Breathtaking coastlines, turquoise waters, green shutters, underground caves, and…sheep! This is what I remember most about the picturesque island of Mallorca. Located in the heart of the Mediterranean, Mallorca is the largest of Spain’s islands. It is part of the archipelago known as the Balearic Islands, which consists of: Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca, and Formentera. The Brits like to call it Majorca, so you might see it written that way as well. (The Brits and Germans are big, big fans of Mallorca.)
Although a week or two would be ideal in Mallorca, my friend Teri and I managed a super successful 3-day trip. We hiked to some of the most iconic beaches in the world, drank coffee atop the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, visited the Palma Cathedral, and explored caves underground.
We stayed in the town of Magaluf, which is near the capital of Palma. The location was good, but the whole area is known for tourism and nightlife. During the offseason, it is not anything special and not exactly the vibe we were going for. Needless to say, we had a great time at the pool and dancing with the Seniors after a long day of exploring.
3 of the Coolest Beaches in Mallorca
There are too many beautiful beaches on the island to see in three days, but we managed to hit some of the best!
1. Sa Colobra
Located on the northwestern side of the island, getting to this renown beach is no easy task. The road to get there looks like something out of The Maze Runner. The road winds back, forth, up, down, and sideways. An absolutely stunning drive, it’s not a road for the timid driver.
Pro Tip: Visit during the offseason. If you plan to visit during peak season, be wary of traffic backed-up on the one-way road.
2. Cala Varques
Another beach off the beaten path is Cala Varques. This one is located on the southeastern side of the island and is accessible by a short hike. After parking our car on the street, we walked down a gravel road for 15-20 min, hopped through a broken fence, continued on a windy trail for another 20 minutes. All of a sudden, it opened up to one of the most insanely beautiful and secluded beaches I have ever seen! Highly worth the hike.
3. Cala S’Almonia
Adjacent to another iconic beach known as Cala del Moro, Cala S’Almonia is a photographer’s dream. There isn’t any sand at this beach, but the rock formations and rustic homes built on the water make for a stunning coastline.
Beyond the Beaches
The majority of Mallorca sightseeing is around the coastline. You can get from one side of the island to another in about an hour. The middle of the island is surprisingly uninhabited and rural; there isn’t much besides farmland and tiny, remote villages. And, as I mentioned, a bunch of sheep. Mallorca is traditionally known for its commercial wool, so there are sheep grazing all over the island. There are very few cows or horses, however.
There is an unspoken rule in Mallorca that you must have green, fixed shutters on your home. The tradition is thought to date back to the end of the 17th century when a section of the city’s capital known as Slingers was refurbished. Possibly due to an excess of green paint, all shutters were painted green. From there, the entire island began to adopt the concept!
The Capital City of Palma
Palma is located on the southwestern part of the island and home to nearly 50% of the permanent residents. We visited the impressive Palm Cathedral, also called La Seu, and were not disappointed! We then ventured around the town and ate dinner at Tinto, where we were given the “Mesa de Amor” table. Great restaurant!
Mountains – Serra de Tramuntana
The northwestern side of the island is home to the beautiful mountain range known as Serra de Tramuntana, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2011. I would have loved to spend days exploring these mountains, views, hikes, lakes, and villages. It is a popular destination for cyclists and hikers.
Caves
Underneath Mallorca is a hidden world of caves and underground lakes! Over 200 cave systems have been discovered in Mallorca and a few of the largest ones are open to the public. We toured Cuevas del Hamm in Porto Cristo which did not disappoint. If I return to Mallorca, I plan to check out some of the others.
Wrapping It Up
All in all, Mallorca is a beautiful island filled with diverse landscapes and captivating coastlines to explore. Outside of the resort areas, most of the island feels untouched by commercialization and the outside world. I really enjoyed visiting in Springtime before the roads and beaches get packed with tourists. A worthwhile trip – now onto the next!
Loved your article son! The pictures are amazing and so are you. You are quite the writer – couldn’t be prouder. ❤️