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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
An idyllic and well-heeled resort town that’s just a quick trip from Palma de Mallorca, Camp Mar has long appealed to jet-setters and A-listers, as well as visiting families. Set on the island’s southwest, on the edge of the UNESCO-listed Serra de Tramuntana mountains, it’s known for its well-serviced, 590-foot (180-meter) beach.
A short walk from the town of Peguera, Cala Fornells is a compact cove with clear, calm waters and a mix of rocky and sandy shorelines. It’s less crowded than some of the better-known beaches on the island, and provides particularly good conditions for snorkeling.
Palma's Fundació Joan Miró Mallorca showcases the works of celebrated Catalan artist Joan Miró i Ferrà, one of the world's most lauded surrealist artists. It houses a large collection of Miró’s paintings and sculptures, which are displayed in ever-changing exhibits focused on themes from his life and work.
Far from the crowds of Alcudia, Alcanada Beach (sometimes spelled Aucanada Beach) is a rugged stretch of coastline lapped by clear, turquoise water. It’s the natural highlight of the tiny town of Alcanada and features pebbles and stones rather than sand. Shallow water means it's great for swimming, while a lack of commercial development makes it a perfect spot to leave behind the bustle of daily life.
Founded in 123 BC, the Roman City of Pollentia is a collection of three partially excavated archeological sites: La Portella, a residential area where you can see the remains of three homes of former nobility; the Forum, once the Capitolino Temple dedicated to Roman gods; and the Theatre, featuring the ruins of a stage and seating area.
Just a short distance from the resort town of Cala Ratjada in northeastern Mallorca, Cala Gat (meaning the “bay of cats”) is one of the area’s loveliest beaches. Small and sandy, with beautifully clear turquoise waters, it’s sheltered from the waves by rocky headlands. Boats are not permitted here, which makes it easy to have a relaxing paddle.
Puig de Galatzo Nature Reserve (La Reserva Puig de Galatzo) is a prime destination for visitors who want to experience Mallorca's natural beauty—and take part in a few thrilling outdoor activities. Enjoy hikes, a plethora of flora and fauna, and fantastic mountain views, as well as adventures like ziplining and rock climbing.
Grab the gang and enjoy the fun of Hidropark, north Mallorca’s only water park. Sitting on the edges of Port d’Alcudia, this popular park offers slides and pools for all ages–although its attractions are perhaps better suited to young kids than daredevil teens. Add game arcades, restaurants, and sun terraces, and visitors can look forward to bucketfuls of fun.
Nestled among the pine trees of northern Mallorca’s rugged coast, Museo Sa Bassa Blanca integrates art and culture with nature. Exhibits are artfully scattered across indoor galleries and outdoor gardens, and feature pieces ranging from 16th-century portraits to contemporary artworks and a “Zoological Park” sculpture garden featuring huge animals in the style of archeological excavations.
One of only two surviving gates in the historic Old Town of Alcúdia, Porta del Moll is a striking sight with its crenelated towers and the distinctive palm trees that sit before it. It serves as the poster child for this town in northern Mallorca, hailed as one of the island’s most beautiful places.
The horseshoe-shaped Playa de Sant Joan is renowned for its pristine beauty. It leads out onto calm, sheltered waters that glimmer aquamarine in the sun, and is ringed by green forests and rolling hills. As it only measures 650 feet (200 meters) across, it can get crowded, but that doesn’t detract from the beach’s natural charm.
Set in the former home of Mallorca’s wealthy March family, the Bartolomé March Foundation houses the collection of family patriarch Bartolomé March. The house (Fundacion Bartolomé March) provides a magnificent setting for everything from antique books and charts to 20th-century sculptures by Rodin—all within view of Palma Cathedral.
The Na Burguesa Viewpoint (Mirador de Na Burguesa) sits at the top of the Serra de Na Burguesa, a mountain range that is easily accessible from Palma de Mallorca. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views over the city from the 1,443-foot (440-meter) peak, then hike through the surrounding woods on one of the area’s many walking trails.
