Spain / Balearic Islands
Mallorca
Two islands in one, depending where you look
Best time
May - October
How long
5-10 days
Best for
Families, beach weeks, road trips
Perfect for
Beach / Families / Hiking / Couples
Why go to Mallorca
People who dislike Mallorca have usually only seen a five kilometre stretch of it. Rent a car, drive an hour northwest, and you are in the Tramuntana: terraced hillsides, stone villages and a coast road that ranks among the best in the Mediterranean. Meanwhile the east coast has a string of small calas that stay swimmable and calm well into autumn.
It is also one of the most practical family destinations in Europe. Flights are frequent, transfers are short, and the infrastructure is built for people who want a quiet week with a pool and a beach.
What to do
Drive the Tramuntana coast road
Valldemossa to Sa Calobra, slowly. One of the great European drives, and free.
Find a cala rather than a beach
The small coves on the east and north coasts are calmer and more sheltered than the resort strips.
Spend a day in Palma
A real city with a huge cathedral, good food and shopping. Underrated by people who only use the airport.
Take the wooden train to Soller
An old narrow gauge line through orchards and tunnels. Slow, and completely charming.
Swim early, eat late
Local rhythm. The beaches are quietest before ten and after five.
Walk part of the Dry Stone Route
Marked paths through the mountains, sections of which are short and manageable.
Where to stay
Alcudia and the north
Long sandy beaches, shallow water and family focused hotels. The easiest option with children.
Soller and Deia
Mountains, villages and a slower pace. Better for couples and walkers than for beach days.
Palma
City base with beaches nearby, good if you want restaurants and culture as well as sun.
Getting there and around
- Palma de Mallorca (PMI) is one of Europe's busiest summer airports, with cheap flights from most of the continent.
- Transfers range from 15 minutes to Palma up to an hour for the north and east coasts.
- Ferries connect to Barcelona, Valencia and the other Balearic islands.
A car is close to essential unless you are staying in Palma or in a resort you do not intend to leave. Buses connect the main towns but not the small coves.
What it costs
Budget: Self catering apartments outside peak weeks, supermarket breakfasts and free beaches.
Mid range: Half board hotel or apartment with a pool, a hire car and a few meals out.
Higher end: Agroturismo hotels in the countryside and design properties in Palma. Excellent, and priced accordingly.
Read next
Articles about Mallorca style trips
Destination Guides
Algarve or Mallorca: Which Beach Escape Fits Your Trip?
Both are reliable summer weeks. They suit different travellers, and the difference is mostly about what you want to do between swims.
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Travel by Purpose
Planning a Beach Trip With Young Children
Shorter transfers, shallower water, and a lower bar for what counts as a good day.
6 min read
Travel by Purpose
How to Pace a Family Trip So Nobody Melts Down
The itinerary that looks light on paper is usually about right in practice.
5 min read
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