Mallorca City Break

If you want a taste of this Mediterranean island in just two days, we suggest that you devote the first day to culture, leisure and shopping in Palma, the capital city. Museums and shops are open on Saturdays. On Sunday you can choose from one of the many itineraries showing the great contrast of landscapes on the island. There are car, train and bicycle itineraries for all tastes.

In Palma you should visit the old quarter. It is located in the city centre and is easily explored on foot. Wander the narrow streets, admire the courtyards of the Mallorcan palaces, visit the Arab baths and the Jewish quarter and finish at the impressive Cathedral that almost touches the sea. You will travel back in time without even realising it.

If you want to learn about the history that is evident at every corner of the old quarter, you can take guided tours in several languages. Some of the tours are adapted for deaf and hearing impaired people. In the warm summer nights several tours bring to life the legends of Palma and its more interesting historical aspects.

Most of the museums are within walking distance of the old quarter. The Modern and Contemporary Art Museum of Palma, Palau Solleric, Palau March and Gran Hotel are just few minutes walk away from the Cathedral. If you want to have a broader perspective of Palma, you should consider hopping on the tourist bus or hiring the tourist taxi service. They are both practical solutions since you can adapt your plan to the time you have available and the sites you wish to visit.

You will not have to walk far to go shopping. The social and business life centres around this area of the city with a wide range of shops showing the cosmopolitan character of the Balearic capital. You will find everything that you need, from the “siurell”, a popular handicraft, to international fashion designers.

Night entertainment is another of Mallorca’s strong points. The islands offers many possibilities, ranging from quiet bars where you can order a glass of local wine to popular night clubs open until the early hours of the morning.

The short distances on the island will allow you to go on complete, one-day trips. It all depends on how much time you want to spend at each stop.

The West coast is one of the most popular, recommended routes due to the spectacular views of the sea and the mountains. The route crosses the cliffs and the mountains of the Tramuntana mountain range that reaches 1,445 metres at its highest point, the Puig Major. The towns that you will encounter along the way preserve their traditional architecture, stone-paved streets and sober churches. The system of terraces to harvest the land in such a steep terrain gives the western coast of the island a unique character. The system was created during the centuries of Muslim rule in Mallorca.

To cover this route you will need to hire a car. A simple map will be enough because the route is easy to follow and is well marked. One option is to start at Andratx, in the southwest, and continue North through Banyalbufar, Valldemossa, Deià, Puerto de Sóller and Lluc, and finish the route admiring the sunset at Cabo Formentor. At this time of the day it is better to return along the fast and easy Alcúdia-Palma motorway.

It is very possible that you become captivated by the many sites along the route and you are unable to complete it. But regardless of where you end the route, do not miss the sunset over the sea. It is an image that you will never forget.

This is just one of the many routes on the island. You can also visit the north of the island, with the Pollensa and Alcudia Bays and Artà and Capdepera, further East. If you drive down from the eastern coast towards the south you will see many coves, lighthouses and villages that shape the reality of this Balearic island.

The car is not the only option to discover Mallorca. The local train network provides very attractive, one-day trips that are easy to organize. A classic trip is to take the Sóller wooden train that since 1912 departs from Palma town centre and crosses the almond fields and the mountains dotted with olive and pine trees. Finally, after crossing 13 tunnels, the electrically powered train enters a valley surrounded by orange trees with Sóller in the background. The beautiful landscapes change depending on the month of the year. At the end of the year the almond trees in blossom cover the fields in white. It is a beautiful and very characteristic image of Mallorca.

In addition, the island has a modern train network linking Palma to a number of towns including Inca, Sineu and sa Pobla, in the centre of the island. We recommend you that you check the calendar of festivals and handicraft fairs held throughout the year in Mallorca. They are a great opportunity to learn about Mallorcan cultural tradition at first hand.