Travel Dates: April 2025
Things to do in Mallorca
Mirador Es Pontas – This natural arch is easy to reach with just a short walk. From the end of the road (as shown on Google Maps), it’s about a 5-minute walk. Follow the main path until you reach a fork; take the left trail, marked by a signpost with a red arrow. Continue along the rocky path that descends toward the coast—Es Pontas will appear on your left. We recommend wearing sneakers or hiking boots.
Cala S’Almonia – A beautiful, scenic cove that’s less of a beach and more of a rugged, rocky area perfect for exploring. Parking near the entrance is reserved for residents, but if you drive a bit further down the road, you’ll likely find spots on the side of the road. From the entrance, it’s about a 2-minute walk down a steep, stepped path that leads to the rocky cliffs. We strongly recommend wearing sneakers or hiking shoes for stability. If you plan to swim, use caution—we spotted swarms of jellyfish in the water.
Cala Deià – A charming, small pebbled beach where you can easily spend the whole day soaking up the sun, swimming in the clear water, and watching mountain goats roam nearby. There’s a small restaurant right by the shoreline, perfect for a relaxing meal with a view. The drive down involves a relatively narrow two-way road, so stay alert for oncoming traffic. As you approach, you’ll first come across a small free parking area. If you continue further, you’ll find additional metered parking just a 5-minute walk from the beach.
Carretera de Sa Calobra (Ma-2141) – This mountainous road offers not only stunning views but also a fun, winding drive that driving enthusiasts will appreciate. It’s a two-way road, so be especially cautious around the bends and watch for oncoming traffic. When we visited, there was a biking event, and the road was shared with a lot of cyclists—something to keep in mind depending on the season. A smaller car may be more preferable.
Sa Calobra – If you do the drive on Ma-2141, be sure to stop at this charming village at the end of the road. There’s a paid parking lot about a 5-minute walk from the main village area. We paid €3.90 for an hour (card payments are accepted, but the machine was out of service when we visited—so bring some cash just in case). In the heart of the village, you’ll find several restaurants, souvenir shops, and a paid restroom (€1 per person, card accepted). For stunning coastal views, follow the path to the right of the village; after about 10 minutes, you’ll come across a hidden beach at Torrent de Pareis.
Mirador de Es Colomer – A must-see spot for breathtaking views of the cape. You’ll find gravel parking on both sides of the road, though it can get quite crowded—especially during peak season. Despite the crowds, the panoramic views make it well worth the stop. Be sure to walk the stepped path leading to the observation deck at the northern end for the best vantage point.
We visited several other viewpoints in the area, but none matched the views at Mirador de Es Colomer. If you’re short on time, these can be skipped without much regret. Additionally, parking at these spots is extremely limited—usually only enough space for a few cars.
- Panoràmica cap al de Cap Formentor
- Mirador del Puat
- Mirador Cap de Formentor
Lighthouse of Cap de Formentor – While there is some parking available at the lighthouse, it was extremely crowded when we visited. In our opinion, the hassle of finding parking wasn’t really worth it. However, if you do decide to make the trip, there is a café on site.
Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca – Palma, the capital of Mallorca, is where all the major restaurants and shops are. If you do stop by, be sure to visit the cathedral–it’s truly a sight to behold. For the best vantage point, follow Google Maps to “Ses Voltes.”
Where to eat in Mallorca
Casa Maruka – If you’re feeling adventurous and want to experience traditional, local cuisine, this is the place to be. We tried a variety of dishes, including tapas-styled anchovies, clams in sauce with bits of jamón, thinly sliced corvina fish with a side of mashed eggplant, Mallorca-style snails, and an apple pie (which was more like a crepe with apples on top). Personally, I recommend the corvina fish and the apple pie. They also served a complimentary amuse-bouche—a delicious squash soup. I’d suggest making a reservation, as they open at 8pm and by 9pm, the place was already packed.
Fornet de la Soca – This is a must-visit pastry shop, known for its delicious almond cake and cocarrios vegetales—a savory vegetable-filled pastry similar to an empanada.
Ca’n Joan de S’aigo – Ensaïmadas are a staple pastry in Mallorca. While I’m personally not a fan (it’s a flaky dough dusted with powdered sugar), if you’re eager to try them, I’d recommend this spot. At just €1.90, you can either sit down to enjoy it or grab one to-go.
MDQ Pastelerias – A pastry chain-store in Mallorca, we tried a warm carne empanada and tuna pie, and both were tasty.
Bar Bosch – A no-frills spot popular with locals for drinks, but they also serve great tapas. We ordered garlic shrimp, batatas bravas (spicy potatoes), and a tabla de jamón (Iberian ham charcuterie board-style). The last two were especially delicious and recommended.
Pambolieria Es Pontas – A great spot to eat, right near Mirador Es Pontas. We found street parking just before the restaurant, but there are other parking areas nearby—look out for the blue Parking signs. You don’t need to make a reservation, but I would recommend it during the busy season.
Where to stay in Mallorca
Hilton Mallorca Galatzo – We stayed at this Hilton property due to credits we had to use. The hotel offers a nice view, plenty of free parking, and welcome drinks upon arrival. Our reservation included the breakfast buffet, though it was relatively basic. As Diamond members, we also received a complimentary drink vouchers redeemable at the bar and an upgrade to a spacious suite with two bathrooms.
One thing to note is that the road leading to the hotel is slightly narrow, so be cautious of oncoming traffic.
Other tips when traveling to Mallorca
Driving: The downtown area of Palma has restricted traffic zones and a low-emission zone—driving through without proper authorization can result in a fine. But don’t worry—there are plenty of parking garages around the city center, typically costing around €2 per hour, and you can easily find them using Google Maps. Another tip for driving in Mallorca is to keep an eye out for speed cameras. They’re usually preceded by a warning sign, so stay alert to avoid unexpected tickets.
Payment: Credit cards were widely accepted. However, there were a few instances when card machines weren’t working, so it’s a good idea to carry some euros just in case. Also, tipping wasn’t expected at the restaurants we visited—none of them asked for or prompted a tip.
Adapter: Spain uses Plug C adapter type.
Globe Trotter 