Alcudia

This ancient walled city was the island capital (called Pollentia) under the Roman Empire, making it the oldest city on Mallorca. Situated on the northern edge of the island, Alcudia boasts ruins of an amphitheatre and several columned buildings. The best day to visit is Sunday, when the open-air market convenes.

Palma Cathedral (La Seu)

Construction on this ancient cathedral began in the 1200s and took 300 years to complete. The Gothic iron canopy arching over the main altar was made by Gaudi. The interior is grandiose, with stoic columns and a sweeping vault that stands 150 feet tall. It is situated in Palma's historic quarter with views over the sea.

Bellver Castle (Castell de Bellver)

This fortress in Palma is one of the island's most prominent attractions. The impressive dual-moat protected the castle in antiquity. The castle's name means ‘beautiful view', and visitors who climb to the hilltop castle will understand why. The Municipal Museum is housed inside and boasts a collection of Gothic art and historic artefacts.

Albufera National Park (Parc Natural de l'Albufera)

The island's best natural attraction, Albufera National Park protects a large swath of wetlands and presents a cross-section of the island's wildlife. Birdwatchers will find hundreds of birds onsite, especially waterfowl like flamingos, herons and coots. Reptiles and amphibians also abound.

Mallorca Museum

Housed in the Palau de l'Almudaina, a spectacular, centuries-old Moorish fortress, the Mallorca Museum explores the island's culture and ancient history. The art galleries focus on Baroque paintings, while the archaeological exhibits begin with the pre-Roman civilisation that once lived on the island. The collection of delicate Moorish ceramic pieces is especially popular.

Deia

Deia village is tucked into the mountainous interior and has hung onto its charm despite the island-wide surge in tourism. Narrow streets wind uphill through the village, bringing pedestrians to a rustic cathedral with excellent views of the countryside. An excellent daytrip escape, Deia has plenty of quaint cafés and restaurants to accommodate visitors.

Mallorca caves

The island's most popular natural attraction is its network of nearly 200 limestone caves. The island's earliest inhabitants lived in some of the larger caverns, portions of which have been restored and are open to visitors. Guided tours take in the historical attractions as well as a number of underground lakes fringed by massive stalactites and stalagmites.

Overview

Those who stray from Mallorca's beaches will find a range of historic and cultural attractions on the island. Alcudia was Mallorca's first settlement and still boasts Roman ruins, but the oldest enclave of human activity is in the local network of limestone caves. Palma has several museums, an ancient cathedral and a striking hilltop fortress.

Overview

Mallorca's perennial comfortable climate makes outdoor activities popular in every season. Swimming, jet-skiing, windsurfing and scuba diving keep beach-goers busy, though just as many are content to while away the hours simply soaking up the sun or lounging under a beach umbrella. Golfing, bullfighting and football are all popular sports on the island. Meanwhile, entire families can enjoy outings to Aquacity or Marineland.

Swimming

There's no doubt that Mallorca's expansive coastline is its greatest draw card for tourists. Sunbathing and swimming are accommodated around the coastline, with the most comprehensive facilities including beach umbrellas and chairs found in Palma or around major resort areas. Major hotels and resorts also have swimming pools.

Water sports

The entire gamut of high-octane water sports is available on Mallorca. The beaches at Palma offer the greatest variety, though coastal resorts inevitably operate their own facilities. Windsurfing, jet-skiing and paragliding are popular above-ground sports, while scuba diving keeps visitors engaged underwater. Diving certification courses are widely available for those thinking of taking up the sport.

Marineland

An exciting family attraction, Marineland is an animal park found in Portals Nous. A network of aquariums and crocodile enclosures is onsite, though the most popular attractions are the animal shows. The performing dolphins are the biggest crowd-pleaser, though the troupe of sea lions also generates a strong following.

Aquacity

Another family activity, a trip to Aquacity is a good alternative to a day at the beach. This water park is found in El Arenal (east of the capital) and only opens during the tourist season. Water slides, wave pools and heated relaxation pools are the core of the water-based attractions. Landscaped gardens and a children's petting zoo are also onsite.

Sailing

Mallorca boats several marinas equipped with visitor facilities. Sightseeing and dinner cruises are widely available, and local outfitters can enrol beginners in sailing lessons. Tourists can charter a yacht with or without a crew and head out to sea for independent excursions along remote portions of the coast where fishing, swimming and sunbathing can be enjoyed away from the crowds.

Bullfighting

Bullfighting is a long-established spectator sport on Mallorca, with a prominent bull ring located on Avenue de Gaspar Bennazar in capital city, Palma. Bullfighting is a grisly sport and not for the squeamish. While it generates a great deal of controversy internationally, bullfighting remains a staple of Spanish and Mallorcan culture.

Golfing

Ample facilities await golfers on Mallorca, with more than a dozen courses found across the island. Santa Ponsa, Bendinat, and Son Vida are some of the more prominent greens. Golfers can enjoy driving through picturesque stands of olive trees and panoramic views over the Mediterranean.

Football

The Spanish football league is one of the world's most competitive, and the Mallorcan chapter, Real Club Deportivo, is a strong contender within the league. During football season, twice-monthly matches are held at Son Moix in the football stadium here. Football enthusiasts can get the most out of their holiday by catching one of the season's pivotal matches.

Dining and shopping

Mallorca offers extensive shopping and dining options, with plenty of tourist-oriented establishments huddling around seaside resorts. The best selection of venues is found in Palma, but that isn't to say the rest of the island isn't worth exploring. Excellent restaurants and rustic markets are tucked away in every corner of Mallorca.

The island's dining infrastructure is built up around resorts and key cities like Palma and Soller. Local restaurants specialise in fresh seafood and stretch to include culinary traditions from around the world. Most seaside restaurants offer terraced dining with views of the Mediterranean, and while these establishments boast the most enviable real estate, there are just as many excellent restaurants tucked into the mountainous interior.

Mallorcans follow the Spanish tradition of keeping late hours, and many restaurants don't open for dinner until well after sunset. The tides of tourism have modified this rule to some degree, and some establishments open earlier to cater for international guests.

Local cuisine draws on a unique set of influences. There's a strong Spanish foundation of tapas, layered with hints of Moorish, Jewish and Catalan cuisine added over the years by immigrating cultures. As with many island cultures, Mallorcans have a penchant for wild boar, a favourite ingredient in Mallorcan dishes. Spicy sausages (sobrasada), fish casserole (cassola de peix) and saffron-infused seafood paella are staples of the island. For dessert, look for almond cake and ice cream (gató).

Dinner is followed by a glass of palo de Mallorca, an island liquor. The nightlife picks up in the late hours, when a number of clubs and discos open their doors. For the best parties, look to the resorts along the southern coastline, especially Magaluf, an area known for its English pubs and young, British clientele.

Shopping options on the island are largely tourist-oriented. Boutiques, handicraft markets and gift shops are found anywhere resorts flourish. As with dining out, the most comprehensive shopping districts are found in Palma, department stores and larger shopping centres targeted at local shoppers and tourists alike.

Placa Major, a historic plaza in Palma, dates to the 1800s and hosts a range of excellent shopping venues. Closed to automobiles, this is the perfect place to take a walk and absorb the local culture and architecture while perusing handicrafts, souvenirs and fresh produce in the open-air market. There's a massive, subterranean shopping centre below the square.

Mallorca's second-largest town, Manacor, has been associated with the pearl industry since the 1800s. Visitors come to learn more about the industry as well as to shop for jewellery. The pearl factory on the edge of town is the best place for both, as it offers a guided tour of the facilities and a range of items for sale. Artificial diamonds are also manufactured and sold in the pearl factory.

For a more nostalgic shopping experience, head to the city of Alcudia. The Sunday market here is particularly popular, but there is a nice collection of shops open every day of the week.

Given its long-standing role as a tourist mecca, it comes as no surprise that Mallorca is outfitted with an excellent selection of restaurants. The finest establishments are upmarket and suitable for royalty, although excellent fare can also be found in more modest, local eateries. Mediterranean dishes featuring fresh seafood are especially popular, though most menus incorporate a few Mallorcan options as well.

Overview

Mallorca's international airport is a major gateway into Spain, handling the country's largest throughput during the peak summer months. Charter flights connect to several European destinations and cater especially to package tourists from the UK and France. Ferries also connect the Balearic Islands to the European mainland. On the island, buses, trains and taxis provide public transportation between major towns and tourist attractions.

Airports

Palma de Mallorca International Airport is located a few miles east of Palma city centre and is one of Spain's busiest airports. More than 20 million passengers travel through this facility every year, with the greatest burden of flights arriving during the high season (July and August), when Mallorca becomes the busiest hub in the country. Charter flights connect to numerous international destinations across Western Europe during the high season, while frequent domestic connections are available year-round.

Four terminals serve Mallorca Airport. Terminals C and D handle international flights, while domestic connections are routed through terminals A and B. Facilities are comprehensive and include plenty of ATMs, a bank, currency exchange counters, restaurants and cafés, a post office, a first-aid station and a pharmacy. Several shops are onsite, ranging from boutiques to souvenir stands and duty-free outlets.

Several public buses connect the airport to the city centre. Bus number 25 conducts non-stop service to the city centre (a 25-minute journey) while bus numbers 1 and 17 also provide service to Palma. Taxis are also on hand outside Door D of the Arrivals hall to transport passengers to local destinations, while a hire car is ideal for those planning to stay outside of Palma. Hire car firms in the airport include Betacar, Europa, Hasso and Avis.

Public transportation

It is also possible to arrive on Mallorca by ferry from other Balearic Islands or the Spanish mainland. Routes connect to Ibiza, Valencia, Barcelona, Ciutadella, Denia and Alicante, and the major carriers are Balearia Ferries, Iscoma and Trasmediterranea. Car ferries should be booked well in advance during the peak season, while regular ferries are much easier to arrange. It is also possible to book overnight service from France.

A range of convenient transport options await visitors. A basic railway connects Palma to Sa Pobal, Inca and Manacor, with twice-hourly service available in most cases. Serveis Ferroviaris de Mallorca (SFM) is the sole service provider. An additional scenic route is offered between Palma and Soller onboard a rustic wooden train with a total of six daily departures. This is a great opportunity for tourists to enjoy views of the countryside.

Buses offer limited service across the island, providing transport to portions of the interior that aren't accessible by rail. Tourists are advised that bus drivers will refuse to service those wearing swimsuits. Public bus routes are much more thorough within the city of Palma. In either case, buses depart from the Palma de Mallorca Bus Station. The sightseeing bus targets tourists and offers 24-hour passes for an 80-minute route that takes in most of the major attractions.

Several other tourist-oriented modes of transport exist. Bicycles are widely available for hire, and there are plenty of routes through the countryside. The northwest coastline is particularly scenic. Tourist boats and water taxis travel between coastal resort areas. Regular taxis can also be chartered between most island destinations.