Mallorca is one of our favorite vacation spots. We love it for so many reasons. Besides the 300 days of Mediterranean sunshine per year, one of my favorite things about Mallorca is that it is the perfectly-sized island. One can return to Mallorca on various occasions, visiting different parts of the island and feel as though he or she is exploring an entirely new island.

Mallorca is the largest of the four major Balearic Islands, its neighbors being Ibiza, Menorca, and Formentera. There are so many incredible sites and activities for tourists and most people visiting the island enjoy staying in one of the island’s many all-inclusive resorts or near the seafront capital, Palma.

Some of the main tourist attractions on the island of Mallorca are:

Visit Palma de Mallorca City and Cathedral (Le Seu) 

Palma Aquarium

Far de Formentor Lighthouse

Day tours by boat

Caves of Drach (Coves del Drach)

Visit Mallorca’s Beaches

Although all-inclusive holidays are convenient and pretty stress-free, we prefer to travel a bit differently. Forgoing hotels and opting for renting a room through airbnb allows us the conveniences of “home” such as a kitchen, semi-private pool, being among locals, etc. In addition, renting a room (or an entire apartment) is often less expensive than a hotel. Not only is the original cost cheaper, but we also save money by ensuring we are eating breakfast at home and are able prepare and pack a picnic for lunch. We generally plan on having dinner or tapas out around town in order to experience the life of the city, while exploring the island.

Mallorca off the beaten path

It was a Tuesday night. Timi told me to set some time aside that night to pack my bags. We were leaving in the morning on a flight…to Mallorca! SURPRISE! I couldn’t believe it. We were going on a babymoon. And we were going to MALLORCA!

Timi had everything planned. Flights were booked through Ryanair, which often has the most affordable flights between Valencia and Palma de Mallorca (around 60€ roundtrip). He rented a car through CICAR, a car rental company from the Canary Islands that runs their service through Enterprise in Mallorca. We were very pleased with the customer service of this company, the quality of the rental car, and you can’t beat the price!

First stop: A private room in a gorgeous, countryside villa

Timi rented a poolside, private room (breakfast included) in this gorgeous home in the countryside of Mallorca. We were blessed with staying with an amazing couple, away from the tourist hustle, but within a 20 minute drive to some of the island’s most stunning beaches. We spent an entire day just relaxing at the pool with views of the mountains and spent the following two days exploring Pollensa and Alcudia.

Get $25 towards your first airbnb booking by clicking here!

Click here to check out this amazing home on airbnb!

Traveler’s tip*- Alcudia

Most people have heard of Palma de Mallorca. And for good reason. It is a wonderful city to spend a half day strolling through the streets, shopping, and visiting the cathedral. Our favorite substitute for Palma? Alcudia. Explore away from the port of Alcudia and spend some time in the medieval village of Alcudia. Don’t miss the market on Tuesdays and Sundays!

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Another cool port town is Pollensa (Pollenca). Grab a homemade ice cream from Gelats Valls and walk along the boardwalk. Or enjoy a drink at one of the many waterside bars. Most of the tourists stroll around right near the water and eat at the hotel restaurants with views of the sea.

Traveler’s tip*- Restaurante Bellaverde

Walk up, away from the sea a couple blocks for a gastronomic experience like no other! Restaurante Bellaverde is a vegetarian and vegan restaurant in Mallorca, suitable for vegetarians and omnivores, alike. A relaxing garden setting among fig trees boasts a menu of vegetarian cuisine using organic vegetables, interesting spices, and unique recipes. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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Dinner at Bellaverde the night Timi proposed

Second Stop: Rural Hotel in the middle of nowhere Mallorca

This was one of the most amazing places, let alone hotels, I have ever seen in my life. I am so glad Timi decided to forgo the modern resorts and reserve two nights in this peaceful hotel. We loved staying outside of the city away from the popular port towns for a couple nights. An amazing buffet breakfast is included in this rustic resort and you can reserve a table for dinner at the hotel if prefer to stay put.

Click here to check out more photos of Petit Hotel Rural San Jorda, Mallorca

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Traveler’s tip*- Sineu

Head into the small town of Sineu for a truly local experience. Find the main plaza and grab a table outside in the alleyway for a pizza pie at Tomassini. After dinner, walk down the alley towards the plaza and enjoy a homemade gelato at Sa Gelateria. Drive back to Petit Hotel Rural San Jorda and curl up in your cozy room for a quiet night’s sleep.

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There are a variety of organized tours in Mallorca such as scuba diving and snorkeling tours, train rides through the countryside, and group tours to visit the various coves and beaches of the island, by boat. Want a little freedom? Read on!

Traveler’s tip*- Rent a boat “sin title”

Bypass the groups of tourists and rent a boat without a license. These boats are fun and easy to drive and you can rent the boat for a half or full-day (usually for the same price as a 2-hour group tour). Many boat companies even provide a cooler for you. So, grab your suits and snorkeling masks, pack a picnic and head out to the beautiful coves of Mallorca at your leisure. We loved cruising around the private coves near Pollensa Port and relaxing in the sea for an entire afternoon. Avoid the crowds and enjoy Formentor beach from the water.

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We have an amazing time in Mallorca each time we head to the island. It is the perfect romantic getaway, a fun holiday for a group of friends, and many parts of the island are incredibly family friendly. So far, however, my favorite occasion to head off to Mallorca is for a babymoon. Still not convinced? Check out my post: 4 Reasons to Take a Babymoon.

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