Valentina in Shorts

At the end of September, I have been in Mallorca for a short holiday. What to do in Mallorca? I personally just wanted to enjoy a few more days on the beach. And it was so. However, I came back a bit disappointed because the island was still overfull of people and I had no chances to really enjoy beaches as I wanted. In the last years I have been used to isolated and almost deserted beaches. So if you are like me, then forget Mallorca because it is not the right destination for you, or at least take in mind this, just to be prepared! 😉 Mallorca is often wrongly demonized as a party island but, quite the opposite, it has so much more to offer than clubs and discos.

Mallorca is a pretty big island and a car is needed, especially if you are going to explore the most isolated areas in the north-west (high recommended) and you want to find hidden beaches as we did.
The island has many famous beaches, most of which are easily accessible by car and well equipped with also adjacent parking lots (some of them with fee). Water is everywhere crystalline, more or less blue depending on the type of sand or pebbles. You can enjoy rural landscapes that have remind me of southern Italy, wild cliffs, caves and barren slopes, orange trees full of fruits and the kindness of the locals.
The road network generally is very good in Mallorca: roads are very smooth, wide and well maintained.
Pay attention to the traffic along the highway close to the airport area. Calculate a little bit of advance for the return. The main town is nice but nothing special to say “I need to come back, if I could have more time”. Half day is enough in my opinion.

When Mallorca? It’s up to you. To be more relaxed at this point I would say at least October or in springtime.

What to do in Mallorca? The northwest tip of Formentor. Then descend to the village of Soller along the suggestive high mountain range of Serra de Tramuntana and enjoy the sunset at the Port of Soller. A little bit before the lighthouse of Formentor, I recommend the isolated pebble beach of “Cala Murta“. From the main road, where you have to improvise a parking along the way, you have to walk about 20-25 minutes to reach it.

Palma de Mallorca, the capital. I recommend a half-day trip in the afternoon and stop for dinner in a traditional restaurant. We had lunch at Cellar Sa Premsa (direct link), a typical and inexpensive restaurant, very popular also to locals. Food was tasty, fresh and I had the feeling to enjoy a genuine cuisine. There is an underground car park in the opposite square. For having breakfast, brunch or a small (good!) coffee-break, I discovered a little cute bistro, the Cafe Riutort (direct link). Staff very friendly, informal atmosphere, I would say a bit hipster, with delicious toasts and croissants. I would love to go back there! High recommend in my opinion.

Best beaches in Mallorca. The most popular are also the most crowded! Keep that in mind, especially if they are small. Es Trench, Cala Millor, Cala Figuera, Cala Agulla are bombs of people. You can find quieter alternatives and crystal clear water but you have to walk a little bit. For example Cala Murta, as I told you, in the peninsula of Formentor. Then to the southeast part of Mallorca, Cala Magraner. Also here you have to leave the car along the road and then to walk almost half an hour. A third nice beach, not very big, certainly a bit less crowded in the early morning (and with a convenient parking) is Cala Llombards, always in the southeast of the island.
We visited also Es Trench beach in the South and Cala Agulla beach in the north and they have pretty clear and crystal water but they were overcrowded already in the early morning. So we took just the time for a dive and then we went away.

Where to stay in Mallorca. Prefer a traditional stay as we did. I found a fabulous boutique hotel in the countryside of Porreres, in the center south of the island. Relaxation, nature, authenticity and tradition make up the Hotel Rural Es Riquers (direct link). A little gem for relaxing yourself, far from chaos and brutal concrete buildings. Delicious breakfast, polite staff and a nice private pool made amazing my stay!

Have you already been in Mallorca? What is your experience? Did you enjoy it? Let me know!
Valentina ♥