Rising from a pretty square in Palma Old Town, the Basilica de Sant Francesc is a vision in sandstone. Founded in 1281 as a monastery and boasting a Gothic cloister and 17th-century baroque facade, the church is one of Mallorca’s most beautiful and historically significant. It has been known as one of the most famous churches on Palma since the Middle Ages.
Burrowed into Mallorca’s northern coastline, Coll Baix Beach (Platja des Coll Baix) is one of its few undeveloped beaches. Cradled by cliffs and turquoise waters and only easily accessible by boat—the secret to its seclusion—the cove is a gorgeous bolthole far from the madding crowds.
Dating back to the 10th century, the Palma Arab Baths (Baños Árabes) are among Palma’s most fascinating archaeological sites and some of the last remaining relics of the Muslim era in the Balearic Islands. It is believed that parts of the baths are the only remnants of the Arab city of Medina Mayurqa.
Sitting pretty on a hilltop in Ibiza Town (Eivissa), the fortified area of Dalt Vila has been occupied since Phoenician times. Behind its chunky defensive walls and 16th-century bastions lies a maze of cobbled streets that slope up to the cathedral at the summit, where views of the glistening coast await.
Port de Maó (also called Mahón or Port Mahon), the capital of Menorca, has plenty to offer, including one of the largest natural harbors in the world. There are tiny streets to stroll, shops to explore, cakes and meals to be had, drinks to be sipped, and a market housed in what used to be an old convent.
This area on the east coast of Ibiza has it all: stunning beaches, quaint towns, and historic monuments. The second most visited location on the island, behind only Eivissa, Santa Eulària has become known for its quieter atmosphere compared to the diehard party scenes elsewhere.
The tallest point in Menorca is Monte Toro, also called El Toro, where you can see the entire island on clear days. Built atop the summit is the Mare de Déu del Toro sanctuary, a significant pilgrimage place with a shrine to Menorca’s patron saint. There, a whitewashed exterior leads to a small chapel with a carved image of the Virgin Mary.
One of Mallorca’s biggest outdoor weekly markets, Inca Market takes over the island’s leather-making town of Inca every Thursday. Offering more than 100 stalls, the market is a great place for snapping up traditional local leatherware, handicrafts, delicacies, and fresh produce.
In northern central Menorca beneath Mt. Toro, Es Mercadal is one of the island’s oldest and most picturesque towns. Visitors come here to experience a slice of old-time island life and soak up its whitewashed houses, terracotta-flagged streets, traditional shops, and laid-back atmosphere.
The island of Mallorca is home to more than 200 caves and the Cuevas del Ham, or Caves of Hams, are one of the most popular to visit. Located along an underground river called the Sea of Venice, these caves are notable for their spiral and hook-shaped stalactites. Many travelers visit these caves during a multi-destination day trip.
Get to know Mallorca beyond its beaches during a visit to the old stone city of Valldemossa, located high in the Tamuntana Mountains, or to La Granja, a former convent surrounded by gardens. Many visitors climb winding roads up into the mountains via bus, taxi, or rental car during a day trip to see these popular sites.
With more than 8,000 animals from 700 different species, Palma Aquarium emulates ocean ecosystems from around the globe. Here, you can admire one of the largest shark tanks, as well as one of the biggest live coral collections in Europe. The jellyfish and black-tip reef shark exhibits are both highlights.
Framing a picture-postcard inlet in southeastern Mallorca, Cala Santanyi hits the sweet spot between a fully-fledged beach resort and a quiet Balearics village. Visitors spend their time lazing on the white sand beach, enjoying watersports, and savoring the unspoiled scenery, all while relishing the gently traditional vibe.
Among the prettiest spots on Mallorca’s southeast coast, Cala Figuera hems a low-cliffed, turquoise-watered inlet bobbing with fishing boats. The absence of a beach has protected this small, working fishing town from overdevelopment, making it great for relaxing, enjoying the coastal scenery, taking boat trips, and savoring traditional Mallorcan life.
Rising from the Mediterranean Sea near the resort of Cala Santanyi in southeast Mallorca, Es Pontàs is a natural, free-standing limestone sea arch standing just offshore from the coast. At around 65 feet (20 meters) high, the arch lures sightseers who visit the nearby cliffs to admire and take photos, as well as experienced climbers and high divers.
Smugglers once hid their spoils in these 100,000-year-old natural caves in the bay of Puerto de San Miguel. Housing stalactites and stalagmites, fossils, and a 30-foot (9-meter) subterranean waterfall, illuminated with colorful lights, the cave’s exit affords spectacular panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding coastline.
Regularly dubbed one of the world’s best beaches, this long sweep of blonde sand sits at the northeastern corner of Mallorca, one of Spain’s sun-kissed Balearic Islands. Covering just under 4 miles (6 kilometers), the beach is popular with families who come to enjoy its far-reaching shallow waters and soft sands, and relax in the beach clubs, hotels, and restaurants that throng the shores.
Perched on a dramatic hill, Ibiza Castle (Castell d'Eivissa in Catalan) marks the top of Ibiza’s Dalt Vila, or Upper Town. The island landmark was built over the course of more than 1,000 years and is an architectural hodgepodge of pale-colored stone that combines elements like a 12th century medieval design with 18th century barracks.
Ses Salines Natural Park is made up largely of water (a whopping 75 percent of the area) and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's known for its beaches and biodiversity, as the home to 178 plant species and some 210 species of birds, including flamingos, Audouin’s gull, and Balearic shearwater.
One of Mallorca’s biggest aqua parks, Western Water Park boasts a wide array of rides and pools, including The Beast—the world’s 11th-highest slide—to keep all ages entertained. Fittingly set in western Mallorca near the resort of Magaluf, the park has a Wild West theme, giving it extra family appeal.
Descend 36 meters underground for a guided subterranean exploration at the Genova Caves (Cuevas de Genova). The caves, which are hidden under a restaurant, offer beautiful rock formations as well as pools of water, corridors, and columns and are enhanced with a variety of colorful lights in an audiovisual show.
Music, dance, acrobatics, and lavish costumes combine in spectacular style at the Son Amar Dinner Show in Mallorca. Staged at the House of Son Amar, a beautiful 16th-century manor house near Palma, these ever-changing theatrical shows promise an unforgettable evening out. In summer, the 700-seat theater offers early-evening performances ideal for families and late-evening spectaculars for older audiences.
Let loose at Aqualand El Arenal, Mallorca’s biggest water park. Situated just south of Palma on the island’s west coast, this popular park is stacked with slides, pools, and amusements for all ages and tastes, from adults who simply want to relax to teens wanting to brave daredevil rides.
Located in central Magaluf, weird and wacky Katmandu Park throws steampunk-style attractions, illusions, and escapades into the regular theme-park mix of rides and slides. Explore an upside-down house, scream through 4D adventures, and enjoy a splash park, all in a small but exciting park suitable for all ages.
The Necropolis del Puig des Molins comprises more than 4,000 tombs from the Phoenician-Punic times, considered the world’s finest collection of Punic remains. The island’s first cemetery, dating back to the seventh century BC, features small caves containing sarcophagi and burial sites filled with jewelry, coins, and baked mud figures.
An extraordinarily picturesque cove on Mallorca’s southern coast, the Caló des Moro is small but perfectly formed. Surrounded by rocky cliffs and promontories that ensure its water remains smooth and calm for swimming, the cove’s beach boasts soft white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters. Though it lacks many tourist amenities, its dramatic beauty makes it well worth a visit.
Port of Palma (Puerto de Palma) in Palma de Mallorca is one of the busiest in the Mediterranean, welcoming more than 1.7 million cruise ship passengers each year. As the gateway to the island of Mallorca and Spain's Balearic Islands, it’s a popular stop on Mediterranean cruises, with easy access to both Valencia and Barcelona.
Dating back to around 70 BC, Alcudia Old Town is a historical highlight of north Mallorca. This charming enclave—which feels a world away from the modern holiday resorts of the island’s south—features Roman ruins, ancient city walls that you can walk atop, a bullring, churches, and a smattering of tapas restaurants serving Mallorcan specialties.
Perched on Mallorca’s northern coast—a quieter alternative to the blaring bars and high-rise hotels of the west—the Blue Flag–awarded Playa de Alcudia stuns with its white sand and turquoise water. It’s a family favorite thanks to its kids’ play area and water-sport options, and often appears on lists of Mallorca’s best beaches, keeping it a popular pick.
This gorgeous, remote beach on Menorca is worth seeking out for the sandy beach and turquoise water in its protected cove. There’s not a lot to do here or much infrastructure, so the main draw is relaxation, swimming, and snorkeling (if you bring your own mask). Visitors should make sure to respect the local environment to protect the beach from overtourism.
