Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands, the others being Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.

Regions

• Serra de Tramuntana
• Palma (Ciutat)
• Pla de Mallorca
• Raiguer
• Migjorn
• Llevant

Cities

• Palma de Mallorca - Mallorca's main and largest city

• Alcudia
• Cala Ratjada
• Calvia
• Pollença
• Sóller - pretty town set in fantastic mountainous scenery

Other destinations

• Lluc

Understand

Mallorca (3640 sq.km) is known as an easy-to-reach Mekka for friends of sunny beaches. With a coastline of more than 550km in high season, the island is flooded by millions of tourists from all Europe. This is both a blessing and a curse for the inhabitants, and they are well prepared for it and provide a very well-organized tourist infrastructure.

Nevertheless, Mallorca can show even other faces when you leave the coastline and take a look at the inner country. Prices fall with each kilometer you move away from the coast, and reach the usual Spanish standards in the center of the island or even some parts of the mountain area.

Geographically the island can be divided into three parts. The Serra de Tramuntana rocks extend from south-west to north-east, while the Serra de Llevante stretches along the eastern coast. Between them lies the central plain (Llanura del centro).

Talk

The natives speak so-called Mallorquin, a Catalan dialect, sometimes referred to as an independent own language. Of course, everybody speaks Castillian (normal Spanish), too.

In tourist areas, you will frequently come across people speaking English, German, French and other common European languages.

Get there

By plane

There are frequent flights from many European cities to Palma de Mallorca airport. In particular, many of the discount airlines have daily flights.

There are also flights from Menorca and Ibiza, but these are about double the price of the ferries from these islands, and save only about an hour.

From the airport public buses run frequently to central Palma. Many car rental agencies have their offices at the airport.

By boat

You can catch a ferry to Palma de Mallorca from the other Balearic Islands or from several points on the Spanish coast, including Barcelona and Valencia. You can catch a ferry to Alcudia from Menorca.

Get around

Many spots are reachable by bus, but the services are limited on Sundays and in the lower season, as well as during the night.

There is inland train transportation, but mainly limited to Puerto de Sóller, Manacor, Inca and Sineu.

Cars can be hired in many tourist towns, especially along the coast. Unless in high season, when you should book your rental in advance if you want to ensure getting one, hiring a car directly at the airport without reservation shouldn't be any problem at all.

See

• Palma de Mallorca - the island´s capital is worth a trip on its own.
• Serra de Tramuntana - wonderful rough mountain scenery.
• Playa de Palma - the most well-known destination on Mallorca.
• Valldemossa - Georges Sand and Frederic Chopin spent some time in this beautiful village.
• the Caves - several caves are open to the public, the Dragon Caves (Coves del Drach in mallorquin) being the most visited.
• Soller and Port de Soller - Soller is a beautiful town in the mountains and can be reached by a scenic train journey which leaves from Palma. A tram can then be taken from Soller to Port de Soller, which is a local fishing port/harbour.

Do

• Beaches: this is what the most people come for. The main tourist areas are on the southern and eastern coast but places may be crowded in high season. More secluded and quiet beaches can be found on the island but expect a difficult route (e.g. cliffs) and minimal parking.

• Hiking: The Serra de Tramuntana offers some fine trails.

• Cycling: In spring the island's roads are popular with several professional teams in preparation for the next season.

• Palma: the island's capital offers the famous cathedaral as well as a nice city centre to stroll around.

• Golf: Golf in Mallorca is characterised by courses such as the Canyamel, Pula, Son Antem.

• Nature: S'Abulfera is a large salt marsh near the town of Alcudia. Large numbers of bird species can be seen, including many species of heron, waders, ducks and warblers. The cliffs of Fortmentor are good for sea birdwatching and is one of the best places for a chance of seeing the rare Elenora's Falcon.

Eat

Recommend Paella, a saffron falvored dish, especially the seafood version while in Mallorca.

Drink

Drinking is allowed if you are 15 or older. While alcohol is widely sold, pursuant to local laws only bars, restaurants, discoteques and the like are allowed to serve it after midnight.

And, if you're going to the beach in Spain, then you should consider trying the Sangria.

Sleep

Accommodation is mainly for the package-tour tourist who wants a room near the beach. Most of these hotels are cheaper if booked by a travel agent. But there are also some hotels for the individual traveller and there are also many fincas, houses and apartments for rent.

Camping

There are no commercial camp grounds in Mallorca, but there are some recreation areas with toilets and sometimes with showers where camping is allowed.

Villa Rentals

Renting a villa is an excellent, if often expensive, way of enjoying Mallorca's more secluded locations. These are generally found on the western and northern sides of the island. Below are some agencies that offer villas for rent in Mallorca:

• Spain Select Over 25 villas for rent in Mallorca, mainly located between the towns of Deia and Pollensa. Many of the villas are in the luxury class, with private swimmings pools and exclusive locations. There are however some more affordable options. The minimum price of a villa is 1200 euros per week.

• Mallorca Villa Retreats Around 40 private villas and apartments, mainly located around Deia, Soller and Pollensa. Many have private pools and secluded positions, others are apartments in town and farmhouse properties.

• HolidayBank Mallorca Villas A range of villas, mainly with pools throughout Mallorca including Pollensa, Valdemossa, Alcudia, Cala d'Or and Deia. Villas are owned by private individuals and companies.

• The Sóller website offers a selection of holiday rental properties as well as links to local agencies, and local information.

• Bendinat Villa Rental, Mallorca Offering a three-bedroom villa for rent just minutes away from the exclusive Bendinat Golf in the South-West of Mallorca.

Go out

Spanish people go out quite late and, while in the main tourist resorts you can find people drinking and chatting from early hours, you will not see many locals before 24:00.

The main nighttime areas are:

• Magaluf: well known to be the British capital in the island, this is the place for clubbing. Bananas Disco and BCM Empire Disco are a must.
• Palma de Mallorca: most of the places can be found at the Paseo Martimo, the main road by the sea. Pacha and Tito's are the main discos where everybody goes. El Garito, and old bohemian bar now reconverted into trendy club are also worth a visit.