Mallorca travel guide: the best beaches and restaurants
Scattered with beautiful beaches, delicious restaurants and instagrammable architecture, it’s easy to see why Mallorca is such a popular destination for every type of traveller. A regular feature on my TikTok fyp, the island’s blue waters and magnificent views attract holidaymakers from all over the globe.
Though I’ve returned to Mallorca on at least three occasions, each experience has felt like a totally different holiday, with something new to offer every time. My recent trip was perhaps my most varied of them all, as we hired a car to discover the hotspots of the island, and they certainly didn’t disappoint.
Thinking of jetting off to the Balearics this summer? Discover my simple Mallorca travel guide to the best beaches, towns and restaurants.
Want the full recap? Watch my Mallorca Vlog below!
Mallorca travel guide: the best places to visit
Cala S’almunia
The best place for water babies, this beautiful blue swim spot is a haven on a hot day! Surrounded by rocks, with only a small beach on the corner, this is the ideal destination for people who can’t stand sand and prefer to spend their time in the water.
Though a popular cove for tourists, the large rocky banks provide enough room so that it doesn’t feel cramped. Adrenaline junkies will find an abundance of ledges to dive from, whilst sun worshippers have plenty of spots (albeit not the comfiest) to bronze themselves. A place you could easily spend all day, I recommend bringing a picnic to make the most of it.
Calo des Moro
Probably the most beautiful beach we visited on our trip, this magnificent cove is a blue-watered paradise. A treasure trove found at the end of a long, rocky route (you’ll want to wear your sensible shoes), this beach may not be the easiest to access, but the views are more than worth it.
Naturally, brilliant blue waters like these don’t go unnoticed for long, and this cove is a hotspot for tourists. So, I recommend arriving as early as possible to secure a spot. Sunbathing is largely out of the question in this busy beach, but who wants to sit on the sand anyway when the water is so inviting?
Cala Deià
Quirky and quaint, this lovely little swim spot sits at the bottom of a long and narrow winding road that can only be accessed by car (not one for nervous drivers). Another rocky shore, this cobbled cove may not be the best for sunbathing, but is perfect for a splash in the sea!
Accompanied by a small bar and (understandably busy) restaurant, you can stay refreshed all day long. My only qualm is that this place was accompanied by some pretty funky sea smells that I didn’t enjoy, but it’s definitely not a deal breaker when you have views like these.
Valldemossa
A cute little town just a short drive from Cala Deià, Valldemossa cured our craving for charming boutiques and authentic Spanish cuisine. The ideal destination for souvenir shopping, the streets are dotted with ceramics shops and ice cream stalls, making for a lovely day of wandering.
Dubbed as the town with the best paella in Mallorca, naturally we had to put this title to the test, and we weren’t disappointed. Not only was our portion enormous, but the freshly cooked flavours were delicious – Valldemossa can keep its crown!
A day in Palma
A holiday in Mallorca without a day trip to Palma is like tapas without sangria, it just doesn’t make sense. Whether browsing the shops, having a drink at the harbour, or admiring the cathedral, Palma is the perfect mix of modern and traditional.
My personal favourite way to enjoy the city is with regular pit stops at its various bars, ice cream shops or restaurants. Palma has a ‘slow living’ vibe to it that isn’t common in UK cities, so it’s a great place to explore at your own pace.
Mallorca travel guide: the best restaurants to try
La Pergola
Nothing makes me happier on holiday than a table full of tapas, and this table really was full of tapas. After sampling pretty much everything on the menu, I can safely say this restaurant was an absolute delight, and one of the best tapas experiences I’ve had.
Though unassuming from the outside, this place was recommended to us by our hotel concierge as their personal favourite. Plus, the ‘happy birthday’ song was played at least four times during our visit, meaning it must be a hotspot for celebrating special occasions. Reasonably priced for what we had, this restaurant is perfect for couples and large groups alike.
La Perla Can Barbara
This restaurant was definitely the culinary highlight of our trip. As a lover of Italian food, this pasta quite literally took my tastebuds to heaven! Sharing a trio of delicious dishes including a lobster ravioli, a truffle penne and a seafood linguine, we samples some of the best pasta I’ve ever had (and I’ve been to Italy!).
Not only was the food great, but the location and decor was just as gorgeous. Nestled in a little harbour, tables overlook the water, making it a great spot to watch the sun set. A more upmarket place (though not astronomically expensive), this restaurant is perfect for couples, but I enjoyed it thoroughly with friends too!
Bar Cuba
If you’re looking for somewhere more metropolitan, this bustling rooftop bar gives the perfect weekend vibes. Offering panoramic views of Palma and a lively nightlife scene, it’s the perfect spot for an evening drink with friends.
We only sat here for a couple of glasses of wine, but if you’re hungry, you can also head to the restaurant downstairs. Sophisticated and fun, it’s a great spot to get dressed up and enjoy the city’s summer nights.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach holiday, or exploring is more your thing, Mallorca has something to offer for everyone! Like the sound of Mallorca? Check out my Palmanova vlog from last year – another great destination on the island that you can enjoy, even without a car!
Want more travel content? Check out my post all about my Greek Getaway to Crete.
