5 DAYS IN MALLORCA : THE ULTIMATE ITINERARY
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This post is a 5 day itinerary for Mallorca, showing you all the best things to so in Mallorca.
Mallorca is a charming Spanish island that boasts turquoise blue waters, secret coves, soft golden sands, lush green foliage, rugged mountains, picturesque villages and a vibrant capital city.
You’re planning on spending 5 days in Mallorca for your next trip? What a great idea!
It can be difficult planning a trip and trying to fit in everything you want to do and see whilst there. I will help you plan your stay with this detailed itinerary to visit Mallorca in 5 days and visit all the must see places of this charming Baleric island.
In addition to the best places to visit each day, I will also give you all my best tips as well as the best places to stay in Mallorca depending on your budget.
So, what are the best things to do during your 4-5 days trip to Mallorca ? Where should you stay?
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This post is a 5 day itinerary for Mallorca, showing you all the best things to so in Mallorca.
GETTING TO MALLORCA
Firstly let’s just clear something up.
Mallorca or Majorca?
You may have seen both spellings. They are the same place. Majorca is the more English way of spelling the islands name and Mallorca is the Spanish ‘correct’ way. I’ll be referring to it as Mallorca throughout this itinerary.
Mallorca is a small island and just has one airport and one main port which are both located in the east of Palma de Mallorca, the capital, which is to the south of the island. Whether you arrive in Mallorca by plane or boat you will arrive in Palma.
The best way to get around the island is to hire a car. To carry out this itinerary the most convenient and time efficient way the car is the way to go but you can also opt for organised tours that have transport included.
If you do decide to rent a car, I recommend using Rentalcars.com which allows you to compare different rental car companies.
By using this site you have the option to add comprehensive protection insurance in case of accident ot theft which is much cheaper than you will be offered at the counter when collecting your car.
To compare car rental prices in Mallorca, click the blue button below.
So how will you be spending your time in Mallorca? Below is a 5 day Mallorca itinerary that’s the perfect blend of exploring and relaxation. There are different options you can choose on some of the days depending on your interests.
There’s also two different options for sleeping.
Use Palma de Mallorca as a base for your trip and travel to and from a hotel there each day. The benefit of this option is you don’t have to pack and repack your belongings each day but you will end up with spending a chunk of your day getting from and to Palma each day
Stay in a hotel near your last stop each day. The obviously benefit to this is less travel time each day and more time to enjoy yourself but the downside is you’ll have to live out of a backpack constantly changing hotels.
The choice is yours on which one you’d rather do and I’ll give you some hotel options for both.
Let’s get in to the itinerary.
DAY 1 : EXPLORING PALMA DE MALLORCA
Palma de Mallorca is the islands capital and to be honest you could spend a week here just by itself so fitting everything in to one day is going to be a squeeze but you can get a feel for the place and do some exploring in just a day.
To see Palma de Mallorca in one day I recommend you start right in the middle of the historic center. One of my most favourite things to do in a new place is to just wander around a little and get a feel for the place. You can wander through the streets in the historic center taking in the local atmosphere and passing by the beautiful squares filled with tourists and locals.
I’ve marked a route on the map which takes you on a beautiful journey through the streets of Palma through Passeig del Born, Sant Miquel, Plaça Mayor, Carrer del Colom, Plaça Cort and Plaça Santa Eulalia.
You should then head to the spectacular sight of Palma de Mallorca Cathedral. It’s one of the largest religious monuments in all of Spain and it’s pretty impressive.
Locally, it’s called La Seu and is built in golden sandstone, in a stunning Catalan Gothic style with a Northern European twist. Inside, standing at an enormous 12 metres high is the largest Gothic rose window in the world!
There can be queues to gain entry to the cathedral, particularly in high season (July and August) so you can book your ticket in advance by buying a skip the queue ticket by clicking the blue button below.
After you’ve visited the cathedral make sure you head down to Parc de la Mer where you will be able to get the best views and photos of the cathedral.
Just next to the cathedral, you’ll find another iconic building in the city - the Royal Palace of La Almudaina which is an official residence of the Spanish royal family. It was rebuilt in 1309 by the King James II of Mallorca. Inside the palace, you can explore the royal apartments, the hall, and the chapel.
Here as well, it’s better to buy your skip-the-line ticket in advance to avoid waiting. Just click on the button below:
BOOKS TO READ ABOUT MALLORCA
Lonely Planet Guide to Mallorca a fantastic guide book detailing all you need to know about visiting this beautiful island.
Take the Kids to Palma is a wonderful book for kids to discover all about this island.
Depending on your interests you can head back in to Old Town for some shopping or sightseeing. A few places you could explore are :
The Arab Baths : these 10th-century baths are virtually all that remain of the Arab city of Medina Mayurqa (now known as Palma). Open : 9am - 7:30pm Cost : €2.50
The Basilica of Saint Francis : the facade of this 13th-century church in Palma (remodelled after it was struck by lightning in the 17th century) is typically Mallorcan - a massive, forbidding sandstone wall with a delicately carved postal and a rose window at the centre. Open : 9am - 12:30pm and 3:10pm - 6pm Cost : €3
After all that walking in the morning and early afternoon it’s time to head out to sea in the late afternoon for some relaxation.
It’s time to escape the hustle and bustle of Palma streets and board a wonderful catamaran and take in a sunset tour.
Setting off late in the day allows you to enjoy a stunning sunset over the entire bay of Palma while enjoying champagne and drinks aboard.
Book your catamaran cruise in Mallorca by clicking on the blue button.
You’ll be staying in Palma today so check out my hotel recommendations for all budgets further down the page.
DAY 2 : SOUTH EAST MALLORCA (SINEU, CAVES & BEACHES)
On your second day of this 5 day trip around Mallorca you’re going to head to the south east of Mallorca. There is a spectacular market, which is the largest on the island that’s held every Wednesday morning in the village of Sineu. Sineu is just a 40 minute drive from Palma.
Obviously if your second day isn’t a Wednesday swap this day with a different day.
The main square in Sineu holds the market and you can buy clothes, bags, jewelry and local crafts. Near the church there is a small fruit and vegetable market.
After your time in Sineu you’re going to drive a little further east to Porto Cristo. There are two famous caves in Mallorca the Drach Caves and the Hams Caves that you can visit on day two of your 5 day Mallorca itinerary.
You could choose to visit both if you want but they are pretty similar. Both have an underground lake where you can enjoy a nice concert on the water and rooms filled with numerous stalactites and stalagmites. It’s up to you to pick the one you fancy visiting.
If you’ve chosen not to rent a car you can book this trip to visit Porto Cristo and the caves with transportation from Palma included. All the information can be found by clicking the button below.
The market and cave visit should have taken up your morning and you’ll be in to early afternoon now. I suggest you head to Parque Natural de Mondrago. It’s a beautiful nature park that you could hike around or if you want to swim in some of the most turquoise waters you’ll ever see head to S’Amarador, an absolutely stunning cove that will take your breath away.
Hop back in your car and drive over to Cala d’Or. (Location here) This beautiful beach resort has several coves that, again, will take your breath away. There is Cala Esmeralda, Cala Gran, Cala Petita and Calo d’es Pou. You can do some shopping in Cala d’Or if you fancy and there are many restaurants if you want to grab a bite to eat in the evening before heading back to Palma for the night.
If you’re staying in Palma today check out my hotel recommendations for all budgets further down the page. If you decide to stay in Cala d‘Or I recommend Prinsotel Alba & Spa
This 4 star stunning hotel offers rooms with balconies overlooking the sea, excellent buffet style meals and a great swimming pool.
DAY 3 : SOUTHERN MALLORCA BEACHES AND COVES
The first two days of this 5 day Mallorca itinerary have been quite jam packed so today is a day you can relax and enjoy some of the best beaches and coves in Europe.
I’m going to recommend a few of my favourite beaches and if you have the energy to visit a few I’d definitely recommend that but if you just fancy a day at one of the beaches feel free to do that instead.
First you’re going to head to Colonia de Sant Jordi, a small seaside resort famous for its Es Trenc beach. Es Trenc beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Mallorca. With it’s fine, white sand and turquoise water you could be mistaken in thinking you were in the caribbean. The water is shallow all along this 2km stretch of beach making it ideal if you are travelling with children.
If you want to explore other beaches in the area some beautiful ones all lined up next to each other are the beaches of Des Dolç, Can Curt, Es Carbo, and Ses Roquetes. Feel free to explore any one of them if you want.
Next you are going to head to Cape Ses Salines (location here) which is only about an hour from Palma. There’s no car park here, but you can leave your car on the side of the road just before you reach the lighthouse at the end of the cape.
From there, you’ll go on foot for approximately 20 minutes along the trail that takes a right turn from the lighthouse and runs alongside the coast. This will lead you to the beautiful and untouched beach of El Caragol. The spot isn’t very touristy, so it’s a great spot to really relax away from the crowds.
There are no facilites here so make sure you have water and snacks if you want to stay a while. That Mallorcan sun get’s pretty hot and you’ll need to keep hydrated!
If you’re staying in Palma today check out my hotel recommendations for all budgets further down the page. If you decide to stay in local to El Caragol I recommend Hotel Isla de Cabrera
This hotel is just 100 metres away from the beach and offers 3 pools, a gym and a spa. There is a paddle tennis court, table tennis and pool table as well as a variety of night entertainment acts.
DAY 4 : TOWNS OF NORTH WEST MALLORCA
After your relaxing on day 3 you should feel ready for a little more exploring. Today you’re going to head to the beautiful town of Valldemossa which is only a short 15-20 minute drive from Palma. This drive takes you into the Tramuntana mountains. Valldemossa is perched on a hilltop, surrounded by terraced terrain.
There is plenty of parking in a big car park just outside the town and you can wander around it’s car-free cobbled alleys and experience all the rich cultural heritage.
After you’ve wandered around Valldemossa head back to your car and drive north for 30 minutes to Soller. There is tons of road parking on the main road as you head into Soller. I recommend parking here and walking the 15 minutes to the town of Soller. Wander around Soller for a while before jumping on the Soller train that will take you through the town to the Port of Soller.
At Port de Soller you can relax on the beautiful white sandy beaches, wander around the port or enjoy a snack at one of the beach front restaurants.
If you’re staying in Palma today check out my hotel recommendations for all budgets further down the page. If you decide to stay near Soller I recommend Fornalutx Petit Hotel
Fornalutx Petit Hotel is a small, charming hotel in the heart of the small village of Fornalutx (560 inhabitants). Located on a quiet, traffic-free street, the hotel’s attractive original building was formerly a convent and once housed the village school. There are just 11 rooms which guarantees a friendly more intimate feeling.
DAY 5 : YOU DECIDE DAY
For your final day of your 5 day Mallorca itinerary there are a few different options depending on your interests.
If you are travelling with children or a family you could go and spend the day at the island’s largest waterpark : Aqualand El Arenal. There are so many pools, water slides and exciting activities to do here you’ll be entertained all day.
To avoid starting the day in a queue you can book your entrance tickets by clicking on the button below:
More family friendly ideas for what you can do today are swinging through the trees at Forestal Park. You can book your tickets here.
Or you could head to the aquarium in Palma. You can book your tickets here.
Nature lovers can head to Sa Dragonera Island. To get to the island you will go to the village of Sant Elm where a boat will take you to the island in about 20 minutes. Sa Dragonera is a nature park where you can explore four different hiking trails ranging from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Whichever trail you choose you’ll be treated to some breataking views of the entire island.
Dragonera means ‘little dragons’ and you will see why this place got it’s name. The island is inhabited by thousands of lizards that you will spot everywhere.
That completes your amazing 5 days in Mallorca.
If you feel this itinerary isn’t jam packed enough for you or perhaps you have more time than just 5 days and you’d like to add more activities I’ve picked out some of the best ones you can do in Mallorca depending on your interests. Click on the links to get your activities booked.
An amazing and unique experience to do in Mallorca is a hot air balloon ride. It’s an absolutely stunning activity that you won’t ever forget.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
An amazing on/off road Buggy tour with an English speaking guide.
A Formula Car tour through the mountains of Tramutana, Palma and Port Andratx
WATER ACTIVITIES
BOAT TRIPS
WHERE TO STAY IN PALMA DE MALLORCA
As I said at the top of this article you can choice to stay in Palma for the whole time with this 5 day Mallorca itinerary or you can choose to stay in hotels around Mallorca. If you choose to stay in Palma here are my recommendations for different budgets and types of traveller.
BUDGET TRAVELLER
The Boc Hostels – City Albergue Juvenil this hostel is located 400 meters from the historic center of Palma and C’an Pere Antoni beach. Dormitory bed from £40 per night. There’s a roof top pool and a kitchen area.
El Josemari Youth Hostel - Albergue Juvenil is only 5 minutes walk from the cathedral. You can get a dorm bed for only £28 per night.
MID RANGE BUDGET
Isla Mallorca and Spa is located in a quiet area of Palma de Mallorca. It has an outdoor swimming pool, spa and chic rooms with flat-screen satellite TV and free Wi-Fi. The promenade is just 5 minutes’ walk away.
Hotel Saratoga is located next to the Es Baluard museum. Modern and spacious double room from £180 per night with breakfast included. There is also a rooftop pool.
LUXURY ACCOMODATION
offers world class service. This resort nestles between the Tramuntana Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. You will receive personal butler service and canopy beds beside the outdoor swimming pool. You can also enjoy a round on the seafront golf course.
this superb luxury hotel is located in the heart of the old town, just 100 meters from the cathedral. You can stay here from £450 per night, breakfast included. There is an amazing spa with hammam and indoor pool as well as an outdoor roof top pool.
MALLORCA ESSENTIALS
Planning a trip to the Costa del Sol? Here are some of the resources and tools I personally use to organise my travel plans to anywhere in Spain.
FLIGHTS : Find the best deals on flights to Mallorca using Skyscanner.
VISAS : Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for Spain and apply for an expedited visa online. Use OneWayFly to obtain proof of onward travel/hotel reservation for your visa application if needed.
TRAVEL INSURANCE : Insure your trip with my preferred insurance for single trip and annual cover HeyMondo
AIRPORT TRANSFER : Pre-book your hotel transfer from Palma Airport.
ACCOMMODATION : Find the best hotel deals in Mallorca on Booking.com.
BUS TICKETS : It is easy to book your transport once you’re in Spain but if you’d like to book in advance you can buy private transfers online through Bookaway .
DAY TRIPS : Find the best city tours and day excursions in Mallorca on Viator or Get Your Guide.
Did you know that …
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