About Mallorca
Mallorca (also known as Majorca) is the largest island of the Balearic Islands, an archipelago located in the western Mediterranean Sea and part of Spain. With a population of around 900,000 people, Mallorca is a popular tourist destination known for its beaches, crystal-clear waters, historic towns, and beautiful countryside.
The island has a rich history, dating back to the prehistoric Talayotic culture, which left behind megalithic monuments, caves, and ruins that can still be visited today. Later, the island was conquered by the Romans, Moors, and Christian kings, which left their mark on the island's architecture, traditions, and culture.
Tourism is the main industry of Mallorca, with millions of visitors coming each year to enjoy its beautiful landscapes, sunny weather, and cultural attractions. The island has a wide range of tourist facilities, including hotels, restaurants, bars, and leisure activities, such as hiking, cycling, water sports, and golf.
Mallorca is also famous for its cuisine, which is a blend of Mediterranean, Spanish, and local traditions. Some of its most popular dishes include paella, sobrasada (a type of cured sausage), ensaimada (a sweet pastry), and tumbet (a vegetable casserole).
Overall, Mallorca is a beautiful and diverse destination that offers something for everyone, from beach lovers and history buffs to foodies and outdoor enthusiasts.
Things to do
What activities can you do on an Island
Hiking
From the bald and dramatic limestone mountains in the west to the rocky coastal trails of the north and east where the lure of the sea is never-ending, Mallorca offers some of the finest hiking anywhere in Europe. The Consell de Mallorca (www. conselldemallorca.net) has become serious about signposting and maintaining the island's trekking routes (many of which have been used for centuries by pack animals and wayfaring pilgrims), so following the route is often (but not always) fairly easy.
The Tramuntana cannot rival the Alps in height, but its serrated peaks, crags and ravines are every bit as wild and not to be underestimated, and the hiking season here is longer. A network of refugis (mountain refuges) gives weary hikers a place to bed down for the night, as do the hilltop monasteries and hermitages that have been converted into simple accommodation.
While short distances between trails mean you can cover more ground, it's worth bearing in mind that you may need your own wheels to reach many of the trailheads. But once you get there, you'll have them more or less to yourself.
There are hikes for almost everv age and fitness level, so don't assume hiking is just for the hardcore.
Biking
Mallorca's popularity as a destination for road cycling and mountain biking continues to soar. Nearly half of Mallorca's 1250km of roads have been harnessed for cycling, with everything from signposts to separate bike lanes. The lycra peak season in mountainous regions is from March to May and late September to November, when the weather is refreshingly cool.
Mountain bikers will find abundant trails, too, ranging from flat dirt tracks to rough-and-tumble single tracks. Be sure to get a good highway or trekking map before you set out on any cycling expedition.
Bike-rental agencies are ubiquitous across the island, and local tourist offices can usually point you in the right direction. Prices can vary between €10 per day for a basic touring bike and €30 for a high-end mountain or racing bike.
Cycling Resources
The Federació de Ciclisme de les Illes
Balears (www.webfcib.es) can provide contact information for local cycling clubs
A growing number of hotels cater specifi-
cally to cyclists, with garages and energy*
packed menus.
Bird Watching
Bird watching in Parc Natural de
S'Albufera Twitchers flock to Parc Natural de S'Albufera, one of the Mediterranean's premier sites for birdwatching. Bring your binoculars and look out for herons, ospreys and egrets.
Rock Climbing
The mere thought of Mallorca's sublime limestone walls has climbers' hearts pounding. The island is among Europe's foremost destinations for sport climbers, with abundant overhangs, slabs, and crags.
Climbing here concentrates on three main areas: the southwest for multi-pitch climbing, the northwest for magnificent crags, and the east for superb deep water soloing (DWS).
Caving
Mallorca's pocked limestone terrain means caving conditions are fantastic. Kitted out with headlamps, spelunkers can penetrate the cool twilight of the numerous cave complexes that burrow into the cliffs of the southern, northern and eastern coasts. A guide is highly recommended.
Experience Mallorca (p138) leads half-day caving excursions year-round.
Clif Jumping
Món d'Aventura offers the option to do Coasteering adding the ultimate adventure activities: climbing the cliff-side over the sea, crossing a creek with a zip line over water, jumping to the sea from the maximum heights, swimming into a cave underwater and stepping inside a hidden beach
Snorkelling & Diving
Mallorca is one of southern Europe's premier diving and snorkelling destinations.
The combination of super-clear waters and professional dive centres make this an excellent place for a leisure dive or to undertake the open-water PADI diving-accreditation course. Diving is best from May to October.
Mallorca Diving (www.mallorcadiving. com) lists eight reputable dive centres with their prices.
Canyoning
The ultimate Mallorcan adrenaline rush, Canyoning is an exhausting but exhilarating mix of jumping into ravines and trudging down gorges and gullies.
Going with a professional guide is essential. Among the best are Món d'Aventura, Tramuntana Tours and Experience Mallorca, all of which cater to all levels, with tours graded from easy to difficult.
Sailing
Among the 35 marinas that ring Mallorca's coast, many offer yacht charters, sailboat rentals and sailing courses. There are large sailing schools in Palma, Port de Pol-lença and other resorts; expect a two-day course to cost €400 to €500; the Palma Sea School is the most professional outfit.
One place that rents yachts is Llaüts in Port d'Andratx; prices start at €120 per half day. Mezzo Magic in Port de Sóller is also recommended for all-inclusive yacht hire.
Sea Kayaking
Mallorca's craggy coastline is indented with lovely bays and coves - many of which can only be reached by boat. A sea kayak allows you to tune into the soothing thythm of the sea and explore rock forma-tions, caves and quiet beaches at your own pace. Marine falcons, cormorants and wild goats are frequently sighted, and you might even spot the odd dolphin or flying fish. The coves of the Pare Natural de la Península de Llevant , inaccessible from the land, are a paradise of pristine waters, pitted rocks and thriving wildlife.
The coasts around Sóller in the west, Porto Cristo in the east and Port de Pollença in the north are perfect for paddling.
Hoursback Riding
With its extensive network of rugged trails over hilly countryside and alongside the Mediterranean, Mallorca is a fine place to saddle up. Many towns and resorts have stables where you can join a class (€10 to €20) or a group excursion (about €15 for the first hour, with two five-hour rides generally costing around €25/60 per person). Longer trips are also possible.
Some stables also offer pony rides for small children.
Golf
Palma is a popular golfing destination, which is not surprising given the mix of warm Mediterranean climate and fine natural setting. At last count there were around 22 golf courses scattered around the island; some of the best cluster around Capdepera and Artà in the east. Green fees for 18 holes start from €30 and can go as high as €130, although the average is €40 to €75.
Getting Around
How to get around the Island
Travelling by Car
Car Hire
Hiring a car is an excellent way to explore Mallorca.
All the main agencies have offices at the airport and costs vary from around €40
to €70 per day. You must have a valid driving license, be aged 21 or older, and have a credit card. Third-party motor insurance is a minimum requirement in Spain.
Driving Conditions
In general, Mallorca has a good network of well-signposted roads, which makes navigating the island relatively straightforward.
Be prepared for narrow roads and one-way systems. however, especially driving through villages. Reversing a 4×4 around tight narrow corners is never fun. Rental cars are inexpensive and, overall, having your own wheels is both a practical and enjoyable way of exploring the island.
Bus
Mallorca has a good network of buses that cover virtually all of the island.
The buses are air-conditioned and comfortable. In Palma all buses leave from the centrally located Es-tació Intermodal on Plaça d'Espanya. There are several bus companies;
you can get a comprehensive list of timetables, routes, and prices from www.tib.org. The frequency decreases considerably during the winter months and at weekends.
Train
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