Explore Mallorca in a weekend! This captivating island has everything you need for a relaxing getaway or unforgettable party crazed adventures. You can also feel like a true explorer when traversing the many caves hidden between breath-taking beaches.
Mallorca is a small and beautiful island in an archipelago in Spain called, Balearic Islands. The other Balearic islands are Ibiza, Menorca, Formentera, and Cabrera.
What I found to be the most intriguing thing about Mallorca is that it’s a truly multi-lingual island.
Despite it being petite, the locals working in the tourist sector speak at least 3 languages, sometimes more! Some of the spoken languages are Spanish, English, German, French, Italian, and of course, Mallorquín. Yes, Mallorca has its own language, which I learned is a dialect deriving from Catalán, the language spoken in Cataluña (where Barcelona is).
Most street signs were written in all these languages. I was amazed by how many polyglots I met during my short stay in Mallorca. This is very uncommon for Spain, which makes this island stand out even more. As if the clear, blue Mediterranean ocean wasn’t attractive enough, now you know you won’t have any issues with communication when traveling on this island.
Where and What to Eat in Mallorca
Markets are the best way to try local food in Spain.
As expected on an island, seafood is fresh and everywhere. Markets are the best way to try local food in Spain. There are a few markets where you can choose fresh fish and have it grilled it right there and then. The most popular one is Mercat de Santa Catalina which is in Palma, near Plaza Mayor. It closes at 5pm every day and it’s closed on holidays. Another market in my list, that I, unfortunately, did not have a chance to visit is Mercado Gastronómico de San Juan. It seemed like the perfect place to try different types of food.
In the town of Sollér, I had a delicious and authentic meal with a breathtaking view of the mountains in a hidden alley. Service was outstanding at Bar Molino but I arrived for a late lunch/early dinner and had no problem finding a table outside. It got busier in the evening, so best make a reservation, especially during peak season.
Nightlife in Mallorca
There are plenty of cocktail bars to choose from in Palma. I had the chance to try a few, including Brassclub which had amazing cocktails and a very chill vibe. Havanna is also a cool cocktail bar in Palma. I especially loved the corky art in this bar but my favorite one is an Italian bar in Santa Catalina named Ventuno. I’m not a huge Aperol fan, I find it too bitter but Italians are such experts at mixing it that I absolutely loved the cocktails here. The food looked delicious as well but I did not try it. My only complaint is that I wish there was a dance floor or at least more space. Music was too good not to move but there was hardly any space to even stand in this bar.
Sometimes, it’s best to go with the flow, you’ll be amazed by where the night takes you. I found myself dancing the night away at an Irish pub! Right around the corner of Ventuno you’ll find Molly Mallone. Definitely not the place where I expected to listen to Latino and 90’s music but if you rather not pay the cover for a club, know you can party it up here, at least on a weekend. From here, we walked to a club in the area but I cannot recall the name (it was that kind of night). Never be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and meet new people. I ended up singing my heart out to THE Spice Girls song with a Dominican friend I made that night and following an Italian group of friends to the next club. C’est la vie!
Lodging in Mallorca
If you want the Historic Centre to be within walking distance I recommend staying in Palma. There are quite a few bars and restaurants in the area, the Cathedral and beach boardwalk are within walking distance as well. If you’re worried about staying in a loud neighborhood, Palma is actually pretty calm and quiet at night. A downside is that if you’re looking to lay out at a beach, you’ll need to rent a bike or take the bus since the nearest beach is a small boat port.
Another popular area is Santa Catalina which is a 30-40 minute walk back to Palma. There are also plenty of taxis and a bus that ends its route around 9pm. Portopí is next to the port, so the beach is not as beautiful as other ones in Mallorca, but it’s surrounded by restaurants and night clubs if you’re planning on partying it up.
I wish I would’ve stayed at least one night in either Port Sollér or Porto Cristo. These beaches are unrealistically beautiful but both locations are far from the action. So it really does depend on what kind of vacation you’re looking for and if you have a car since everything is a short drive away but buses are not as regular as in a big city.
Best Day Trips in Mallorca
Sollér & Port Sóller are definitely worth the trip if you have at least one whole day to visit. The small and charming town of Sollér hosts the beautiful Església de Sant Bartomeu (Church of St. Bartomeu) designed by Joan Rubió, an Antoni Gaudí follower. Gaudí is best known for the Sagrada Familia, an enormously impressive church in Barçelona. I’ve become difficult to impress by churches in Europe, but the one in Sollér is so unique since it has Baroque, Gothic and even Modernist elements.
An easy and scenic way to get there is the Palma-Sollér train which departs from the historic center in Palma and arrives in the town of Sollér. The stop is right next to the church. You can find the timetable and prices here
The Caves are a must-see when in Mallorca!
Porto Cristo is a small yet beautiful beach next to the Caves of Drach. The Caves are a must-see when in Mallorca! They were formed from the entrance of the Mediterranean ocean. Their discovery dates back to the Middle Ages but they have been conditioned with en easy entrance and exit, as well as lights and stairs for visitor access.
I was at awe with the naturally made stalagmites from hundreds, possibly thousands, of years of water dripping from and onto the rocks. These rocky spikes went in all directions causing a perfect reflection in the calm Martel lake.
The tour includes a live classical music concert, as well as a boat ride along lake Martel, which is inside the caves. There’s a limited amount of tours available per day so make sure you plan ahead. You can arrive by bus, the cost from Palma as of 2019 was €8.65 one way. You can find the bus time table here. There are also tours departing from Palma that include transportation and entrance, they range around €40.
Here’s the list of all the locations I mentioned in this post, along with some other restaurants that were referred to me but I did not get a chance to try.
I visited during March, and even though it was sunny it was also windy, so it wasn’t perfect beach weather. The humidity made it quite chilly at night. On the other hand, it wasn’t peak season so I was able to enjoy Mallorca without being overwhelmed by other tourists. Whenever you visit, even if things don’t go as planned (as they rarely do) remember to appreciate the breathtaking views, delicious food, and friendly locals. Mallorca is a beautiful place and I’m sure you’ll agree, so always… BE PRESENT!
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