The vibrant capital Palma de Mallorca is one of the ultimate European city break destinations. It's lively, with great weather year round, and numerous bars, restaurants, and things going on to keep you occupied. However if you're looking to venture further afield, Mallorca is full of incredible destinations. One great thing about the island is that its small enough that pretty much everywhere is within a couple of hours drive at most. So there's no excuse not to explore! There's picturesque beaches in secret coves, storybook villages in the mountains, and so much more. I've rounded up a guide of the best day trips from Palma de Mallorca, featuring the very best things to do in Mallorca that are easily accessible from the city.
Mallorca Day Trips 101
- Money in Mallorca: Mallorca is in Spain, and therefore uses the Euro. Most places accept card, but some restaurants and cafes may be cash only, so I'd recommend keeping some on you. We discovered this the hard way!
- Getting Around Mallorca: I'd highly recommend hiring a car to travel around Mallorca, as it will give you the freedom to explore some of the smaller destinations on the Island. In high season, I'd recommend reserving a hire car well in advance. If driving isn't an option, there are some trains and local buses available.
- How long to spend in Mallorca: To fully explore the whole island, I would recommend at least a week. However if you're basing yourself in Palma de Mallorca and just looking to take a couple of day trips, 4/5 nights would be sufficient.
- Weather in Mallorca: Mallorca is at it's sunshine-soaked best in Summer - expect mid to high 20s in the Summer months. It's unsurprisingly cooler in Winter, with highs hitting the mid teens.
- Best Time to Visit Mallorca: Mallorca is a great year round destination due to its temperate climate. However to avoid the peak crowds but still enjoy good enough weather for the beaches, I'd recommend visiting in shoulder season. This spans from March-June, and September-November. That said, it's always pretty busy - I visited in early May and found hotels full, and car parks and beaches packed!
The Best Day Trips from Palma de Mallorca
01. Deia
Deia is one of Mallorca's most beautiful villages, and an absolute must if you're looking for things to do near Palma. It sits in the mountains on the north of the Island, and is known for attracting a creative crowd of writers and artists. Writer Robert Graves is one of the most notable, whose final resting place can be visited in the town. It's also home to one of the most iconic hotels on the Island, Belmond La Residencia. Pop in for a drink on the terrace, or splurge on a decadent meal at romantic Ol Olivo. Deia is a 45 minute drive from Palma, or bus 203 travels between the two.
02. Valldemossa
If you're visiting Deia, another town in the mountains that should be on your itinerary is nearby Valldemossa. With charming cobblestoned streets and foliage lined secret alleyways, it's a picturesque town to get happily lost in. There's plenty of shops, restaurants, and boutiques to discover. Or alternatively it's a good base for hiking the surrounding Tramuntana mountains. And, at just a 20 minute drive away, it's one of the most convenient day trips from Palma. I'm recommend heading to Valldemossa in the early morning or later afternoon, as during the day it's awash with coach parties.
03. Soller
Soller is one of the most popular tourist towns in Mallorca, and not without good reason. The main square, Plaza de la Constitución, is the beating heart of the town, with numerous cafes shadowed by the impressive Church of Sant Bartomeu. It's particularly exciting when the tram trundles through the centre of the square (pictured). From Soller you can catch said tram to the Port of Soller (pictured), 3km away. This vibrant port houses a lively beach, and promenade lined with cafes and restaurants. There's also a large number of hotels in the region.
Whilst you could drive, or get the 203 bus (combined with visits to Valldemossa and Deia on route), one of the most captivating ways to get to Soller from Palma is by train. The classic wooden train takes around an hour, and winds it's way through the impressive scenery of the Tramuntana Mountains.
04. Cap de Formentor
Full disclosure, this is something I didn't get the opportunity to do on my Mallorca trip. However, it looks like such an incredible experience, that I couldn't not include it! The Cap de Formentor is the northernmost tip of the island, where the striking scenery of the Northern mountains reaches the Mediterranean sea. It's one of the Island's most scenic drives, culminating in the dramatic sight of a lone lighthouse against the waters. It's particularly picturesque at sunrise or sunset.
From Palma the drive is just over an hour. Keep in mind that car access is restricted between June and September.
05. Camp de Mar
Camp de Mar is a resort village 30 minutes drive North from Palma. It's home to a number of hotels, shops, and other amenities. However (in my opinion at least!), one of the biggest draws is Restaurante Ileta (pictured). This striking restaurant sits out at sea, accessible via a small jetty. It's one of the most unique dining experiences on the island. I'd seen mixed reviews about the food, however we actually enjoyed it - the paella was one of the best I'd eaten! It's on the pricier side, but I'm used to London standards so wouldn't consider it out of proportion with the experience. Definitely worth the drive, and you can make a day of it by chilling on the beach, or visiting some of the other beautiful coastline along the way.
06. The Southern Mallorca Calas
Mallorca is known for its picturesque "calas" - secluded bays and rocky outcrops where tourists and locals alike flock to sunbathe and swim in glistening blue-green waters. Some of the most picturesque on the island are within an hours drive south from Palma. One of the most striking is Calo des Moro (pictured, landscape), and nearby Cala Llombards (pictured). Both get incredibly busy, so I'd recommend an early start or you'll be battling for parking and towel space.
For a more traditional beach experience, try Cala Mondrago and S'Amarador, which are slightly less aesthetic but have more space and sand. If you're heading to the area, I'd also recommend stopping off at the quaint, sleepy fishing village of Cala Figuera (pictured). And if that's still not enough, swing by Cala Pí for one last dip on your way back to town. Sounds like a perfect day!
07. Pollença and Alcúdia
If you're planning on visiting the Cap de Formentor, consider including excursions to nearby Pollença and Alcúdia. The two historic towns are within a short driving distance from each other, and the latter is also connected to the nearby Port de Alcùdia, a popular resort area. There's plenty to do at both - boutique shopping and local markets, open air concerts, or simply taking in the rich heritage and culture of the local streets and medieval buildings.
I hope this guide to the best day trips from Palma de Mallorca has been helpful. Please do let me know in the comments or feel free to send me a DM on Instagram if you have any questions about Mallorca day trips - or anything else!
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