Mallorca, the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, has seduced travelers for millennia—from Romans and Moors to artists like Miró and Chopin. Today, its UNESCO-listed Serra de Tramuntana mountains, azure coves, and golden-stoned towns frame a capital, Palma de Mallorca, that hums with galleries, markets, and elegant Gothic architecture.

Palma’s La Seu Cathedral, the Almudaina Palace, and the Arab Baths tell a layered story, while neighborhoods like La Lonja and Santa Catalina tempt with vermouth bars and seafood tavernas. Beyond the city, vintage trains rattle toward Sóller, boats skim to hidden calas, and karst landscapes hide the music-haunted Caves of Drach.

Practical notes: Reserve restaurants in high season and carry a light layer for breezy evenings by the sea. Taste the island’s classics—ensaïmada, sobrasada, tumbet, and pa amb oli—and consider a rental car if you love spontaneous detours. Spring and early autumn are ideal; midsummer is vibrant but busy.

Palma de Mallorca

Base yourself in Palma for this 4-day itinerary: it’s compact, walkable, and perfectly placed for day trips to the Serra de Tramuntana and the island’s best beaches. Expect a blend of Gothic spires, modernist facades, and bougainvillea-draped patios where the coffee is strong and the tapas inventive.

Highlights include La Seu Cathedral (a Gaudí-touched Gothic marvel), Bellver Castle’s circular ramparts, the Arab Baths’ palm-shaded courtyard, and contemporary art at Es Baluard. For seaside strolls, head to the Portixol promenade; for food, dive into Mercat de l’Olivar or Santa Catalina’s market halls.

Where to Stay

• Browse a wide range of stays: VRBO Palma de Mallorca | Hotels.com Palma de Mallorca
• Splurge-worthy: Cap Rocat —an extraordinary 19th-century fortress-turned-retreat in Cala Blava with private sea access and cinematic sunsets.
• Great-value, central: Hostal Pons —simple rooms in a historic house near La Lonja and the waterfront.
• Beach resort ease: Iberostar Playa de Palma —beachfront, pools, and a quick ride into the Old Town.

Getting There and Around

• Flights: Frequent 1–2.5 hour hops from Barcelona, Madrid, and many European cities. Compare routes and fares on Omio (Flights in Europe). Expect ~$40–$150 one-way depending on season.
• Ferries: Overnight and daytime ferries from Barcelona and Valencia (6–8 hours). Check schedules and prices on Omio (Ferries in Europe). Typical fares ~$40–$90.
• Airport to Palma: 15–20 min by taxi (~€20–€28) or ~20–25 min on EMT Bus A1 (~€5). In town, walk, use taxis, or TIB buses for day trips. A short-term car rental helps if you want flexible beach-hopping.

Day 1 — Arrival, Palma’s Old Town, and Tapas Night

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs with a gentle loop: Parc de la Mar’s mirror-like lake frames La Seu’s buttresses, then wander lanes to the Arab Baths’ garden and the flower-trimmed patios of La Lonja. Pause at Ca’n Joan de S’Aigo for an ensaïmada and a thick hot chocolate, or almond ice cream if it’s warm—this 18th-century café is a living piece of Mallorcan heritage.

Evening: Start with a vermouth at La Rosa Vermutería & Colmado, then choose dinner: Bar España (standout pintxos, spicy patatas bravas, lively bar energy) or La Bodeguilla (serious wine list, Iberian ham, and stews in a rustic-chic setting). Nightcap at Abaco, a baroque mansion scattered with fruit, flowers, and candlelight—over-the-top in the best way.

Optional activity: Swap DIY tapas for a curated tasting stroll on this self-guided route (includes five gourmet stops and drinks): Gourmet Tapas and Wine Tour in Palma de Mallorca.

Expect early evening start times, ~3 hours, and generous tastings.

Day 2 — Sóller Train, Tram, and Coastal Boat: Mallorca’s Classic Day Out

Full-day experience (no need to split by morning/afternoon/evening): Ride the century-old wooden train through orange groves to Sóller, trundle by tram to Port de Sóller, cruise the sculpted coastline toward Sa Calobra, and wind along dramatic mountain roads. Hotel pickups commonly included; bring swimwear for coves if seas are calm.

Book this well-loved route to maximize your day without logistics:

Mallorca in One Day Sightseeing Tour with Boat Ride and Vintage Train

Typical duration 9–10 hours; plan for an early start. Price range often ~€80–€100 depending on season.

Back in Palma, celebrate with dinner at Marc Fosh (Michelin-starred Mediterranean tasting menus in a former convent; reserve) or Ombu (playful tapas and cocktails steps from the cathedral).

Day 3 — Santa Catalina Market, Midday Sail, and Beach Time

Morning: Coffee at Mistral Coffee Roasters (hand-poured brews and flaky croissants) or La Molienda (island eggs, tostadas with tomato and olive oil, and specialty coffee). Stroll Santa Catalina Market and snack your way through local cheese, jamón, and olives; grab an empanada de cordero or a slice of coca de trampó for an early bite.

Afternoon: Slip out onto the Bay of Palma on a small-group sailing with open bar and light snacks—sunning, snorkeling, and those postcard skyline views: Mallorca Midday or Sunset Sailing with Light Snacks and Open Bar.

It’s usually ~4 hours; bring reef-safe sunscreen. After docking, head to Illetas Beach (10–20 minutes by taxi/bus) for a swim; Balneario Illetas serves grilled fish and sangria with toes-in-sand views.

Evening: Dine at El Camino (counter seating, market-driven tapas like red prawns a la plancha and silky tortilla) or Tast Club (hidden door, clubby ambiance, and classics like octopus with paprika and steak tartare). Cocktails at Ginbo (Mallorca gins and clever infusions) or Brassclub (mixology-forward, intimate).

Day 4 — Caves of Drach, Art, and Departure

Morning: Venture to the island’s east for subterranean wonder at Porto Cristo’s famed caverns. The stalactites mirror off Lake Martel, where you’ll hear a short live classical concert by boat: Caves of Drach Half-Day Tour with Boat Trip and Music Concert.

Expect ~5 hours door-to-door from Palma; tours often include transport.

Afternoon: Back in Palma, graze at Mercat de l’Olivar—oysters at the seafood counters, a cone of jamón ibérico, and a glass of cold verdejo—or choose Patrón Lunares in Santa Catalina for seafood rice and grilled octopus. If time allows, pop into Es Baluard for contemporary art or drive up to Bellver Castle for a last panorama across the bay.

Evening (if you have a late departure): A final seaside stroll along the Portixol promenade with a scoop of gelat de ametlla (almond ice cream), then transfer to the airport or ferry port. If you missed sailing earlier this trip, another superb small-group option with tapas is: Mallorca Catamaran Small Group Cruise with Tapas (4 hours).

Schedule permitting, it’s a breezy way to end your stay.

Need-to-Know Food Notes

• Traditional bites to try: sobrasada on warm bread, tumbet (layered vegetable bake), frito mallorquín (offal and potatoes), and coca de trampó.
• Sweet tooth: ensaïmada (plain or filled with crema or cabello de ángel) and almond cake with local gelato.
• Reservations help at popular spots (El Camino, Marc Fosh, Fera). For markets, go early for the freshest seafood and less crowding.

Alternative or Add-On Experiences

• If seas are glassy and you want a private treat: Private sailing yacht by the Bay of Palma and nearby coves.

  

• Prefer mountains and stone villages: consider a small-group Valldemossa–Deià–Sóller loop for viewpoints and a swim stop: Mallorca Full-Day VIP Tour: Valldemossa, Deià & Sóller.

  

In four days you’ll have skimmed Mallorca’s greatest hits—Gothic Palma, the Serra de Tramuntana by vintage train, the sea by sail, and the island’s underground cathedral of stone. Save space for one last ensaïmada at the airport; it’s the edible postcard you’ll actually enjoy back home.