Mallorca is more than turquoise coves and stone villages—it is the training ground of champions. In Manacor, the Rafa Nadal Academy pairs elite coaching with cutting-edge sports science and a museum that showcases the trophies and mindset of one of tennis’s greatest. A short hop away, Palma de Mallorca layers Gothic architecture, Moorish heritage, and a vibrant food scene.

Across seven days, you’ll sharpen your forehand, recover in a spa, wander medieval lanes, and linger over market-fresh seafood. You’ll also dip into the island’s natural wonders—from the otherworldly Caves of Drach to calm, family-friendly cales (small coves) near Porto Cristo. It’s a tennis holiday with Mediterranean flair.

Practical notes: Mallorca is safe and well-connected; English is widely spoken. Spring and fall are ideal for training (mild temps, fewer crowds). Reserve academy sessions in advance—slots fill fast, especially April–October. Pack court shoes for clay and hard courts, a light jacket for breezy evenings, and reef-safe sunscreen.

Manacor & Rafa Nadal Academy

Inland on Mallorca’s east, Manacor is the hometown of Rafael Nadal and the base for his academy, a modern complex with a mix of Greenset hard and clay courts, a high-performance gym, spa, padel, and the interactive Nadal Museum Xperience. It’s purpose-built for improving your game—whether you’re eyeing match play or tuning your serve.

• Why come: Serious coaching, sport-science support, flexible court time, and companions can enjoy beaches in nearby Porto Cristo.
• Top nearby sights: Caves of Drach (underground lake concert), Cala Anguila and Cala Mendia (gentle coves), the flat Via Verde Manacor–Artà cycling path.
• Eating locally: Classic Mallorcan at Can March (arròs brut, seasonal game), no-frills grilled meats and pa amb oli at Es Cruce (a beloved roadside institution), and harbor-view seafood at Quince Restaurante & Cantina in Porto Cristo.

Where to stay (Manacor/Porto Cristo): For on-site convenience, consider apartments at the academy’s residence; for coastal vibes, look around Porto Cristo or rural fincas. Browse stays on Hotels.com (Manacor) or book villas via VRBO (Manacor).

Palma de Mallorca

Palma, the capital, fans out from the sea to a honeycomb of lanes lined with Gothic spires and Art Nouveau balconies. Visit La Seu Cathedral with its soaring nave and Gaudí interventions, the Moorish Arab Baths, and circular Bellver Castle for bay panoramas. Between sights, Palma’s coffee, markets, and tapas bars shine.

• Top bites: Hot chocolate and ensaimadas at historic Ca’n Joan de S’Aigo, counter-seating tapas at El Camino, creative tasting menus at Michelin-starred Adrián Quetglas, and seafood grazing in Mercat de l’Olivar.
• Beaches & strolls: Sant Pere waterfront, the Portixol–Molinar promenade, and sunset at the Parc de la Mar beneath the cathedral.

Where to stay (Palma): For Old Town access, look near La Seu or La Lonja; for nightlife, Santa Catalina is lively; for quiet sea breezes, Portixol is ideal. Compare hotels on Hotels.com (Palma de Mallorca) or search apartments on VRBO (Palma de Mallorca).

Day 1: Arrive in Palma de Mallorca

Afternoon: Land at PMI and taxi 15–20 minutes into the Old Town. Check in and stretch your legs on a gentle loop: Parc de la Mar’s reflecting pool, the exterior of the Cathedral of La Seu, and the Almudaina ramparts. For a sweet welcome, order hot chocolate and an ensaimada at Ca’n Joan de S’Aigo (founded in the 1700s)—try the almond or apricot fillings.

Evening: Tapas dinner at El Camino (counter-only; book early) where the tortilla comes custardy and the grilled hake sings with olive oil. Alternatives: Bar España (bustling, classic bravas) or terrace dining at De Tokio a Lima (Peruvian-Japanese-Mediterranean). Nightcap at award-winning Ginbo (signature gin & tonics) or the theatrical, baroque Abaco in La Lonja.

Practical: For flights into Palma (PMI), compare options on Omio (Flights). From Barcelona/Valencia, ferries run 6–8 hours—check Omio (Ferries).

Day 2: Palma to Manacor + Nadal Museum & Warm-Up

Morning: Travel to Manacor. The TIB T3 train from Palma’s Estació Intermodal takes about 60 minutes (around €4 with contactless payment); the 401 bus runs ~55 minutes; driving is ~50 minutes. For European rail planning, see Omio (Trains). Check in near the academy—on-site residence for convenience, or Porto Cristo for sea breezes. Browse Hotels.com or VRBO if you prefer more space.

Afternoon: Visit the Rafa Nadal Museum Xperience (plan ~2 hours). See trophies up close, test your reactions on simulators, and trace Rafa’s career through interactive exhibits. Then book a warm-up hit—either a 60–90 minute private lesson (from ~€100–€140) or a self-hit court (from ~€30–€40/hour; reserve ahead). Refuel with a smoothie and protein bowl at the academy’s healthy café.

Evening: Dinner in Manacor at Can March—a local favorite for slow-cooked lamb shoulder, seasonal mushrooms, and traditional arròs brut. If you’re craving sea air, drive 15 minutes to Porto Cristo for fish tacos, paella, and sunset at Quince, followed by a marina stroll.

Day 3: Technique Day at the Rafa Nadal Academy + Caves of Drach

Morning: Dive into an Adult Clinic (often 2–3 hours; à la carte from ~€120–€150 per session, or multi-day programs typically Mon–Fri from ~€1,050–€1,400 depending on inclusions). Expect high-rep drills on footwork, patterns, and heavy forehands, with video feedback. Pre-session fuel: oatmeal, fruit, and espresso at the academy café.

Afternoon: Add strength and mobility in the gym or a recovery swim. Non-tennis companions can tour the Cuevas del Drach (1.5 hours) to see cathedral-sized caverns and the subterranean Lake Martel with a short classical concert; tickets typically ~€16–€18. Light lunch on-site (grilled chicken salad, bowls) or a pa amb oli at a nearby bar.

Evening: Cool off at Cala Anguila, a sandy cove with calm water for an easy post-session float. For dinner, book Es Molí d’en Sopa near Cala Millor—locals come for lobster stew and seafood rice, paired with Mallorcan whites.

Day 4: Drills + Via Verde Manacor–Artà Cycling

Morning: Second coached block focusing on the serve + first ball and transition game. If you’re pairing up, arrange a match play hour under coach supervision for tactical feedback. Post-session recovery: contrast showers and a stretching routine in the spa.

Afternoon: Rent bikes and ride the flat, car-free Via Verde Manacor–Artà (~29 km one way; e-bikes available from local shops in Manacor/Porto Cristo). Stop in Sant Llorenç des Cardassar for espresso and an almond pastry at a family bakery, then continue to Artà’s café-lined main street. Bring water, sun protection, and a small lock; the crushed-gravel surface is beginner-friendly.

Evening: Casual, deeply local dinner at Es Cruce (about 10–15 minutes’ drive toward Vilafranca). Order grilled meats, frit mallorquí, and pa amb oli; prices are modest and portions generous. Back in Manacor, stroll the town center for a quiet night.

Day 5: Final Coaching + Beach Afternoon on the East Coast

Morning: Cap your program with a videoed baseline session or doubles strategy clinic, then schedule a sports massage. Day passes to the academy’s spa and pool are typically available (often ~€25–€35) and make a perfect reset.

Afternoon: Beach hop: adventurous travelers can hike 30–40 minutes to Cala Varques (no services; bring water and sturdy shoes), or opt for easy-access Cala Mendia with a chiringuito and calm swimming.

Evening: Celebrate the week with a destination dinner. For a Michelin-starred splurge, book Voro in Canyamel (about 30 minutes from Manacor) for contemporary Mediterranean tasting menus; or choose seafront terrace dining at Sa Punta (Port Verd) for grilled fish and sea views.

Day 6: Manacor to Palma + Cathedral, Markets, and Castle Views

Morning: Travel back to Palma (train ~60 minutes, bus ~55 minutes, or 50-minute drive). Drop bags and head to La Seu Cathedral; if available, book a rooftop/terrace tour for flying-buttress views over the bay. Cross to the Royal Palace of La Almudaina and the Arab Baths for a window into Palma’s layered past.

Afternoon: Lunch at Mercat de l’Olivar. Grab a stool at Bar del Peix for crispy calamari and razor clams, sample oysters at an ostreria, or pick a seafood platter and have it cooked to order. Later, taxi to Bellver Castle—its unique circular plan frames 360° views—and/or visit the Fundació Miró Mallorca in Cala Major.

Evening: Dinner at Adrián Quetglas (Michelin-star tasting menu that’s excellent value; book ahead). Alternatives: members-club vibe and modern tapas at Tast Club, or chargrilled meats and mallorcan wines at La Rosa Vermutería. Nightcap back at Ginbo or along the Santa Catalina bar strip.

Day 7: Portixol Promenade, Brunch, and Departure

Morning: Walk or cycle the palm-lined Portixol–Molinar promenade as fishermen tidy nets and locals sip cortados. Brunch at La Molienda (specialty coffee, eggs on toast with local sobrasada) or Rosevelvet Bakery (cinnamon rolls, excellent pancakes).

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping on Passeig del Born and around La Lonja; pick up olive oil, flor de sal, and almond turrón. Head to PMI for your afternoon flight—check options on Omio (Flights). If you’re extending, consider a half-day on the vintage Tren de Sóller through orange groves (about 1 hour each way).

Dinner (if time allows before departure): Snack in Santa Catalina’s market—try Bar Joan Frau for paella by the portion and a caña before you go.

Logistics at a glance

• Getting to Mallorca: Fly into PMI (many direct routes; compare on Omio Flights) or take ferries from Barcelona/Valencia (Omio Ferries).
• Palma ↔ Manacor: TIB train T3 (~60 minutes, ~€4) or bus 401 (~55 minutes). Driving affords beach flexibility.
• Budget notes: Nadal Museum ~€18; private lessons ~€100–€140; court hire ~€30–€40/hour; multi-day adult programs typically ~€1,050–€1,400 for the week; Drach Caves ~€16–€18; dinners €15–€30 pp at casual spots to €€€ for tasting menus.

Recommended stays

• Manacor/Porto Cristo: On-site academy residence for zero-commute training days; rural fincas with pools; sea-view apartments in Porto Cristo. Search Hotels.com (Manacor) or VRBO (Manacor).
• Palma: Boutique addresses near La Seu and La Lonja; contemporary stays in Santa Catalina; serene options in Portixol. Compare on Hotels.com (Palma) or find apartments on VRBO (Palma).

In one week you’ll experience Mallorca from the baseline and the boardwalk—honing your strokes at the Rafa Nadal Academy and savoring Palma’s markets, monuments, and sunsets. It’s a well-paced tennis holiday with room for beaches, caves, and memorable meals.