How well do you knowMallorca?

Palma Aquarium

Over fifty tanks of Mediterranean and tropical fish, plus Big Blue, one of the deepest shark tanks in Europe, and a rooftop jungle with a waterfall.

🕘 Best time

Mornings just after opening; rainy days get crowded.

📍 Where

Playa de Palma, a few minutes’ walk from the beach; bus from Palma

💡 Tip

Start downstairs at Big Blue while it is quiet and save the rooftop jungle for last. Buy tickets online in advance.

three hoursall ages€€€good when rainingSource

Coves del Drac

Dripstone cave with one of Europe’s largest underground lakes. At the end, musicians in lit boats play a short concert.

🕘 Best time

First entry in the morning; in high season late afternoon is calmer.

📍 Where

Porto Cristo on the east coast, near Manacor

💡 Tip

Tickets have fixed entry times, so book ahead. The cave is damp and slippery: proper shoes, not flip-flops; pushchairs stay outside.

one hourage four and up€€book a slotSource

Aqualand El Arenal

Big water park with slides for the brave, a wave pool and a separate area for little ones.

🕘 Best time

Usually May to September; arrive at opening when queues are short.

📍 Where

S’Arenal, south-east of Palma; bus from Palma

💡 Tip

Grab a shady spot under the trees right after entry. Family tickets online are usually cheaper than at the gate.

full dayage three and up€€€summer onlySource

Alcúdia beach

Miles of fine sand where the water stays shallow for ages. Right behind it: the walled old town and the Roman town of Pollentia.

🕘 Best time

Swim in the morning, shady old town at midday; Alcúdia usually has a market on Tuesday and Sunday.

📍 Where

Bay of Alcúdia in the north

💡 Tip

With small children pick the stretch towards Port d’Alcúdia, it is the shallowest. An hour is enough for the Roman town.

half dayall agesfreeshallow waterSource

Sa Calobra and Torrent de Pareis

One of Europe’s most spectacular roads winds down to Sa Calobra cove. A rock passage leads to the mouth of the Torrent de Pareis gorge and its pebble beach.

🕘 Best time

Early morning or late afternoon; tour buses arrive at midday.

📍 Where

North-west coast, road from Escorca; or by boat from Port de Sóller

💡 Tip

If bends make you queasy, take the boat from Port de Sóller one way and the bus back. Only enter the gorge in dry weather.

half dayage six and upfreewinding roadSource

Cap de Formentor

The island’s northern tip with lighthouse, sheer cliffs, the Es Colomer viewpoint and the pine-fringed Formentor beach.

🕘 Best time

Mornings for clear views. In summer the road is closed to cars during the day.

📍 Where

Formentor peninsula near Port de Pollença; summer buses from Port de Pollença and Alcúdia

💡 Tip

From mid-May to mid-October, between ten in the morning and ten at night, only by bus, bike or on foot. An early car visit works if you are out before ten.

half dayall agesfreebus in summerSource

Parc Natural de s’Albufera

The largest wetland in the Balearics, with paths, bridges and bird hides. Herons, ducks and with luck ospreys.

🕘 Best time

Morning or late afternoon, when the birds are active.

📍 Where

Between Port d’Alcúdia and Can Picafort, entrance on the coast road

💡 Tip

Register at the visitor centre and pick up a map; bring bikes and binoculars, the paths are flat and long.

two to three hoursall agesusually freebinocularsSource

Cabrera National Park

Boat trip to the only national park in the Balearics: shore leave with castle and lizards, a swim stop in the blue sea cave Cova Blava.

🕘 Best time

Spring to autumn, only in calm seas.

📍 Where

Boats from Colònia de Sant Jordi in the south

💡 Tip

Book ahead and check the forecast, trips are cancelled in wind. Bring swimwear and snacks, there is hardly anything to buy on the island.

full dayage six and up€€book aheadSource

La Seu Cathedral

The Gothic cathedral right by the sea, with one of the largest rose windows in the world, Gaudí’s floating canopy and Barceló’s sea chapel.

🕘 Best time

In the morning when the sun shines through the coloured windows; Sundays for services only.

📍 Where

Palma old town, above Parc de la Mar

💡 Tip

Buy tickets online. Afterwards photograph the cathedral’s reflection in the lake of Parc de la Mar below.

one hourall ages€€Source

Castell de Bellver

One of the few round castles in Europe, home to the city museum. From the roof you see the whole Bay of Palma.

🕘 Best time

Late afternoon for the best light; usually closed on Mondays.

📍 Where

On a hill in the west of Palma, bus or on foot through the woods

💡 Tip

Walking up through the pine woods is a lovely half-hour stroll. Climb onto the roof, not just into the courtyard.

one to two hoursall ages€viewsSource

Valldemossa

Mountain village with stone lanes, flower pots and the charterhouse where Chopin and George Sand spent a winter.

🕘 Best time

Before ten in the morning or from late afternoon; tour buses arrive at midday.

📍 Where

Tramuntana, about half an hour north of Palma

💡 Tip

Try a still-warm coca de patata from a bakery and look for the painted tiles of Saint Catalina Thomàs on front doors.

half dayall ages€cobblestonesSource

Tren de Sóller

Historic train with wooden carriages from Palma through thirteen tunnels into Sóller’s orange valley, then on by vintage tram to the harbour.

🕘 Best time

Take the first train of the morning; in winter usually a reduced timetable or a break.

📍 Where

Station on Plaça d’Espanya in Palma

💡 Tip

Shortly before Sóller the train usually stops at the Pujol d’en Banya viewpoint: have your camera ready. Train there, bus back saves time.

full dayall ages€€come earlySource

Mercat de l’Olivar

Palma’s big market hall with fish, cheese, sausage and fruit. Counters inside serve tapas and fresh seafood.

🕘 Best time

Weekday mornings, Saturday is busiest; usually closed on Sundays.

📍 Where

Plaça de l’Olivar, Palma old town

💡 Tip

Ask a stall to let you taste sobrassada and cheese, then build a picnic with fresh bread.

one hourall ages€ to €€Source

Ca’n Joan de s’Aigo

Historic café since seventeen hundred, famous for ensaïmadas, thick hot chocolate and almond ice cream.

🕘 Best time

Mid-morning or afternoon; expect a wait at weekends.

📍 Where

Carrer de Can Sanç, behind Santa Eulàlia church in Palma

💡 Tip

Order an ensaïmada to share and a scoop of almond ice cream to dip it in.

one hourall ages€Source

Sineu market

Weekly market since the Middle Ages in the heart of the island, the only one with live animals, plus fruit, vegetables and crafts.

🕘 Best time

Usually every Wednesday morning; arrive by nine, the animals are there early.

📍 Where

Sineu, centre of the island, about forty minutes from Palma

💡 Tip

Start at the animal market on the lower square, then walk uphill to the stalls. Lunch at a celler in town.

half dayall agesfreeWednesdaysSource

Mercat de Santa Catalina

Palma’s oldest market hall in the former fishermen’s quarter, with bars between the stalls. Old windmills stand next door.

🕘 Best time

Breakfast or lunch on weekdays; usually closed on Sundays.

📍 Where

Santa Catalina district, west of Palma old town

💡 Tip

Order pa amb oli for breakfast at a bar counter, then go and see the Es Jonquet windmills.

one hourall ages€ to €€Source