberostar Selection Llaut Palma (Adults Only)
The Aubamar Bali
Hotel Aubamar Suites and Spa
Iberostar Waves Bahia de Palma (Adults Only)
Occidental Playa de Palma by Barcelo

East Coast of Mallorca - beautiful beaches & coves

The east coast of Mallorca is calmer than the south and is home to some of the island’s best beaches, beautiful coves, and many all-inclusive resorts. I’ve visited Cala Millor, Cala Bona, and Cala d’Or — charming, tourist-friendly towns with lovely beaches, restaurants, shops, and plenty of family-friendly attractions. If you're traveling with family, this part of the island may be a better fit than Palma, which has more of a nightlife vibe.

Cala d’Or

I stayed at Hotel Barceló Ponent Beach in Cala d’Or — (you can book it here). It’s perfectly located by Cala Ferrera, and if you opt for a sea-view room, you’ll be treated to unforgettable views! Here are some of the photos from my recent stay at this hotel.

Cala Romantica

Another beautiful hotel on the East Coast of Mallorca is Blau Punta Reina located between Cala Romantica & Cala Mendia (book it here), I stayed there in 2020 and it had the dreamiest location. The hotel is located in a big, beautiful garden on the giant cliff, between two coves/beaches. I’ll definitely come back, it was an absolute dream. It’s one of my favorite hotels in Mallorca, you can book that hotel here.

My favorite hotels & fincas in on the East side of Mallorca:

PLAYA DE MURO - The best BEach with all inclusive resorts

Playa de Muro is one of my favorite places to stay in Mallorca — perfect if you’re looking for a long, wide sandy beach right outside your hotel. Unlike other spots with small coves, this area offers plenty of space and amazing views. It’s also a great base to explore the north of the island, with Alcudia Old Town, Pollença, and Formentor just a short drive away. In 2025, I stayed at Iberostar Waves Playa de Muro (book it here). This hotel is truly a dream — one of the best hotels I’ve stayed at in Mallorca. The view from the deck and restaurant was absolutely magical. Check out some photos from my stay below!

Mallorca 10 day Itinerary

I’ve put together a 10-day Mallorca itinerary featuring the island’s best beaches and coves, charming villages, stunning sunset viewpoints, top restaurants and bars, and so much more. To make the most of this journey, renting a car is essential for exploring all these incredible spots. I hope you enjoy the recommendations — and the photos!

Day 1 - South Coast of Mallorca - Cala Pi - Es Trenc - Ses Salines

We started the day by visiting Cala Pi in the morning, before it gets crowded. It’s a nice place for pictures, but the beach is pretty small and tends to be busy. After Cala Pi, we went to Es Trenc (Ses Covetes), it’s my favorite beach in Mallorca. It’s long, sandy and peaeful. The water has a dreamy color! Remember to arrive early in the morning to find a parking spot in Ses Covetes.

After soaking up the sun, we had lunch in favorite restaurant & bar in Mallorca - Cassai Grand Cafe in Ses Salines. The place looks lovely and they have great food. Don’t forget to try their home-made ice tea and crème brûlée, so yummy!

Across the street from Cassai, there are some nice stores with artisanal products from Mallorca. Ses Salines is a cute town and it’s worth exploring. After eating delicious lunch, we headed to the cactus garden located nearby. I’m a cacti lover and Botanicactus was a dream place to visit! This botanical garden is located in Ses Salines. The ticket cost 11 EUR and you can pay cash only.

Day 2 - South-East Coast of Mallorca - Calo des Moro - Cala s’Almunia

These ones are the most picturesque coves (calas) in Mallorca, located close to each other. Please keep in mind that you need to get there early, because it gets crowded quickly. To get there, you to hike for about 20 min from the parking lot (on a paved road in the sun), which fills up early in the morning. I visited in August and we arrived at 8.30 am in the morning, there were already a few cars. Cala des Moro & Cala s’Almunia are not easily accesible, I wouldn’t recommend them to older people & families with small kids.

The first cala you will get to is Cala des Moro, it’s a slippery climb down to get down the beach. To get to Cala s’Almunia it’s a 5 min walk from Cala des Moro. Cala s’Almunia is really picturesque and it’s surrounded by fishermen houses. There isn’t any beach, just rocks, but the places itself is beautiful.

Day 3 - East Coast of Mallorca - Cala Llombards - Cala Mondrago - Cala Romantica

Cala Llombards

Another two beautiful calas in Mallorca, located close to each other, Cala Llombards & Cala Mondrago. Cala Llombards is located in town with the same name. It gets crowded early in the morning, the parking there is so tiny. You need to arrive around 8-9 am to have the beach for yourself and enjoy it. There are some picturesque fishermen houses on the left from the beach.

Cala Mondrago (Park Natural de Mondrago)

Cala Mondrago is located inside a natural park, it’s a beautiful place with crystal clear waters and many coves. Cala Mondrago gets crowded early in the morning, arrive early to grab a parking spot. There are nice, wooden walkways to explore the place, it’s absolytely gorgeous!

Cala Romantica

This is my favorite cove in Mallorca, with a beautiful, sandy beach, not too crowded because it’s mostly known by locals. It has the clearest water I’ve seen in Mallorca and there are some nice, white cliffs. If you go there you will love that spot! Two sunbeds and umbrella cost around 14-15 EUR. Near Cala Romantica, there is a nice hotel - Blau Punta Reina which I recommended earlier in this post. We stayed there once and it was great, the views from rooms are amazing.

Day 4 - West Coast of Mallorca - Deia & Valldemossa

Deia is a small and picturesque village located in Serra de Tramuntana mountains. The town is gorgeous, it’s surrounded by the mountains. There are a few nice restaurants, boutique hotels, local stores and galleries. Deia is an upscale destination, quite expensive and fancy, it ha a great vibe. You can visit Cala Deia, a small rocky cove with impressive views.

Valldemossa is the most picturesque town in Mallorca, located only 10 min drive from Deia. It’s famous for its cobbled alleys and stone houses. The Polish composer Frédéric Chopin and his lover, the French writer George Sand, spent the winter staying in the monastery. The Spanish saint and patron of Mallorca, Santa Catalina was born in Valldemossa. When strolling around the streets, you can spot many houses having the tiles of the same style, representing Santa Catalina.

TIP: When driving from Deia to Valldemossa, I suggest you to stop at an amazing viewpoint (off the main road), where you can admire sunset and enjoy pretty views. Here’s the location - click

Day 5 - West Coast of Mallorca - Soller & Port de Soller

Soller is one of the most beautiful towns in Mallorca, it’s located 3 km away from Port de Soller and you can visit both towns in one day. They are connected with a historic tramway, and it’s such a great experience to take that ride. The Soller train goes every few minutes, you can purchase the tickets on board (one ticket costs 8 EUR). I recommend leaving your car in Soller and going towards Port de Soller. Port de Soller is full of cobblestone houses, lemon trees, palm trees and restaurants. You can also find there cute boutiques with artisanal baskets.

Day 6 - North Coast of Mallorca - Cap de Formentor

Formentor is northernmost point of Mallorca, where the top end of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range meets the Mediterranean. This is the most gorgeous place in Mallorca with dramatic views and rugged coastline. The best time to visit this part of the island is either sunrise or sunset, the light is amazing at that time. I recommend doing a full day road trip, there are many beautiful places and stops. Here are the must-see spots in Formentor:

Cala Figuera (nice cove with clear blue water, 15 min hike is required)
Mirador es Colomer (viewpoint known for the dramatic views, my favorite sunset spot)
Playa de Formentor (beautiful beach with nice views)
Cap the Formentor (the northermost point with the lighthouse at the end of the windy road)

Day 7 - Alcudia Old Town

The old town of Alcudia is a true gem & jewel of Mallorca, most of the tourist don’t visit this place. When people hear Alcudia, they think about all the all inclusive resorts located next to Port de Alcudia. The center of Alcudia is surrounded by the old walls, you can explore some parts of them. Alcudia Old Town is full of cobbled streets, cute houses with bougainvillea, nice restaurants & boutique stores. It’s actually a great place to shop!

Day 8 - Arta - Puig de Sant Salvador

Arta is a beautiful and traditional Mallorquin town, located in a large valley in the northeast Mallorca. This place is mostly known by locals, it’s not as popular as other villages, but it’s definitely worth your visit. Arta is well known for the production of pottery and basket weaving. It’s full of cobbled, narrow streets. The main attraction of Arta is Santuari de Sant Salvador located on top of the mountain, offering the stunning views over the valley.

Puig de Sant Salvador

This sanctuary located on top of the mountain was built it mid-14th century and restored in 18th century. Puig de Sant Salvador offers gorgrous, panoramic views over Mallorca. It’s also possible to hike to the top of the mountain, since there is a trail, but I don’t re commend doing that in the summer due to hot weather. We went there to watch the sunset and it was absolutely magical! This place is known by locals only.

Day 9 - Sa Calobra & Fornalutx

Fornalutx is a hidden gem in Mallorca, it’s a small but absolutely charming town nestled high up the Tramuntana mountains. You can admire there traditional Mallorquin stone buildings and walk around the narrow streets. You should visit this town on your way to Sa Calobra, it’s so lovely!

The road to Sa Calobra goes through Serra de Tramuntana mountains and it’s one of most spectacular panoramic roads in the world. Driving through that road was hard, but the views were absolutely amazing. We watched the sunset from Nus de Sa Corbata viewpoint and it was absolutely magical. The road ends at Torrent de Parreis, there is a beach surrounded by steep mountains, but we didn’t have time to make it. I recommend you going to Sa Calobra Beach first and then end the day by watching sunset.

Day 10 - Palma de Mallorca & Port d’Andratx

Palma is the capital of Mallorca and the main city in the island. Most of the tourist skip this part, because they think it’s just like a big city. Nonetheless, it’s a beautiful and vibrant city with amazing history and architectury. Here are the highlights of Palma de Mallorca:

Wander the streets in Palma Old Town
Visit the Cathedral of Palma and walk around it in the park
Watch sunset at Bellvere Castle

TIP: If you plan on going to Palma by car, I suggest you parking at Aparcament Parc de la Mar - SMAP, it’s close to the Cathedral and to the Palma Old Town.

When going to Palma, you should also visit Port d’Andratx, this town is absolutely magical an picturesque with many great restaurants and bars.

Must-do Activities in Mallorca

Visit Cuevas del Drach in Porto Christo (the caves of hams)
Catamaran Cruise with lunch (from Palma de Mallorca)
Go to Rafa Nadal Musem in Manacor

CHECK OUT MY OTHER POSTS FROM MALLORCA:

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The Ultimate Travel Guide to Mallorca - 10 day itinerary (2025 UPDATE)