Surroundings Mallorca
Mallorca is a beautiful island for families, sports enthusiasts, nature lovers and life lovers. You will only understand its magic until you have actually been there. Mallorca offers a wonderful climate, picturesque small beaches with crystal clear water and beautiful white sand. But the island also offers lovely villages, great restaurants and the capital Palma de Mallorca is famous for its many luxury shops and its historic cathedral.
Mallorca is part of the Balearic Islands, a Spanish archipelago in the western part of the Mediterranean. With 3618 km2, Mallorca is the largest island of the Balearics, which furthermore consists of Ibiza, Menorca, Formentera, Cabrera and Dragonera. Throughout the centuries the islands were occupied by various rulers, whom each have left their mark on the islands. As a result, the Balearic Islands have become very diverse and you will find a wealth of history and culture.
Practical information
- From Amsterdam Schiphol airport you will fly in a short 2.5 hours to Palma de Mallorca airport.
- There is no time difference between the Netherlands and Mallorca.
- On Mallorca the currency is the Euro.
- The official languages on Mallorca are Spanish and Catalan.
- For a holiday to Mallorca with children, no vaccinations are required or recommended.
- It is best not to drink any tap water on Mallorca. Bottled water is recommended.
When to go?
Spring is the ideal period for active holidays. Nature is then at its best, as everything will be in bloom. In the mountains it will be colder, from May onwards a pleasant temperature to hike and work out. The summer season starts in June with temperatures reaching over 25 degrees Celsius. In July and August, Mallorca will be at its hottest, and temperatures can reach over 35 degrees Celsius. The almost always present sea breeze provides some coolness. In September and October the temperature will gradually drop to 22 degrees Celsius and in October it can rain quite a bit, which will help nature to come to life again. On Mallorca it is never really cold.
Palma de Mallorca
In the lively capital Palma de Mallorca you can wander through the streets of the historic centre. Also, you can have some great food in one of the many restaurants. Practically all the nice streets and interesting sights are located in the centre and are difficult to reach by car. Furthermore, because of the lack of parking lots and the short distances it is advisable to explore the city by foot.
NOTE: In 2014, a new rule was introduced to prevent abusive situations. Therefore, swimwear is only permitted on the beach and the promenade. In the city you will risk a fine if you walk around bare-chested or in a bikini top.
Pollença
Pollença lies between two hills and is characterized by narrow, winding streets that are reminiscent of a Moorish medina. The city has managed to preserve its true authenticity. In Pollença you will find few tourist traps: here you can just enjoy good food for a reasonable price. Most bars and restaurants are located on and around Plaça Major.
Every year in August the main events of Pollença takes place: Festival de Pollença. Many people come to Pollença especially to listen to the classical concerts and jazz music.
Near Pollença you find the port town of Port de Pollença and the Cap de Formentor peninsula. On the other side of the mountain lies Cala San Vincenç, a village consisting of three beautiful little bays next to each other, great for snorkelling or to enjoy the view from one of the terraces.
Cala d’Or
Cala d’Or is built around several bays, with on one side the marina, at Cala Llonga, with the yacht club and the upmarket shops and restaurants. In the middle lies the pedestrian area of Cala d’Or and Cala Gran, with numerous restaurants, shops and pubs. On the other side lie Cala Esmeralda and Cala Ferrera, where mostly families with children enjoy themselves. In Cala d’Or you can go shopping until 11PM and gallivant, have drinks and go out until late into the night. In the third week of May there is a jazz festival in Cala d’Or.
Culture
The mild climate, many hours of sun and the cooling sea breeze invite you to sunbathe, swim and relax, but there is an awful lot more to experience on Mallorca. It is mainly the culture that makes Mallorca so special. You will find the culture in the folk festivals, the architectural styles of churches, monasteries, mansions and palaces, in eating habits, folk music and in the many crafts that are still practiced here.
Nature
Mallorca’s nature is very versatile. In the Serra de Tramuntana you will find picturesque mountain villages and you will be treated to breath-taking views. Along the coast lie the tourist villages and old fishing ports. On the cliffs you will find ruins of watchtowers and you look out over the sea which usually lies there quietly. Tourists enjoy the beautiful bays, sandy beaches and the historic harbour towns. On the hilltops you will find monasteries, churches or chapels, which offer stunning views over the island. The south is the driest part of Mallorca, with olive trees and carob trees, windmills and salines. The flat midland delivers delicious products you can but at local markets.
Birds are and always were there in abundance, permanently and during migration. On Mallorca, over 2000 different species of birds haven been spotted.
Sports
Due to the varied landscape and the coastal area, various sports activities possible could be executed. Mallorca is the ideal location for sports: golf, cycling, diving, fishing, horseback riding etc.
- Cycling. Mallorca is very popular amongst cyclists, annually over 80.000 people come to Mallorca just to cycle, both professionals and amateurs.
- Mountaineering. Climbing routes of various levels can be found at the mountain Sa Gubia, in Bunyola. The locals climb mainly during the weekend in the afternoon. Are you looking for more quietness then go during weekdays in the morning.
- Golf. On Mallorca you can find over 20 beautiful golf courses. Nowhere in Europe you will be able to find so much diversity this close to each other. A total of 396 holes that offer a challenge for every handicap and age.
- Diving & Snorkeling. The underwater world is most beautiful around nature reserves as the archipelago of Cabrera, near Sa Dragonera and El Toro because the sea life there is very diverse. However, you can find beautiful underwater scenes along the rocky coast, even if you only snorkel.
- Water sports.The island is a paradise for water sports fanatics. Sailing, canoeing, windsurfing or cruising on a motorboat. In each coastal town you will find several suppliers.
Art
The many churches, monasteries, chapels, palaces and country houses are works of art in themselves, and often these impressive buildings are filled with paintings, sculptures, ceramics and other artefacts. Most museums are to be found in Palma, galleries you will find everywhere and on many roundabouts you will see a sculpture. World famous artists have worked on Mallorca, such as Picasso, Miró and Gaudí.
With the kids
Mallorca is a fantastic island to go to with children. The many beaches have great fine-grained sand with crystal clear water. But of course there are many more great things to do! For example:
- Waterpark Aqualand El Arenal is with its seventeen attractions a great getaway with the kids.
- Escape from the sun, or even better a rainy day, with a visit to the Palma Aquarium. Suitable both with and without children.
- Experience being Tarzan in the Jungle Parc, located in a wooded area of 9 hectares.
- Check out the baby ostriches or climb on an adult one on ostrich farm Artestruz.
- Swim safely on the beach of Port d’Alcúdia. This area offers one of the longest beaches of the island and is ideal for families with small children, as the water only gradually becomes deeper.
- Imagine yourself as a true knight in the castle ruins of Capdepera. Especially worth a visit during May, because during one weekend there is a medieval market with street theatre and music.
- Discover the wildlife in the Safari Zoo. In this safari park you can make a three kilometre ride in your own car or in a small train, which brings you along the lions, tigers, and giraffes. And before you will know it, a monkey will be hanging on your car!
- With an old-fashioned train to Port de Sóller
- To the beautiful stalactite caves Cuevas de Artá
- Discover the underwater world with a glass-bottom boat.
- A boat trip to the protected islands Cabrera.
Gastronomy
The diversity in landscape and nature can be found back in the crops that are grown and the products that are made. A variety of fruits, vegetables, all kinds of herbs, olives, almonds, honey, wine, fish and meat. Visit one of the many markets and you will be surprised by the indigenous delicacies. Especially the indoor markets in Palma offer ingredients even for the most demanding cook.
The kitchen on Mallorca is a mix of influences from all populations who came throughout the centuries. Seafood and fish are very common on the menu. Meat is usually pork or rabbit. Also chicken, turkey, partridge and quail are eaten here a lot. The best known local specialities are sobrasada (dried sausage made of raw pork, paprika and herbs) and ensaïmada (rolled dough with a little lard and powdered sugar).
Daily schedule
Just like the Spanish mainland, people eat more often than in Northern-Europe. Breakfast exists of a cup of coffee with milk, tea or hot chocolate with toast and around eleven o’clock a second cup of coffee with a sweet roll or pa amb oli: toast with grated tomato. Lunch starts from 14:00 and is the main meal existing of three courses. The lunch menu is called menú del dia and for around €10 you will receive a healthy meal, including water or wine. After that comes the siesta. The tapas arrive on the table between 18:00 and 19:00. From 21:00’s dinner. Many places have tapas evening on Thursday evening. Stroll around through the village and take different tapas in each bar with a drink, for €1.
Mallorca has several distilleries where herbal bitters and liquors are made based on fruits or almonds. Furthermore, the wine culture has flourished during the last fifty years. The winemakers work artisanal. There are two wine regions: DO Binissalem and PO Pla i Llevant. They produce red, white and rosé wines. A single winery also produces cava, a kind of champagne.
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