Best Sightseeing on Mallorca

Mallorca offers a host of sightseeing opportunities, and there really is something for all tastes. Here’s your guide to the island’s best places to visit – and visit this website regularly to find lots of ideas of what to do and see on Mallorca.

1. Ses Païsses, Artà

Combine a visit to Artà’s excellent Tuesday market with a visit to this impressive Bronze Age Talayotic settlement on the outskirts of the town – one of the best preserved in the Balearics. It’s worth a visit to imagine what life must have been like within its walls for the island’s early settlers. This attraction closes over the lunch period.

2. Capdepera Castle

Visit the remains of this early 14th century hilltop castle, dominating the small town of Capdepera, with commanding views over the north-east coastline (on a clear day you can see Menorca). The enclosing walls once contained some 150 dwellings. A great place for youngsters to let their imaginations run wild!

3. Betlem Heritage, near Artà

It’s a gorgeous drive from the north side of Artà (with a possible sighting of Menorca on the way) winding up to the tranquil rural setting of the ‘Ermita de Betlem’ at Sa Deves de Ferrutx. If you’re lucky, the only other sounds up at the hermitage will be birds, insects and sheep bells, making it a fantastic spot for a picnic lunch, after a visit to Artà.

The hermitage was founded in the early 19th century by the hermits of St Honorat in Randa and the Trinity in Valldemossa, and the small chapel is the perfect place to escape the heat and glare of the sun. Don’t all go at once!

4. Mallorca Balloons

A great way to see lots of sights! An early morning flight in a hot air balloon from Mallorca Balloons’ base on the outskirts of Manacor will see you soaring over the island, drifting peacefully with the wind, at a height of 1,000-1,500 feet. On a clear day you might see Cabrera and Menorca. Balloon baptism and flight certificates included.

5. Caves of Drac (Cuevas del Drach or Coves del Drac) in Porto Cristo

World-famous ancient limestone caves, mapped by French geologist Edouard Martel in the late 19th century. There are four enormous main chambers, numerous romantically-named formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and one of the world’s largest underground lakes – the scene of several daily classical music concerts. Guided tours take you through the caves.

6. Caves of Hams (Cuevas del Hams or Coves d’es Hams)

Less famous than Drac, but worth a visit for their own spectacular and colourfully illuminated stalactites and stalagmites, and the underground lake. The caves were discovered by the Mallorcan, Pedro Caldentey, in 1905.

7. Els Calderers, Sant Joan

The estate was owned by the Calderers family as long ago as the 13th century, and construction of the present manor house is thought to have begun in 1750. Visit the house and farm for a flavour of aristocratic life in Mallorca in the 18th and 19th centuries. The interior of the house is particularly interesting, with its traditional furnishings and equipment.

8. Gordiola Glassworks

The Gordiola family has been making glass in Mallorca since the early 18th century and at their works near Algaida you can watch glassblowers in action in front of raging furnaces. The building itself is ugly 1960s faux-castle and the shop area very commercialised, but go upstairs to the museum and you’ll find a fascinating collection of old glass, including early Gordiola examples and glassware collected from all over the world by seven successive generations of the family. You wouldn’t want to have dust the exhibits!

9. Mallorca Planetarium

Many visitors aren’t aware that the island has an important astronomical observatory, of which the Mallorca Planetarium is a part. The Observatorio Astronómico de Mallorca premises have a definite space-age look to them, in complete contrast to the sleepy neighbouring village of Costitx, but this rural location benefits from clear night skies.

Every Friday and Saturday at 19.00 hrs, the Planetarium projects the spectacular multi-lingual audio visual programme, Evolution, onto the domed ceiling. Afterwards you can enjoy guided sessions in the observation pods.

10. Calvary Oratory, Pollensa

Pollensa’s a charming town with a distinctive Roman bridge, but the best-known place here must be the Calvary Oratory, on top of a hill that was once owned by the Order of the Knights Templar. There are 365 steps to climb to reach the top, which is the location for the atmospheric Good Friday re-enactment of Christ’s final suffering on the Cross.

11. S’Albufera Nature Parc

These peaceful protected wetlands, just off the coast road north of Can Picafort, are the habitat of a wealth of birdlife, bringing serious birdwatchers from all over Europe to spot the rare migrants and breeding species. There are paths for walking and cycling, hides and a visitor centre. Mosquito repellent recommended!

12. Alcúdia Old Town

A rich history means there’s plenty to see in and around this walled old town, on the site of the Roman settlement of Pollentia. The walls were built after the Spanish conquest and were restored to include the 26 original towers and imposing gateways; it’s possible to walk along the top of part of the walls, giving good views of the area. Of particular interest are the narrow streets of the Arab quarter, the Pollentia ruins, and Mallorca’s only intact Roman theatre.

13. Alfàbia Gardens

These peaceful gardens, with watercourses and pools, are thought to have been designed by Benhabet, a Muslim governor of Inca in the 13th century, and are a great example of the Moorish talent for landscaping and irrigation. Even if you’re not a particularly keen gardener, you’ll appreciate the beautiful shady spots on a hot day, and the garden snack bar offering fresh fruit juices, farm products and other refreshments.

The pergola walkway, with its shooting water jets, is great fun for all the family, while green-fingered types will enjoy the English-style gardens and impressive collection of trees. The ‘hacienda’ has traditional ‘cloth of flames’ fabrics, old prints and furniture.

14. Finca Son Real

This public estate is between Can Picafort and Son Serra de Marina and offers a series of marked trails through the estate for walkers and cyclists, with access to an unspoilt beach. There are useful information boards along the trails about the local flora and fauna, as well as a visitor centre. The farm still functions, and you’ll see local breeds of sheep and pigs. Once on the beach, it’s an easy walk to the remains of a necropolis, featuring many graves of various sizes.

15. Junipero Serra’s Birthplace and Museum

It’s no surprise that many American visitors make their way to the oldest part of this rural village, for here is the birthplace of Fray Junipero Serra, the 18th century Franciscan missionary who left Petra for California. There he founded nine missions, from which cities like San Francisco and San Diego grew. The privately owned museum, founded in 1955, has a fascinating collection of exhibits, including a painting of the San Carlos mission, presented to the museum in 1984 by then President Ronald Reagan. Nearby visit the house where Serra was born, in 1713 – a truly humble home.

16. Sineu market

This rural town in the heart of Mallorca dates back to ancient times and was important during the Middle Ages, when it was home to a royal palace (now a convent). The town is the venue for a huge and very popular market every Wednesday morning, attracting island visitors and the local farming community. The numerous stalls – selling everything from leather goods to local foods, artisan crafts to animals – are spread throughout the narrow streets of the town.

17. Puig de Randa – Hermitage of Our Lady of Cura

This walled hermitage sits atop the distinctive flat-top mountain of Randa – visible from a large part of the island. The chapel is the oldest surviving building, part of which dates from the mid-17th century. The original hermitage was founded by scholar and missionary Ramon Llull in the 13th century (he prepared his missionaries here for their work in Africa and Asia) – making this an important place of pilgrimage on the island. Views from the top are fantastic on a clear day and you can enjoy them with something to eat or drink from the café.

Other sanctuaries worth a visit – for the exciting drive to the top and their awesome views on a clear day – are Sant Salvador (the last to lose its monks, in the 1990s), near Felanitx; Monte-Sion, near Porreres, and the Ermita de Nostra Senyora del Puig, near Pollensa.

18. Lluc Monastery

The island’s most sacred site, the monastery of ‘Nuestra Señora de Lluc’ has a spectacular location in the Tramuntana, surrounded by holm oak and pine forests, and has been a place of pilgrimage since the 13th century. Visit the Basilica and see the wooden statue of the Virgin, La Moreneta, in its own chapel. Also worth seeing is the gallery of the old pilgrims’ hospice (Es Porxets), the pilgrims’ route ‘El Cami dels Misteris del Rosari’ and, slightly hidden away, an enchanting small garden. There are places to eat and drink and you can even stay overnight. ‘Els Blavets’ (The Blues) is Lluc’s choir, which gives a short performance each morning.

19. Naturaparc

Llamas, deer, ostriches, ducks, peacocks and black vultures all call this countryside family attraction home. There’s also a butterfly garden, with around 500 butterflies, and an animal petting park.

20. Castell d’Alaró

This centuries-old remote castle was a former, almost impregnable, Moorish stronghold. Park your car near the white-painted traditional restaurant (famous for its slow-roasted lamb and featured in the British TV programme Rick Stein’s Mediterranean Escapes) and walk up to the castle (wear walking shoes and take water, it’s quite a way!). You’ll have earned that hearty lunch by the time you return.

21. Royal Carthusian Monastery

Originally a royal residence, this monastery was the home of Carthusian monks from the late 14th to early 19th centuries. Polish pianist and composer Chopin and his French partner George Sand stayed here over the winter of 1838-39, inspiring Sand to write ‘A Winter in Majorca’. See their artefacts, the Old Carthusian pharmacy, and Palace of King Sancho. You can even enjoy a short Chopin recital as part of your visit.

22. Son Marroig

The favourite home of Archduke Ludwig Salvator, Son Marroig is in a prime location perched high above the sea. Its Italian gazebo is emblematic of this glorious estate, where there’s a museum devoted to the life and works of the Archduke. From the gardens there’s a good view of the rock known as Na Foradada, named for the huge hole in its middle.

23. Home of Robert Graves

The poet and author Robert Graves lived at Ca’n Alluny in Deià from 1929 until he died. In 2006 his house and garden were opened to the public, having been acquired and refurbished by the Fundació Robert Graves. The house retains the feel of the writer’s home, with many of Graves’ personal effects on display. Visit the village churchyard to see where he was buried, under the simplest of headstones. Ctra Deià – Soller, Deià

24. Ca’n Prunera

In the centre of the town, this iconic property – a family home until 2006 – now houses a permanent Modernist art collection with works by national and international artists including Picasso, Miró, Matisse, Magritte and Chillida. There are also temporary exhibitions and an art library. The gardens are used for concerts and other cultural events.

Travelling from Palma to Sóller on the delightful wooden train – dubbed the Orange Express – dating from 1912, will give you the chance to experience another of the island’s favourite attractions, as it travels through spectacular mountain scenery into the Sóller valley.

25. Finca Galatzó

Like Son Real in the north, this finca has been converted into a public amenity. Come here for the scenery, fresh air and sheer beauty of the surroundings, or to enjoy hiking, cycling, mountain-biking or horseriding on the different graded routes through the estate. The old manor house dates from the 19th century and can also be visited.

26. Sa Granja

Since Roman times, this country estate or ‘possessió’ in the mountains has had a natural spring – an important asset on this island. The estate was the home of Cistercian monks until the mid-15th century, then became a private house. It’s open to the public for visits and is a great place to see traditional rural crafts in action, taste local products, and enjoy demonstrations of Mallorcan music and dance. Visit the gardens, the house – with its attractive breezy loggia – workrooms, cellars, and the rather creepy torture chamber! There are places to eat – or take a picnic to enjoy in the extensive grounds.

27. La Reserva Puig de Galatzó

This nature reserve covers more than 2.5 million square metres and is a wonderful place to wander through spectacular scenery and vegetation. Well-marked paths enable you to make an easy walk, though sensible footwear and comfortable clothes are recommended. There are waterfalls, animals, bar and barbecue area and an adventure circuit, including zip wire, rock climbing, a hanging bridge etc.

28. CCA Andratx

One of the largest centres of contemporary art in the Balearics and, indeed, Europe, set against the backdrop of mountains, on the outskirts of Andratx. There are three exhibition areas – Kunsthalle, Gallery and Espai, an attractive courtyard, good café with mountain-view terrace, library and gift shop. A must for lovers of contemporary art.