The island of Majorca is full of surprises. It has many leisure options, as well as nature, culture, traditions and contrasts. It’s worth spending a few days exploring, and you’re sure to come again! Join us on a five-day getaway to discover the best of the island’s slow life. Are you ready?
The island of Majorca is definitely full of surprises. It’s an island full of contrasts and there are many things to do beyond the capital, Palma, which tends to be quite popular with tourists in summer. Between the sea and the mountains, the coast and the interior, tradition and modernity, calm and busyness... the island can be summed up in one word – pleasure. It’s worth spending a few days exploring, and you’re sure to come again! We suggest a five-day break in Majorca. It’s a great way to start discovering this island that you will no doubt fall in love with. To get the ball rolling, go to Vueling.com and book a flight now!
Palma de Mallorca
Let’s start with the basics: the capital of the island. Thanks to its long beach that stretches along a city that is bursting with leisure options and surrounded by numerous hotels, Palma de Mallorca has become a tourist hotspot. But that doesn’t make it any less beautiful. Quite the opposite! Interesting museums, an amazing cathedral, a charming old town, many different places to eat, stunning architectural heritage (where old and Modernist styles combine in harmony), culture and craftwork. You won’t want to leave!
In autumn, the city is quieter and there are fewer tourists, so it’s a good time to discover its hidden treasures. The first port of call has to be the magnificent cathedral, which overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and will amaze you as it’s the second largest cathedral in Spain after the one in Seville.
Bellver Castle; El Call, the Jewish quarter, where a community of about 5,000 Jews used to live; and the Majorcan patios (which you’ll spot all around the city) are some of the other gems to be discovered in Palma de Mallorca. As you walk around you’ll be able to enjoy this colourful open-air museum, as well as art galleries (contemporary, alternative, classic, etc.) It’s simply wonderful!
But whatever the route you plan, it must include breakfast at Fornet de la Soca, where you can taste Palma’s best homemade “ensaimadas” (don’t miss the potato one!); a wander round Mercat de L’Olivar, where you can find a wide range of top quality local products, like a wide range of peppers, “sobrasada” (cured sausage) and cheese; and if you’re a fan of fine dining, be sure to stop by the wonderful Fera restaurant.
You’ll find Fera on one of the city centre’s cobbled alleyways, in a converted mansion, and it will captivate you as soon as you walk through the door. It combines local art and craftwork with modernity, elegance and warmth, much like the island itself. The garden is another of Fera’s surprises. It’s a little corner of paradise right in the middle of the old town; a fresh, green space, a haven of peace and tranquillity where you can relax and enjoy the surroundings as you get ready to indulge your senses. You can enjoy a tasting menu or a-la-carte menu created by Austrian chef Simon Petutschnig, who respectfully combines Japanese flavours with local seasonal ingredients, with the right measure of sophistication, to enhance flavours as much as possible. Every dish is treated like a work of art and the flavours will surprise and captivate you. It’s all perfectly balanced from beginning to end. A typical menu would be something like nori steak tartare that is crispy on the first bite, then melts in your mouth; sea bass with beurre blanc, celeriac and fennel; ending with miso praliné. It’s worth coming to Majorca just to eat at this restaurant.
Alcudia and the north
Alcudia is the largest town in the north of the island, about one hour from Palma. Former capital of the island, it was built in Roman times and its old town, enclosed by walls, is made up of charming alleyways with a vibrant atmosphere and views of the mountains that surround the area.
It’s also a good place to go to the beach. Whether you want to take a dip, soak up the sun, go for a walk or just relax and unwind, the beaches of Alcudia, Muro or Cala San Vicente are great choices. One of the best-kept secrets in this area, however, is the cove of Sa Punta Llarga, where you can get away from it all for hours, any time of year.
This area is also popular with hikers. You can go up to Ermita de la Victoria and from there explore the surroundings, like Ses Tres Creus viewpoint and Talaia d’Alcúdia. Both these places afford wonderful views.
Southeast
Beach ahoy! Because this is the reason many people come to Majorca, and they are spot-on, as the beaches are stunning and have exceptional crystal-clear waters. Es Trenc beach is an excellent choice, but you can’t afford to miss the salt flats that are nearby. They form small pinkish lagoons and make for a spectacular landscape. So much so that they have been designated a Natural Area of Special Landscape and Rural Interest.
Another magical place is Cala Llombards. It’s a peaceful, heavenly cove with a small beach (just 55 metres long) and clear turquoise waters. To round off the day, we recommend heading towards Cap Blanc, with amazing cliffs where you can watch the sun going down over the sea. This is our idea of paradise!
West
The western coast is one of the most beautiful parts of Majorca, where we find the Sierra Tramontana mountains. Valldemossa is one of the most charming and popular towns, especially because of the Cartuja de Valldemossa (a beautiful monastery where Chopin used to live) and the birthplace of Saint Catherine of Palma. Wandering round the narrow streets full of flowers is also a great plan. At an altitude of about 400 metres, surrounded by mountains, olive trees and almond trees, it’s a great place to go for a stroll.
You can then head towards Deià, a village nestled between the mountains the sea, and to the beautiful ports of Sóller and Pollença. On the way you can enjoy spectacular views from spots like Ses Barques viewpoint, and Torrent de Pareis in Sa Calobra, a cove that was designated a Natural Monument by the Balearic Government. The best way to end the trip is to go along the Cap de Formentor road, at the tip of the peninsula, stopping at Es Colomer viewpoint, Talaia d’Albercutx in Cala Figuera, and continuing towards the lighthouse.
Considering that nature, tradition, gastronomy, craftwork and slow life are all parts of the Majorca experience, we can’t fail to mention a very special place. We’re talking about a place that is really remote, where you can get away from it all, surrounded by nature, enveloped by the scents of the island, where you can listen to the silence and savour the best products. This is what you’ll experience if you stay at Can Beneït. It’s an intimate place that opened recently, right in the middle of the Sierra de Tramontana countryside. A place that is perfect if you like rural tourism, situated in an old restored and converted farmhouse-hotel, preserving the indigenous vegetation and original materials.
Next to the mountains, with the sea in the distance, surrounded by olive groves and other Mediterranean trees, Can Beneït is a hidden gem where you can truly relax and unwind. The food will take your fancy – the hotel’s restaurant, Mirabona, prepares seasonal dishes using local produce. Traditionally Majorcan cuisine that is committed to caring for the environment. Autumn is a wonderful season to visit because you can try dishes such as rice with wild mushrooms, roasted pumpkin salad, “requesón” cheese, spinach and walnuts, lamb terrine, aubergine croquettes and monkfish stew.
Another reason to visit is the great location, as you can explore the nearby villages of Caimari, Selva and Moscari. On your walks through the countryside you’ll be able to discover the local plants and trees. We highly recommend walking to the village of Búger. We promise it’s worth the effort! Some of the island’s best “ensaimadas” are made here (they even came first in the Ensaimada World Championship) at Can Rafel. There are many types to choose from: chocolate, cream, “cabell d’àngel” (a kind of pumpkin jam), fruit, “sobrassada”, peppers and loin, etc. They are out of this world! But the same is true of everything here.
Have we managed to whet your appetite? Don’t wait any longer! Book your flight to Majorca now with Vueling!
