Mallorca Travel Guide

Known mainly as a summer resort to give some warmth and provide beaches when the summer in northern Europe is raining away, Mallorca is also perfect for more active vacations. The rich and varied landscape is perfect for cycling, hiking or climbing and there are lots of gems for foodies to find outside of the main tourist areas.

One thing to know is that no matter where you want to go on the island, it takes around 40 minutes by car. All major roads go through Palma, and there’s much to see around the Island, so renting one is recommended. This means that unless you really want to have walking distance to a specific area, where you stay is not that important.

Mountain house in Biniaraix, Mallorca

Mountain homes close to Biniaraix.

Eat & Drink

On the surface the food scene on Mallorca might seem lacking. But look under the surface and there are some world class experiences to be found. Many of the more expensive restaurants offer a three course lunch meny providing very good value for the money.

Dessert at Restaurant Santi Taura

Sorbet, yuzu sponge cake and aerated sugar at Restaurant Santi Taura.

Fine Dining

Restaurant Santi Taura

The absolute star among the restaurants on Mallorca is Restaurant Santi Taura. Rumoured to be too affordable to get a Michelin star, the overall experience cannot be measured in Michelin stars. A car is needed to get here and table reservations are mandatory well in advance. This is a must for any visit to the island. Review of Restaurant Santi Taura. Six course dinner €37 plus taxes. Carrer Joan Carles I 48, Lloseta. http://www.restaurantsantitaura.com/ 

Zaranda

The only restaurant with two Michlin stars on Mallorca, Zaranda is a contemporary, high end restaurant using the mallorquin produce and resources. For some, an open mind to eat here as most dishes are based on things like veal tongue, snails, pig trotters, sea urchin, etc.  Tasting menus €100-150, Hotel Castell Son Claret, Carretera Capdella- Galilea, Km. 1.7. http://www.zaranda.es/

Es Molí d’en Bou

Inventive and creative food, actively working with flavour and texture. Tasting menu €130 plus tax. Carrer Liles, Sa Coma. http://www.esmolidenbou.es/

Tristán

Robust but refined cuisine that’s northern European in style by chef Gerhard Schwaiger. Still going strong and not dated at all after 25 years.  Four course dinner €63, three course lunch €29.50. Puerto Portals, Local 1, Calvià. http://tristanportals.com/

Simply Fosh

Located in beautiful surroundings in the Hotel de Convent de la Missió, Simply Fosh provides contemporary, international cuisine. Take a cocktail if you arrive early as they are great. Sometimes it seems as if they try to hard to make the dishes look clean and modern which leaves something else left behind. Three course menu €62, seven course tasting menu €89. 7A Carrer de la Missió, Palma. http://www.simplyfosh.com/

Casual Eating

Es Raco des Teix

Michelin-starred modernised, classic cuisine. No theater or experimental dishes, but a solid menu based on good produce. More of a bistro than fine dining. 6 course tasting menu €100, 6 course lunch menu (incl. cheese) €37. 6 Calle de Sa Vinya Vieja, Deià. http://esracodesteix.es/

Ca’n Boqueta

The chef at Ca’n Boqueta used to work at Restaurant Santi Taura before setting up his own restaurant in Sóller, with a similar concept. 5 course tasting menu €35. 43 Grav Via, Sóller. https://www.facebook.com/can.boqueta

Restaurante Sebastian

Mallorcan fusion food with some asian influences. 2 Carrer de Felip Bauzà, Deià. http://www.restaurantesebastian.com/

Ca’n Quirós

Mainly a fish restaurant. 52 Marina, Port de Sóller. http://www.restaurantecanquiros.com/

Es Faro

Another more traditional fish restaurant in Port de Sóller. Cap Gros de Moleta, Port de Sóller. http://www.restaurantesfaro.es/

Things To Do

 Hiking

Cobble stones on Barranc de Biniarix GR221 Mallorca

Cobble stone path on Barranc de Biniarix (GR221).

The most classic hike on Mallorca is probably The Barranc de Biniarix, a walk up old cobble stone paths to the l’Ofre summit along the GR221 trail. Total ascension is around 1000 meters. Another hike worth checking out is the Torrent de Pareis which incorporates a bit more scrambling to get through some boulder fields.

Climbing

Climbing at Es Verger, Mallorca

Climbing at Es Verger.

Mallorca provides numerous sectors, from easy grades to some quite hard climbing and is very famous for the deep water soloing possibilities, particularly the Cova del Diablo. For the novice climbers S’estret (just south of Valdemossa) provides lots good routes in the 5-6a range.