Mallorca is one of the top summer destinations in Southern Spain. With plenty to see and do, Mallorca is a beautiful choice for anyone looking for a mix of culture, colorful gastronomical experience, and a bit of nature.
While most tourism agencies offer travel packages to the resort area of Mallorca, this beautiful Spanish island is much more than just all-inclusive grand hotels. Located in the Mediterranean, it is the largest island in the Balearic Islands, including pristine beaches, a beautiful mountainous landscape, and several picturesque towns scattered around the island. It is nearly impossible to see everything during one trip, so here are the top things you can do while on your first visit.
Discover Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca is the island’s main city you will most likely fly into if you spend some time traveling around Mallorca. Don’t skip the city thinking that it is just another city not worth exploring. Palma de Mallorca has one of the most enchanting old towns, a beautiful Gothic cathedral, a variety of shopping options, and even more great places to taste Mallorcan cuisine.
If you enjoy art, spend an afternoon exploring the Es Baluard museum of modern art, which has a variety of exhibitions and a beautiful panoramic view of the city from its rooftop. For the best gastronomical experience, head to Mercat 1930, a renewed market offering several different food stalls, from seafood to famous tapas.
Ride the famous Soller train
One of the top attractions is an old train ride from Palma de Mallorca to the town of Soller, located northwest of the island. This train track has been operating and going through the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range since 1912. One look at the vintage wooden carriages and wooden benches, and you can instantly understand why the train has been so popular among tourists.
The Soller train ride takes about an hour and passes through 13 tunnels, beautiful countryside, and the mountainous scenery of Mallorca, giving it a different perspective. From Soller, you can hop on an open-air tram that will take you to a nearby fishing village of Port Soller, which is situated a few kilometers away. Here you can enjoy quality seafood and great views of the Mallorcan seaside.
Go wine tasting
Mallorca is known for quality wines which are not surprising considering the island’s climate and landscape. Currently, there are more than 70 vineyards. Bodega Ribas’s family-owned winery, among the top wineries, is the oldest winery on the island.
Located in the village of Consell, the winery was established in 1711. Here you can take a historical tour of the winery, after which you can spend some time in a beautiful courtyard sampling some of their best wines and tapas. Other notable mentions include Oliver Moragues, 7103 Petit Celler, and Can Axartell.
Visit the famous Pollensa steps
Located around 54 km from Palma, Pollensa is a small scenic town on the north coast of Mallorca. The ancient town is mostly famous for its 365 Calvari steps. The steps go from Pollensa Old Town to the 18th-century chapel, Oratori del Calvari, situated on top of the hill. The climb up the stairs is a bit strenuous, but the views from the top are worth it. Besides the stairs, you can spend time exploring the beautiful cobblestone streets of Pollenca and having an afternoon coffee at one of the cafes.
Hike GR221 trail
You can find many well-maintained walking trails on the whole island of Mallorca. However, the most famous one is GR221, a huge hit among hiking enthusiasts. This ancient 140 km trail starts at Port D’Andratx in the southwest of Mallorca to Pollenca in the northwest. The whole hike takes about eight days to complete and leads through the Tramuntana mountains.
Before roads were built on the island, this walking trail was used by the locals who wanted to walk across the mountains to reach a certain village. Nowadays, the trail is only used by hikers and travelers who enjoy the great adventure of long-distance hiking.
Photo: Video Media Studio Europe/Shutterstock
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