NorahSix minute reading time.
Mallorca is an incredibly beautiful, otherworldly destination that simply screams luxury. It is breathtaking, extravagant, and beautiful. And, we did our trip all wrong!
I am mostly kidding, but there were definitely parts of our recent five day trip to Mallorca that we could have done differently. Some of it was poor research on our part, but some of it was also a genuine surprise! I am making this guide to ensure you do not make our mistakes! Read on for five key things to know before visiting Mallorca:
Where is Mallorca and when should I go?
Mallorca is located east of mainland Spain, in the Mediterranean. It has a pretty arid climate, but gets very hot in the summer. Our trip was at the end of July, and the island felt slightly like the surface of the sun. However, the peak of summer also leads to amazing and refreshing water temperatures and is definitely the time to go if you plan on doing a lot of water activities. If you want milder weather, I would recommend going during the shoulder seasons of spring or fall.
Note: If you are interested in comparing islands, I have a whole post about my time in Madeira, Portugal that can be useful when comparing to Mallorca.
Mistake # 1: I didn’t rent a car.
Mallorca has become increasingly popular in recent years, and this popularity means that the island is super busy. We went back and forth about renting a car, and ultimately decided not to pursue it. However, this ended up being one of our biggest regrets of the trip-it was difficult to get to the truly spectacular beaches.
The island does have a pretty consistent bus system within Palma as well as in the surrounding area, but these further out bus stops still did not necessarily get you to the more remote, isolated parts of the island.
I would definitely recommend renting a car for your adventures. If cost is an issue, even renting a car for one day and hitting up some of the more remote spots would be a good use of time.
If you do not end up getting a car, I would recommend exploring many of the destinations around Palma, including Illetas Beach and Cala Mayor. While crowded, both of these were lovely destinations and we were able to easily navigate to them on the Palma buses.
Mistake # 2: I did not realize how big the island is.
Going along with the first point, I was definitely picturing a smaller island when picturing Mallorca. However, the island is fairly large, and there are multiple different areas you can stay at during your time on the island. Bigger means more room to explore, but also more challenges with traversing the landscape. So, back to point #1, rent a car!
One benefit of staying in a bigger island like Mallorca is the fact that there are multiple different regions to explore. Palma is quite large, and there is plenty of room to explore. The smaller towns of Soller and Deia are delightful, and there are so many more remote areas of the island to explore.
Mistake # 3: I did not realize how many cool hiking activities exist on the island.
Mallorca has stunning beaches, but I was not prepared for the wide array of spectacular hiking opportunities that the island has. There are multiple summits to hike, as well as the GR 221, a thru hike that traverses the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range.
While maybe not the most ideal in the summer heat, I believe that a good hike should be on everyone’s Mallorca bucket list. Many of the hikes also lead to secluded swimming holes, so there are plentiful options!
If you are looking for a recommendation, the route from Soller to Deia is a wonderful hike, and one can utilize the bus system to make the hike one way. You will be able to see two spectacular towns, as well as wonderful coastal views!
Mistake #4: There are some serious crowds, and I did not know the tricks for avoiding crowds.
We went to Mallorca at the end of July, which is objectively one of the busiest times of the year. To put it simply, it was packed! Think super crowded beaches, reservation requirements at dinner, and busy airports. We really experienced this at some of the more popular beaches, including Calo des Moro and Cala Llombardes.
If you do not like crowds or want to avoid super populated beaches, there are a couple different things you can do. Visiting the popular beaches early in the morning or later in the day is a great strategy. There are many tours that cart people out to the bigger, more popular beaches. When those tours leave, the beaches really clear out.
The other strategy to avoid crowds during the busy season in Mallorca is to visit the more remote beaches. There are many beaches and coves that require hiking to get to, and those areas tend to be way less crowded. A good tip to find these more secluded spaces is to look at All Trails and see which hikes go to beaches.
Mistake # 5: I did not do my research when booking tours.
We booked two tours in Mallorca, and both of them were not quite what we thought they would be. One was a tour to multiple different beaches, but because we were with a group we were unable to stay at the beaches that we really liked.
The other tour we did was a sunset boat tour, and while it was beautiful, the organizers could have done more to take the boat to different areas on the island.
I do not think you should not book tours, but it is helpful to read all the reviews and really think about what you specifically want in your tour.
I would recommend renting a car and just driving to the places you want to go to vs. booking a tour. The tours can help you plan itineraries, but I would recommend going on the adventures yourself.
Bonus tip: Palma is a larger city, and it is really wonderful to explore if you want a taste of city life. We stayed in Palma, and I highly recommend the cathedral. It is absolutely beautiful, and can be super fun to explore.
Have a great time in Mallorca, and I hope that my tips can be helpful for planning your trip!
