Mallorca, the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, has spent centuries at the crossroads of Mediterranean trade, conquest, and culture. Romans, Moors, Aragonese rulers, merchants, sailors, monks, artists, and composers all left their mark here, and you can still trace that layered past in Palma’s honey-colored old town, the dry-stone terraces of the Serra de Tramuntana, and the island’s fortified coastal settlements.

What surprises first-time visitors is how varied Mallorca feels for a relatively compact island. In a single week you can move from Gothic cathedrals and elegant city promenades to orange groves in Sóller, cliffside hamlets like Deià and Valldemossa, and the clear shallows of Alcúdia Bay—without spending your whole holiday in transit.

Practically speaking, Mallorca is easy to navigate with a rental car, though Palma’s center is best explored on foot and by taxi. Reserve popular restaurants and boat trips in advance for spring through early autumn, keep beach shoes for rocky coves, and come hungry: local specialties such as pa amb oli, tumbet, sobrasada, fresh seafood, ensaïmada, and almond desserts are reason enough to visit.

Palma de Mallorca

Palma is not merely a gateway city. It is a handsome Mediterranean capital with a mighty Gothic cathedral, old merchant courtyards, Arab bath remnants, stylish boutiques, and a food scene that swings from classic tapas bars to polished modern Mallorcan kitchens.

The city rewards wandering. One lane leads to a shaded square with vermouth and olives; another opens toward sea walls, yacht-filled marinas, and the great sandstone mass of La Seu, whose flying buttresses seem almost too delicate for their scale.

For where to stay, start with VRBO homes in Palma de Mallorca or browse Hotels.com stays in Palma de Mallorca. Strong hotel picks include Cap Rocat for a dramatic former fortress setting above the bay, Hostal Pons for old-Palma character and value, and Iberostar Playa de Palma for an easy beach-based stay with city access.

For arrival logistics, fly into Palma de Mallorca Airport and compare schedules on Omio flights. Airport to central Palma is usually about 15-20 minutes by taxi, roughly €20-€30 depending on traffic and luggage.

Useful Palma activities include the Food Tasting Walking Tour in Palma with a Local, the Palma de Mallorca Private Custom Walking Tour, the Spanish Cooking Experience in Mallorca, and the Palma 2-Hour Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Appetizer and Canapés.

Day 1 - Arrival in Palma de Mallorca

Morning: This is your arrival day, so keep the morning unscheduled and use it for travel. If you land earlier than expected, drop bags and keep your first outing simple rather than trying to force in major sights.

Afternoon: Arrive in Palma, check in, and ease into the island with a gentle old-town walk around Plaça Major, Carrer de Sant Feliu, and the lanes near La Seu Cathedral. If you want an orientation without overthinking routes, the City Sightseeing Palma de Mallorca Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour is a practical first-day choice for getting your bearings.

Evening: Start with coffee and something sweet at Ca'n Joan de s'Aigo, one of Palma’s classic institutions, celebrated for ensaïmada and almond ice cream with deep local roots. For dinner, book La Rosa Vermutería for excellent tapas and vermouth in a lively setting, or try El Camino if you want counter seating and beautifully executed small plates; order grilled artichokes, croquetas, local cheeses, and seasonal seafood if available.

Day 2 - Palma's Historic Core and Seafront

Morning: Begin at La Seu Cathedral, Mallorca’s great Gothic statement, built on the site of a former mosque and later touched by Antoni Gaudí and Miquel Barceló. Pair it with a walk through Parc de la Mar and the nearby Almudaina area, where you can feel how closely Palma’s royal, religious, and maritime histories overlap.

Afternoon: Have lunch at Bar España, a long-running favorite for classic tapas, jamón, padrón peppers, and generous portions that suit a midday pause. Afterward, explore the Arab Baths and the old Jewish quarter streets, then linger in shaded courtyards and small design shops before making your way toward the Passeig del Born.

Evening: For sunset, stroll the marina and sea promenade, where Palma softens into a golden wash of stone and water. Dinner at Fera is ideal for a more refined evening, with Mediterranean-Asian influences and strong tasting menus, while Forn de Sant Joan offers a polished but relaxed setting in a historic building with dependable rice dishes and fish.

Day 3 - Food, Markets, and a Taste of Mallorcan Life

Morning: Have breakfast at Mistral Coffee, known for serious coffee and a clean modern approach that is welcome after a long dinner the night before. Then join the Food Tasting Walking Tour in Palma with a Local, which is a smart way to understand local ingredients, pastries, cured meats, olive oils, and neighborhood food culture beyond the obvious tourist stops.

Afternoon: Continue with a market-focused lunch at Mercat de l’Olivar, where you can assemble a fine meal from seafood counters, tapas stalls, and produce vendors. Look for fresh oysters, grilled prawns, or a simple plate of tomato-rubbed bread with local ham; this market works well because it shows the island’s cuisine in raw form rather than only in restaurant presentations.

Evening: If you enjoy hands-on experiences, reserve the Spanish Cooking Experience in Mallorca in a restored 16th-century windmill. It is more than a class; it gives context to dishes you will keep encountering all week, from sofrito-based cooking to the balance of sea, orchard, and pantry that defines Mallorcan food.

Day 4 - Serra de Tramuntana Day Trip: Valldemossa, Deià and Sóller

This is the day to see Mallorca’s mountainous west in one sweeping arc. The easiest option is the Mallorca Full-Day VIP Tour: Valldemossa, Deià & Sóller Experience, a strong choice because it combines major highlights with views, village time, and less logistical stress on narrow mountain roads.

If you prefer to explore independently, take an early drive or taxi/train combination westward and start in Valldemossa, where stone lanes, flower pots, and the Carthusian monastery recall the famous winter of Chopin and George Sand. Continue to Deià for cliffside scenery and an atmospheric lunch, then finish in Sóller and Port de Sóller, where orange groves, elegant town architecture, and the seafront tram evoke a slower Mediterranean age.

For lunch, Ca'n Molinas in Valldemossa is beloved for pastries, coca de patata, and light savory fare, while in Sóller, Café Sóller and nearby local spots around Plaça Constitució make an easy stop. Back in Palma for dinner, keep it relaxed with pa amb oli and local wine at Celler Sa Premsa, a historic dining room known for traditional Mallorcan cooking and old-school character.

Alcúdia

For the second base, head north to Alcúdia, where Roman history, medieval walls, long beaches, and access to dramatic coves all come together. It is a superb contrast to Palma: less urban, more open to sea and countryside, with easier access to swimming, kayaking, and the gentler rhythm many travelers imagine when they picture a Balearic holiday.

The old town is enclosed by walls you can still walk, and nearby Port d’Alcúdia opens onto a vast bay of shallow, clear water. This region also puts you within reach of Can Picafort, adventure tours, and beautiful north-coast scenery without needing to cross the island each day.

For accommodation, compare VRBO homes in Alcúdia and Hotels.com stays in Alcúdia. If you want to remain in one Mallorca-wide search instead, you can also browse Cap Rocat, Hostal Atlanta, and Iberostar Playa de Palma as island alternatives.

Travel from Palma to Alcúdia is simplest by rental car or bus. Driving usually takes about 50-60 minutes; buses generally take around 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes depending on the route. Compare public transport on Omio buses in Europe.

Excellent north-coast activities include the 3-Hour Beach Horse Riding to Discover the Beauty of Alcudia Bay and the Mallorca: Kayaking, Sea Cave, Cliff Jumping & Snorkel Tour.

Day 5 - Transfer to Alcúdia and the Old Town

Morning: Depart Palma after breakfast and travel to Alcúdia. If you have time before leaving, grab coffee and a pastry at Riutort in Palma; once on the road, the route north gives you a good sense of how quickly Mallorca changes from city to agricultural plain to coastal settlement.

Afternoon: Check in and explore Alcúdia Old Town, whose walls, gates, and narrow streets preserve the feel of a strategic medieval settlement. Have lunch at Can Costa Celler, a reliable local address for roast meats, rice dishes, and Mallorcan classics served in a rustic setting that suits the town’s history.

Evening: Walk the ramparts near sunset for views over rooftops toward the bay and countryside. For dinner, book Restaurante Sa Mossegada or a similarly well-regarded local table in town and focus on grilled fish, seasonal vegetables, and local wine; the old town after dark is quieter than Palma and all the better for it.

Day 6 - Bay of Alcúdia Adventure Day

Morning: Start with breakfast at a café in Port d’Alcúdia or Can Picafort, then head into the north-coast landscape with the Mallorca: Kayaking, Sea Cave, Cliff Jumping & Snorkel Tour. This is one of the best active excursions on the island because it combines several experiences in one outing and shows off the rugged side of Mallorca beyond the postcard beaches.

Afternoon: After the tour, recover with a late lunch by the water. In Port d’Alcúdia, choose a seafood-focused restaurant and keep it simple with fried small fish, grilled calamari, or arroz marinero; after a physically active morning, the point is freshness rather than formality.

Evening: Spend the evening on Platja d’Alcúdia, where the long strand and shallow water make for a gentle sunset walk. If you prefer a different style of outing, the 3-Hour Beach Horse Riding to Discover the Beauty of Alcudia Bay is a memorable alternative, especially for travelers who want scenery without a full adrenaline program.

Day 7 - Coves or Caves, Then Departure

Morning: For your final full stretch, choose between two excellent half-day experiences depending on your taste. If you want brilliant water and hidden inlets, go for the Cala des Moro & Hidden Coves Paddleboard Snorkel Tour; if you prefer geology and one of Mallorca’s most famous attractions, choose the Caves of Drach Half-Day Tour with Boat Trip and Music Concert.

Afternoon: Have an early lunch before heading to the airport or back to Palma for departure. A final meal of pa amb oli, local cheese, olives, and an ensaïmada to go is the right farewell—simple, regional, and tied to the island’s agricultural soul.

Evening: Departure. If your flight leaves later than expected, allow generous time for the drive back to Palma Airport, usually around 45-50 minutes from Alcúdia in normal traffic.

This Mallorca itinerary gives you a satisfying week of city culture, mountain villages, and Mediterranean coastline without constant hotel changes. You will leave having seen the island’s great hits—Palma, the Serra de Tramuntana, and Alcúdia Bay—while still eating well enough, swimming often enough, and wandering slowly enough for Mallorca to feel like more than a checklist.