Known variously as the “Golden Isle”, the “Wooded Isle” and the “Tranquil Isle”, Mallorca is all of these, despite its decades-long dependence on mass tourism. The island is laden with history and sights, from its castles and enchanted gardens to caves and spectacular mountains. The eastern and southern coasts still sport some of the cleanest, most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, and the city of Palma is more attractive, culturally alive and fun than ever.
Mallorca (or Majorca) gets its name from the ancient Roman name for the island, Balearis Major, meaning the “biggest Balearic”-
Morning
Begin in the north, at Sa Pobla , where you should be sure to visit the cemetery and Museu de la Jugeta . Proceed south to Muro for a look at the handsome Sant Joan Baptista church and the Museu Etnològic .
Drive through pretty Santa Margalida, then Maria de la Salut, and on to medieval Sineu, at the geographic centre of the island, where you can stroll and have a drink at Es Cadafal café.
By now, it should be about lunchtime, so continue on to Petra to have a wonderfully elegant meal at Sa Plaça and to check out the hometown of Fray Junípero Serra.
Afternoon
After lunch, make your way on through Sant Joan and then to appealing Montuïri, with its signature windmills. Next, cut down to Porreres and take the road from there to Llucmajor. Be sure to stop off along the way for a walk around the quaintly picturesque grounds of the Finca Son Sama.
The last leg of the journey is to head back north to Algaida, being sure to pop into Raïms for a look at its timeless charm.
Finally, just to the west of Algaida, take a prolonged tour of the Gordiola Glassworks, with its superb museum and shop.
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Mid-Morning
Beginning at about 10am on any day but Monday, this walk around Pollença should take three to four hours.
Start on the southern side of town, with a visit to the Museu Municipal de Pollença and the beautiful building that houses it – the convent, church and cloister of Sant Domingo, now entirely given over to civic cultural purposes. (It is closed on Mondays.)
Walk north a couple of blocks and pop into Antik I Art (see Antik I Art, Pollença), a wonderful antiques shop. From here, continue up to the Plaça Mayor and admire the Modernista architecture of the Hotel Juma and the marvellous rose window tracery of the Nostra Senyora dels Àngels parish church (see Nostra Senyora dels Àngels, Pollença).
Early Afternoon
Now walk up the left side of the church until you get to Aquamarine (see Aquamarine, Pollença) with its unusual handcrafted jewellery, and then stop off at the Café del Calvari (see Café del Calvari, Pollença) for refreshment before striding up the famous cypress-lined Calvari steps.
Finally, head down Les Creus and Gruat streets to the picturesque Pont Romà, a bridge thought by some to be from ancient Roman times, but probably dating from the Middle Ages.
After your tour, have lunch at either the interesting La Tetera (see La Tetera, Pollença) or the famous La Fonda (see La Fonda, Pollença).
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Morning
This drive takes a full day, setting out at 10am or so.
Start at Andratx and take the coast road, C710, north. At the point where the road encounters the coastline, you will find the Mirador de Ricardo Roca viewpoint and the Es Grau café (see Es Grau, Carretera Andratx-Estellencs). At Estellencs , you can also stop for shopping and refreshment.
As the road leaves the town and climbs, there’s a stopping point to the left where you can look back at the view. Next stop is the magnificent Mirador de ses Anímes .
At Banyalbufar , note the remarkable terraced hillsides. A little way on, you’ll see signs for Sa Granja . Head there for lunch and a good look around the mansion and grounds.
Afternoon
After lunch, there’s more historic sightseeing at Valldemossa , where you can check out the former monastery, museum and old town.
Carrying on north, pop into Son Marroig and then wind around into fantastic Deià, where you can stop for a stroll.
Continuing on, don’t blink or you’ll miss Mallorca’s smallest village, LlucAlcari; and finally, head for the main square in Sóller, to have a drink at one of the cafés, then take the quaint tram down to the Port de Sóller for dinner and the rich nightlife.
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Mid-Morning
This circular walk takes two to four hours and starts in Plaça Joan Carles I, just at the top of the Passeig des Born. From here, walk east on La Unió to Plaça Weyler, where you can buy pastries at the Forn des Teatre and see the exhibitions in the Gran Hotel.
Climb the steps to the right of the Teatre Principal until you get to Plaça Major. In this beautiful arcaded square, you’ll see street artists and performers, and you can stop for a drink in one of the cafés.
Come out of the Plaça along Carrer Sant Miquel. Stop at the Museu d’Art Espanyol Contemporani (see Museu d’Art Espanyol Contemporani, Fundació March) and the charming Església de Sant Miquel.
Now double back through Plaça Major to view the façades of L’Aquila and Can Rei (see L’Aquila/Can Rei). Go down Carrer Argenteria to visit the Església de Santa Eulalia , and then Carrer Morey to take in Ca N’Oleza .
Late Morning
Continue on Carrer Mira-mar, past glorious Palacio Ca Sa Galesa hotel (see Palacio Ca Sa Galesa, Palma), to exit at the broad seawall, where you can look up at the Cathedral (see Sa Seu: Palma Cathedral).
Visit the cathedral and the Palau de l’Almudaina , then go down to the S’Hort del Rei gardens (see S’Hort del Rei, Palma). Finally, stroll up the Born and have a snack at Bar Bosch on the square where you started, or head to a restaurant for a more substantial lunch (see Places to Eat).
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Perhaps the world’s most romantic setting for drinks: an ancient courtyard and lush garden, with hundreds of fresh fruits, huge bouquets of fresh flowers, exotic birds twittering, soft candlelight and perfumed air (see also Abaco, Palma).
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Many can hardly believe their eyes when they first find this gorgeous place, set in the courtyard of a period townhouse. Candlelit, full of fresh flowers and fruit, and with the delightful touch of tropical birds in the magical garden, it is surely the best place in the world to have a drink. Outside of town, the same people run Abacanto, where they’ve done the same thing to an entire mansion.
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The Argentinean poet and visionary built the Grand Hotel Formentor in 1929 (see Hotel Formentor), marking out Mallorca as an upper-crust tourist destination.
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At one end of a very scenic mountain road, under the shadow of the commanding Castell d’Alaró, this pleasant village dates from at least the time of the Moors. If you want to climb up to the castle, drive up to Es Verger restaurant and proceed on foot: the ascent takes about 45 minutes and the view is marvellous (see Castell d’Alaró).
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Home to the island’s only remaining medieval walled city. It was built on the site of a Roman outpost, the theatre and ruins of which can still be seen.
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This two-part municipality consists of Mallorca’s most striking medieval town uneasily conjoined with one of its brashest tourist ports. The area around the fishing harbour is the most attractive, with the broad promenade of Passeig Maritim facing a row of fish restaurants.
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