MALLORCA
Mallorca is a destination brimming with many unique and wonderful places, from the hustle and bustle of the capital Palma de Mallorca to the breathtaking natural wilderness of the UNESCO-listed Serra de Tramuntana. Our guide explores the western and south-west parts of the island. Mallorca gives you many moments to indulge in what is a unique, culturally rich, and a breathtakingly scenic part of the Mediterranean.
Best time to visit: Shoulder seasons are highly recommended for tranquil weather and less-crowded roads, beaches, and restaurants.
Getting around: A car is a must, especially to visit beaches in the east.
EAT/DRINK
Bar Bodega - Biniaraix
Café and Bar serving lunch, dinner (depending on the season), coffee and drinks. This place was our local, we spent time here every weekend.
Bar Bodega Biniaraix is the home of hand-harvested, olive leaf drinking potions and a boutique café set in the beautiful, cobbled streets of Biniaraix, a lovely 30min walk or short drive east of Sóller. A joyous locals café specialising in local artisan wines, vermouths, and whiskies with a concise, regularly changing menu embracing local seasonal organic produce. There is always something fun and delicious happening with frequent collaborations with local and international chefs passing through.
@dosalquemistas https://dosalquemistas.com
Patiki Beach – Port de Sóller
When visiting Port de Sóller, Patiki restaurant is the stand-out option for lunch or dinner. Located on the south side of the Port’s horseshoe, Patiki is another great example of fresh, local produce driven, farm-to-table dining, only it is toes-in-the-sand beach front.
@patikibeach https://www.patikibeach.com
Blai Bar - Port de Sóller
Great for drinks and bar snacks/dishes.
@blai.bar
Ca’s Patro March – Cala Deia
While now highly documented, this seaside restaurant is very much worth the visit for lunch, especially in the shoulder-seasons. Positioned cliffside in Cala Deià, get in early for a table, go for a dip in the crystal-clear blue waters beside the restaurant or bask in the sun on the boat ramp while you wait. Enjoy fresh fish cooked simply by the staggering blue water lapping at the cliffs below your table, it’s these Mediterranean memories that stay with you long after you leave. If you can’t get a table, the more low-key restaurant next door (there are only two) will tick the box for simple fresh seafood by the sea.
@caspatromarch
De Monio – Deià
De Monio is tucked away off the main street of charming Deià. With chic cosy interiors, stop here for homemade ginger and lemon water, coffee, natural wine, and house-made baked treats. Perched on the shelves is a beautiful curation of locally made blown glassware, handmade ceramics, jewels, and natural wines.
@de_monio2020
Ca Na Toneta – Centre/north of the Island)
In the central north of Mallorca lies Ca Na Toneta, a unique dining experience that brings a feminine creative twist to Mallorcan-Mediterranean food, perfect for lunch or dinner. Within the tranquil dining room and courtyard, tables are set with crisp white tablecloths with food served on handmade ceramics also available to purchase at the adjacent shop along with other charming locally made pieces. Settle in for their six-course degustation which is constantly changing using strictly 0km local seasonal produce and thoughtful natural wines. Ca Na Toneta is run by sisters Maria (front of house) and Teresa (leads the kitchen) Solivellas. A family affair, where touch points are evident on the menu, with ‘olive oil from Uncle Pep’ and ‘my mother’s olives’. Highly regarded by the local food and wine industry, Ca Na Toneta is great for an elegant special occasion.
Es Verger – lunch in the mountains
For a rustic and authentic Mallorcan food experience in a no-frills setting, a trip to Es Verger located in the centre of the island and on the southern slopes of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains is a must. Grab a coffee in charming Aalaro on the way and make your way up the windy roads to experience melt-in-your-mouth lamb shoulder that has been slow-cooked in a large woodfire oven. They make their own olive oil and wine and offer a delicious hearty menu showcasing classic Mallorcan dishes. If sitting outside you’ll likely have sheep passing by your table as you gaze into the staggering mountains or inside, the elderly owner will likely be greeting guests, often locals, as they arrive.
More Deià cafe/restaurant/bar recommendations:
El Olivio & Cafe Miro - La Residencia
Xelini
Sa Fonda
Nama
S'Hortet
Palma cafe/restaurant/bar recommendations:
Bar La Sang – (delicious mostly natural) wine bar with great food
Dins Santi Taura – fine dining restaurant
Clandesti Taller Gastronomic – 12 seater restaurant
El Camino
COFFEE
Finding a good coffee in Mallorca is not easy! We’ve set the bar unbelievably high in Australia so having your coffee needs met is an ongoing quest. I loved Nano Coffee Lab (Carrer de Can Asprer, 2) and Mama Carmen’s https://mamacarmen.es, I’d go to either of these every day when in Palma.
Other Palma cafes with good coffee include La Molienda (https://www.lamolienda.es) and Café Riutort, the latter being the perfect example of effortless and contemporary Spanish interiors and menu. @caferiutort
VISIT/DO
ART
For a truly inspiring foray into the world of late multi-faceted artist Joan Miro, the Sert Studio within The Fundacio Miro is worth a visit. Located in Cala Major just outside of Palma, the Sert studio is where he worked and lived for almost 30 years was designed by his friend and architect Josep Lluís Sert. You get a feel for his work though his creative space and the studio is as if he has just stepped out for lunch. Also, if in Sóller, there is permanent smaller exhibition of Miro’s work beneath the train station where you can also find 50 of Picasso’s ceramic pieces too.
HIKE
Mallorca is well known for incredible hikes both along the coast and into the Tramuntana mountains. The GR221 trail which runs along the west coast has many shorter walks within it ranging from 30mins through to many days! My favourites are hikes along the coast, especially around Deià and the trek from Esplores to Banyalbufar ending with a swim at Cala Banyalbufa.
YOGA
For a blissful and rejuvenating yoga class with a view over Fornalutx one of the one of the most picturesque villages on the island, Lisa Axelsson hosts weekly classes on the terrace of Hotel Can Verdera. Lisa also runs boutique yoga and hiking retreats with food by Carlo Letica.
@lisaaxelssonyoga
BOATING
A locals tip is to hire a boat using ‘clickandboat’ app which is the Airbnb for boat hire in Europe and take a boat to Deià https://www.clickandboat.com followed by hike and a cliffside lunch cooked over the coals in the open kitchen Sa Fortdada….although you are really here for the views.
BEACHES
There are so many dazzling, crystal clear beaches in Mallorca. A car (in general) is a must and as always, the shoulder seasons are the best time to visit them. Here are a just a few; Cala Illetes (near Palma), Cala Pi, Cala Llombards, Cala Sa Nau (east side of the island). Port de Soller is an excellent family friendly option and Cala Llucalcari near Deià is heavenly.
VILLAGES
There are many wonderful and inspiring villages in Mallorca with hundreds and hundreds of years of cultural and history on show. Wander through the charming villages of Fornalaux and Sóller (stopping at delicious bakeries for treats like Forn de Barri & La Confiança– try the ensaimada, sweet potato rolls and empanadas….). Valldemossa is also a beautiful and scenic village to visit. Also Santa Catalina near Palma (not so much a cultural village) is great for a night out with many restaurants, bars and a few boutiques.
MARKETS
Visit the local markets that are taking place every day in various villages of the island for delicious olives, cheeses, meats, fish fresh produce or on other days/locations antiques and local crafts.
STAY
There are countless fantastic accommodation options. If not opting for an Airbnb of which are there are beautiful homes to stay, there are many Finca’s (restored farmhouses). Finca son ru (near Deià) and Son Viscos (in Valldemossa) are both great options where the hospitality takes on a home-away-from-home feel. Each peaceful property has 5 bedrooms and are surrounded by lush gardens, picturesque pools and beautiful views of either the sparkling sea and/or staggering mountains. Bright comfortable rooms, beautifully furnished and close proximity to some of my favourite villages and about 30mins to Palma.
Hotel Corazon
Recently opened in June 2023, Hotel Corazon is a 15-bedroom creation by British photographer Kate Bellm and her artist husband Edgar Lopez from Mexico. Located between Deià and Valldemossa, the 15-bedroom hotel, housed in a historic finca building has been designed to draw your attention to the heavenly natural surroundings and local artisans that have contributed to the hotels design details. The bar & restaurant terrace has breathtaking views over the valley and a delicious breakfast/lunch/dinner menu. It is worth a visit even if you are not staying at hotel.
Located a 13min drive west of Sóller.
Es Raco d’Arta
A stunning new hotel in the north-east of the Island.