Mallorca Attractions: The 22 Must-Sees on the Island

Buy Tickets for Mallorca Attractions Online in Advance

Mallorca is one of Spain’s most popular travel destinations, and many of its attractions are seriously well-visited — especially in summer. Lines at the ticket counters can get long very quickly.

Our strong advice: if you want to skip the wait and lock in your entry, buy your tickets for Mallorca attractions online in advance. We’ve already put together a handy list for you right here.

The Best Mallorca Attractions on a Map

To give you a first overview of Mallorca and to see where the highlights are located on the island, we’ve marked everything on a Majorca map for you.

The Most Beautiful Towns and Villages in Mallorca

The Old Town of Palma

The island capital Palma de Mallorca has evolved in recent years into a destination that’s as upscale as it is trendy, drawing visitors year-round. Barcelona‘s little sister, as it’s so often called, has well and truly grown up. There are so many exciting things to see in Palma that even a longer stay is absolutely worthwhile.

In Palma you’ll meet creative, culturally curious people of all generations and nationalities. There are cool design hotels in Palma, modern restaurant concepts, and a wide variety of shopping options.

The historic center is packed full of highlights: winding alleyways, an imposing cathedral, the royal palace, and the palm-lined harbor promenade are perfect for a culture-filled stroll through the city.

Book the city walking tour with cathedral visit

Palma also has excellent flight connections and is easily reached from airports across Europe.

Portocolom

This is one of our favorite spots on Mallorca: Portocolom. You simply can’t help but love this little harbor town on the east coast. Hardly anywhere else on Mallorca has the original charm of a traditional fishing village been preserved as well as here.

To this day, many of Portocolom’s residents head out to sea early in the morning to cast their nets. It’s laid-back and wonderfully quiet here — no sign of mass tourism whatsoever.

You can relax on one of the small beaches, book a boat trip on a traditional Mallorcan llaut, or treat yourself to something delicious at the many small restaurants and bars right on the harbor.

Our tip: Come to Portocolom very early in the morning, rent a stand-up paddleboard, and paddle along the bay heading north.

Sant Elm

Just a handful of hotels, a few restaurants, and a miniature harbor: it’s almost a miracle that a place as peaceful as Sant Elm still exists along the Mallorcan coast.

This small, almost sleepy little spot at the far western tip of the island has stayed a quiet village over the years, and is especially popular with locals. A true haven of calm — not just the village itself, but also the beach, which is dreamy and far less crowded than many others in the area.

Our tip for the active traveler: From Sant Elm, you can hike to the old Trappist monastery La Trapa. The well-marked trail takes about 3.5 hours and requires a decent level of fitness.

Our tip for the less active traveler: Sant Elm is the perfect starting point for day trips to the offshore island of La Dragonera. The boat ride alone is a little highlight in itself.

Fishing Village Cala Figuera

The fishing village of Cala Figuera on the southern east coast near Santanyí is considered one of the most beautiful coastal spots on the island. And we couldn’t agree more.

Cala Figuera, with its deeply cut bay, is not only incredibly photogenic — this little gem radiates its very own charm. Stroll along the pretty harbor, past white houses and small bobbing boats, and just watch the world go by.

Our tip: Come in the afternoon. That way you can watch the fishing boats return to port, and in the evening try the freshly caught fish at one of the restaurants overlooking the little bay.

Sóller

Sóller, the center of orange production and the capital of the Tramuntana, sits in the northwest of Mallorca and has more than 10,000 inhabitants — quite large by Mallorcan standards.

The charming town with its old, tile-adorned manor houses, narrow alleyways, and the lively square in front of the parish church of Sant Bartomeu is definitely worth a trip.

Orange groves stretch all the way into the old quarter, filling the air with a wonderful fragrance from their blossoms. A nostalgic wooden tram connects Sóller with the neighboring Port de Sóller.

Our tip: In addition to freshly squeezed orange juice at one of the many bars and restaurants, try the fresh orange ice cream from the Fabrica de Gelats. Seriously good.

Valldemossa

The mountain village of Valldemossa ranks among the most beautiful villages on Mallorca. It became famous thanks to illustrious visitors like French writer George Sand and composer Frédéric Chopin. The green roof of the former Carthusian monastery is visible from afar.

With just under 2,000 inhabitants, Valldemossa is not only one of the most beautiful villages on the northwest coast, but also by far the most visited. Up to half a million tourists squeeze through its narrow alleyways every year — so if you’re smart about it, visit during the off-season.

Our tip: Take a small detour and drive down the winding road just before Valldemossa to Port de Valldemossa. Here you can admire the stunning mountain scenery and swim in the crystal-clear water of the small beach.

Book the half-day tour from Palma to Valldemossa

Deià

Away from the tourist hotspots, the island often invites you to slow down. The idyllic mountain village of Deià, which everyone raves about, is just such an oasis of calm.

Surrounded by olive, lemon, and almond trees at the foot of the Es Teix mountain, there’s not a large hotel in sight. Quite the opposite: small, exclusive Mallorcan boutique hotels draw visitors year after year to this tiny village of just 800 inhabitants.

The galleries of this artists’ village are a real highlight for art lovers. Despite all the hype, Deià has — thankfully — managed to hold on to its charm. The best thing to do is see for yourself.

Our tip: Make sure to drive to Deià from Valldemossa. The winding route is one of the most beautiful ways to get there.

Impressive Natural Wonders in Mallorca

Cuevas de Artà

Mallorca hides a geological treasure underground: fantastic formations in caves that were discovered by chance, only a few of which have been made accessible to visitors.

One such example is the Cuevas de Artà. Situated about 40 meters above the coastline, these caves rank among Mallorca’s great points of interest, though they don’t draw quite as many visitors as the caves near Porto Cristo.

The Cuevas de Artà contain stalactites and stalagmites in unusual shapes and extraordinary proportions, such as the Reina de las Columnas — at over 20 meters tall, truly a queen among columns.

Dragon Caves in Porto Cristo

Near the port town of Porto Cristo on the east coast lie what are probably the most famous and largest caves on Mallorca: the Cuevas del Drach. At 1,200 meters long and 25 meters deep, they are the island’s largest accessible stalactite caves.

The enormous underground Martel Lake is 117 meters long, 30 meters wide, and up to 14 meters deep — a spectacular setting for a classical music concert, where musicians play on illuminated boats drifting across the water.

Our tip: Either come very early or very late — that way it won’t be as crowded and you’ll have an easier time finding parking. Even better: park in the center of Porto Cristo, explore the lovely little town that often gets overlooked, and walk about fifteen minutes to the caves.

Alternatively, you can visit the caves as part of a half-day tour of northern Mallorca, with a stop at a pearl factory along the way.

Book the half-day tour to the Dragon Caves and pearl factory

Cap de Formentor

Cap de Formentor belongs on every Mallorca map worth its name. Rugged cliffs, sweeping panoramas, deep blue sea: arguably Mallorca’s most famous vantage point sits on the narrow peninsula that juts far out into the sea in the northeast of the island — Mirador Es Colomer.

It’s so popular that the island council has closed the road to the northernmost tip of Mallorca to general traffic during daytime in the summer months, from mid-June to mid-September. If you want to visit Cap de Formentor during the day, you can get there by shuttle bus (round trip about €3) from Port de Pollença.

Even though this viewpoint is no longer any kind of secret, you should definitely drive the coastal road with its many switchbacks all the way up to the lighthouse at least once. On a clear day, the view stretches all the way to the neighboring island of Menorca, 40 kilometers away — and it’s truly breathtaking.

Our tip: Pack your swimsuit — the long white sand beach of Playa de Formentor is basically right on the way.

You can also book a boat tour to Cap de Formentor from Alcúdia. You’ll cruise along the rugged coastline on a catamaran, enjoy food and drinks on board, and make a swimming stop with snorkeling and stand-up paddling.

Book the catamaran tour to Cap de Formentor

Cúber Reservoir

At times it feels like you’re in Patagonia, then suddenly it evokes Alpine landscapes or Scandinavian fjords.

Anyone who ventures this way feels like they’re on a world tour through the most beautiful natural scenery. Tucked into the heart of the Tramuntana mountain range below the Puig Major, the island’s highest peak, lies the Cúber reservoir.

This spot is a perfect retreat for anyone who wants to experience Mallorca’s wild side and enjoy absolute tranquility. A small path leads all the way around the lake — and animal lovers, take note: sheep and donkeys are known to tag along with hikers for a stretch of the trail.

Serra de Tramuntana

The northwest of the island — from Calvià to Pollença — is defined entirely by the wild Tramuntana mountain range. The Serra de Tramuntana, as it is officially known, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011 and protects Mallorca from the cold north winds.

The mountain range is an oasis for hikers: rugged rocky landscapes and breathtaking vistas, plus small hidden coves, are the reward for all active visitors.

If you’d rather take it easy, simply drive the scenic road MA-10 from Andratx to Pollença. It runs straight through the northwest, past small mountain villages like Banyalbufar, Fornalutx, and Deià. You’ll also pass the Cúber reservoir and the orange city of Sóller.

Book a guided tour from Palma through the Serra de Tramuntana with lunch

Extra tip: Canyoning in the Tramuntana Mountains

The Serra de Tramuntana is perfect for adventure seekers. Canyoning involves navigating through gorges in various ways with a guide — you’ll learn how to rappel and climb rock faces, swim through small pools, and jump from rock ledges.

Tours can be booked on-site.

Botanicactus

Spines as far as the eye can see! In the far south of the island, on the outskirts of the small town of Ses Salines, you’ll find Europe’s largest botanical garden.

You might be wondering: why make a special trip to a botanical garden when there’s a cactus around every corner on Mallorca? Fair point! But at Botanicactus, a wide variety of cacti and succulents grow and bloom across more than 150,000 square meters. In total, you can marvel at over 1,600 plant species from around the world — and you definitely won’t find that variety anywhere else on the island.

The garden is open year-round. And it has an extra bonus for anyone in search of great photos: Botanicactus is genuinely one of the best spots on the island for stunning shots.

Impressive Structures on Mallorca

Lluc Monastery

For Mallorcans, the Lluc Monastery (officially Monestir de Lluc), tucked away in the Serra de Tramuntana, is the most important pilgrimage site on the island.

To this day, it’s still often referred to as the spiritual center of Mallorca — the heart of the island. Three ancient and still well-traveled pilgrimage routes lead here like spokes of a wheel: from Sóller, Inca, and Pollença.

The standout of any visit is the basilica with the Black Madonna, or as the Mallorcans call her: La Moreneta. But don’t skip the small monastery museum, the Calvary hill, or the botanical garden either.

If you’re lucky and visit at the right time, you can catch a live performance by the famous boys’ choir Blauets de Lluc — which now also accepts girls.

Our tip: Spend a night in the monastery rooms at Lluc. It’s comfortable, very reasonably priced, and is sure to be a memorable Mallorca experience.

Son Marroig and Sa Foradada

Son Marroig is the former residence of Archduke Ludwig Salvator and is today a popular wedding venue. From here you have a magnificent view over the mountains and the sea — simply the perfect sunset spot.

Right nearby is the restaurant Sa Foradada. Here you can watch the chef cook right in front of you — and rumor has it this is where you’ll find the best traditional Mallorcan paella on the island.

There’s just one small catch: the restaurant is only accessible on foot or by boat. The walking path starts at the Son Marroig estate. You have to climb over a small iron gate and then walk about 50 minutes down to the sea. But it’s absolutely worth it.

Sa Foradada is also very popular with the rich and famous: Tom Hanks, Michael Douglas, Halle Berry, and Mallorcan tennis legend Rafael Nadal have all reportedly dined here.

Santuari de Sant Salvador Monastery near Felanitx

The former Santuari de Sant Salvador monastery sits majestically atop the approximately 500-meter-high mountain of the same name and is our absolute favorite viewpoint on Mallorca.

To get there, turn right just past the outskirts of the small town of Felanitx and drive about 7 kilometers along the road. You’ll reach the plateau of the monastery hill with its view of the gigantic Crist Rei monument.

From here, you can let your gaze sweep over almost all of Mallorca: the east coast with its small harbor towns and little coves, all the way to Alcúdia in the north, or toward the Tramuntana mountain range. On a clear day, you can even spot the island group around Cabrera.

Our tip: Pack some bread, tomatoes, salami, cheese, beer, and wine, and enjoy the sunset from the monastery. If you’d like, you can even stay overnight — the monastery houses the Petit Hotel Hostatgeria Sant Salvador.

The Most Beautiful Beaches and Coves in Mallorca

The Beach Es Trenc

This roughly 2.6-kilometer-long natural beach stopped being an under-the-radar pick a long time ago — it’s now considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe.

Thanks to its Caribbean vibe, Es Trenc is probably the most famous beach on Mallorca — and that naturally has its downsides: it’s usually packed, especially during peak season.

The off-season is a completely different story. From October to April, the long and often deserted sandy beach is ideal for extended walks.

Our tip: Park on the less busy side of the beach, at the harbor of Sa Rapita. Even in peak season, you can usually still find a nice spot there without feeling too packed in.

If you’d rather not drive to the beach, you can also book a half-day catamaran tour. You’ll see Mallorca’s beautiful southern coastline from the water and make a snorkeling stop at Es Trenc beach.

Book the half-day catamaran tour to Es Trenc

The Beach Playa de Formentor

Exotic Caribbean vibes at their finest: the scent of pine trees in your nose, fine white sand between your toes, and just a few steps to the crystal-clear sea. They say Formentor beach is one of the most beautiful in the entire Mediterranean. And that just might be true.

It’s just under a kilometer long, but at about 10 meters wide it’s quite narrow, so spots fill up fast. The spaces under the pine trees are especially popular in summer. The same rule applies here as everywhere else: arriving early pays off!

With a parking fee of around €10, it’s certainly not a beach you’d visit every day. It pairs perfectly with a trip to Cap de Formentor, since it sits roughly halfway between Pollença and the cape.

Alternatively, you can skip the parking fee by taking a boat ride to the beach — you’ll also be treated to beautiful views of other small coves along the way.

Book the boat trip to Playa de Formentor

The Beach Playa de Muro

The roughly 5-kilometer-long Playa de Muro beach runs along a wooded dune area in the north of Mallorca, stretching from the popular vacation resort of Port d’Alcúdia to Can Picafort.

Because the beach slopes gently and shallowly into the sea, it’s especially popular with families with young children. Fair warning if you’re traveling without kids: it can get pretty loud at times. Closer to Can Picafort, things tend to quiet down a bit.

Our tip: Even though we usually prefer small beach shacks, the Ponderosa Beach beach club is really fantastic. Enjoying delicious food with your feet in the sand is simply wonderful! Small downside: you’ll spend a bit more. But right next door, Opa & Oma also serves tasty bites at a more affordable price.

The Cove Cala Varques

Until just a few years ago, only a handful of tourists knew about Cala Varques (pronounced Cala Barques). The cow cove, which got its name from the four-legged visitors that would occasionally show up there, was a real local favorite among Mallorca attractions. Today it’s no longer a secret, but it’s still wonderful.

The cove is a paradise for sailors, climbers, and nature lovers. Your best bet is to come early in the morning or in the late afternoon, when most tourists have retreated to their hotels and the beach slowly gets claimed by the local hippies.

One small downside: you can no longer drive all the way to the beach — you’ll have to park and walk about 30 minutes to the cove. Or do a great hike from Cala Romantica to Cala Varques. It takes about twice as long as the walk from the parking lot, but it’s all the more beautiful for it.

You can also book a boat tour to Cala Varques — cruising past beautiful beaches and small caves, with three snorkeling stops along the way.

Book the boat tour to the Cala Varques nature reserve

The Cove Sa Calobra

The cove of Sa Calobra is no longer an off-the-beaten-path find among Mallorca attractions either.

You can only reach it by boat from Port de Sóller or via a 14-kilometer-long, narrow road with many switchbacks. Especially in summer, traffic here is heavy, and you constantly have to make way for buses and cyclists.

Book the boat trip to the Sa Calobra cove

In the off-season, a trip to the cove is a much more enjoyable experience — not only because the roads are quieter, but because the cove itself is far more pleasant. Finding a nice spot there in summer is almost hopeless.

Even though none of that sounds particularly glowing, the place is simply stunning and swimming between the steep rocky cliffs is a truly unforgettable experience. The slightly tricky journey is absolutely worth it.

Cool Activities in Mallorca

Red Flash

It’s one of Mallorca’s most famous attractions: the train from Palma to Sóller, also known as the Red Flash or Orange Express. Since 1912, it has run daily from the station at Plaça de Espanya in Palma to Sóller in the northwest of the island.

Anyone expecting a train that lives up to its speedy name and zips through the 28-kilometer route across the Serra de Tramuntana at high speed will be in for a surprise. The nostalgic railway takes its time, arriving in Sóller after a nearly one-hour journey through almond, orange, and olive groves, dark tunnels, and deep gorges.

At €30 for a round trip, it’s not the cheapest experience — but it’s definitely worth every cent. One important thing: don’t forget your camera — the train even slows down a little extra at certain scenic points.

Our tip: From Sóller, continue on by tram all the way to Port de Sóller. Since you’re already in the area, you absolutely have to see this charming little harbor town.

You can also make the most of your time and visit all the wonderful mountain villages in the area in a single day on a guided day tour on the Red Flash from Palma. In addition to Sóller and Port de Sóller, you’ll also visit Valldemossa and Deià.

Book the guided day tour on the Red Flash to Sóller

General Tips for Visiting Mallorca’s Attractions

Before you set off on your Mallorca sightseeing adventure, here are a few general pointers for making the most of the island’s highlights.

Rent a Car

The best way to explore Mallorca’s attractions is with a rental car. The small fishing villages and more remote beaches in particular are most easily reached by car.

At Palma’s airport, as well as within the city itself, there are numerous car rental companies. All you need is a valid driver’s license, an ID, and a credit card.

Our tip: Don’t wait too long to book. Rental cars are very popular on Mallorca, and the shorter the notice, the higher the prices. It’s best to go with a compact car — maneuvering a large sedan through the island’s narrow lanes is guaranteed to be no fun.

Compare rental car deals on Discovercars

Visit Mallorca in the Off-Season

It’s no secret that Mallorca gets very busy in summer. From June through the end of August, the beaches, hotels, restaurants, viewpoints, and attractions are packed.

If you want to do yourself — and the island — a favor, visit in the off-season instead. April/May and September/October are often particularly lovely.

But the winter months have their appeal too. The many interesting places on Mallorca are much quieter and more pleasant then. That’s also why you’ll find Mallorca among our favorite travel destinations in January.

Book a Guided Tour of Mallorca's Attractions

If you’d rather skip the driving, you can explore the island on guided tours. From Palma, there are several day tours that take you by bus, car, or train to the most beautiful spots on Mallorca. These are the most interesting ones:

Winery tour through the interior of Mallorca

Island tour by bus, train, tram, and boat

Tramuntana tour on the historic Red Flash railway