Best Things To Do in Mallorca

This paradise island in the heart of the Mediterranean is the perfect destination for a getaway. Palma de Mallorca has it all! Dream beaches, culture, delicious gastronomy, nature activities, breathtaking views and lots of partying.

These are the 10 things to see and do in Majorca that you can't miss during your trip. Welcome to the beautiful island!

Majorca is one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean and its beaches are a destination in themselves for thousands of travellers, who see in its landscapes an earthly representation of paradise.

Its landscapes rival the beauty of the Caribbean thanks to its hidden coves with crystal-clear waters, white sand and lush vegetation. Dreamlike spots that invite you to relax and enjoy the sea breeze and the sun, whether you are lying on the seashore or on board a boat that will take you to discover the Mallorcan coastline.

There is no doubt that going to the beach to relax is one of the things to do on a holiday in Mallorca, but if you want to spend a day outdoors in a different and fun way, I recommend that you join an excursion to explore the coast by boat and the deep sea, one of the best activities to do in Mallorca. In my experience, it's an adventure and an unforgettable memory!

There's time to sunbathe, snorkel, admire the views over a drink, explore natural parks, swim with the fish in caves and even have a barbecue in the open sea.

Sounds fantastic, doesn't it? To find out more about boat trips in Mallorca, don't miss this article where you can find out about some of the most outstanding options.

When you leave the Cathedral of Mallorca you will inevitably come across its museum and the Almudaina Palace. To complete the previous visit, I recommend that you first enter the museum of Palma Cathedral when you leave the church.

Cathedral Museum

It is located in the Plaça de la Seu and is accessed through the Casa de la Almoina. If you are interested in art, this is a visit you will enjoy very much because the interior is decorated with Mudejar mural paintings and houses very interesting collections of paintings, sculpture, gold and silver work and sumptuary arts that belong to the Chapterhouse museum. The tour is very pleasant and easy to see, so you can quickly move on to the next tourist attraction which is the Almudaina Palace.

Almudaina Palace

This is an old Islamic citadel that King James I the Conqueror transformed into a Gothic palace to be his residence in Mallorca. Today, the Almudaina palace is still used for official events and can be visited. It is located just opposite Mallorca Cathedral.

The building is striking for its mixture of styles, a fusion of Muslim and Levantine Gothic architecture, but in my opinion, the exotic surroundings in which it is set are also worthy of admiration.

Especially the medieval gardens of S'Hort del Rei, of historicist and Andalusian inspiration. It is difficult not to be captivated by the beauty of its fountains, pools and orange trees. You won't get tired of taking photos!

There are many tours around Mallorca that include this and other monuments. I recommend that you book one of them to explore the city and discover the ins and outs of all its attractions with an expert guide. Here is a selection of the best tours and excursions in Mallorca.

Next to the Almudaina Palace, on Passeig de Sagrera, you will find the Lonja de Mallorca. Built in the 15th century, it is an exponent of Mallorcan civil Gothic architecture and is one of the most beautiful buildings to see in Mallorca.

Its exterior is simple but full of details such as the religious images, the battlements, the gargoyles or the arches decorated with stone filigree in the flamboyant Gothic style.

However, in my opinion, it is the interior of the Lonja that is the real treasure of the building. A diaphanous space designed to be the headquarters of the city's commerce, where the feeling of emptiness is imposing and powerful.

You have to sit down to admire the windows and the twisted pillars that sprout from the floor to join the ribs of the ribbed vaults.

I recommend taking a bike tour of the Lonja, which will also take you to other must-see places in Mallorca, such as the Cathedral and Bellver Castle. It's a fun, healthy and environmentally friendly way to get around. Here is our post about the best bike tours in Mallorca. You also have this other one about Segway tours around the city.

The La Lonja neighbourhood is one of the liveliest in Palma, so it is perfect for a stroll through its streets full of restaurants, art galleries and shops of all kinds.

After visiting the La Lonja building you can enjoy a coffee and a typical Mallorcan ensaimada on a small terrace, enjoying the sun and the views of this neighbourhood whose buildings are a unique blend of Gothic, Renaissance and Modernist styles.

If you prefer wines and tapas, I recommend you to go to one of the bars located around Apuntadores street and Drassana square, where you can try the traditional gastronomy of the island as well as other innovative proposals. There is something for everyone! You can also take advantage of the opportunity to go on one of the best gastronomic tours around this neighbourhood and others in the city.

When you finish, you can't leave the La Lonja neighbourhood without going to one of its shops where you can buy a nice souvenir of your trip to Mallorca. From perfumes and books to Ibizan-style clothes.

It is worth continuing the route through the old town to get to the Plaza Mayor, another of the essential places to see in Majorca and one of the most charming places as it is surrounded by very interesting historical monuments such as the church of San Miguel (the oldest Christian temple in Palma) or several small palaces and courtyards, which are fantastic examples of the city's civil architecture between the 15th and 17th centuries.

I recommend a visit to the Plaza Mayor, the largest square in the city, not only for its tourist attractions, but also to enjoy the lively atmosphere here. Here you can take the pulse of the city and get to know its most authentic side, as it is the favourite meeting point for locals to chat and have a relaxing time.

Therefore, if your trip coincides with the weekend, a good plan to do in Mallorca is to go to the Plaza Mayor to sit on the terrace of one of its lively bars and watch the musical performances that take place here while you sip a glass of Mallorcan cava and try the local specialities.

Furthermore, in the mornings there are also markets where you can browse and buy some souvenirs from the stalls. There are stalls selling everything from handicrafts and clothes to delicatessen products.

A visit to Bellver Castle is a must on your route around Palma. First of all because of its uniqueness, as it is a fortification with a circular base that is unique in Spain, dating from the 14th century and is a masterpiece of Gothic-Levantine architecture.

In the past it was a royal residence, but nowadays it houses the History Museum of the city of Palma de Mallorca, so you can take the opportunity to see both the monument and its collections.

Secondly, because from its location, on top of a hill in the west and surrounded by lush vegetation, there are spectacular panoramic views of the city of Palma and its bay, the plain of Mallorca and the Tramuntana mountain range. In fact, the name Bellver Castle comes from the old Catalan "bell veure", which means beautiful view, making it a tremendously photogenic site.

If you like old castles, history or photographing beautiful landscapes, I think you will love a visit to Bellver Castle in Palma because it leaves no one indifferent.

In addition, during the summer evenings they usually organise a series of open-air concerts in its impressive circular parade ground. So music is another reason to visit this fortress.

Speaking of fortresses and museums, close to the Lonja is another 16th century fortification that has been reinvented for culture and tourism.

Here we find Es Baluard, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Palma. If you are passionate about art, this is another essential visit to make in Mallorca for its collections, although I must confess that this place is special to me for another reason, and that is that its viewpoint is a strategic point for contemplating the "winter solstice" phenomenon.

Both from here and from the museum's interior terrace you can see how the sunlight crosses the central nave of Mallorca Cathedral and is projected onto the rose window of the main façade, transforming it into a giant kaleidoscope between the 18th and 24th of December, with the 21st being the key day.

The Almudaina palace is not the only vestige of the Islamic presence to be seen in Mallorca. In the old quarter, just a few steps from the cathedral, there is another very interesting building that the island has preserved: the Arab baths of Palma.

They date from the 11th century and in this culture, the hammam ritual was a type of steam bath that the ancient Muslims used to purify the body and spirit. The baths were also an important centre for social gatherings in the medieval Islamic world, from the East to Al-Andalus.

What will you see on your visit?

They were built following the Roman model (cold, warm and hot areas), but the remains that have survived to the present day are from the hot room. The Arab baths of Mallorca are located at Calle Serra 7 and admission is only 2 euros, so I recommend you go inside to see a real piece of Spain's medieval history. They are the best-preserved construction from the Islamic era on the island.

During my visit I was struck by how well preserved they are, considering how old they are. Its horseshoe arched doorway leads to a square interior room whose twelve columns support the hemispherical dome with several skylights that allowed natural light to pass through, creating a very pleasant intimate atmosphere.

Next to this room is a second space that is thought to be the warm room of the Arab baths. Here an explanatory video of a few minutes about the origin of this hammam in Mallorca is projected, which helps us to better imagine what this place was like in its time of splendour.

Experience the hammam ritual in Palma

Now, why settle for imagining what the hammam ritual was like in the Arab baths of Mallorca when you can live the experience for yourself during your holidays?

If you are curious after your visit, I recommend you spend an afternoon in one of the current ones in the city, which is one of the things to do in Mallorca that I love!

When you enter you will see that this is not your typical spa, but rather the rooms are characterised by their Andalusian-style décor, and silence reigns in them, interrupted only by the murmur of the water in the thermal pools.

Immersed in this calm atmosphere, the perfumed air, the dim candlelight and the Andalusian music make you feel like a sultana and transport you for a moment to that golden age of ancient Al-Andalus.

Mallorca is famous for its paradisiacal coves of white sand and turquoise waters, where you can relax and sunbathe during the day. But it is also famous for its party soul. Thousands of tourists from all corners of the world travel to the island to experience the Mallorcan nightlife to the full.

There is a huge variety of nightlife in Palma, but the Santa Catalina neighbourhood, to the west of the old town, is one of my favourite places that I recommend you to visit. It is one of the city's emerging neighbourhoods where many foreigners have opened their businesses, giving it an eclectic and cosmopolitan feel that mixes with the modernist houses, the small squares and the more traditional side of Mallorca.

Where to party in Palma?

This is the first place to see in Mallorca. Known affectionately as La Seu, the cathedral of Santa Maria is one of the most dazzling Gothic temples in the world and the symbol of the city of Palma. You have probably seen it in a multitude of photographs, but seeing it in person is quite an experience.

Of its majestic façade, the enormous columns of the main door and the delicate ornamentation of the Mirador door stand out, although the most photogenic side of Mallorca Cathedral is to be found in the Parque del Mar, a space with a large lake that evokes past times when the sea bathed the city walls.

The painter Santiago Rusiñol was in love with La Seu and in his book "La isla de la calma" (1912) he dedicated a chapter to it in which he encouraged visitors to enter the cathedral to enjoy it in all its splendour. He used to say that "On the outside you will see the armour, but go inside and you will see the soul!" and his words are as true yesterday as they are today.

On entering, its spaciousness is impressive and the beautiful play of light and colour created by the stained glass windows of Palma Cathedral enlivens the spirit. Here you will find the famous "eye of the Gothic"!The largest rose window of any Gothic cathedral on the planet.

During the tour you will learn a lot and you can see the mark left on it by artists such as Miquel Barceló in the chapel of the Holy Sacrament or Salvador Gaudí, who was responsible for the reform of the complex, applying modernist dyes that have given it this unique appearance.

Climb up to the terraces of La Seu and marvel at the views.

Did you know that in summer you can go up to the terraces of Mallorca Cathedral? If you have the chance, I recommend that you book your place on the official website because seeing the city of Palma, the Mediterranean Sea and the architecture of the temple itself from up there is an unforgettable experience.

I'm not exaggerating! Mallorca's cathedral is one of the highest in Europe and to give you an idea, it's higher than Cologne's immense cathedral, so the views are amazing.

Any time of the year is a good time to visit the capital of Majorca. Its beautiful beaches make it unique for a summer getaway, but I assure you that the island of Majorca will not disappoint you no matter when you go, as it has all kinds of plans for any date. Proof of this is this list of articles that I leave you below so that you can get to know all the options by months of the year:

• 10 things to see and do in Majorca in January
• 10 things to see and do in Majorca in February
• 10 things to see and do in Majorca in March
• 10 things to see and do in Majorca in April
• 10 things to see and do in Majorca in June
• 10 things to see and do in Majorca in July
• 10 things to see and do in Majorca inAugust
• 10 things to see and do in Mallorca in September
• 10 things to see and do in Mallorca in October
• 10 things to see and do in Mallorca in November
• 10 things to see and do in Mallorca in December

Or maybe to decide the date of your trip you prefer to know before the 10 things to see and do in Mallorca in summer, in winter or if you are travelling with children to the island you will be interested in knowing the best Christmas plans in Mallorca.

To help you organise your trip, I recommend that you consult our guides depending on the time you have to enjoy Mallorca:

• What to see and do in Mallorca in 1 day
• What to see and do in Mallorca in 2 days
• What to see and do in Mallorca in 3 days
• What to see and do in Mallorca in 4 days
• What to see and do in Mallorca in 5 days
• What to see and do in Mallorca in 7 days

Other tips

One of the tips I usually give to optimise a trip is to plan in advance or at least check beforehand how you are going to get from the airport to the city centre. Here you have information about transfers between the airport and Mallorca.

I also recommend that you take a look at the tourist buses in Mallorca, a very useful way of touring the city while they tell you about the details and history of its monuments. And of course, for those who are looking for comfort when travelling, don't forget to book the best excursions in Majorca and its surroundings. All you have to do is pack your suitcase and enjoy!