If you have ever been to Mallorca, you’ll know all the reasons to come back. If you have never been here, in this post we will run through all the reasons why you should choose the island as your next holiday destination.
A significant increase in international visitors means tourism in Mallorca is booming. The Balearic Islands are one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, and Mallorca is the third largest island in Spain and attracts more than 4 million tourists each year. That’s 10 times the number of residents!
Mallorca has a long-standing reputation as a world-class sailing destination, playing host to some of the world’s most prestigious sailing events and offering many miles of magnificent coastline for visiting sailors to explore.
Because Mallorca is ideal for those seeking a little R&R, as well as those who like adventure, or history. A very complete island that offers nature, amazing beaches and coves, city life, gastronomy and culture.
NATURE AND REST
One of the main reasons to visit the island is for its incredible beaches and coves lapped by turquoise waters. There are tucked away beaches, where you can enjoy the peace and quiet of the sea, and others that are more popular (especially during the high season), offering a great atmosphere. We recommend caves such as Cala Formentor, Cala Deià and Cala Varques.
Mallorca is also known for the great variety of its landscapes and coasts with impressive cliffs. During your visit to the island, you should definitely take in the Serra de Tramuntana, situated in the northwest of the island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can also visit the Mondragó Natural Park, located on the coast, and the Albufera Natural Park, in the north of the island. Don’t forget to visit some of Mallorca’s towns and villages, such as Valldemossa Deia, Soller (which can be reached by an old wooden train that crosses the Sierra Alfabia) and Fornalutx (deemed one of the prettiest villages in Spain).
One of the island’s greatest attractions are undoubtedly its caves, such as the Cova del Drach. If you would like more information, click in Best caves in Mallorca.
Mallorca is also a good destination for city tourism. Palma (with an average annual temperature of 18 degrees) offers cosmopolitan city life, culture, gastronomy, sport and leisure. In addition, if you are based in the city itself, you can visit the rest of the island easily, since the major attractions are within an hour’s drive, which makes getting around much more comfortable.
GASTRONOMY
The gastronomy of the Balearic Islands is very varied. It is undoubtedly famed for its Ensaimada pastries with different fillings (cream, pumpkin preserve, chocolate, sobrasada cured sausage). Why not try some of the incredible local specialities made around the island, such as: coca de Trampó (flatbread with vegetables), el arrós brut (meat and vegetable rice dish), el frito mallorquín (offal and vegetable stew), el tumbet (roasted vegetable dish) or el pa amb oli (bread rubbed with oil, garlic and tomato).
Sobrasada is an orange-flavoured cured sausage made exclusively in the Balearic Islands, especially in Mallorca, and is very popular among tourists visiting Mallorca. The taste has been compared to both Italian mortadella and French boudin blanc.
Frit mallorquí is a tasty dish that has been around for centuries. What makes it so unique is the sauce, made with onions, garlic, tomatoes and capers. All these ingredients are mixed and cooked until they form a thick sauce, which is then poured over the fried potatoes. One of the most traditional ways to serve this dish is as an appetiser, twinned with salt cod.
HISTORY AND CULTURE
Palma de Mallorca has a wealth of history. You can discover its rich historical legacy as you stroll around the old medieval quarter and in the religious architecture present in the city. And no trip to the island would be complete without a visit to the Cathedral of Santa Maria and Bellver Castle.
The Cathedral stands on the site of an earlier mosque, which had been converted into a Christian church following the conquest of James I in 1229-30. Its construction began around 1030 and it’s one of the few buildings to have survived the great earthquake of 1343. Work resumed after a fire in 1726 and took over 100 years to complete, with two architects working on it at different times until 1884, when it was finally finished.
Bellver Castle is strategically located on a hill overlooking the river Turia. It’s made up of three levels. The basement level has a well, cisterns and storage rooms. The ground floor has four towers linked by curtain walls. The third level is an enclosed courtyard with four corner towers and two more in front of the main entrance at ground level.
The island also has several museums where you can learn more about the history of Mallorca. One of them is the Museum of Footwear and Leather. It is located in the old Cavalry barracks and recreates a shoe factory from the first half of the 20th century.
Another one of the museums we recommend is Esbaluard, the island’s Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, featuring more than 700 works of art by artists from the Balearic Islands and around the world. If you like art, you can also visit the Joan Miró Foundation and the Horrach Moya Sa Drassana Gallery, with works by contemporary artists.
And if you’re travelling with the family, we recommend a trip to Palma’s Aquarium, home to the deepest shark tank in Europe, and Mallorca’s Planetarium.
