A hit with the international jet set for decades, Mallorca retains its sun-kissed island charm, offering an impressive combination of golden beaches, upscale eateries, action-packed nightlife, ancient architecture, sporting opportunities and chilled-out beach clubs. Many Hollywood A-listers have a soft spot for the island, with Nicole Kidman being the latest celeb to take to Instagram to share with the world that she has been “Loving Mallorca”. Here’s why.
Getting away from it all
When it comes to scenery with the power to take your breath away and make you forget your cares, Mallorca has it all. Mallorca is not just about stunning beaches with gently lapping waves, azure waters and soft, powdery sand – though Mallorca certainly has plenty of those. The island is also home to natural sea pools, waterfalls, rolling grasslands and mountains, with Puig Major, at 1,445 metres, serving as the highest point anywhere in the Balearic Islands. Be prepared for spectacular views.
If the healing power of nature is your priority, then it’s time to enjoy Mallorca’s national parks. From birdsong to the scampering of lizards, you can tune your hearing and other senses into the natural environment in a way that seems unimaginable until you’re in the midst of it.
Mallorca for sport lovers
An island of enormous contrasts, Mallorca not only delivers serene connections to nature, but offers high-octane sporting activities that will leave you fully energised and eager for more. From mountainous cycle routes to kiteboarding to flyboarding (if you haven’t tried it yet, make it a top priority!), Mallorca provides plentiful high-adrenaline fitness opportunities.
The island is also home to an extensive selection of golf courses for those who prefer to exercise at a more sedate pace. The Mediterranean climate lends itself to enjoying time on the fairway almost year-round, making Mallorca a destination of choice for golfers from around the globe.
Of course, as the birthplace of Rafael Nadal, the island is also home to some superb quality tennis courts.
From sea to table
Surrounded by the western Mediterranean Sea, it’s no surprise that Mallorca has a rich gastronomic history when it comes to seafood. What does surprise – and delight – is the sheer variety of eateries to which the island is home.
If you’re after a culinary voyage as part of your travels, Mallorca certainly ticks all the right boxes. You can stop off at charming cafés in mountain villages serving dishes that have been eaten on the island for generations. You can spend the day lazing away in ultra-luxurious beach clubs, with superb cocktails and nibbles delivered directly to your day bed whenever the mood suits you. And you can dine at a wide range of Michelin-starred eateries and other upscale restaurants with glowing recommendations in the latest Michelin guide.
Whatever else you feast on while spending time in Mallorca, be sure to try lightly charred padrón peppers covered with lashings of sea salt, rich and colourful tumbet, hugely flavourful, brothy arròs brut and delicate, spiral-shaped ensaimada pastries. Your tastebuds will thank you for seeking them out.
As day turns to dusk…
As night falls, Mallorca again offers a wide range of ways to enjoy your time on the island. You can sit on a terrace watching the sun go down over the ocean and feeling at one with the world. Or you can head into the capital city Palma to enjoy a plethora of entertainment options well into the small hours. Whether you prefer a quiet glass of wine, dancing the night away in a club, taking in a show or hitting the casino tables, the city has everything you could wish for from a memorable night out.
Architecture to impress
No trip to Palma is complete without stopping to admire the stunning 13th-century Gothic cathedral that locals call La Seu. But if beautiful buildings are your thing, there’s plenty more to discover as you explore the city. The modernist and Art Nouveau-influenced Edifici Casasayas and Pensión Menorquina buildings ooze character, while the grandeur of the aptly named Gran Hotel is well worth gazing upon – as are the outstanding artworks that the building now houses.
If you’re a Gaudí fan, head along to Can Forteza Rey to see how the artist’s style has influenced building design in Mallorca. You can also see Gaudí’s own work within La Seu, where he made a number of interior alterations during the early part of the 20th century (though not as many as he had planned, following artistic differences with the cathedral’s contractor!).
Owning your own piece of Mallorca
Another surprising element about Mallorca is how affordable the island can be for those looking to purchase property there. There are certainly plenty of high-end detached homes with private pools (check out Las Villas de Dalt de Sa Rapita if that’s what you’re after), but Mallorca is also home to far more affordable properties.
In the beautiful Cala D’Or area, for example, which is home to beautiful beaches, small fishing ports, an impressive golf course and a national park, two-bedroom apartments at Compass are available from just €313,000 plus VAT.
Your island, your way
It is Mallorca’s huge diversity that is the most alluring part of its charm – and this is what keeps visitors coming back to the island time and again. Holidaymakers can shape their experience around the things they enjoy most, and Mallorca delivers every time. Quiet beach breaks that restore the soul, high-energy getaways with friends, family breaks for creating magical memories… Mallorca delivers all this and more. As Nicole Kidman posted after her recent visit to the sun-kissed island,
“Beautiful Mallorca! Thank-you for having me, already planning to come back.”
About the Author
Marc Pritchard is Sales and Marketing Director at Taylor Wimpey España and a decades-long Mallorca resident
Further information
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