In late June this past summer, we embarked on an exciting journey to uncover the beauty of the Balearic Islands, and more particularly the enchanting island of Mallorca. Mallorca, famous for its pristine lagoons, became our playground for several days as we set out to explore its hidden coves, each one more captivating than the last. Along the way, we also had the pleasure of immersing ourselves in the charm of its ancient villages. Here’s how to explore Mallorca with an authentic 5-day itinerary, taking you off the beaten path!
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First, some tips to make the most of your stay in Mallorca.
How to get around Mallorca
Mallorca is larger than you might imagine, so to truly explore its wonders, I highly recommend renting a car! While the island has a well-developed transportation network, having your own vehicle grants you access to Mallorca’s hidden gems, often not easily reachable by public transportation. We chose the Wiber agency for our car rental, but you can find the offer that best suits your needs on RentalCars.
Where to stay in Mallorca
For our stay, we chose the charming village of Artà, known for its tranquility and the impressive Santuari de Sant Salvador church. Here, we found ourselves far from the tourist crowds, and I particularly enjoyed the serene narrow streets and the authentic atmosphere at its restaurants.
Our accommodation was the Yartan Boutique Hotel, a true haven of peace where I could have easily stayed for weeks. I can’t recommend this hotel enough for its beautiful setting, excellent service, and reasonable prices!
I suggest booking the “Sa Dragonera” room, the only one directly overlooking the pool. The view when you wake up is idyllic. And their breakfast… simply incredible! Just like the staff, who warmly welcomed us.
Mallorca, being a large island, requires careful consideration when choosing where to stay. Keep in mind that it often takes between 30 minutes and an hour by car to reach various interesting locations around the island.
The eastern part of the island, in my opinion, has the most stunning beaches, while the western inland areas are home to picturesque villages. For stays longer than 5 days, consider booking accommodations in two different locations to avoid long drives (though the scenery is worth it!).
A piece of advice: skip Palma! We stayed there for two nights, but it was rather disappointing as the city lacks charm.
Some excellent spots in Artà:
- Bistro Forn Nou: Outstanding tapas at affordable prices.
- Restaurant Forn Nou: Located right next to the bistro (both belong to the Forn Nou hotel next door), offering more sophisticated traditional dishes.
- Sa Grípia: A restaurant with a lovely terrace.
- Ses Cosines: A restaurant with a very cool atmosphere and decor.
- Babam Casa: A concept store where you can find hundreds of treasures!
Day 1: Exploring Southeast Mallorca
Our first day was dedicated to exploring the “cales” (coves) in the southeastern part of the island, renowned for their crystal-clear waters and the charming boat garages and typical fishermen’s houses lining the coves.
My recommendation: rent a boat to explore the coves at our own pace and enjoy the views of the impressive rocky formations along the coast. We set off late in the morning from the marina of Cala d’Or, ideally located for exploring the northern sectors, which are less accessible by road.
After a picnic on the boat, we spent the afternoon at Cala Llombards, one of the sublime coves in the region. My favorite coves in the southeast of Mallorca include:
- Caló del Moro & S’Almonia: Two closely located coves with magnificent scenery! Not the most convenient for swimming, as you need to lay your towel on or between the rocks. These are beaches you visit for the views, not to relax!
- Cala Llombards: With its turquoise waters, fine sand, and picturesque setting, it’s a must-visit.
- Cala Figuera: A charming little port that’s a must-see.
- Cala S’Amarador: More family-friendly, this beach is located in the Mondragó Natural Park, a protected green space where hiking is also possible. Don’t miss the short walk between S’Amarador beach and Cala Mondragó at sunset when the colors seem to come straight out of a painting.
As the day’s heat subsided, we headed to Santanyí in the late afternoon, a traditional and authentic village inland not far from the coast. I loved its old ochre-colored streets, where the setting sun played with the stone textures, creating a peaceful atmosphere – perfect for a stroll!
This inspiring environment attracts artists from around the world. Santanyí is a village where art reigns supreme – you’ll find a range of galleries showcasing the works of both local and international artists.
The heart of the village is built around the church, and there, the restaurant terraces liven up the previously quiet streets of Santanyí! On the menu, traditional Mediterranean flavors presented with a modern twist manifested in colorful dishes – once again, art finds its way onto the chefs’ plates, especially at Sa Botiga restaurant, where we dined.
Another fantastic place for dinner in the region is the Norai restaurant in Portopetro. Make sure to book a table by the sea in advance for a dining experience with your feet (almost) in the water!
Day 2: Exploring North Mallorca
After a slow morning by the lovely pool at Yartan, we set out for the north of the island to discover the breathtaking panorama at the Mirador d’Es Colomer, renowned as Mallorca’s most beautiful viewpoint. And let me tell you, the view certainly lives up to its reputation!
After climbing a few steps and following a short walk, you’ll overlook the turquoise sea from an impressive cliff rising over 300 meters high. In the distance, along the coast, you can see the islet of Es Colomer, which gave its name to this superb view.
To fully enjoy this experience, I recommend arriving at Mirador d’Es Colomer early to avoid the crowds and the intense midday sun. The site lacks natural shade, and we learned this the hard way when we visited around noon!
Another recommended gem in the area is Cap de Formentor, which features a beautiful lighthouse and equally breathtaking views.
Having felt the scorching heat of the day, it was time to head to the beach! We chose to explore the bay of Formentor, an enchanting sandy beach framed by pine trees, just a short 10-minute drive from Mirador d’Es Colomer.
Here, you have a choice: you can opt for the sunbeds at the Platja Mar restaurant (though it comes with a price tag of around €60 per pair) or select a spot under the shade of pine trees on the left side of the beach, where tranquility reigns. We opted for the latter and relished every moment! The sea there is crystal-clear, and the coastline at the far end of the beach offers nice snorkeling spots.
Quick tip: There are three parking lots around the beach. The first parking lot, Far de Formentor, is the farthest but also the largest and cheapest. The other two parking lots (A and B) are right by the beach.
With our afternoon well spent, we ventured into the charming medieval town of Alcúdia, still surrounded by its magnificent fortified wall. It ranks among the oldest towns on the island and once served as the Roman capital of the Balearic Islands, bearing the name Pollentia during that era. Remarkably, the ruins from that age have withstood the test of time and are open for exploration.
Enter through one of the grand stone gates of the town, and you’ll discover its enchanting ancient streets, local shops and restaurants, creating a lively atmosphere you’ll definitely enjoy.
However, keep in mind not to confuse Alcúdia with Port d’Alcúdia, a much more modern and touristy resort located along the coast. We stopped by out of curiosity, but if you seek the charm of the old villages, I recommend moving on. Instead, consider a visit to Port de Pollença to enjoy its lovely seafront promenade before making your way to Alcúdia.
Day 3: Exploring South Mallorca
The southern part of Mallorca is renowned for its beaches that rival the Seychelles in beauty. But that’s not all it has to offer; this region is also home to the Salines d’Es Trenc, a biodiversity paradise and the production site of the famous Flor de Sal d’Es Trenc, used in the kitchens throughout the island. I highly recommend a visit to this unique place to soak in its natural splendor and learn about the local expertise in salt production.
Upon arriving at the entrance to the salt flats, just before reaching Es Trenc Beach, you’ll find a small cafeteria with a lovely terrace where you can refresh yourself and get your hands on the renowned fleur de sel.
When you set foot on Es Trenc Beach, don’t be discouraged by the crowd. While it’s a popular tourist destination, armed with determination (and a hat to shield yourself from the blazing sun), you can easily make your way to the quieter side of the beach.
Please note that this beach is quite wild, lacking any shelter from the sun or facilities for food and drinks. You can purchase an umbrella at the beach entrance, but my recommendation is to arrive early in the morning to avoid the crowds and the heat.
A local tip for an alternative to Es Trenc: Platja des Dolç, an equally stunning beach located to the south of Es Trenc, offers a quieter atmosphere with fewer visitors.
In the afternoon, or perhaps later as we did, make a stop at Cala Pi, another enchanting cove well worth exploring. While there, we took a stroll to the Torre de Cala Pi, which offers a stunning panorama of the coastline.
Day 4: Exploring West Mallorca
Having explored much of the Mallorcan coastline, it was time to venture inland to the western part of the island. There, you can discover three villages renowned for their traditional charm: Valldemossa, Deià, and Fornalutx.
We started our day with a morning visit to the streets of Valldemossa, and it was a true gem! I must admit that I would have liked to spend my remaining two nights in this picturesque village instead of in Palma de Mallorca. The stone facades of the houses are adorned with dozens of plants and flowers, creating a visual feast for the eyes for a plant-lover like me! Lose yourself in the narrow streets, with or without a guide, and simply soak in the beauty of your surroundings.
Our stay in Mallorca was limited to four days, making it challenging to choose our final destination! Given our love for the southeastern coves of the island, we decided to return there for another visit.
In hindsight, I’d recommend allowing at least 5 full days (6 nights) to truly explore Mallorca, and ideally, a full week. Here’s the rest of the itinerary I would have followed if we had spent 5 days in Mallorca.
For lunch, before heading to Sóller to admire its stunning cathedral, consider stopping at Cala Deìa for a meal at the renowned Caùs Patró March restaurant, known for its enchanting setting. In the late afternoon, make your way to Port de Sóller, where you can enjoy dinner. A restaurant that caught my attention is NENI Mallorca.
Day 5: Your choice depending on your interests!
For your fifth and final day in Mallorca, I recommend three distinct options to suit your preferences:
- Return to Southeast Mallorca for more beautiful Coves: If you’re captivated by the stunning coves in the southeastern part of the island, consider returning to explore additional hidden gems and beaches in this region.
- Visit traditional villages in the East and explore the magnificent Alfàbia Gardens: Another option is to explore other traditional villages located in the western part of the island. Additionally, you can visit the exquisite Alfàbia Gardens, known for their beauty and historical significance.
- Discover wild beaches on the East Coast near Artà: If you’re into pristine and unspoiled natural beauty, venture to the wild beaches on the east coast of Mallorca, not far from Artà. These include Cala Torta, Arenalet del Verger (accessible by hiking), Cala Agulla, Cala Mesquida, and the impressive Coves d’Artà, which are remarkable caves waiting to be explored.
As a final piece of advice, I recommend avoiding certain areas in Mallorca that are heavily impacted by mass tourism, particularly the entire southwest of the island, including Palma de Mallorca, as well as the bay of Alcùdia.
That wraps up your 5-day itinerary in Mallorca! I hope you’ve enjoyed pre-exploring this beautiful island with me, I personally loved this island and I wouldn’t hesitate to return to discover even more of its hidden treasures. If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to reach out to me on Instagram @thebeachmuse 💙
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