Last reviewed: · Prices in Euros (€) are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview
Mallorca (Palma & Serra de Tramuntana) (Balearic Islands) is one of Spain's most rewarding destinations: Golden sandstone Palma Cathedral above the sea, UNESCO Serra de Tramuntana olive-terrace villages (Valldemossa, Deià, Sóller), and turquoise limestone calas.
Getting here and moving around is straightforward: Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI): EMT Bus A1 to central Palma / Plaça d'Espanya every 12 minutes (€5, 20 min). Baleària and Trasmed ferries also connect Barcelona, Valencia, and Dénia to Palma and Alcúdia ports. Once in town, rely on TIB red-and-yellow intercity buses (tap any contactless Visa/Mastercard on board for lowest fare), the 1912 wooden Tren de Sóller from Plaça d'Espanya, or a compact rental car for remote coves.
Neighborhoods & areas
Palma Old Town (La Calatrava, Cort & La Lonja)
Converted 16th-century stone mansions walking distance to La Seu, Santa Catalina market, and the marina.
Sóller & Valldemossa (Serra de Tramuntana)
Mountain finca hotels surrounded by orange groves, dry-stone hiking trails (GR-221), and sea views.
Santanyí & Colonia de Sant Jordi (Southeast)
Relaxed golden-stone village base near Mallorca's clearest turquoise calas.
Top sights & experiences
Palma Cathedral (La Seu) & Royal Palace of La Almudaina
Gothic sandstone cathedral overlooking the bay with Antoni Gaudí's wrought-iron canopy and Miquel Barceló's ceramic chapel, beside the Moorish-origin royal palace.
Valldemossa Charterhouse & Deià (Serra de Tramuntana)
UNESCO mountain stone villages where Chopin composed in 1838 and Robert Graves lived above rocky Cala Deià.
1912 Wooden Train to Sóller & Port de Sóller Tram
Mahogany vintage railway climbing through 13 mountain tunnels and citrus valleys to a horseshoe harbor.
Bellver Castle, Banys Àrabs & Palma Old Town Patios
Europe's rare circular 14th-century Gothic castle above Palma Bay, 10th-century Arab baths, and stone aristocratic courtyards.
Cap de Formentor & Alcúdia Walled Town
Dramatic limestone cliffs and pine headlands at Mallorca's northern tip plus Roman Pollentia and medieval Alcúdia walls.
Cala Mondragó, Caló des Moro & Cuevas del Drach
Southeast turquoise coves framed by Aleppo pines and underground stalactite lakes in Porto Cristo.
What to eat & local tapas
Ensaïmada de Mallorca IGP & Quarto
Spiral flaky pastry laminated with pork lard (saïm) and dusted with powdered sugar, enjoyed plain or filled with cabello de ángel.
Pa amb Oli & Sobrassada de Mallorca IGP
Rustic xeixa-wheat bread rubbed with Ramellet tomato and olive oil, topped with cured paprika sausage and Mahón cheese.
Tumbet Mallorquín & Frit Mallorquí
Layered fried eggplant, potato, red bell pepper, and tomato bake, or traditional sautéed lamb/seafood with fennel.
Arròs Brut & Hierbas Mallorquinas
Spiced 'dirty' broth rice with mushrooms and saffron, finished with anise-and-wild-herb digestif liqueur.
Where to stay by budget
Budget
€90/night — clean central hostels, 2-star pensiones, and traditional market breakfasts in Mallorca (Palma & Serra de Tramuntana).
Mid-range
€195/night — 3-to-4-star boutique hotels in walkable historic quarters (Palma Old Town (La Calatrava, Cort & La Lonja)).
Luxury
€450+/night — 5-star Gran Lujo palace hotels, historic Paradores, and rooftop terrace suites.
Rough nightly ranges in Spain: hostels and family-run hostales run €40–€95 per night; mid-range 3★–4★ boutique hotels and historic Paradores run €125–€240 per double room; 5★ Gran Lujo palaces and resort stays run €350+, especially during spring ferias and peak summer. See our Paradores & accommodation guide.
Getting there
Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI): EMT Bus A1 to central Palma / Plaça d'Espanya every 12 minutes (€5, 20 min). Baleària and Trasmed ferries also connect Barcelona, Valencia, and Dénia to Palma and Alcúdia ports.
Getting around
TIB red-and-yellow intercity buses (tap any contactless Visa/Mastercard on board for lowest fare), the 1912 wooden Tren de Sóller from Plaça d'Espanya, or a compact rental car for remote coves.
Day trips & side trips
Sóller & Port de Sóller by Vintage Train
1 hour from Palma Plaça d'Espanya through the Tramuntana tunnels.
Valldemossa, Deià & Mirador de Sa Foradada
30–45 minutes on TIB Bus 203 along the dramatic northwestern coast road.
Pollença, Alcúdia & Formentor Lighthouse
50 minutes northeast by TIB Bus 301/302.
Cabrera Archipelago National Park Boat Excursion
Day boat from Colònia de Sant Jordi to the uninhabited marine sanctuary and Blue Cave.
Best time to visit
The most pleasant months to visit Mallorca (Palma & Serra de Tramuntana) are April–June & September–October, when plaza terraces (terrazas) are lively and daytime temperatures are ideal for walking. Book Renfe AVE / Iryo / Ouigo trains and timed monument entries 2–6 weeks ahead.
Local tips
- Paying cash on Mallorca's TIB intercity buses—cash tickets cost significantly more than simply tapping your contactless bank card when boarding AND tapping out when exiting.
- Driving a rental car to Cap de Formentor between June 1 and September 30 during daytime restriction hours (10:00 AM–10:30 PM)—use the TIB 334 shuttle bus from Alcúdia/Port de Pollença instead or face automatic camera fines.
- Forgetting the mandatory Balearic Sustainable Tourism Tax (Impuesto de Turismo Sostenible, €1–€4/night per person depending on hotel star rating and season).
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: