UltimateIsland Guide Mallorca
Our favourites
La Seu, Palma’s Gothic cathedral, and the Almudaina above the old sea wall, seen from the Parc de la Mar La Seu, Palma’s Gothic cathedral, and the Almudaina above the old sea wall, seen from the Parc de la Mar The road winding out to the lighthouse on Cap de Formentor Valldemossa’s church tower and stone houses below the wooded slopes of the Tramuntana The cliffs of the Torrent de Pareis gorge where it meets the sea at Sa Calobra

The island guide to Mallorca, Spain

Best of Mallorca

La Seu above the sea, the stone villages of the Tramuntana, a wooden train to Sóller, the lighthouse at Formentor and nine MICHELIN-starred kitchens.

Where to eatWhat to see
The plane trees of the Born strung with Christmas lights, PalmaThe Born, PalmaChristmas in MallorcaLights, the Sibil·la and the Three KingsA cruise ship in the Bay of Kotor, MontenegroSister guideULTIMATE CruisesLines, ships and itineraries, from river to expeditionThe Matterhorn in winter above ZermattSister guideULTIMATE Ski ResortsSeason dates, hotels, après and ski schools, resort by resort

Your trusted, one‑stop guide to Mallorca

Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands: Palma’s Gothic cathedral and palace hotels, the UNESCO-listed Serra de Tramuntana with Deià, Valldemossa and Sóller, the bays of Pollença and Alcúdia, the harbours of the south-west and the coves of the east. Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera and the Cabrera national park are a short hop away. We’ve checked every listing against the venue’s own website or an official source, and we leave out anything we can’t confirm.

La Seu, Palma Cathedral

Palma

La Seu, the cathedral by the sea

Palma old town·Cathedral

Gaudí opened up its windows; the great rose window is 11 metres across, and Miquel Barceló’s ceramic mural rises 12 metres (Visit Palma). Come in the morning, then walk down through the Parc de la Mar.

Plan your visit

The Balearic Islands

Mallorca and its neighbours: four islands, four characters.

The Royal Palace of La Almudaina and La Seu above the lake of the Parc de la MarMallorca · Best for everythingMallorcaPalma, the Tramuntana and the covesThe pine-backed cove of Cala Macarella, MenorcaMenorca · Best for slow daysMenorcaA UNESCO Biosphere ReserveDalt Vila, the walled upper town of Ibiza, from the airIbiza · Best for nights outIbizaDalt Vila and Es VedràThe long white sand spit of Ses Illetes, FormenteraFormentera · Best for the seaFormenteraSes Illetes, 30 minutes from Ibiza

Mallorca by area

From Palma’s old town to the Tramuntana and the northern bays: each area has its own guide.

The Royal Palace of La Almudaina and La Seu above the lake of the Parc de la MarArea guidePalma old townLa Seu, the Born and the marketsThe entrance court of Es Baluard museum, with palms inside the old bastion wallsArea guideSanta CatalinaMarket, bastion and yacht clubsThe keep and the round walls of Bellver Castle above PalmaArea guideSon Vida & BellverA castle hotel and MiróThe marina at Port d’Andratx from the hillside, with the mountains behindArea guideThe south-west coastPortals to Port d’AndratxValldemossa’s church tower and stone houses below the wooded slopes of the TramuntanaArea guideDeià & ValldemossaThe Tramuntana villagesThe orange-and-wood Sóller tram on the seafront at Port de SóllerArea guideSóller & the portThe wooden train and the bayThe road winding out to the lighthouse on Cap de FormentorArea guidePollença, Formentor & AlcúdiaThe northern baysA lit underground lake among the stalactites of the Coves del DracArea guideCanyamel & the eastVoro and the caves

Plan your trip

The practical things to know before you go.

Inside the terminal at Palma de Mallorca AirportBefore you goMallorca essentialsEntry, money, roads and ferriesThe wooden train of the Ferrocarril de Sóller at Sóller stationGetting aroundGetting aroundBuses, trains and ferriesThe Royal Palace of La Almudaina and La Seu above the lake of the Parc de la MarItineraryPalma in a dayThe classic dayA drawing room in the Castillo Hotel Son VidaLuxury guideLuxury MallorcaThe finest addresses

In depth: Mallorca’s back stories

The Tramuntana, the grand hotels, how to eat and where to buy.

Valldemossa’s church tower and stone houses below the wooded slopes of the TramuntanaThe back storyThe Serra de TramuntanaA UNESCO landscapeA drawing room in the Castillo Hotel Son VidaThe back storyThe grand hotelsPalaces, castles and a fortressAn ensaïmada, the spiral pastry of Mallorca, dusted with sugarThe back storyEating in MallorcaEnsaïmades to MICHELIN starsThe marina at Port d’Andratx from the hillside, with the mountains behindThe back storyBuying in MallorcaWhere people buyThe orange-and-wood Sóller tram on the seafront at Port de SóllerFun factsMallorca fun factsThings you might not know

ULTIMATE City Guides: Europe & beyond

Planning a longer journey? Each city in the network has its own independent guide, written with the same care and checked place by place. Here are the guides that are live, with more on the way.

The Alhambra in Granada in the evening lightSpainULTIMATE AndalusiaSeville, Granada and the Alhambra, Córdoba, Málaga, Cádiz and Jerez, Ronda and the white villages, Doñana and Cabo de Gata.Visit the guide The floodlit Acropolis and Parthenon at dusk, seen from Philopappos HillGreeceULTIMATE AthensThe Acropolis and the Plaka, rooftop bars facing the Parthenon, the Athens Riviera and the Greek islands: our original guide, and our deepest.Visit the guide The road winding out to the lighthouse on Cap de Formentor, Mallorca, above the open seaSpainULTIMATE Balearic IslandsMallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera side by side, and how to hop between them by ferry.Visit the guide The Sagrada Família lit up at nightSpainULTIMATE BarcelonaGaudí and the Sagrada Família, the Gothic Quarter, four Three-Star MICHELIN kitchens, the beaches and day trips to Montserrat and Girona.Visit the guide Belgrade's old town and the spire of the Cathedral Church of St Michael above the Sava at sunsetSerbiaULTIMATE BelgradeWhere the Sava meets the Danube: a buzzing capital of art, classical music and famous nightlife, with a new waterfront and the mountains of Zlatibor and Kopaonik.Visit the guide The Romanian Athenaeum in its gardenRomaniaULTIMATE BucharestBelle Époque palaces, concerts at the Athenaeum, a buzzing food and coffee scene, and the castles and mountains of the Carpathians.Visit the guide The Hungarian Parliament lit up at night on the DanubeHungaryULTIMATE BudapestThermal baths, grand coffee houses, ruin bars and MICHELIN-starred dining on both banks of the Danube, with day trips to the Danube Bend and Lake Balaton.Visit the guide A cruise ship in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegroships & regions)ULTIMATE Cruises (linesThe world’s cruise lines for every budget, from family resort ships to yachts, expedition ships and river boats, with the cruising regions port by port.Visit the guide Aerial view of the white sand spit of Ses Illetes and Llevant, the salt pans and, across the strait, Ibiza and Es VedràSpainULTIMATE FormenteraThe white sands of Ses Illetes, the lighthouses of La Mola and Barbaria, the craft markets and an island made for bikes.Visit the guide The Baie des Anges, NiceFranceULTIMATE French RivieraNice, Cannes, Antibes, Cap Ferrat, Èze, Menton, Saint-Tropez and Cassis: palace hotels, three-star tables, beach clubs, the Festival de Cannes and the painters’ coast.Visit the guide Blue domes of Oia above the Santorini calderaGreeceULTIMATE Greek IslandsIsland hopping made easy: Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Naxos, Milos and the Cyclades, plus Crete, Rhodes and Corfu, with ferries, beaches, hotels and tavernas.Visit the guide Helsinki Cathedral above the South HarbourFinlandULTIMATE HelsinkiSuomenlinna and the South Harbour, saunas by the sea, Aalto and the Design District, two-starred Palace and day trips to Porvoo and Tallinn.Visit the guide The walls of Dalt Vila and the cathedral above the harbour of Ibiza Town, in late sunSpainULTIMATE IbizaDalt Vila’s UNESCO walls, Es Vedrà, three MICHELIN-starred kitchens, the beach clubs and the quiet north, 30 minutes from Formentera.Visit the guide Hagia Sophia and its minarets in golden evening lightTurkeyULTIMATE IstanbulTwo continents, one city: Hagia Sophia and the bazaars, Bosphorus ferries, meyhanes and rooftop bars, Sinan’s hammams and the car-free Princes’ Islands.Visit the guide Congress Square, Ljubljana, with the castle on its hill behindSloveniaULTIMATE LjubljanaSlovenia’s green, car-free capital of river cafés and Plečnik’s bridges, an hour from Lake Bled, the Julian Alps, the caves and the Adriatic.Visit the guide The Palace of Westminster and the Elizabeth Tower lit at dusk across the ThamesUnited KingdomULTIMATE LondonRoyal palaces and the Thames, world-class museums, West End theatre, grand hotels, and the restaurants and bars of Soho, Mayfair and the City.Visit the guide Yachts in Puerto BanúsSpainULTIMATE MarbellaWhitewashed lanes and orange trees in the Old Town, the yachts of Puerto Banús, beach clubs on the Golden Mile and day trips to Ronda and Gibraltar.Visit the guide Turquoise water below the pine-topped cliffs at Cala Macarella, MenorcaSpainULTIMATE MenorcaA UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: the coves of Macarella and Turqueta, World Heritage Talayotic sites, Ciutadella and Maó’s great harbour.Visit the guide Monaco from above, Port Hercule and Monte-Carlo below the mountainsOur sister guideULTIMATE MonacoThe Casino and Monte-Carlo’s palace hotels, the Prince’s Palace on the Rock, superyachts in Port Hercule, Larvotto’s beach clubs and the Grand Prix streets.Visit the guide The Millennium Bridge over the MoračaMontenegroULTIMATE PodgoricaMontenegro’s relaxed capital of rivers and café terraces, and the gateway to the Bay of Kotor, Lake Skadar, Cetinje and the mountains.Visit the guide The Sebilj fountain and the square of BaščaršijaBosnia & HerzegovinaULTIMATE SarajevoWhere East meets West at a line in the pavement: an Ottoman bazaar, Habsburg boulevards, Bosnian coffee and the 1984 Olympic mountains, with Mostar two hours away.Visit the guide The Matterhorn in winter above ZermattOur sister guideULTIMATE Ski Resorts (Europe & North America)Ski resorts in Europe and North America, country by country, for every budget: season dates, hotels, mountain restaurants, après, ski schools and getting there.Visit the guide The Warrior on a Horse fountain in Macedonia Square, Skopje, lit at nightNorth MacedoniaULTIMATE SkopjeA 15th-century stone bridge between a 21st-century square and an Ottoman bazaar, Kenzo Tange’s concrete city, Matka Canyon, and Lake Ohrid three hours away.Visit the guide The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia, under a pink evening skyBulgariaULTIMATE SofiaRoman streets beneath the city, golden domes, warm mineral springs and a mountain at the end of the main boulevard.Visit the guide The restored Pyramid of Tirana under a blue skyAlbaniaULTIMATE TiranaAn Ottoman mosque painted with waterfalls, museums in bunkers, Blloku’s cafés and the Dajti cable car, with Berat, Gjirokastër, the Alps and the Riviera within reach.Visit the guide Rolling green hills and a farmhouse near Pienza in the Val d’OrciaItalyULTIMATE TuscanyFlorence, Chianti, Siena, the Val d’Orcia, Pisa and Lucca, Versilia, Bolgheri, the Maremma, Arezzo and Elba.Visit the guide St Mark's Church and its tiled roof on St Mark's Square, Zagreb's Upper TownCroatiaULTIMATE ZagrebCroatia’s elegant capital of cafés, museums and markets, and the gateway to Plitvice Lakes, Istria, Dubrovnik and the islands of the Adriatic.Visit the guide Bixby Creek Bridge on the Big Sur coastUSAULTIMATE CaliforniaSan Francisco, Napa and Sonoma, Big Sur and the Pacific Coast Highway, San Diego, Palm Springs, Lake Tahoe and the national parks.Visit the guide A schooner silhouetted against the sunset off Key WestUSAULTIMATE FloridaOrlando and the theme parks, Palm Beach, Tampa Bay, Sarasota, St. Augustine and Scenic Highway 30A.Visit the guide The Las Vegas Strip at duskNevadaULTIMATE Las VegasThe Strip and its shows, MICHELIN dining, Sphere and Fremont Street’s neon, with Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon beyond.Visit the guide Downtown Los Angeles at sunset beneath the snow-capped San Gabriel MountainsCaliforniaULTIMATE Los AngelesHollywood and the Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills’ grand hotels, the Sunset Strip, the Getty and the beaches from Santa Monica to Malibu.Visit the guide Art Deco hotels on Ocean Drive, Miami BeachFloridaULTIMATE MiamiSouth Beach and the Art Deco district, Wynwood’s murals, the Design District, Little Havana’s cafecito and the beaches of Key Biscayne.Visit the guide Sunset at the Naples PierFloridaULTIMATE NaplesWhite-sand beaches and sunsets on the Gulf of Mexico, Fifth Avenue’s terraces, grand beach resorts and golf, with the Everglades and Marco Island close by.Visit the guide The New York City skyline from Top of the RockNew YorkULTIMATE New YorkManhattan’s grand hotels and MICHELIN dining, Broadway and the Met, Fifth Avenue shopping, Central Park and the walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to DUMBO.Visit the guide The Golden Gate Bridge seen from Battery SpencerCaliforniaULTIMATE San FranciscoCable cars over Nob Hill, North Beach cafés, the murals of the Mission, three-star tables and the Golden Gate Bridge.Visit the guide The pink sand beach of Harbour Island, the BahamasOur sister guideULTIMATE The BahamasSeven hundred islands: Nassau and Paradise Island, the Exuma Cays and the swimming pigs, Harbour Island’s pink sand, marinas and island hopping.Visit the guide The golden sand and calm water of Paynes Bay, St. JamesOur sister guideULTIMATE BarbadosThe Platinum West Coast and Sandy Lane, UNESCO-listed Bridgetown, rum where it was born, Friday nights in Oistins and the wild Atlantic east.Visit the guide Gros Piton and Petit Piton, the twin volcanic spires of the UNESCO-listed PitonsOur sister guideULTIMATE St LuciaThe UNESCO Pitons and Soufrière’s drive-in volcano, Marigot Bay, Rodney Bay and the Gros Islet street party, reefs, rum and cocoa.Visit the guide The Grand Palace reflected at dawnThailandULTIMATE BangkokThe Grand Palace and Wat Arun on the river, the grand hotels of Charoen Krung, MICHELIN stars from street food to tasting menus, rooftop bars and the Thai islands.Visit the guide An aerial view of a small island ringed by reef in the MaldivesOur sister guideULTIMATE MaldivesUndersea restaurants and overwater bars, Hanifaru Bay’s mantas, the whale sharks of South Ari, private islands and the little capital, Malé.Visit the guide The Taj Mahal Palace and the Gateway of India from the harbourIndiaULTIMATE MumbaiThe Taj and the Gateway of India, Marine Drive’s Queen’s Necklace, three UNESCO sites, modern Indian restaurants and day trips to Elephanta and the Ghats.Visit the guide The Lujiazui skyline lit up at night across the Huangpu RiverChinaULTIMATE ShanghaiThe grand hotels of the Bund facing the towers of Pudong, every MICHELIN star, Yu Garden, the two Shanghai Museums and day trips to Suzhou and Hangzhou.Visit the guide A caparisoned elephant in the Esala Perahera procession, KandyOur sister guideULTIMATE Sri LankaColombo, the ramparts of Galle Fort, the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, the tea country by train, Sigiriya and leopards in Yala.Visit the guide Burj Khalifa and Business Bay at blue hourUnited Arab EmiratesULTIMATE DubaiBurj Khalifa and the Fountain, abras on the Creek, resorts on the Palm, every MICHELIN star of 2026 and day trips to Abu Dhabi and Hatta.Visit the guide

HOT TOPICS · Have Your Say

The latest from our readers: visitors and locals talking about Mallorca, its restaurants, theatres, museums and neighbourhoods.

    Have your say in HOT TOPICS

    Teatre Principal de Palma

    This week's pick

    Teatre Principal de Palma

    Palma old town·Theatre

    Gounod’s “Faust” at the Teatre Principal de Palma with the Orquestra Simfònica de les Illes Balears: 28 and 30 October and 1 November 2026 (simfonicadebalears.com).

    Find out more

    Every list in the guide

    Plan your day

    The Royal Palace of La Almudaina and La Seu above the lake of the Parc de la MarItineraryPalma in a dayOne day, on footThe wooden train of the Ferrocarril de Sóller at Sóller stationItineraryThe Tramuntana by trainOne day, by train, tram and taxiThe road winding out to the lighthouse on Cap de FormentorItineraryFormentor and the northOne day, by car and shuttleA drawing room in the Castillo Hotel Son VidaItineraryA starred weekendTwo days, by carThe marina at Port d’Andratx from the hillside, with the mountains behindItineraryA property viewing day: Palma, Son Vida and the south-westOne day, by carThe long white sand spit of Ses Illetes, FormenteraItineraryIbiza and Formentera by boatThree days, by ferry or yacht

    Know your neighbourhoods

    Our favourites right now

    Restaurants

    1. 1Eating in Mallorca: the back storyPalma · In depth
    2. 2VoroCanyamel · Two MICHELIN stars
    3. 3DINS Santi TauraPalma old town · One MICHELIN star
    See all 13

    Cafés

    1. 1Ca'n Joan de s'AigoPalma old town · Xocolateria
    2. 2Bar BoschPalma old town · Historic café
    3. 3Forn FondoPalma old town · Pastry shop
    See all 5

    Bars

    1. 1Bar AbacoPalma old town · Cocktail bar
    2. 2BrassclubPalma · Cocktail bar
    3. 3Castell Bar, Castell Son ClaretEs Capdellà · Hotel bar
    See all 6

    Hotels

    1. 1The grand hotels of Mallorca: the back storyPalma · In depth
    2. 2Hotel Sant Francesc Hotel SingularPalma old town · Palace hotel
    3. 3Can Bordoy Grand House & GardenPalma old town · Palace hotel
    See all 18

    Sights

    1. 1The Serra de Tramuntana: the back storySerra de Tramuntana · In depth
    2. 2La Seu, Palma CathedralPalma old town · Cathedral
    3. 3Royal Palace of La AlmudainaPalma old town · Royal palace
    See all 10

    Museums & Arts

    1. 1Es Baluard Museu d'Art Contemporani de PalmaPalma old town · Museum
    2. 2Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró a MallorcaCala Major · Museum
    3. 3Ca n'Alluny, Robert Graves' houseDeià · House museum
    See all 6

    Parks & beaches

    1. 1Parc Natural de s'Albufera de MallorcaMuro · Natural park
    2. 2Parc Natural de MondragóSantanyí · Natural park
    3. 3Es TrencCampos · Beach and natural park
    See all 6

    Walks

    1. 1Palma old town: La Seu to the BornPalma old town · City walk
    2. 2Santa Catalina and the wallsSanta Catalina · City walk
    3. 3The Dry Stone Route (GR 221)Serra de Tramuntana · Long-distance trail
    See all 5

    Shopping

    1. 1Passeig del Born and Avinguda Jaume IIIPalma old town · Shopping streets
    2. 2Mercat de l'OlivarPalma old town · Food market
    3. 3Mercat de Santa CatalinaSanta Catalina · Food market
    See all 7

    Health

    1. 1Emergencies: call 112Mallorca · Emergency number
    2. 2Hospital Universitari Son EspasesPalma · Public hospital
    3. 3Hospital Quirónsalud PalmaplanasPalma · Private hospital
    See all 7

    Property

    1. 1Buying in Mallorca: the back storyPalma · In depth
    2. 2Engel & Völkers MallorcaMallorca · Estate agency
    3. 3Balearic PropertiesPollença · Estate agency
    See all 6

    Developments

    1. 1Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor (open)Formentor · Hotel
    2. 2Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra (open)Calvià · Hotel
    3. 3Cap Vermell Grand Hotel (renamed)Canyamel · Hotel
    See all 5

    Cars & yachts

    1. 1Club de Mar MallorcaPalma · Marina and yacht club
    2. 2Real Club Náutico de PalmaPalma · Yacht club
    3. 3Puerto PortalsPortals Nous · Marina
    See all 5

    Getting Around

    1. 1Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI)Palma · Airport
    2. 2EMT Palma (city buses)Palma · City buses
    3. 3TIB (island buses)Mallorca · Island buses
    See all 8

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