One of the things we love most about Mallorca is how different every corner of the island feels.
You can spend the morning swimming in a secluded cove, stop for lunch in a bustling market town and finish the day in a quiet village square where local children are still playing long after the sun has gone down.
We’re still discovering new places every time we visit, but these have become our family’s favourites.
Where to Stay
Sant Joan
This time we based ourselves in Sant Joan, a tiny village in the heart of Mallorca.
If you’re looking for beach clubs and nightlife, this probably isn’t the place for you. But if you love quiet mornings, church bells, cafés filled with locals and evenings spent eating dinner in a courtyard garden while the children play, it’s hard to beat.
The village itself was incredibly charming and we loved the slower pace, but it wasn’t the easiest base for exploring the island. The smaller country roads meant journeys often took longer than expected, and while we loved experiencing this side of Mallorca, we probably wouldn’t choose to stay here again with children if our priority was seeing lots of different parts of the island.
Just a few minutes away is Petra, which quickly became one of our favourite places for an evening aperitivo. Families gather in the square, locals spill out onto the terraces and everything feels wonderfully unhurried.
Alaró
If there was one place we’d move to tomorrow, it would be Alaró.
This was where we stayed on a previous trip and, for us, it was a much easier base for exploring Mallorca. The village sits close to one of the island’s main roads, making it simple to reach many different areas without spending too much time in the car.
Nestled beneath the Tramuntana mountains, Alaró somehow manages to feel lively without ever becoming busy. There are beautiful little tapas restaurants around almost every corner, children playing football in the square until late and a wonderfully welcoming atmosphere.
It’s close enough to Palma for day trips but has all the charm of a traditional Mallorcan village. We absolutely loved it.
Selva
Last Christmas we stayed in Selva, another beautiful inland village with a very different feel.
Like Alaró, it was a great base for exploring because of its location and easy access to the roads that cross the island. It felt peaceful, authentic and surrounded by mountains, although it was a little further from Palma, which is something to consider if you want to spend lots of time in the city.
For us, these inland villages really capture what we love most about Mallorca. A slower pace, beautiful scenery and the feeling of being part of local life rather than simply visiting.
Beaches Worth the Drive
Mallorca has no shortage of spectacular beaches, but these were the ones that really stood out for us.
One thing that surprised me was that many of Mallorca’s most famous beaches are surrounded by hotels and apartment buildings. The water is every bit as turquoise and beautiful as the photos suggest, but if you’re expecting completely wild, untouched coastlines, that’s not always the case.
It never took away from our enjoyment and, in many ways, the buildings create some incredible backdrops, but it’s worth knowing that Mallorca’s beaches are often a mix of natural beauty and development.
Cala Pi
A postcard perfect cove with turquoise water tucked between dramatic cliffs. Well worth the walk down the steps.
Es Trenc
Powder soft sand and crystal clear water make this one of Mallorca’s most iconic beaches. Don’t miss the nearby salt flats.
Banyalbufar
Less of a traditional beach and more of a wild swimming spot surrounded by the dramatic Tramuntana coastline.
Cala Deià
Tiny, rocky and absolutely stunning. Come for the scenery as much as the swim.
Platja de Formentor
Calm, shallow water shaded by pine trees, making it a brilliant choice for families.
Cala Marçal
Near Portocolom, this is one of the easiest beaches to enjoy with children thanks to its soft sand, clear water and gentle waves.
The Towns We Loved
One of the biggest surprises about Mallorca was just how different every town feels.
Pollença
Elegant and full of character, with cobbled streets, beautiful cafés and the famous Calvari Steps overlooking the town.
Alcúdia
A lively medieval town enclosed by ancient walls, perfect for wandering before stopping for lunch.
Manacor
Known for its craftsmanship and local feel, Manacor makes a great stop on the island’s east coast.
Porto Cristo
A relaxed harbour town with a lovely promenade and easy family atmosphere.
Petra
One of our favourite discoveries. Authentic, understated and perfect for an early evening drink while watching local life unfold in the square.
Sineu
The historic heart of Mallorca and home to the island’s oldest weekly market, held every Wednesday since 1306.
Sant Joan
Quiet, rural and refreshingly untouched by tourism.
Portocolom
Still a working fishing harbour with colourful waterfront houses, relaxed restaurants and one of our favourite nearby beaches.
Santanyí
A beautiful sandstone town filled with independent boutiques, galleries and stylish cafés.
Ses Salines
Peaceful and charming, with easy access to some of Mallorca’s most beautiful coastline.
Palma Old Town
We never tire of wandering Palma’s narrow streets. Beautiful architecture, hidden courtyards, excellent shopping and countless places to stop for coffee or dinner.
Santa Maria del Camí
Known for its wineries, Sunday market and relaxed village atmosphere.
Banyalbufar
One of the most dramatic villages on the island, perched high above the sea among ancient terraced hillsides.
Deià
Creative, elegant and impossibly beautiful. It may be one of Mallorca’s best known villages, but it’s easy to see why.
Valldemossa
Perhaps Mallorca’s prettiest village, with flower filled streets and beautiful mountain scenery around every corner.
It may be one of Mallorca’s most famous villages, but it’s easy to understand why. We loved simply wandering, stopping for coffee and discovering the smaller places that make it feel so special.
One of those discoveries was SONMO, a beautiful space celebrating Mallorca’s natural materials, craftsmanship and traditions. It’s the kind of place we love finding as a family, somewhere that encourages you to slow down, explore and connect with the island beyond the usual tourist trail.
Sóller
One of our favourite towns, with its lively square, historic tram and easy access to Port de Sóller.
Where We Ate
Truthfully, we cooked far more than we expected.
Our Airbnb was simply too lovely to leave every evening, with a peaceful courtyard garden that became one of our favourite places to unwind after busy days exploring.
When we did eat out, these were our standouts.
Artiga, Alaró
Beautiful Mediterranean food in a relaxed setting. We’d happily return again and again.
Villa Luisa, Port de Sóller
The kind of leisurely lunch that reminds you exactly why holidays should never be rushed.
Beyond the Beaches
One of the reasons we keep returning to Mallorca is that some of our favourite family memories have very little to do with the beach.
The island is full of caves, mountains, forests, farms and nature reserves that encourage children to slow down, explore and get wonderfully muddy.
Cuevas del Drach
Near Porto Cristo, these spectacular underground caves are one of Mallorca’s best known natural attractions. Children can wander through enormous caverns filled with stalactites before finishing with a classical music concert performed on an underground lake.
The Es Trenc Salt Flats
Just behind Es Trenc beach, the famous salt flats are fascinating to visit. Depending on the season, you may even spot flamingos while learning how Mallorca’s renowned sea salt is harvested.
Torrent de Pareis
One of Mallorca’s most dramatic natural landscapes.
Even if you don’t tackle the full hike, simply walking into the enormous gorge near Sa Calobra is an adventure in itself. After periods of rain, the usually dry riverbed can transform into a rushing stream flowing through the canyon, making it feel completely different each time you visit.
Serra de Tramuntana
Driving through Mallorca’s UNESCO listed mountain range is an experience in itself. Stop in villages like Deià, Banyalbufar and Valldemossa, discover hidden viewpoints or enjoy one of the many gentle family walks.
MallorcAmor Farm
One of our favourite discoveries.
Just outside Sineu, MallorcAmor is the Balearic Islands’ first community supported agriculture cooperative and a beautiful place for families wanting to reconnect with nature.
Children can pick tomatoes straight from the plants, get their hands dirty in the fields and learn where food really comes from. Afterwards, families can enjoy seasonal breakfasts and tastings featuring local cheeses, artisan bread, olive oil, jams and produce sourced almost entirely from nearby farms.
It’s thoughtful, beautifully curated and exactly the kind of experience that reminds you Mallorca is so much more than beaches.
On Our Wish List
No trip to Mallorca ever feels quite finished. Every visit leaves us with another list of places we’d love to experience next time.
At the very top of ours are:
Hotel Migjorn
Hotel Corazón
Rey Hotels
Something tells us this won’t be our last trip to the island!
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