3 days in Mallorca

The Spanish island of Mallorca has become well known for its stunning beaches, limestone mountains and popular nightlife in the capital of Palma. Spring and early autumn are the best times to visit because you will benefit from good weather without hordes of tourists, but really, any time is a good time to visit this beautiful Mediterranean island. In this blog post I will share my tips on how to spend 3 days in Mallorca!

HOW TO GET TO MALLORCA

Mallorca is a two hour flight from London and most major cities in Europe, making it a popular weekend destination. If you are coming from the United States, I recommend flying into Barcelona and spending a few days there exploring the city before coming to Mallorca. Plan your Mallorca itinerary to spend at least 3 days on the island.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN MALLORCA

In summer, I suggest you spend at least part of your trip relaxing in the sun on one of Mallorca’s many beautiful beaches. The east side of the island is said to have the most beautiful beaches and fun little beach clubs. Since my friend and I visited in the month of November (although still 70F+ most days!), we spent our time exploring the island.

DAY 1: ANNUAL CITY TOUR

On our first day in Mallorca we spent hours walking around the old town of Palma. I loved the Cathedral of Mallorca. We took a self-guided tour, which cost only 7€, and then explored the rest of the old town on foot.

There are beautiful winding roads everywhere and several shopping streets in the old town. I could have spent at least another whole day wandering around the city, soaking up the culture and beautiful architecture. We didn’t make it to Beller Castle, but I hear it has an incredible view of the city that is worth exploring.

DAY 2: FORAGE CAP

On our first adventure out of the city, we hired a car and headed north to Formentor. Leaving Palma was a little scary because the streets of the old town are small and windy, but once you’re on the main roads, it’s a breeze driving around Mallorca.

It’s very easy to find the main towns you’ll want to visit with a simple map that your hotel will provide. Cap De Formentor, at the northern tip of the island, is stunning, and there’s a viewpoint, which slides over a cliff, where you can take a million photos and immerse yourself in the coastline.

It only takes about 35 minutes to get to Cap De Formentor from Palma, so I recommend continuing on and driving to the lighthouse. The Faro de Formentor itself is nothing to write about, but the drive along the ocean is beautiful and reminds me of driving down Highway 1 to Big Sur, California. Just be sure to drive slowly and watch out for cyclists, as the roads are windy and small. After the lighthouse, head to Formentor beach, a beautiful, pristine beach lined with pine trees, where you can swim and relax in warmer months.

DAY 3: VALLDEMOSSA, DEIA & SOLLER

On our last day in Mallorca, we decided to explore the west side of the island. We head to the town of Valldemossa, which is about 20 minutes from Palma. Valldemossa is so charming with its small cobbled streets and beautiful old buildings built into the mountainside. This was by far my favourite town in Mallorca!

Our next stop, just 10 minutes down the road, was Deia, a beautiful mountain village that also overlooks the sea. In the summer, be sure to stop by the Belmond La Residencia for a cocktail at their poolside restaurant and bar.

The town of Sóller is just 15 minutes from Deia and is also well worth a visit. If you go, be sure to see Port de Soller. We didn’t know about the port, so we missed the best part of town!

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK IN PALMA

Can Cera Gastro Bar, is a great Mediterranean restaurant in the Can Cera Boutique Hotel. The ambience is luxurious and the food was excellent (the burrata salad with basil pesto dressing was amazing)!
Report this ad

If you’re looking for upscale Spanish cuisine, try La Bodeguilla. They have delicious Spanish tapas; everything on the menu was great, but I loved the cheese plate (it’s only on the desert list for some reason, so you have to ask for it), and the seafood paella was fabulous. They also have an excellent wine selection.

Café La Lonja is a great place for tapas and Spanish drinks for lunch. This place has a cool atmosphere, good food and cocktails, and a nice outdoor area right in front of the harbour.

And for the best burger in Europe, you have to try California Burger Bar! My friend, Mark, opened California Burger Bar in May 2014, and since then, people have been coming to Palma just to try these famous burgers. The fries are also delicious, the cocktails are served hard, in big glasses, the bar has trendy decor, and they play old school gangster rap!

There are many bars in Mallorca’s old town, but another of my favourites is Bar Abaco, an old Mallorcan manor house. Have your cocktails at the bar and then head upstairs to explore the lounges, kitchen and terrace where you can enjoy your drinks in a unique and intimate atmosphere. Cheers!

WHERE TO STAY IN MALLORCA

Situated in the heart of Palma’s old town, Boutique Hotel Calatrava is in the perfect location for exploring the city on foot, and also facing a beautiful bay with a jogging path along the water. Hotel Calatrava is a 5 star hotel with world class charm. This is where I stayed during my trip. I love everything about this hotel, but my favourite amenity is the rooftop terrace overlooking the city and the sea, where you can enjoy breakfast every morning, and champagne sunsets in the evening.