Majorca

The Cathedral of Santa María de Palma

Also known as La Seu, this impressive Gothic cathedral stands in the centre of Palma, the capital of Majorca and remains an architectural masterpiece. Interestingly, it is one of the few cathedrals facing Mecca.

Castillo de Bellver

Set on a hill near Palma, this medieval castle offers panoramic views of the city and houses a museum dedicated to the city.

Sierra de Tramuntana

This impressive mountain range in the northwest of the island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts outstanding natural scenery, charming villages and excellent hiking and cycling trails.

Valldemossa

This picturesque mountain village is famous for its 14th century monastery, where Chopin and George Sand spent a winter. It is also known for its narrow cobbled streets and charming atmosphere.

Cuevas del Drach

These underground caves, located in Manacor on the southeast coast of the island, are one of Majorca's main tourist attractions. You can tour them on foot and by boat and enjoy a classical music concert in an underground lake.

Beaches and coves

Majorca has plenty of white sandy beaches and coves with crystal-clear waters. Some of the most popular are Cala Millor, Cala d'Or, Cala Agulla and Es Trenc.

Historic Alfabia Gardens

The Alfabia Gardens consist of a magnificent house, garden and farm located in Bunyola, in the heart of the Sierra de Tramuntana mountain range. Their history is documented as far back as the time of the Arab rule.

Arab Baths in Palma

These are a well-preserved example of Islamic architecture on the island. These public baths, which were built in the 11th century, show the influence of Islamic architecture and irrigation systems.

Palacio de la Almudaina

Next to Palma Cathedral, this palace was originally built as a Muslim fortress. Although it has undergone alterations over the centuries, elements of its Islamic heritage are still preserved in its structure and design.

Defence towers

Majorca is dotted with coastal defence towers dating back to the Muslim era. The Torre d'en Rovira, in Port de Sóller, and the Torre de Canyamel, on the east coast, were built to defend the island from coastal attacks.

Castell d'Alaró

This ruined castle in the Tramuntana mountain range was originally built by the Muslims as a defensive fortress. Although much of the present structure dates from later times, it still retains its Islamic origins.

Majorcan gastronomy includes a broad range of dishes with a markedly Mediterranean influence. Some examples include ensaimada, a flaky pastry; tumbet, a vegetable stew; sobrasada, a spicy pork cured sausage; coca de trampó, a kind of pizza with bell peppers, tomatoes and onions; and frito mallorquín, a meat and potato stew.

If you are looking for fine dining, Majorca has almost a dozen Michelin-starred restaurants in towns such as Palma, Soller and Llucmajor.

Popular luxury shopping areas include Palma's Paseo del Borne and Avenida Jaume III, known for their designer boutiques and exclusive jewellers. The city's Paseo Marítimo also offers a selection of luxury fashion shops overlooking the sea. In addition, Port Adriano, in the southwest of the island, is an exclusive marina with luxury boutiques and jewellers in a sophisticated setting.

The most common way to get to Mallorca is to fly into Palma de Mallorca airport, which has direct connections to major Spanish and international cities from many European cities. Another alternative is to arrive by ferry from Spanish coastal cities such as Barcelona, Valencia or Denia. During the high season, there are plenty of ferry services available.