Mallorca in 7 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

With its beaches, flavours and the excellent disposition of its people, there is truly so much to see and do in Mallorca. From lying in the sun and enjoying its crystal clear waters, to exploring its Moorish and Roman ruins, to its amazing pearls or its caves, this, the largest of the Balearic Islands, is a unique place.

Whether you prefer the beach life or not, you won't fail to fall in love with this dream place. If this is your first visit to the island I assure you that you will come back, and if you already know it, well, it is always worth rediscovering it. If you are thinking of visiting Mallorca, this guide will be of great use to you, since I have selected for you the best activities on the island, grouped in 7 days, so that you can have an idea of an itinerary of pure fun.

Arriving in paradise is an incredible feeling, you have 7 days ahead of you and endless things to do. So, to begin this adventure I suggest you start this first day with a tour of the island.

Hop on a tourist bus

Once on the island, the best way to get to know the city and its main attractions is to get on one of the tourist buses. With the peace of mind of having a specialised guide who will tell you in your own language the details of each of the places you pass by. This type of excursion is very useful for getting in touch with this destination.

On the hop-on hop-off tourist bus of Mallorca you can visit emblematic places on the island, such as the Cathedral-Basilica, with its beautiful Gothic style, the Royal Palace of La Almudaina and some of its beaches and coves, to enjoy the warm, translucent waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

This type of tour allows you to get on and off as many times as you like, and is valid for 24 or up to 48 hours, so it's absolutely worth it, so it is absolutely worth the experience. You will end up with an idea of where each of Mallorca's main attractions are located, which will make things much easier for the rest of your trip.

If it's time for lunch, I recommend stopping in the southern part of Mallorca, in the central district, before continuing. Around the Royal Palace of the Almudaina you will find several restaurants of all styles and for all budgets. If you want to try quality Basque cuisine, I recommend the restaurant La Bóveda, at Carrer de la Botería 3, you won't regret it.

Visit the Cathedral-Basilica of Mallorca or La Seu

Undoubtedly one of the main architectural jewels of the island, and one of those places that you cannot miss if you are passing through Mallorca. Located in the southern part, on the shores of the coast of Palma, this Cathedral-Basilica in the Levantine Gothic style is the most important religious building on the island.

The Cathedral of Mallorca (or La Seu, in Mallorcan) began to be built in the 13th century, during the reign of James II. The views of the Mediterranean Sea from the top are unparalleled. It was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument by Unesco in 1931, and its Gothic-style rose window is the largest in the world. Whether you are a Christian or not, you have to visit it, as the beauty of the place will leave you speechless.

Visit the Almudaina Royal Palace

After visiting the Cathedral, about 300 metres away you will find the Almudaina Royal Palace, also known as the Royal Alcazar of Palma de Mallorca, where you can appreciate all the beauty and charm of the island's Arab past. Although it is of Roman origin, it was built on the basis of the Muslim Alcazar that was begun in the 13th century.

This is the king's summer residence, so you can visit the different rooms and see pieces of royal furniture that are more than 800 years old. An amazing place to visit with children.

Finish this first day in Mallorca with a delicious dinner at the bistro Las Olas, at Carrer de Can Fortuny, 4, also in the central district. The place has options for all tastes, including vegans and coeliacs.

As you can see Mallorca is much more than its paradisiacal beaches and dreamy coves. For this fourth day on the island I propose a varied itinerary.

Visit Bellver Castle

Very close by is another of the places you cannot miss on your visit to Mallorca: Bellver Castle. A surprising circular castle, also in Gothic style, dating from the 14th century. As a curiosity, it is one of the few remaining circular castles in the world, and the oldest.

Here you can visit the History Museum of the city of Palma, and enjoy the incredible views of the Tramuntana mountain range and the port. Its structure is beautiful, making it an ideal place to take some good photographs.

Visit the best of Joan Miró's work at the Miró Foundation Mallorca

Less than 30 minutes away, continue your day with a tour of the works of the Catalan master Joan Miró. Mallorca is home to the Foundation that bears his name, which, like the Montjuic Foundation in Barcelona, celebrates the life and work of Miró.

Here you can appreciate all the talent of one of the best painters of the region and the world, with original paintings and sculptures, audiovisual sectors, where you will learn about the different stages of his work. Of course, you will be able to take home some souvenirs of your visit to the foundation in its highly recommended shop, from reproductions to books with his main works, and much more. The visit is perfect to enjoy with children, since, for Miró, playfulness was always present.

Cala Major Beach

Spend the rest of the day at Cala Major, a place full of comfort, where you can also have lunch at your leisure in one of the many beach bars and restaurants facing the sea. It is a cove with a beach of 200 metres of fine white sand and the most incredible turquoise waters.

After a morning of history and art, there is nothing better than enjoying the sun and the Mediterranean Sea in this idyllic spot. The cove is located very close to the Miró Foundation, so you can reach it on foot in a matter of minutes. You can return to Palma's central district by bus 4, which will take you there in 20 minutes.

End the day with dinner at Erizo de Bar, a restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean that will surprise you with its original menu and affordable prices. Located at Carrer de la Sirena No. 1, on Palma's Paseo Marítimo.

No visit to an island like Mallorca would be complete without a boat trip. There are many options, but if you want to go on one of the best boat tours in Mallorca, I recommend you opt for one of those that last all day. They are always the best choice, as you will be able to enjoy the best coastal areas of the island on a water trip.

Your captain will tell you everything you need to know about Mallorca and the different places you will visit. They also include food and drink, so you don't have to worry about anything, just enjoy.

Some of these tours include a visit to the unspoilt island of Cabrera, and almost all of them include a stop at Cala Vella for a bit of snorkelling, as this area is particularly beautiful for underwater enjoyment.

Start your fourth day with breakfast at La Molienda, definitely the best café in Mallorca. After touring the centre and the main attractions of the city, it's time to see why this is one of the most chosen islands by beach lovers.

Enjoy one of the best beaches in Mallorca: Alcúdia

If you are looking for fine white sand, clear, warm waters and kilometres of beach, then Alcúdia is the place for you. It is the longest of all the beaches in Mallorca, with all the services for your comfort and tranquillity.

Alcúdia is ideal for spending the whole day, and if you get tired of being in the sun, you can visit the port area, where you will find a wide range of restaurants. If you're a seafood lover, this is the place for you.

This beach is ideal for visiting with your children, as they can enjoy diving, water sports and a host of other activities around the Mediterranean. Of course, it is located in the northern region of the island. The best way to get here is by bus, with line 302 you should be here in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. If not, you can always get an Uber.

Visit Puerto Pollensa and Formentor

If you want to visit other of the best beaches in the northern region in the same day, you can take bus 333 or 334, and in less than 20 minutes you will arrive in Pollensa, a place full of charm. Take a stroll around its fishing port and enjoy the seafront promenade.

There you can also go to Cala de Sant Vicenç, an authentic Mallorcan paradise.

A few kilometres further north you will find Formentor beach. Surrounded by pine trees and mountains, this beach is excellent for snorkelling due to its shallow and warm waters. I recommend that you stay to watch the sunset at Formentor, as it is a unique spectacle.

For this fifth day I propose two very different options. On the one hand, a guided tour of the island's wineries and vineyards, and on the other, a high-altitude adventure, travelling more than 70 kilometres in a hot-air balloon.

Discover the surprising world of Mallorcan wine

Take a tour of the island's best wineries. This is undoubtedly one of the best tours to do in Mallorca, as you will discover all the flavour and quality of the local wines in an unbeatable natural setting, while learning about the winemaking process.

The vast majority of these guided tours of Mallorca's vineyards and wineries include a tasting of the different varieties of its wines, as well as some of the best Spanish cheeses and hams, pâté and other delicacies that will leave you ecstatic. An experience for your senses that you cannot miss on your trip to Mallorca.

Thanks to its proximity to the Mediterranean, the flavour of the harvests is usually very particular. That is why some of these tours also include a walk through the olive groves, with the corresponding tasting of olives and extra virgin olive oil. The duration of these tours ranges from 1 hour and 30 minutes to almost 4 hours. An ideal plan for mid-morning.

Take to the skies over Mallorca on a hot-air balloon ride

After filling your stomach and delighting your palate with the tour of vineyards and wineries, I have reserved an adventure for you that will allow you to get to know Mallorca from a new perspective. If you're the kind of person who's up for anything, you can't miss this hot air balloon ride over the best of the island.

With its mountains, coves and beaches, and all the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea unfolding before your eyes, this 2-hour guided tour aboard a hot air balloon is unparalleled. The tour takes off from the northwest portion of the island, so keep this in mind when choosing a winery tour. You'll want to opt for one that is close to this part of the island.

Take a full-day excursion to one of the most amazing places in Mallorca. The labyrinthine caves of Drach are a complex of galleries, which were formed by the action of the Mediterranean Sea over millions of years.

On board a boat you will enter these passages filled with stalactites and stalagmites, until you reach the underground lake Martel. Here you can enjoy a spectacle of lights that move in sync with the music played live by a small orchestra. Let yourself be thrilled by this combination of art and all the charm of nature.

For many years now, caving has become one of the most sought-after activities for visitors. Caving, the act of exploring caves, lakes and underground galleries, is an absolutely different experience, not suitable for people suffering from claustrophobia.

This trip has come to an end, but before packing your bags, I propose a last day in the western region of Mallorca, more specifically to two places that will leave you in love: Valldemossa and Sóller.

Visit the beautiful village of Valldemossa

Located just 17 kilometres from Palma, the capital of Mallorca, this charming village surrounded by mountains has a historical heritage worth visiting.

Here you can discover some of the most picturesque sites on the island, such as the Cartuja, with its beautiful bell tower; the Palace of King Sancho, built by the monarch James II for his son; the gardens of King Juan Carlos; the Chopin Cell, where the composer lived for a time, or the Birthplace of Santa Catalina Thomas. But, beyond these attractions, the simple plan of wandering through the little stone streets of Valldemossa is a real pleasure.

It is the ideal place to stroll and enjoy the nature and history of the region. If it is lunchtime, there is nothing better than a few dishes at the Quitapenas Restaurant. With a mixture of unique flavours and elements typical of Mallorca, this is one of my favourites in Valldemossa.

Discover the charm of Sóller

Finally, just minutes away from Valldemossa is one of the most beautiful villages in Mallorca, and that is Sóller. Leaving Sóller can be a sin, but well, it will only leave you wanting to return, and that is always a good thing.

Surrounded by a valley of orange trees, which perfumes the whole village, Sóller has a curious past and a dazzling beauty. Thanks to its dealings with France, due to the export of its oranges and olive oil, it has received a strong architectural influence from the Gallic country. Although if we are talking about architecture, in Sóller you will be able to see many works by Antoni Gaudí's disciple, Joan Rubió i Bellver. One of the most outstanding is the Church of San Bartolomé, with its neo-Gothic style.

The port of Sóller is another place you must visit, and if you stay the rest of the day, it is the ideal place for a dinner in front of the sea.

To return to Palma, I recommend you take the old wooden train. But be sure to arrive in good time so that you can enjoy the modernist style of the station, a true marvel.

And after a wonderful seven days this tour has come to an end. I hope you found this article useful and that you enjoy Mallorca as much as I did. See you next time!