Long Weekend in Mallorca – The Ultimate Guide
If you’re planning on spending a long weekend in Mallorca, I have tried and tested tips for your next getaway. Read on to know about when to visit, best places in Mallorca and popular local cuisine!
Best Time to Visit
The trick into making the most of your time in Mallorca, is to know when to go. While summer might be a good option, I’ve found that visiting during low season, like springtime or autumn is best. This way, you can avoid the crowd of tourists that flock the island in summer.
During my visit in early May, I found that we were able to enjoy ourselves without feeling too overwhelmed by the weather. The weather ranges between 19 to 23 degrees and cools down to between 11 to 14 degrees at nighttime. You can expect the same temperature range in October and November, if you’re planning to visit then.
Getting There
There are many ways of getting to Mallorca. Extensive flight routes mean the island is really well-connected, especially within Europe. Flights range between 1 hour if you’re flying within Spain, and up to 2 hours from the UK or Central Europe.
If you want to drive to the island from mainland Spain, you can take the ferry from Barcelona. This would take about 3 and a half hours, but some companies offer overnight services if you prefer a slower journey.
Getting Around the Island
Mallorca has over 5 times the area of its sister island, Menorca, so exploring the vast coastlines requires a trusty vehicle. Renting a car would help you make the most of your long weekend in Mallorca, unless you’re driving there. You can rent a car from prominent sites like Kayak, Sixt and Europcar. We got ours from Enterprise and had a seamless experience, so I’d highly recommend them.
Driving in Mallorca is pretty straightforward, unless you’ve been driving on the left side of the road. You might even come across cyclists on the road, as there are plenty of cycling routes in Mallorca. In fact, it’s so popular among cyclists that they have several annual events and races that attract sports enthusiasts and active individuals to put their fitness to the test.
Alternatively, there are several bus routes that cover most parts of the island, with additional routes offered in summer.
Best Places to Stay in Mallorca
If you’re staying for a long weekend in Mallorca, there are different types of accommodations available according to your budget, and areas that suit your preference. Palma, the island capital or the nearby Palmanova are some of the best places to stay in Mallorca without a car. Besides being close to entertainment and essential services, you could easily get around via public transport.
On the other hand, areas within a 20-minute drive of Palma are perfect if you prefer some downtime at the end of the day. I stayed at Bellver, which is a great location as you are close to the beach and have access to restaurants and bars.
Things To Do in Mallorca
Walk Around Palma
A long weekend in Mallorca is incomplete without visiting these iconic attractions, so why not spend your first day walking around Palm? The Cathedral of Mallorca and Palacio Real de La Almudaina are some of the usual spots in a sojourner’s itinerary.
Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca – Overlooking the Balearic Sea is this magnificent cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Mallorca (Catedral de Mallorca). Its stained glass windows gleam upon the rays of sun that shine on it throughout the day. It was a significant religious edifice to the local monarchy back then and continues to be an active place of worship.
Built in the 13th century, the cathedral has been continuously adapted and renovated, some of which involved the work of Gaudi himself. Today, you can witness the mix of Mediterranean Gothic and Baroque style architecture within its walls. Get tickets to visit the Cathedral of Mallorca.
Palacio Real de La Almudaina – Right next to the cathedral stands the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, one of the Spanish royal family’s holiday residences. While some parts are closed off to tourists, you can still appreciate the details of the accessible areas. The palace boasts two entire floors overlooking the mesmerising azure sea.
Formerly a Muslim alcázar, La Almudaina was rebuilt in the early 14th century, with additions made all the way through the 16th century. Adjacent to the palace is the Jardín de Tramas, a natural beauty spot to refresh your eyes with the greenery.
Sunbathe by a cala
Small coves or bays, known as calas, are to Mallorca the way beaches are to Valencia and Barcelona. You can find them scattered all along the island’s vast coastline. Some of the best ones can be found in the southeast part of the island. It’s worth noting that you might need to hike depending on which one you go to.
In Mallorca, the best places tend to be hidden, or require a bit of effort to get to. This is one of the reasons why I think Caló des Moro is the most beautiful cala on the island. Its turquoise blue waters are preserved thanks to the slightly vigorous journey required to get there. Despite this, plenty of people rise (or in this case, descent) to the challenge.
If you’d rather save your energy for swimming, the adjacent cala and beach next to it, Cala s’Almunia involves less hiking and offers a similar breathtaking view. You could even marvel at the incredible rock formations here!
Another notable cala you should check out is Cala d’Or. There are prominent beach resorts along the coastline, and the famous Cala Gran beach, where crystal clear waters are a welcome sight for sore eyes.
Check out Mallorca’s Limestone Caves
Apart from famous coves, Mallorca is also home to numerous spectacular natural spots. The Drach Caves and Hams’ Cave are exceptionally magnificent and unmissable when you’re there.
While Drach Caves is bigger and more popular among visitors, Hams’ Cave is known to be more family-friendly. It’s right next to Dinosaurland, so dino fans of all ages could get up close to a variety of prehistoric predators. Tickets for Hams’ Cave also give you access to Dinosaurland!
Places to Visit in Mallorca
There are loads of beautiful places in Mallorca, but here are some I’d highly recommend visiting during your long weekend in Mallorca.
Soller
A port town on the eastern side of the island, Soller is home to some of the best sobrasada in Mallorca and rows upon rows of lemon and orange trees all throughout town. It’s also where you can experience one of the coolest tram rides! For €10, the Soller tram takes you to the Port of Soller, where sunbathing is rife and tourists bask in the tranquility of the seaside town.
From here onwards, you could either take the tram back to the centre, or follow a hiking route back if you’re feeling adventurous.
Porto Cristo
Located at the westernmost tip of Mallorca, you’ll find one of the most marvellous natural structures in Drach Caves (Cuevas del Drach). Within it, you’ll see some of the most incredible stalactites and stalagmites. As we were ushered along the underground tunnel, we were greeted by amazing vistas, including that of the Lake Martel at the bottom of the cave.
Visitors also have the pleasure of enjoying a unique classical concert before the end of the tour. Since any recording of this performance is forbidden, you’d have to take my word for it and see for yourselves!
Valldemossa
A 20-minute drive from Palma to the northern part of the island will take you to Valldemossa, home of the Carthusian Monastery (Cartoixa de Valldemossa). The historic Monastery offers a magnificent view of Valldemossa from its Torre de Homenaje.
Across the road, the Chopin and George Sand Museum stands, where the namesakes used to briefly live in the 19th century. The museum houses physical artifacts during their time in the charming town.
Valldemossa has arguably one of the best panoramic views in Mallorca, thanks to its location in the Serra de Tramuntana, a mountain chain that stretches across the northwestern part of the island. It’s got some of the most popular hiking routes in Mallorca, with over 10 routes to choose from.
Local Cuisine
Besides the incredible panorama, Mallorca is known among tourists for its local food scene. Here are some you have to try during your visit:
Sobrasada
If you’ve sampled chorizo in other Spanish dishes, sobrasada is essentially a spreadable version of it. It’s a staple breakfast menu on the island, so do give it a try at any of the local bars or cafes.
EnsaÏmada
This light and airy pastry is a hit among locals as well as tourists. Enjoy this alongside a hot beverage for the perfect combination of sweet and savoury treat. Ca’n Joan de s’Aigo on Carrer de Can Sanç is known for their assortment of ensaimada.
Seafood
An island excursion is incomplete without trying some of the local catch. Even though a lot of the seafood here are imported, you could still get fresh ones from the market. It’s even better if you’re planning to dine out, as you can get them pretty much from any local restaurants around the island.
There are a lot of places to discover during a long weekend in Mallorca. From its stunning beaches and natural caves, to the varied gastronomy and breathtaking panorama, a visit to this part of the Balearic Islands makes for an absolutely invigorating getaway.