Guide to Majorca

Why Visit Majorca?

Majorca is the largest of Spain's Balearic Islands and one that offers considerably more than its reputation for beaches and sunshine might suggest. There's real variety here, a lively capital city (Palma), mountain villages, coastal coves and a reputable food and wine scene. As our destination expert Robin Tegg puts it:

"Majorca charms travellers with its stunning beaches, vibrant capital city, breathtaking natural landscapes and fabulous climate. Whether you're a couple seeking romance, a family with diverse interests, or a true adventure enthusiast, this is the place for you." 

The island is straightforward to get around, and most areas have enough good places to eat, shop and spend time that you rarely need to plan too far ahead.

Along the coast, the beaches are genuinely impressive and range from long sandy stretches like Es Trenc in the south to quieter coves tucked into the northwest. Many are easy to reach from a villa base, and the water is clear and calm for much of the season. Seafood is well represented on most menus, and harbour towns like Port de Sóller are pleasant places to spend an afternoon without needing much of an agenda.

Inland, the pace slows further. Markets in Pollensa and Santanyí are worth a morning of anyone's time, with good local food, wine and produce on offer. Restaurants tend to be relaxed and family-run, with dishes like slow-roasted suckling pig and local cured meats appearing regularly. The wines from Binissalem, made from grape varieties grown only on the island, are well worth trying.

To explore Majorca in more detail, including the best time to visit, getting there, beaches, food, cultural highlights and places to stay, explore our Guide to Majorca and begin planning a holiday that suits you.

When is the Best Time to Visit Majorca?

With an average of 300 days of sunshine each year, Majorca has a lot going for it weather-wise across much of the year. The majority of our properties are available from April through to early October, which covers the full range of what the island does best, from relaxed spring exploration to busy summer beach days and quieter autumn visits.

Spring and autumn are both excellent times to visit, considerably quieter than the peak summer months and particularly well suited to cycling, walking and getting around at a gentler pace. Temperatures are comfortable rather than intense, and the island feels more like itself without the July and August crowds. Those visiting in late January or February may also catch the almond blossom across the interior, which is one of the quieter pleasures of an early-season visit.

Summer is when Majorca shifts into a higher gear. Temperatures regularly reach 30°C and above, the sea warms up for swimming, and the days are long enough to fit in a great deal. It's worth saving sightseeing for the mornings and the afternoons for the water. As Lonely Planet notes, popular spots including Palma's old town get extremely busy in peak season, so timing visits to the main sights early in the day makes a real difference.

September is widely considered one of the best months to visit, warm weather, a sea that has held its summer temperature, and noticeably fewer visitors than in July and August. It also coincides with harvest season, making it a good time to explore the local food scene and visit one of the island's wineries around Binissalem.

Getting to Majorca & Getting Around

Getting to Majorca is straightforward, with the island very well connected to the UK and the rest of Europe by air. Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) is the island's sole international airport, situated just 8km from the capital, and is one of the busiest in Spain. Direct flights operate from 22 UK airports, with flight time from London just under two and a half hours. 

Majorca is a comfortable island to get around, and most visitors find it easy to navigate once they have their bearings. The road network is good, distances between areas are manageable, and even a drive from the south of the island to the north takes no more than an hour or so. Palma itself is well served by buses and a local train line, and there are regular bus services connecting the main towns and resort areas around the coast. That said, public transport becomes less useful once you venture off the main routes, particularly if you want to reach quieter beaches, inland villages or the more remote corners of the Tramuntana mountains.

Car Hire

For most villa guests, hiring a car is by far the most rewarding way to explore. It gives you the freedom to follow the coastal roads at your own pace, stop at a market or village on a whim, and reach places that simply aren't accessible by bus. We can arrange car hire directly, working with trusted suppliers including Avis, Hertz, Sixt and Enterprise, with a range of vehicles to suit every group size and unlimited mileage as standard. Prices start from £200 per week, and your car can be ready to collect at Palma Airport the moment you land. Speak to one of our specialists to find the right option for your trip.

Culture & History in Sicily

Majorca has a layered history that goes well beyond its reputation as a beach destination. Romans, Moors and Catalan kings have all left their mark on the island, and that heritage is visible throughout: in the architecture of Palma, the walled old town of Alcúdia, the hilltop villages of the interior and the centuries-old churches that punctuate even the smallest communities.

A day trip to Palma is well worth building into any stay. Wandering through the historic district, you encounter a superb range of architectural styles accumulated over centuries, don't miss La Seu, the Gothic golden cathedral perched above the pretty Parc de la Mar, one of the most impressive buildings in Spain. Nearby, the Almudaina Palace was originally built as an Arab fortress during the Islamic rule of the island, later transformed under Catalan-Aragonese rule into a blend of Moorish, Gothic and Renaissance styles. Bellver Castle, a striking circular 14th-century citadel on a wooded hill above the city, offers impressive views across the Bay of Palma and houses a museum of the city's history. The old town also rewards slower exploration, the Arab Baths tucked down a side street are among the few surviving remnants of the Moorish city, and the lively capital has a wide range of restaurants and bars to suit every budget.

Beyond Palma, the north of the island offers some of the most rewarding cultural visits. Alcúdia old town, surrounded by ancient walls, contains archaeological sites, historic monuments, baroque churches and the remains of a Roman amphitheatre. Pollensa, meanwhile, has attracted painters and writers since the early 20th century and remains full of character, with religious buildings, a Roman bridge and a strong arts scene. The Serra de Tramuntana, which runs along the northwest coast, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to some of the island's most dramatic scenery and quietest villages, including Valldemossa, famous for its monastery and its associations with the Polish composer Frédéric Chopin, who spent the winter of 1838 there with the writer George Sand and is said to have composed some of his most celebrated works during his stay.

Best Beaches to Visit in Majorca

Majorca is known for having some of the most beautiful beaches in Spain, and with over 250 dotted around the coastline, there is something to suit every kind of visitor, from long sweeping bays to quiet rocky coves that take a little effort to reach.

Es Trenc on the southern coast is often cited as the island's finest, a largely undeveloped stretch of bright white sand and clear blue water that has been protected from large-scale development for decades. It has a wilder, more natural feel than many of the northern resort beaches and is well worth the drive. In the northwest, Cala Deià is a very different proposition, a small, rocky cove tucked beneath the cliffs of the Tramuntana mountains, reached by a steep walk from the village above. According to Lonely Planet, rustic chiringuitos (quaint snack bars), serve simple meals overlooking the water, and it remains one of the most atmospheric spots on the island.

In the north, the area around Pollença and Alcúdia offers some of the best family-friendly swimming on the island. Horseshoe-shaped Pollença Bay has several stretches of golden shore with fine sand and superb views towards the Formentor Peninsula and the Tramuntana mountains. Those staying in villas near Pollença will also find the beach at Formentor well within reach, a 900-metre stretch of sand surrounded by pine trees with crystal clear water and all the facilities you'd need for a day out, and consistently rated among the best beaches in the whole of the Mediterranean. Further around the bay, the beaches of Alcúdia's bay include Playa de Muro, a largely natural five kilometre stretch with almost no construction along its length, ideal for those looking for space and quiet.

For guests staying in villas near Cala d'Or on the southeast coast, the area around Santanyí offers a string of pretty, sheltered coves including Cala des Moro, compact, postcard-perfect and surrounded by high cliffs, as well as easy access to Es Trenc further along the coast. Our collection of Majorcan beach villas has something to suit every taste, and most are within easy reach of at least one exceptional stretch of coastline.

Food & Drink in Majorca

Majorca has developed a genuinely impressive food scene in recent years, and visitors with an interest in eating well will find plenty to keep them busy. According to See Mallorca, the restaurant scene now rivals top destinations like Madrid and Barcelona, with traditional Majorcanfare being revived alongside a wave of contemporary and fusion restaurants. That said, the island's most satisfying meals are often the simplest, fresh seafood, locally grown vegetables, good olive oil and bread.

Palma is the natural starting point for food lovers, with everything from relaxed tapas bars in the old town to lively rooftop terraces with views across the bay. The Mercat de l'Olivar is well worth a visit for picking up fresh fruit, local cheeses, Iberian ham and sobrassada to take back to the villa, and many restaurants offer a menu del día at lunchtime - three courses and a drink at a fixed price - which is often excellent value. Villas near Pollensa are equally well placed for dining, with the main square offering plenty of alfresco options and the wider area ranging from relaxed cafés to more polished restaurants. For a special occasion in the Tramuntana, Bens d'Avall, perched on the cliffs between Deià and Sóller, combines Michelin-starred Majorcan cooking with some of the most dramatic views on the island. 

On the plate, slow-roasted suckling pig and sobrassada, a soft cured sausage made with local pork and paprika, are both island staples worth seeking out. Pa amb Oli, bread rubbed with tomato and good olive oil, is the everyday snack that says most about the quality of local ingredients. For wine, the Binissalem region produces bottles from grape varieties found nowhere else, including Manto Negro, and a wine tour is well worth arranging. We also offers a range of food and drink experiences including wine tastings and cooking demonstrations at the historic Binicomprat estate, food walking tours in Palma and hands-on cooking classes using traditional Majorcan recipes. For those who would rather leave the cooking to someone else entirely, our range of villas with cook service is well worth exploring.

Where to Stay: Our Villas in Majorca

Our Majorca villas are spread across some of the island's most rewarding areas, giving you the freedom to shape the holiday you want. Choose the north, around Pollensa and Alcúdia, for long sandy beaches, a historic old town and some of the island's best walking and cycling country. Opt for the rural interior and the villages of the Tramuntana mountains for a quieter, more traditional side of the island, with dramatic scenery and charming hilltop communities like Deià. Or base yourself in the south and east, around Cala d'Or and beyond, for sheltered coves, a more relaxed pace and easy access to the unspoilt sands of Es Trenc.

Here are a few suggestions to inspire your search:

• Ca’n Diaz – A pretty and very popular villa set in extensive gardens and just 3 km from Old Pollensa and 6km from beaches.
• Ca’n Piedra  – Ca’n Piedra is a beautifully restored Majorcan farmhouse where refined design, serene gardens and mountain views create an effortlessly tranquil countryside escape.
• Deia Village House - The perfect home away from home, Deià Village House sits in a beautiful location in North West Majorca within very easy reach of amenities in Deià.

To find out more about Majorca, make sure to speak with one of our Villa Specialists or make an enquiry today.