Only a few years back, Mallorca was synonymous purely with beaches and clubs, but this image is changing day by day to embrace the huge variety of activities available to tourists. If you want to discover the true identity of the island, we recommend that you select some (or all) the activities that will allow you to experience the full range of Mallorca’s attractions. Of course, you always need to take into account the type of trip you prefer — you’ll choose different activities if you’re travelling with friends, rather than with your family.
Another factor to consider is how much time you have at your disposal. In a week, you could get to know what the coast with its pretty beaches and coves has to offer, as well as discovering the idyllic, picturesque towns and villages of the Sierra de Tramontana. If your time is limited, a convenient option is to stay near Palma, the island’s capital, and from there go on day trips to see the whole of the island. The most active visitors will particularly enjoy the water sports available in Mallorca; there is a plethora of boating and sailing activities, or you could try paddle boarding, kayaking or diving. And you might be surprised to learn that the island has numerous caves with quite spectacular interiors. Make a note of the Cave of Drach, and put it at the top of your list of Mallorca activities.
- Water and adventure parks in Mallorca
- A visit to the Alfabia Gardens
- Visit to the Caves of Drach and the Caves of Génova
- Guided tours of Palma and its historic monuments
- Diving in Mallorca
- Paddle boarding and kayaking in Mallorca
- Hire a catamaran in Mallorca
- Walking and hiking
- Sailing around the bay of Mallorca
- Quad bike tour
- Explore the Sierra de Tramuntana
- Discover the island’s best-kept secrets
- Tour the island from end to end
- Sail on a catamaran
- Adventure on the coast of Mallorca
- Plans in the Barceló hotels
Water and adventure parks in Mallorca
Holidays are meant to be enjoyed, and if non-stop fun is what appeals to you, you need to include visits to Mallorca’s water and adventure parks in your holiday schedule. Among the most exciting is Jungle Parc Mallorca, an adventure park with zip wires and 134 aerial games. The park is set within a nine-hectare pine forest in the town of Santa Ponsa (Calviá). It offers circuits for children from the age of 4 years upwards, as well as for adults. Make a note also of Marineland, a marine zoo where you can see seals, penguins, sea lions, dolphins, flamingos, and more. You can even try interactive experiences with the animals. To visit Marineland, head for Costa d’en Blanes. Other parks that may interest you include Western Park, Katmandú Park and Aqualand de El Arenal.
We’ve left our favourite till last — the Palma Aquarium, a fantastic aquarium located in the city of Palma itself. And what makes it so special? Its dual functions of leisure and education, as well as the fact that it boasts the largest collection of live coral in Europe. Various experiences are available here: a 3D immersion in an audiovisual room, observing marine creatures from all over the world, strolling around Mediterranean gardens, playing in the jungle, picnicking outdoors, or even… sleeping with sharks!
A visit to the Alfabia Gardens
A not-to-be-missed visit in the Sierra de Tramontana is the Alfabia Gardens; this attraction includes the house, its orchard and beautiful garden. The estate is located in the town of Bunyola, and is mentioned in such books as the “Chronicle of the Visit of their Majesties and Royal Highnesses to the Balearic Islands and Aragon” by Antonio Flores. This work records the trip made to the island by Queen Isabel II in 1860.
The house is a mixture of different architectural styles, including Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic, with vestiges of history to be found in every corner. But don’t just visit the house: wander around the gardens, and see the stunning pergola with fountains dating from the late eighteenth century.
Visit to the Caves of Drach and the Caves of Génova
They could easily escape your notice, but Mallorca has lots of beautiful caves beneath its surface. Two caves that visitors won’t want to miss are the Caves of Drach and the Caves of Génova. At the Caves of Drach, you can cross the Martel lake on your tour; the lake is 117 metres long and 14 metres deep. The lighting designed by the Catalan engineer Carles Buigas adds to the thrill. The Cave of Génova, while less dramatic, is nevertheless worth a visit. It reaches a depth of 36 metres, and has a strikingly beautiful architecture formed by Speleothemas coraloide.
Guided tours of Palma and its historic monuments
Although Palma, Mallorca’s capital, is of a manageable size, it is worth taking a guided tour with an expert to discover its secrets. There are several monuments that simply demand a place on your itinerary. These include Palma Cathedral, the Palace of the Almudaina, the Casal Solleric, the Santa Cruz parish church, the Town Hall, and markets such as Santa Catalina. Don’t rush to see it all: explore the historic quarter at your own pace, and enjoy the sea breeze as you stroll along the seafront promenade.
Diving in Mallorca
Around the Balearic Islands there are some excellent sites for diving, so give it a try during your stay on the island — and discover the marine life. You don’t need to bring your own equipment, because on the island there are scores of companies that will supply equipment, accompany you on your dives, or even introduce you to the sport. A couple of good diving spots are: the rocky islet of Es Faralló, at Cala Ratjada, which reaches a depth of 30 metres and has some very interesting tunnels; then there’s Llebeig in Cabrera, a place known as paradise for grouper fish.
Paddle boarding and kayaking in Mallorca
You don’t need to be an expert or to be super fit, so there’s no excuse not to try paddle boarding or kayaking in Mallorca. Book either of these activities at any of the many beaches or marinas that offer them, and explore Mallorca’s coast from the sea. It is great fun to row close up to the beaches, or in and out of the caves. If the fancy takes you, you can even go for a swim during your expedition. Highly recommended for all ages.
Hire a catamaran in Mallorca
Copying the rich and famous, and taking a selfie or two is as simple as hiring a catamaran to sailing around the island. There are lots of different options, with or without a skipper, with a meal included, or with diving or snorkelling gear… No question, this is a brilliant experience which isn’t at all expensive if you’re with a group of friends. If you’re the romantic type, you may want to book this experience on a sailing boat, and feel like a buccaneer sailing the Mediterranean at sunset.
Walking and hiking
You may not believe it, but walking is one of Mallorca’s most enjoyable and exciting activities. The mountainous terrain of this, the largest of the Balearic Islands, means that there are walking and hiking opportunities for all levels: from easy to highly demanding. Although you can find any number of options at Wikiloc, one trail you should definitely make a note of is the Torrent de Pareis hike, which follows the dry riverbed, ending at the Sa Calobra cove.
Other hikes that may interest you include the Camino del Archiduque [Archduke’s Trail] (11 kilometres) and the Ruta de la Piedra en Seco de la Sierra de Tramontana [Dry Stone Route].
Sailing around the bay of Mallorca
Sailing around Mallorca, sitting quietly on the deck, or listening to the gripping history of the island, is such a pleasurable experience. If you join a sailing trip in the port of Palma, take time before you board to enjoy seeing the wonderful yachts moored there; they will give you an idea of the kind of international clientèle that Mallorca attracts. Have your camera ready, because the Cathedral of Santa María and the entire profile of Palma presents a breathtaking sight from the sea. You will be fascinated by the guides’ explanations of the island’s geology and natural wealth, and you’re sure to enjoy the traditional snacks available on board.
As there are so many different types of boats, take time to choose your favourite, whether it is a traditional ‘llaut’, a sailing boat or a modern yacht.
Quad bike tour
If you’re at the age where you’re looking for adventure, and if the sound of a motor engine fills you with excitement, you’ll enjoy a quad bike tour. We recommend that you book a guided tour so that you can learn all the island’s secrets at first hand. There are tours covering the whole island, circuits through the Sierra de Tramontana, around the western coast, and some departing from Palma itself. As well as riding along the various routes, the tours visit interesting towns and villages, and even allow free time so that you can go for a swim off one of the coves. This Mallorca activity guarantees great fun in good company with lots of laughter.
Explore the Sierra de Tramuntana
The Sierra de Tramuntana is one of Mallorca’s most impressive natural attractions. Running parallel to the island’s northern coast for almost 100 kilometres, this mountain range is rich in flora and fauna, and is home to charming towns and villages and magical, almost secret places. You can explore many of them on the VIP Hidden corners of Tramuntana tour. This five-hour tour provides a detailed insight into the history, culture, landscape and gastronomy of this part of Mallorca.
The tour includes visits to the Valldemosa hermitage, the Miramar monastery (which was once the summer residence of the Archduke Luis Salvador de Austria), and the Sóller oil press, where visitors enjoy a typical Mallorcan lunch.
Discover the island’s best-kept secrets
Mallorca has countless fascinating, hidden nooks. And not only above ground. In fact, it is well worth exploring one or two of the many caves that lie below the island’s surface, due to the limestone rocks that make up a good part of its subsoil, and also to the sustained action of the sea. One amazing activity is the Sea Caving Experience, which allows you to explore one of the few caves in Mallorca which you can swim to without needing to dive. Accompanied by expert guides, you follow a path and then swim for about 200 metres in the sea, which brings you to this wonderful subterranean lake.
Tour the island from end to end
Given Mallorca’s variety of different landscapes and settlements, and because the island has so much to offer, it is worth touring it from end to end. And you can do that by various means of transport, apart from by car or motorbike. And that is precisely what the Tour of the island of Mallorca does, with pick-ups in the south of the island. A full-day excursion departing from Palma takes you to Sóller through the green landscape of the Sierra de Tramuntana on a wooden train. Once you arrive in this pretty, historical town, an old tram takes you to the port area. Then you can travel on to the beach of Sa Calobra or the Torrent de Pareis gorge. The return journey is through the heart of the mountains along scenic, twisting roads.
Sail on a catamaran
Mallorca’s coastline is as impressive as its inland scenery — perhaps even more so. In fact, if you want to fully appreciate the beauty of the island’s shores, you really need to sail around its magnificent coves and cliffs, as well as its coastal towns and main tourist resorts. This four-hour catamaran trip around the Bay of Palma is an excellent way of doing just that. While you admire the shoreline of the Balearic capital and the tourist spots around it, you can enjoy pleasant music, the sun, and the Mediterranean sea breeze, with lunch and drinks on board. You will also have the chance to try snorkelling and to go swimming in one of the coves.
Adventure on the coast of Mallorca
If, after your catamaran expedition, you would like to see more of the delights of Mallorca’s coastline, you can do so while enjoying all kinds of sports activities. Those offered by Coasteering Adventure are irresistible and great fun: swimming in the sea, climbing the cliffs (as well as jumping from them), zip wires, rappel… And you can participate in these activities in complete safety, with the support of the area’s best experts in these sports. To enjoy these activities, just bring your enthusiasm, plus a swimsuit, sports shoes (ideally waterproof or hybrid), a towel and a big bottle of water.
Plans in the Barceló hotels
Barceló hotels can be your ideal holiday partners, as they guarantee a comfortable stay, with superb guest rooms, cuisine and leisure facilities, plus the chance to book a range of experiences outside the hotel.Below, we list some of the Mallorca hotels that can offer you this ideal combination of comfort and adrenaline. Make a note of the Occidental Cala Viñas, a four-star hotel that is perfect for a family holiday, right on the beach front at pretty Cala Viñas — and it offers a U-Spa with thalassotherapy.
In the heart of Palma, yet only 200 metres from the beach, a fantastic choice for cycling enthusiasts is the Occidental Playa de Palma. This hotel offers the opportunity to organise golf or diving activities, or cycling trails in total comfort and safety. And if you’d love to feel the sea breeze from your room, you need to know about the Barceló Ponent Playa, which stands alongside Cala Ferrera.This hotel’s location makes it the perfect option for all kinds of nautical activities.
Finally, the Barceló Illetas Albatros, an Adults Only hotel, is a haven with sea views where you can relax and unwind. As well as direct access to a cove, the hotel offers a restaurant, a swimming pool, and Balinese beds. Sounds good, doesn’t it?
