(Last Updated On: April 24, 2018)

Off season Mallorca will steal your heart. Discover unique things to do in Mallorca and decide which of the best places to stay in Mallorca is a fit.

Don’t you love it when you arrive at a destination you’ve never visited and right away you can’t believe your luck? Off season Mallorca was like that for us. We discovered unique things to do in Mallorca which were much more fun in the off season when we didn’t have to share them with crowds of tourists. And, we developed our own ideas about the best places to stay in Mallorca which counter the objections many people have about an island which attracts tons of Northern European tourists in the high season.

“I live where I would like to live. I live in Mallorca, Spain, and I am not sure there are better places.” Rafael Nadal

Redeeming timeshare exchanges can be somewhat of a crapshoot. When a place in off season Mallorca popped up, budget plane fare sealed the deal. Our hearts were stolen by this Mediterranean island, as others have been. But we realize we were lucky enough to get an experience many (and there are very many in high season!) visitors never have.

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To commemorate, we’ve recently published this handsome calendar (pictured at left) with our favorite images of Mallorca. Click here for for details and purchase information.

We spent two weeks on Mallorca and found it fairly easy to find our way around. Driving on the right cancelled out the language issues. (Hint: even though native Mallorcans speak a Catalán dialect as their first language, your high school Spanish will do just fine.)

We tried to get to opposite sides of the island during our stay and succeeded. Mallorca is divided into regional districts called camarques, with each camarca having a town or village seat, much like counties do in the U.S.

Unique Things to Do in Mallorca

During our off season Mallorca stay, we chose smaller towns and villages, quieter roads, and leisurely outings. These turned out to be what we think is a more authentic experience. Even so, there is a great variety of unique things to do in Mallorca. Some of the best tours in Mallorca will incorporate many of our recommendations, so where appropriate, we’ll insert links for your perusal.

Wander virtually alone down backroads and byways leading to Roman ruins and prehistoric megaliths. Mallorca is an island built with stone. Stone walls line narrow country roads. They divide fields and orchards, and they terrace mountainsides. You’ll be humbled, as we were, by the realization that everything you see was gathered, cut and placed by hand.

Horseback Riding at Rancho Grande – A full day on horseback through rugged countryside, followed by a barbecue with live music and traditional dancing. This tour accommodates riders at all skill levels, or you can ride in the horse-drawn wagon. Return for dinner at the ranch with entertainment and sangria. Click here for more information and pricing.

“With the time the stone, specially the part exposed on the sea side, has acquired a pretty shining golden-yellow colour which gives a delightful glow to the whole building; particularly when it is illuminated by the sun a charming hot and light shadow is lit that can only be given to the stone by the weather and the south.”  Arxiduc Lluís Salvador

Remnants of previous civilizations are wondrously accessible as modern life goes on around them. The taliots of Capocorb Vell, dating from the Iron Age, were steps away from our favorite little roadside restaurant in rural Llucmajor camarca.

 

Pollentia is the most significant archaeological site on Mallorca from Roman times. The site, while still under partial excavation, is ideal for visitors, with a looping path to the various parts of the former city. When we visited, there were less than half a dozen others on the site. Founded in the first century B.C., Pollentia was the island capital until the 5th century Vandal invasion. You’ll see the remains of housing, public buildings including a temple, and a small amphitheater which was later used as a cemetery.

 

Imagine Barbary pirates, invaders and smugglers. Strategically located, Mallorca has been invaded over the centuries by Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Moors, Normans, and Bourbons, to name just a few. Built for protection and communication, Mallorca’s medieval watch towers remain scattered all over the island. Mallorcans could defend and broadcast warnings using smoke or fire from coastal towers. These were strategically placed using sophisticated calculations designed by mathematician Joan Baptista Binimelis in the 16th century.

Tip: Arrange a Boat Tour to East Coast Bays. Depart from Cala D’or for an exciting day at sea in a stylish sports boat, past private, picturesque bays in which you can swim and snorkel. Includes Mediterranean lunch with local wines and beer. Click here for more info and pricing.

Individual landholders also built towers which are now mimicked as elements in modern architecture.

Pirates and smugglers throughout the centuries have used Mallorca’s calas (coves) along the coastline as places to cache their loot and evade capture. It’s hard to imagine prettier hideouts. Famous artists, writers and composers often escaped to the warmer Mediterranean climate, especially in winter. It’s easy to see how inspiring the surroundings might be to a creative, as well as provide the privacy that many craved.

Island Tour of Charming Villages – Begin in Palma to visit the artists’ village of Deia and the scenic roads of the Costa Norte which connect Son Marroig and Sóller. In Sóller, board the tram to the Port. Click here for more information and pricing.

“It is one of those views that completely overwhelm one, for it leaves nothing to be desired and nothing to the imagination. All that a poet or a painter might dream of, Nature has created here.” – George Sand, who spent a winter here with her lover, Frederic Chopin, in the 19th century.

Valldemossa Half-Day Tour from South Mallorca – A five-hour excursion to one of the most beautiful villages in Mallorca, where Frederic Chopin spent the winter of 1838-39 in a former royal residence which had been converted to a monastery in the 14th century. Click here for more information and pricing.

 

Sample Hierbas de Mallorca. This is a delicious herbal liqueur, unique to the island. At the close of our first meal on Mallorca, the bill was presented on a tray with two snifters containing a bright green liqueur. “What is this?” we wondered. “To your health!” was the reply. Outstanding was our verdict.

Tunel, the most common brand, dates from the 1890’s, but the liqueur has been around since the 13th century when distillation methods were improved. The predominant note is anise, but other aromatic plants such as lemon verbena, rosemary, camomile, and fennel are also used and sometimes appear in the bottle.

Traditional Hierbas Liquor Making Class – A half-day in the Serra de Tramontana hills, shopping and hiking for herbs, with Spanish-style sunset snack and a take-home, personalized bottle of hierbas. Click here for more information and pricing.

Don’t worry about running into lots of tourists. Particularly Americans: they’re few and far between. More than 10 million tourists come to Mallorca each year, the vast majority of them in the summer. Americans don’t even number in the top ten countries from which tourists come. Germany takes the prize with 3.7 million German tourists per year. The UK comes in next with 2.1 million. Most of the tourists we encountered were German and Italian. Don’t get us wrong, we love our countrymen! But sometimes it’s nice to be the only ones, too. Off-season Mallorca is better without having to fight a crowd.

Half-Day Tour to the Caves of Hams – Start from the south of Mallorca to the Caves of Hams, first opened to the public in 1910. See the underground “Sea of Venice” with illuminated stalactites and stalagmites. Includes a stop at the Pearl Exhibition. Includes transportation in air-conditioned bus. Click here for more information and pricing.

Caves of Drach and Mallorca’s East Full-Day Tour – Includes a stop in Manacor at the famous Pearl Shop for browsing. Your visit to the famous Caves of Drach includes a leisurely walk underground and a magical concert by the lake. Half or full day options available. Full day includes lunch and leisure in Porto Cristo. Transportation by coach and insurance included. Click here for more information and pricing.

Best Things to Do in Mallorca for Foodies and Wine Lovers

Indulge in world-class cuisine and fine wines served in very unexpected places. We really didn’t know what to expect when it came to food and wine on Mallorca, but we should have told ourselves, “It’s Spain, the food and wine will be amazing.” And it is.

Olive Oil & Vineyard Experience in the Traumatana Mountains – Away from bustling Palma to the mountains for a 4.5 hour tour and tasting of local olive oil and wine in the UNESCO heritage mountain setting. Click here for information and pricing.

Half-Day Wine Tasting and Gourmet Train Tour – Visit 2 wineries and taste 8 wines while traveling by mini-train to the vineyards. Wines are accompanied by Iberian ham, cured cheeses and other local products. Click here for information and pricing.

4-Hour Private Wine Tour with Tasting and Tapas – Visit a Mallorquin vineyard to learn about winemaking and aging, then taste a variety of wines with tapas. Click here for more information and pricing.

On the Trail of the Wine – An 8 hour excursion by air-conditioned mini bus to the La Raixa estate farm in the center of Mallorca to Santa Maria to learn viticulture from a quality producer. Taste regional specialties and try different wines, enjoy a guided cellar tour and a picnic in an idyllic village square. Go on to discover another winery in a beautiful valley for more tasting and gastronomy pairings. Click here for more information and pricing.

Discover the Hidden Brandy Cellar on Mallorca – A 90 minute visit to Bodegas Suau, an underground microclimate artisan cellar producing aged brandies in the barrel. Includes product tasting with different pairings and a gift bottle of 15-year brandy. Click here for more information and pricing.

From the most out of the way location you might imagine (try literally on the side of a mountain) to restaurants in a former bank, theatre or even almond press, the culinary scene in Mallorca is superb. And inexpensive! Feast your eyes here and check individual restaurant information at the end of this post for details.

 

 

 

 

 

Best Things to Do in Mallorca for Foodies

One of of the best things to do in Mallorca in the off season is to enjoy the undivided attention of a good chef and his staff in one of the many outstanding restaurants on the island. Not having to vie for reservations or preferred seatings is one of the great pleasures in life. But, discovering wonderful restaurants is only part of what draws foodies to Mallorca. There are many guided experiences which will introduce or re-acquaint you with the Spanish, Catalan and Basque influences that comprise the gastronomic scene here. Whether it’s tapas or their Basque cousins, the pinchos (or pintxos in Catalan), Iberian ham, or regional specialties such as roasted goat or flavorful paella, you’re sure to return home satiated.

The following are our recommendations for the best food tours on Mallorca:

Palma Tapas Night with a Local – A 2.5 hour foodie adventure with traditional tapas and pinchos, Spanish wines and beers on the Ruta Martiana, which was invented during the financial crisis when Mallorquins didn’t have much spending money. You’ll go to small neighborhood bars, sit on lovely terraces, and walk along the narrow streets of the old city. Click here for more information and pricing.

Paella Cooking Class with a Local – A hands-on foodie adventure with a local chef in his family home includes local market shopping and home cooking class in a stone house up in the Sierra Tramontana mountains. Lunch on your creation with Mallorcan wine, homemade dessert and homemade hierbas liqueur. Click here for more information and pricing.

Palma: Tartare Tasting – An exclusive foodie experience in the lively Palma district of Santa Catalina. Four specialties served in individual pots with accompaniments, paired with local wine or beer, and a classic gató with almond ice cream for dessert. Click here for more information and pricing.

Evening Culinary Tour in Palma – A four hour tour through historical and culinary Palma with pinchos, tapas, and dessert tastings. Visit the city’s hippest bars and idyllic locations. Includes multiple stops. Click here for more information and pricing.

Discover Spectacular Scenery on Mallorca

Go up and down the mountains. Many summer tourists never leave the beachside cities. They may arrive by cruise ship and have a shore excursion in Palma or go north from the airport to Alcúdia’s glamorous hotel strip. Others ensconce in smaller resorts along the many calas (coves) to sunbathe and relax. We recommend you head for the hills.

Full Day Tour of Mallorca – Drive along the magnificent and dramatic cliffs of the coastal Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, exploring the Pareis Gorge and La Calobra, ride the 1912 vintage train and sail along the west coast by boat. Lunch in La Calobra or Puerto Soller. Includes all transport, guide, and insurance. Click here for more information and pricing.

The serpentine road to Sa Calobra in the Escorca camarca is a breathtaking climb with a 270 degree loop under itself (called “the knotted tie”) at its highest point. Then you make your way down again through the Torrent de Pareis gorge, sometimes called Mallorca’s Grand Canyon. Drive it yourself as we did (well, Pete did the driving and I did the gasping), or take a bus tour. We passed many intrepid cyclists on this road and thought they were insane.

Tip: The best tours in Mallorca offer convenient pickup and return, comfortable transportation, English speaking guides and time to soak in the experience.

 

Make the climb to the Santuari de Sant Salvador on the highest point of the Serra de Llevant in the Felanitx camarca. You can do this on foot if you’re a hardy pilgrim, as there are beautiful tile stations of the cross to mark your way. If you’re a cyclist, you’ll get a different workout and an exhilarating ride back down. Needless to say, we drove. The reward? Beautiful religious monuments, views to forever, a former monastery turned hotel, and a lovely restaurant.

 

 

Take the historic train, Ferrocarril de Sóller, from Palma to Sóller. From the train station, you can take a tram to Port de Sóller on the water. Sóller boasts a beautiful church designed by Gaudí in the center of town. On your way back, make time to enjoy the free art exhibitions in the train station. It’s an unexpected way to get a dose of Miró and Picasso. This train has been in operation since 1912.

Tramontana Tour with Historic Railway Ride – Ride the historic railway from Palma to Sóller, and the tram in the historic Port. A picturesque ride through orange groves and almond fields to Bunyola. Includes ice cream sample, 3-course meal, artists’ colony visit, and additional refreshments at La Residencia, which contains a world-renowned art collection featuring works of Miro and Picasso. In Valdemossa, wander through the museum and see the cloister where Chopin lived and worked. Click here for more information and pricing.

Vintage train to Sóller on your own: Ferrocarril de Sóller S.A., Central Offices and Sóller Station, Plaça d’Espanya, 6., 07100 Sóller. Phone:  971-630130. Station Palma de Mallorca, Eusebio Estada, 1., 07004 Palma de Mallorca. Phone:  971-752051 y 971-752028 Trains run daily, except during January. Check website for schedules and fares.

 

Hang out in a vintage village. Probably the most popular is the Old Town of Alcúdia, a 14th century walled village with towers at each corner. Old Town is literally across the street from the Roman ruins of Pollentia, so you can make a wonderful day of it, as we did.

From Port d’Alcúdia: Sailing at Sunset – Sail with a small group on a yacht out of northern Mallorca, anchor at the private island lighthouse at Alcanada. Includes 5-hour sailing tour with yacht and skipper, insurance, with all-inclusive food and drinks option. Click here for more information and pricing.

Sleepy little villages like Santanyí on the southeast side of the island don’t get many visitors in the off season.

Our favorite day of the two weeks we spent on Mallorca occurred in the perhaps-overlooked town of Llucmajor, located in the south central island camarca of the same name. Like most villages, life centers around the central plaza here. On the day we visited, what appeared to be a fundraising event turned into an impromptu street dance. A traditional Mallorquí xeremier band (a xeremia is similar to the bagpipes, and the flabiol they play is like an ocarina or recorder) got things going.

The dance troupe and musicians encouraged all to participate.

I kept thinking of 5th grade in the U.S., when we were forced to square dance. How everyone hated it! But everybody – all ages! – in Llucmajor seemingly loved the traditional dancing. What a sense of community!

Best Places to Stay in Mallorca

Unlike most visitors, we didn’t spend much time in the main city of Palma at all. Nor did we care to visit the popular, but Vegas-y, hotel and restaurant strip along the North Shore in new Alcúdia. We could see how those areas could easily get crowded and emit a different kind of energy than we prefer, particularly in the high season. But the best places to stay in Palma de Mallorca will have a different vibe in off season Mallorca, so don’t rule them out. You may want to visit our post, Mallorca Calas: Our Favorites, to see whether a smaller community might resonate.

Things to Do in Palma de Mallorca

Some of the best places to stay in Mallorca, particularly in the off season when the crowds have gone home, are located in the capital city of Palma de Mallorca. This is where you’ll fly in, and some people would just prefer to hang out close by, particularly if they haven’t rented a car. Many of the best hotels in Mallorca will arrange shuttles or other transportation for guests who want to sightsee, go to the beach, or go out for the evening.

Many visitors feel that among the best things to do in Palma de Mallorca are to tour the city. Worthy of note:

• One of the first things you might notice in Palma is the enormous 13th century Cathedral of Santa Maria which overlooks the bay.
• Right next door is the Almudaina,which was built in the Moorish style by Arab conquerors to serve as a fort, and claimed by the Spanish royal family as their residence in the early 14th century.
• Bellver Castle, also built in the Gothic style was built in the 1300s. Its imposing presence overlooks the city from a western hilltop.
• The Plaza Mayor is the historic city square in Palma. It hosts a pre-eminent craft market and is home to shops and restaurants.
• The 15th century Lonja de Mallorca is a civic building rendered in the Gothic style.
• The 13th century convent and Basilica of Sant Francesc has a cloister built in the Gothic style and baroque embellishments.
• Notable museums: The Museo de Mallorca traces culture and history. Fundacio Miro holds the artist’s workshop and studio. Museu Fundacion Juan Marche holds a 20th century collection of art and sculpture.
• Banos Aribes are the remains of traditional Arabian public baths
• Concerts and the occasional bullfight are held in the Plaza de Toros (built in 1929), which seats 10,000.

Consider the following tours and excursions in Palma for an immersive experience:

Palma: Guided Bicycle Tour of Old Town and Bellver Castle – Short distance biking with an experienced guide to the important buildings, monuments and Beliver Castle. Small group tour includes bike, helmet, and insurance. Click here for more information and pricing.

Palma: Old Town 3-Hour Guided Bike Tour – Ride the city bike path to top attractions and historic monuments with a knowledgeable guide who will impart history and traditions in the friendly local spirit. Great for architecture lovers. Includes bike rental, insurance and one stop along the route. Click here for more information and pricing.

Palma Walking Tour with Mediterranean Delicacies – Combine history and culinary interests in this three hour insider’s look at the historic Old City, its cathedral and fishing trade, with a visit to the Mercat de L’Olivar to admire and try Mediterranean delicacies and regional products. Click here for more information and pricing.

Son Amar Evening Show & Platinum Dinner – An unforgettable evening with spectacular flamenco, modern ballet, magic and cabaret includes view dinner seats including drinks. Transport in air-conditioned coach, guide, and insurance included. Click here for more information and pricing.

Pinnable Images:

 

Practicalities, Tips and Information:

We arrived in mid-April, just after the almond trees had finished flowering. Many guides, as does this blogger from Estonia, suggest booking your stay during the month of March for the bloom. Others recommend the fall. We encountered many cyclists on the roads. It’s a popular time for them to come ahead of the tourist traffic and before the summer weather turns hot, so be warned. Swimming pools and sea water are cold (by our standards, at least), although brave European kids of all ages were in the water.

Capocorb Vell Archaeological Site, located off Highway Ma6014, Kilometer 23, Llucmajor. Admission fee: around €5

Museu Monográfic de Pollèntia I Zona Arqueològica, Major, 9 – 07400, Alcúdia. Tel. 971 89 71 02 Downloadable guide. Admission fee: €7

Restaurant Escorca, Ma10 Highway, Escorca. Tel. 971 517 09

Año 1849 Restaurant,  Plaça Major, 22, Santanyí, Tel. 971 653 823

Bistro 1909, Facebook Page, two locations on Plaça de Constitution, Old Town, Alcúdia. Tel. 971 54 95 88

Restaurante Ca’s Busso, Carretera Cap Blanc (Ma6014), Km 24, 07609 Llucmajor. Tel. 971 12 30 02

Café Colón, Plaza España No. 17, 07620, Llucmajor. Tel. 971 660 002

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