This is why Mallorca is your new favorite island

Mallorca is bigger than you think

What is perhaps most surprising in Mallorca is how large this island is. It is the largest island of the Balearic Islands and is many times larger than Ibiza. If you want to see a lot of this island, a rental car is simply indispensable.

And so you also immediately discover the most complicated issue when planning a holiday to Mallorca: what is the best place to stay? There is no good answer, because if you want to see a lot, you will have to drive a lot, regardless of where you stay.

Although the distances are not so great that it is impossible to oversee. Within an hour and fifteen minutes you are always where you want to be, because a few highways run across the island. It takes longer, but honestly the bumpy back roads are so much more fun to drive that I would stay away from the highways in particular. Mallorca has fantastic roads along the coast. In the extreme south and north you will find the most beautiful roads.

If you are less ambitious and you don’t need to see much, it will be difficult to choose because with almost 600 kilometers of coast and about 200 sandy beaches, there is always a beautiful bay or village nearby. So it really doesn’t matter (as long as you stay away from El Arenal).

Blau Punta Reina: perfect for families

Choosing the southeast coast is a very good idea. And especially if you are in Mallorca with your family. Beautiful beaches are always close by, the capital Palma is less than an hour away and with a handful of charming villages around you, there is something fun to do every day, also for the children.

Next to Cala Estany d’en Mas – better known as Cala Romantica – is Blau Punta Reina, a typical family resort. You can book an all-inclusive holiday here via Corendon.

The location of Blau Punta Reina is one of the reasons to choose this resort. It is located right next to the beach and is beautifully laid out with white houses and orange stone roofs. It is a large resort on a large site, so that each house has a lot of space. Especially the sea view rooms (junior suites) are beautiful. It is an all inclusive concept, you have to love that, but in a very relaxed way.

For small children it is a real paradise with playgrounds, swimming pools, slides and (from four years old) a mini club. Children have also been thought of when it comes to food, with even an extensive kids’ buffet. And if the little ones are having fun, it’s a top holiday for the whole family.

You can walk to the beach via a beautiful coastal path. In the evening, during the golden hour when the sun goes down, it is a wonderful place for a walk.

Things to do in Mallorca

On such a large island it is excellent to drive around and see where you end up. The interior has surprisingly nice villages and you will find beautiful beaches everywhere on the coast. Yet there are a few places that are so nice that you want to see them. A few good tips to do.

1. A day at Palma

Cities on islands usually feel like a village, but Palma de Mallorca is a real city. And it is also a real Spanish city: lots of color, rectangular squares, photogenic, art nouveau architecture and a lot of greenery. Even with a little girl of one and a half years old, it’s a nice city to stroll through: big enough to enjoy yourself for a day and small enough not to even need a plan.

Palma Cathedral – which the Spaniards call La Seu – is the busiest place. And I must say that for a cathedral it is a very imposing building. You can go inside, but a tour around the outside is just as much fun. There is a nice park on the side.

The nicest streets are right next to the cathedral. It is bursting with cool boutiques and terraces. Of course you also want to see Plaça Major, but I would go somewhere else for a drink. Buying handmade jewelry at nice market stalls is very good here.

▸ Tip: we happened to end up at Sa Placeta for lunch – because there was shade, a free table and a high chair – and that turned out to be the best choice in all respects. Everything organic, local, fresh and so tasty. I would save it if you go to Palma.

2. Port de Sóller, jewel in the north

Port de Sóller is located on the north side of the island. It’s busy because yes, it’s also really fun. And just about everyone knows that.

Port de Sóller has a pleasant harbour, a super nice beach and a beautiful boulevard. So you can lie on the beach all day, take a walk along nice shops and grab a terrace in the harbor. A better idea is a combination of those three and you have a great day in Port de Sóller.

There are so many nice places on the boulevard that it may be difficult to choose, but I will make it very easy for you: go for Villa Luisa Sóller (book to be sure) because a typical Spanish lunch does not get better than here. A relaxed setting, trendy decoration and refined but above all exceptionally tasty dishes. Take patatas bravas anyway and you will thank me for this tip for a long time to come. There you can also see the famous old train that runs between Palma and Sóller passing by right in front of you.

3. Visit the market in Santanyí

In my opinion, there are few things more fun than strolling through Spanish (or French) markets. On Wednesday and Saturday there is a market in the town of Santanyí in the south of Mallorca. And that is more than worth driving south for. Santanyí is a beautiful village: authentic and a bit dilapidated here and there, but in a very attractive way. You will immediately fall in love with the terracotta houses with green balcony doors.

You buy exactly what you would expect on the market: jewellery, clothing, handmade accessories, Spanish crockery and local delicacies such as olives, fruit and cheese. It might even be a better plan to see Santanyí without the market, which is a lot quieter anyway, because those stalls attract so many visitors that parking becomes a challenge. As in all these popular places, it is smart to arrive early.

▸ Tip: after the market in Santanyí fancy an afternoon at the beach? Cala Mondrago is not far and is beautiful. There is a nice beach bar, the water is calm and clear and you can park nearby for a few euros.

Travel in Mallorca with small children?

It is about a two-hour flight to Mallorca, which makes this island super easy to reach with small children. You will probably survive those two hours on the plane. It is a very child-friendly island. In every village you will find playgrounds, parks and old people on a bench who are only too happy to play with your little one. And with so many beaches, there’s always a spot nearby to build a sandcastle or get into the water.

Because it is so big it is impossible to see everything in one holiday, so who knows, you may return more often. I would do it again in a heartbeat!