Experience and enjoy Mallorca

BEST OF | Issue 3 | Spring 2025 | Text: Barbara Schneeberger

Once they see it, most people never want to leave the romantic labyrinth of lanes and passages in the old town of Palma. The multi-coloured rounds of artwork, history and fashion set in an historic ambience of feudal buildings relocates visitors in a vibrant city replete with stories which reach back over the ages. But whoever has not seen with his/her own eyes the dazzling turquoise coves, the rough and rocky mountains, the olive groves and ruins of historic fortresses has not truly been to the 3604 km² large Balearic Island.

Less than 20 minutes from Palma, the chic restaurant YARA in Puerto Portals spoils its guests with modern Japanese-Mediterranean cuisine – authentic, but not traditional.

In the artistic heart of Palma

It goes quite without saying: the very first impressions of Mallorca are best garnered in the capital city of Palma. It numbers among the oldest cities in the world and bears witness to a bevy of cultural influences. The fact that the people here manifest an unusually deep feeling for art is amply demonstrated by the high quality of art galleries and exhibitions. A fabulous place where art, cafés, interior decoration and fashion merge and unite into an imposing and diverse whole. This lavishness is embodied by Rialto Living – including an art gallery which changes its holdings every month. Also the exhibitions in the four major rooms of the former City Palace “Casal Solleric” are bursting with expressiveness. In addition, the Es Baluard Museum of modern and contemporary art has a name which resonates far and wide. It exhibits more than 500 art works of national and international artists who have some kind of special connection to the island. An absolute must for all art lovers is the Museum Miró Mallorca, boasting more than 7000 works of art by Miró and his contemporaries.

Outside the City Centre, a visit to the pulsating heart of the “scene” Santa Catalina with its traditional windmills, boutiques and cafés is something that simply must not be missed. And, truth be told, a visit to the Banys Àrabs – the oldest relict of Moorish architecture in Mallorca – deserves full-fledged attentiveness.

Discovery tours awaken the appetite in more ways than one, and that is where the typical “ensaimadas” provide the perfect snack. They, in turn, awaken appetite for more lucullan delights, like those which can be savoured at the Fera Restaurant or can be satisfied in the Yara Portals in Puerto Portals. Palma is also well-known for its dream-come-true hotels, such as Can Bordoy, Ars Magna Belisure Hotel, El Llorenç, Can Cera or Hotel de Mar Gran Meliá.

In the courtyard of Rialto Living, the charming café invites you to linger, while the incomparably inspiring lifestyle store in Palma delights with art exhibitions, textiles, furnishings, fashion, gift ideas and decorations.

Maritime flair

The splendours of nature and far-reaching landscapes are considered major motifs for a vacation on Mallorca. Best of all is to experience this wide-ranging spectrum by car, or by helicopter (our tip: Balearic Helicopters) or by boat. The truism that boating enjoys a long tradition with the island does not need to be explained, which makes the luxurious ports and marinas full of super-yachts hardly a surprise. Port Adriano comes immediately to mind, with its imposing water worthy forms; or else the glamourous spot Puerto Portals, with its own marina. For maritime memories which never fade, the world-famous Copa del Rey is doubtless one of the most important regattas in the Mediterranean Sea, taking place from 26th July until 02nd August 2025 in Palma.

Scenic and sensational western regions

On your exploratory drive along the coastline, don’t forget to plan a stopover in Peguera. Not only because of its fine beaches, but also because this town is the perfect point of departure for discovering the natural beauties of southwestern Mallorca. Sited in the midst of the Tramuntana Massif, the picturesque mountain village of Valldemossa radiates art and charm from every streetcorner in town. Lovers of classical music especially treasure the series of concerts which are performed at the monastery of the Royal Charterhouse of Valldemossa and takes place every year from April until July. Frédéric Chopin and George Sand stayed here once upon a time during their respective Mallorca residences. A bit further to the north lies the fishing village of Port de Sóller, which boasts the only port on the western coast of the island. Possible hotel tips? Certainly to be recommended are the newly opened Luxury Retreat Aethos in Peguera, the Es Petit Hotel de Valldemossa and the IT Valldemossa, which opened in 2024.

Along the cliff path from the fishing village of Sant Elm up to the monastery ruins of “La Trapa” you will enjoy a wonderful view of the dragon island “Sa Dragonera”.

Cultural and sports highlights

In the northeastern regions of the island, you can discover the genuine cultural treasures of Mallorca in Alcúdia, only one kilometre into the interior from the popular holiday town of Port d’Alcúdia. The tiny municipality is considered a gem. And not far from it, the Museum Sa Bassa Blanca entices all art lovers to enter its portals and explore the Spanish heritage of Mallorca for themselves. To pursue this historic trail a bit further, the area all around Manacor is a cornucopia of riches. Witnesses of its historic epoch extend further back than anywhere else on the island. And not to sideline the tennis fans, this town also has a heart for one of its own heroes: Rafael Nadal was born here and built up the “Rafael Nadal International Tennis Centre” for young tennis talents from all over the world.

In the northwest of Mallorca there are two fantastic beaches, located between steep cliffs and separated by the Torrent de Pareis: Sa Calibra.

Additional Must-Sees:

• Coves del Drac with the largest subterranean lake in Europe, Porto Cristo
• Puig de Randa, a Table Mountain at Randa with monastery building/grounds and superb views over the entire island
• Sa Llotja, splendid Gothic building in Palma

Sundowner – the Top “Chiringuitos” in Mallorca

• Mhares Sea Club, Llucmajor, Puig de Ros
• Can Gavella, Playa de Muro in the Bay of Alcúdia
• Il Chiringo Beach, on the beach of Palmanova, Calvià
• El Chiringuito Beach House, located on the Playa de Palma
• S’Ona Beach, on the beach of Santanyí
• El Chiringuito Sa Foradada

Pure indulgence: Ensaimadas filled with sobrasada. This traditional yeast-based dessert also tastes delicious with dulce de leche, vanilla, or chocolate cream.