Mallorca is a wonderful destination for a road trip. The largest of the Balearic Islands is home to ancient mountain villages, hidden coves, impressive mountain landscapes and spectacular views. We took a 6-day road trip around Mallorca and in this article I’ll share our itinerary, highlight the sights that impressed me the most and give you tips for an unforgettable road trip on this diverse island.
Flying to Mallorca
There are plenty of direct flights from the Netherlands to Mallorca. You can easily search and compare options online. If possible, go for an early flight. Ours, for example, departed at 07:00, which meant we were in our rental car by 10:00 and had the whole day ahead of us.
Renting a car in Mallorca
Renting a car is the best way to explore Mallorca at your own pace. Make sure to carefully check what’s included in the rental contract, especially when it comes to insurance. A good insurance policy can save you a lot of trouble if something goes wrong. It’s worth choosing a rental that offers full coverage, so you won’t be faced with unexpected costs in case of damage or theft.
Mallorca itinerary day 1 – mountain villages in the Serra de Tramuntana
Our first day on Mallorca is all about mountain villages: we visit Valldemossa, Deià, Port Sóller and Sóller. The routes between the villages are breathtakingly beautiful. The mountainous landscape, winding roads and impressive views make it an absolute joy to drive around this area.
Valldemossa
Valldemossa is often considered one of the most beautiful and charming villages on Mallorca. It’s nestled in the hills of the Serra de Tramuntana, a mountain range in western Mallorca that’s listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The village is full of cobbled streets, old stone houses with green shutters, colourful flower pots and next to every front door, a brightly illustrated biblical tile. Wander through the narrow alleys and be sure to visit the Real Cartuja de Valldemossa, the former Carthusian monastery where composer Frédéric Chopin and writer George Sand stayed during the winter of 1838. A lovely spot for a drink is Can Uetam. From the terrace, you’ll have sweeping views of the valley and a great view of the Església de Sant Bartomeu.
Deià
The next stop on today’s Mallorca route is Deià. It’s a small village, but definitely worth a stroll. For decades, Deià has attracted artists and writers and once you wander through its charming streets, you’ll immediately understand why. In the mood for a drink or maybe a bite to eat? Grab a spot in the cosy courtyard of Cas Peixot or on the terrace of Villaverde Deià, which offers stunning views.
Port de Sóller and Sóller
The charming coastal town of Port de Sóller is our next destination. Here you’ll find a long promenade, a beach and a large harbour, all surrounded by mountains. The biggest attraction is the Orange Express, a historic wooden tram that runs back and forth between the harbour and the nearby town of Sóller. Be sure not to miss exploring the old centre of Sóller, where the tram passes right through the terraces at the Plaça de la Constitució.
Overnight stay in Alaró
We stayed at Alaró Natura Rural Suites in Alaró. The rooms are arranged around a courtyard with a small pool, right in the centre of the village. The breakfast buffet is extensive, featuring plenty of fresh products.
Mallorca itinerary day 2 – Serra de Tramuntana
On the second day of our Mallorca road trip, we stay in the Serra de Tramuntana. Today, we drive the Coll des Reis (Ma-2141), a spectacular mountain pass that takes you to the remote village of Sa Calobra. It’s a beautiful drive, but quite busy with cyclists. In the afternoon, we wander through the charming town of Pollença.
Sa Calobra
Along the countless hairpin bends of the Coll des Reis and the famous 270-degree curve called Nus de sa Corbata, we drive through the stunning mountain landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana to reach Sa Calobra. Along the way, you can stop at various points to enjoy breathtaking views. In the remote coastal village of Sa Calobra, we take a short walk along the coast, through a tunnel carved into the rocks, leading to the small beach of Torrent de Pareis. This narrow pebble beach is squeezed between high cliffs and marks the mouth of a gorge. Truly a hidden gem! Tip: try to arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the buses and boats have left, as it’s much quieter then.
Pollença
In charming Pollença, we stroll through narrow streets, buy souvenirs in quaint shops and enjoy a drink on the lively Plaça Major. Late in the afternoon, we climb the 365 steps of the Calvari stairway (Calvari steps) for a view over Pollença and the surrounding hills. The light at the end of the day is truly beautiful!
Overnight stay in Alcúdia
We stayed at Ona Garden Lago in Alcúdia, within walking distance of the beach. It’s not a trendy accommodation, but it’s solid, spacious and clean, with a large balcony and two bathrooms. A great choice as a base for exploring Cap de Formentor and the surrounding area over several days.
Mallorca itinerary day 3 – Formentor
On the third day of our Mallorca road trip, we head into the mountains one last time. We drive along the beautiful roads of the Formentor peninsula and stop at several viewpoints. In the afternoon, we visit the old town of Alcúdia and in the evening, we return to Formentor for the sunset.
Cap de Formentor
Cap de Formentor is our destination today, the northernmost point of Mallorca. The winding road leading there runs along steep cliffs, offering phenomenal views. Be sure to stop at Mirador de Es Colomer. If you have time, also drive up to the higher viewpoint at Talaia d’Albercutx; from here, you get an even more spectacular view of much of the peninsula. Far de Formentor is the end point of the route. Note: from June 1 to October 31, this road is closed to private vehicles between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. During this period, you can take a shuttle bus from the parking lot at Platja de Formentor to the lighthouse. Don’t forget to enjoy the long sandy beach and the clear waters of Platja de Formentor when you return.
Alcúdia
In the afternoon, we visit Alcúdia. The historic old town is still almost entirely surrounded by city walls. Inside the walls, you’ll find narrow streets, cosy squares, inviting restaurants and truly charming little shops. For a beautiful view over the centre of Alcúdia and the surrounding area, you can walk along parts of the city wall. There are plenty of great places to eat, but if you’re looking for a good Italian restaurant, I can recommend Sa Caseta, located on the charming Placeta de les Verdures.
Mirador de Es Colomer
In the evening, we drive back to Formentor from Alcúdia to watch the sunset. We hesitate between Talaia d’Albercutx and Mirador de Es Colomer, both seem perfect. In the end, we choose the latter. It’s quite busy at the viewpoint, but that doesn’t spoil the experience. The sunset here is easy to watch and photograph!
Overnight stay in Alcúdia
Tonight, we’re staying once again at the same apartment: Ona Garden Lago in Alcúdia. It’s nice to be able to leave your things for once and not have to pack up again the next morning.
Mallorca itinerary day 4 – cala beaches and colorful harbors
On day 4, we head towards the eastern part of Mallorca. From this point on, we’ll be exploring several cala’s: idyllic, hidden coves along the coast. Some require a bit of effort to reach, while others offer convenient parking close by.
Cala Torta, Cala Mitjana o sa Duaia and Cala Estrata
In the northeast of Mallorca, you’ll find three beautiful cala’s: Cala Torta, Cala Mitjana o sa Duaia and Cala Estrata. From the parking area, it’s about a 20-minute walk to Cala Torta. From there, you can follow part of the GR222 hiking trail along the coast to reach the other two cala’s. Each of these coves is stunning and much quieter than many other spots along the coast—precisely because they’re a bit harder to get to.
Punta de Capdepera
A road trip in Mallorca wouldn’t be complete without visiting a few lighthouses. So we head to Punta de Capdepera, home to the Capdepera Lighthouse. It’s wonderfully quiet here, likely because many people skip this spot due to its more remote location.
Portocolom
Portocolom is the perfect place for anyone who loves photographing charming harbors with fishing boats and colorful boathouses tucked below street level, right at the water’s edge. It’s such a photogenic and vibrant spot! On top of that, it’s a great base for exploring the east coast of Mallorca.
Overnight stay in Portocolom
We spend the night in Portocolom, at JS Portocolom Suites. This hotel is fairly new and offers beautiful rooms with all the comfort and luxury you could wish for. The breakfast buffet is extensive and the dinner buffet, which we added for just €2.50 extra, is surprisingly good. Normally, I never go for a hotel buffet, but this time it fits perfectly into our schedule. And let’s be honest: at that price, it’s hard to say no!
Mallorca itinerary day 5 – from hidden cala’s to vibrant Palma
On day 5 of our Mallorca road trip, we visit more cala’s and beaches along the island’s eastern and southeastern coast. This part of Mallorca is clearly more crowded than the area we explored yesterday, but it’s just as beautiful; maybe even more so.
Forat S’Almunia and Caló del Moro
One of the most stunning spots I visit during this Mallorca itinerary is Forat S’Almunia. What an incredible bay! It’s quite busy here, but thanks to the wide open area surrounding the cove, the crowds spread out nicely. From this spot, you can walk along a designated path to Caló del Moro, another idyllic location. Be sure to add both of these coves to your Mallorca bucket list!
Es Trenc
The 2-kilometer-long Es Trenc is one of Mallorca’s most famous beaches. The northern part is the most beautiful, as less seaweed washes ashore there compared to the southern section. Still, I personally prefer to visit the south because you can find the remains of a Roman bath there. It’s a wonderful spot to float in the calm sea. Even if you don’t go into the water, it’s pleasant to sit on one of the sandy edges and enjoy the surroundings.
Cala Pi
Today we visit one last cala: Cala Pi. Many consider this bay to be one of the most beautiful on Mallorca and once you’re here, you’ll immediately understand why. The bay is narrow and deep, with steep cliffs rising dozens of meters high. The water is crystal clear, colorful boathouses line one side and at the far end of the cala, there’s a sandy beach.
Palma de Mallorca
At the end of the day, we drive to Palma de Mallorca, already looking forward to delicious tapas in an authentic little bar or on a lively terrace. First, we take a pleasant city walk, of course past the famous cathedral La Seu, through atmospheric shopping streets and along the Baños Árabes, the Arab Baths. Eventually, we end up in the former fishing district of Santa Catalina, where we enjoy delicious tapas with a modern twist on a cozy terrace.
Overnight stay in Paguera
We stay at Don Carlos in Paguera, about a 20-minute drive from Palma de Mallorca. The rooms are simple and somewhat dated, but the beds are very comfortable and you have everything you need.
Mallorca itinerary day 6 – the quiet southwest of the island
Our last day on Mallorca! We chose to stay at Don Carlos in Paguera because we wanted to visit Andratx before flying back to the Netherlands.
Andratx and Port d’Andratx
Andratx is situated in gently rolling hills in the southwest of Mallorca. Here you’ll find a peaceful, authentic atmosphere with old stone houses, charming narrow streets and small squares. Just a few kilometers away is Port d’Andratx, an elegant seaside town with a marina full of bobbing sailboats, trendy restaurants and great spots for lunch or dinner with sea views. If you visit Andratx, be sure to also explore the harbor.
Flight Back to Amsterdam
It’s time to head to the airport, our Mallorca road trip has come to an end. In just six days, we’ve seen so many beautiful and diverse sights on this versatile island. Seek out the bustling hotspots if that’s your vibe or retreat to the quiet, hidden gems if you prefer. Mallorca truly has something for everyone, with endless possibilities to explore!
