Explore the Balearic Island Majorca

Majorca, Spain

Majorca, or Mallorca, is the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Ocean. The beautiful island is a popular destination, for tourists from Germany, the United Kingdom and Nordic countries. Whether you are looking for a beach escape or picture worthy backdrops, Mallorca is the perfect hotspot.  

During my visit I stayed in Palma, the main city of Mallorca. Old Town, one of the main attractions of Palma, is known for its cobblestone streets, historic churches and small shops. If you are looking to shop till you drop you should explore the luxury shops along the streets of Paseo del Borne and Avendita de Jaime III. Exploration in Palma is fairly easy as the main tourist attractions are within close proximity and you can walk, bike, take city buses, or taxis. 

I stayed at the Melia Palma Marina, located across the boardwalk from private marinas along Avinguda de Gabriel Roca.  The hotel is a gorgeous newly updated establishment, decorated with tons of lounge seating on the main floor. The hotel has a rooftop pool with views of the marina and guest access to a fitness center and spa. The hotel leaves a lot to be desired on the exterior; however the interior design meets all expectations. The wood, marble, and metal finishes are complemented by touches of greenery strategically places around the lobby. The main floor is separated into an open floor breakfast cafe, bar & lounge community space. The rooftop pool was not glamorous but provides a decent enough space to relax outdoors on hotel grounds for a nightcap while watching the sun set over the marina. The rooms were clean and service was impeccable. The concierge was very helpful and provided fantastic restaurant recommendations. Many of the popular restaurants require reservations months in advance. 

While Palma was the perfect central location, we wanted to explore all corners of the island. In order to get around Mallorca it’s recommended you rent a car. You can do so at one of the many rental companies, i.e. Europcar, Enterprise, or Hertz. A valid driver’s license is required.  Be aware of the demand for rentals and consider reserving prior to arriving, so that the car of your choice is available. Small, compact cars are the best option.

Mallorca has many narrow roads and rocky cliffs, which mean you may be in for a bumpy ride. Fortunately, my rental company provided me with a BMW X1 - a beautiful SUV, it drove very smoothly and I felt in control behind the wheel. The car was very spacious, perhaps too spacious. In my opinion, as a novice driver in Europe, I believe the body size was too large for my excursions through small villages and narrow lane mountains. The roads were very tight and I found myself inches away from the mountainsides and crawling through streets to ensure I did scratch the car. However, on open road highways it was a dream! On my route I visited Valldemossa, Soller, Port de Soller, Pollença, and Alcúdia, and on a separate day Campos, and Cala d’Or. 

I visited Nikki Beach Mallorca one day and while the aesthetic of the beach club was nice and whimsical, it was too much of a club scene for my mood that day. Enjoy this venue as a destination with friends rather than a couples intimate romance spot. Outside of Nikki Beach there is a strip of beach covered in lounge chairs managed by beachfront hotels and restaurants. These seats are much cheaper than those offered out in front of the Nikki Beach pool area, walk a few steps along the beach to save a few euros. 

Another day we took a drive to Cala d’Or village. This neighborhood was very residential and away from the busier communities. I would highlight that we saw a lot of families with kids when we drove through and I have half a mind to rent a vacation house with friends and stay and enjoy the quieter Mallorca next trip. The beach at Cala d’Or was a nice treat; however, it can get really crowded for the small amount of space in the beach coves. We arrived by noon and were seated WAY in the back… FAR away from the water, past the sand… and on the hot concrete… however… small win, we were able to rent an umbrella and chair. Arrive early in the morning to claim your spot on this beach.

One of my favorite restaurants was Graf Palma. Ironically, Graf offered a truly Italian experience in Spain with authentic Italian dishes, native Italian staff and a fantastic wine menu. We stumbled upon the restaurant by accident as our original restaurant was closed. Graf is small and off the main strip, call ahead to check for availability.

Places To See

Valldemossa, Nikki Beach, Cala d’Or, La Seu, The Cathedral of Palma, Old Town Alleys, Fountains on Avinguda d’Antoni Maura