Chapters
“Once a year, go somewhere you have never been before.” – Dalai Lama
Have you always dreamed of walking along a beautiful beach while enjoying the sunset over the Mediterranean? Would you like to discover an exotic location that’s just a few hours from the UK by plane?
The Balearic Islands are the place to go since this Spanish archipelago is full of natural wonders and activities for tourists that will make them forget about the hustle and bustle of the city.
Now boarding for Majorca!
Here’s our advice for visiting the largest of the Balearic Islands.
Why Visit Majorca?
Majorca is an excellent destination for family holidays or trips with friends as it’s home to many natural, architectural, and cultural wonders. While there, you can learn a lot about the people of Majorca, too.
There are also beautiful beaches, parks, and mountains and the sheer cliffs appear to dive directly into the sea and offer some breathtaking views.
While very popular with British and German tourists, Majorca can be a peaceful and quiet place during the off-season. However, the best time to go is often between April and October.
It’s a great place for art lovers with its famous painters and writers and is where Frédéric Chopin and Georges Sand found inspiration from the tranquillity of Valldemossa.
There’s also some excellent food including sobrasada and butifarron, Majorcan soup, and the famed ensaïmada pastry. You can also stroll around the market in Palma de Mallorca and discover local produce including some excellent wines.
The nightlife in the Balearic islands is also unparalleled. While Ibiza is undoubtedly the party capital of the Balearic Islands, Majorca is no slouch so get out your glad rags and hit the bars and clubs which are open pretty much all night. A bit of Dutch courage can certainly stop you from being too shy to practise your Spanish.
In short, Majorca is home to:
- Wonderful beaches
- Breathtaking walking routes
- Peaceful getaways
- Interesting trips
- Excellent food and drink
- Amazing parties
So what are you waiting for?
Find out more about visiting Spain's other islands
Learning Spanish Before Visiting Majorca
While Balearic Catalan is spoken across the Balearic Islands, Spanish is also spoken as an official language. Catalan is still preferred in some places, but if you do speak Spanish, you’ll likely be understood by the locals.
Before you head to one of Spain’s most popular islands, learning a bit of Spanish is recommended. Not only will speaking the language will make things much easier, but it’ll also help you to bond with the locals.
Why not turn your holiday into a language stay?
There are many benefits to learning how to speak Spanish! For one, foreign language skills are useful in both your personal and professional life. Depending on how long you’re staying, you could learn the fundamentals of the language and complete most day-to-day tasks in the local language.
After all, speaking Spanish can also help you find work across the Spanish-speaking world from Patagonia to the Balearic Islands so it might be a good idea to take some lessons before you go, too.
What are you waiting for?
Check out our article on visiting the Canary Islands
The Best Tourist Attractions in Majorca
Majorca has a rich natural and cultural heritage. With secluded creeks, turquoise waters, and picturesque villages in the mountains, walking around the island is highly recommended. In addition to nature, you can also enjoy the local culture, history, and food on your hikes!
Palma de Mallorca
You can’t go to Majorca and not visit the capital city of Palma as it’s home to so many historic monuments, museums, and majestic churches that you won’t have time to get bored.
Firstly, you’ll want to visit Palma Cathedral, which is commonly known as La Seu, which is the second-largest religious building in all of Spain. This massive structure features choir stalls which were worked on by Antoni Gaudi before he fell out with the contractor and abandoned the work.
Opposite the cathedral, there’s also the Royal Palace of La Almudaina. This building is still used by the King of Spain for official ceremonies and is an excellent example of Muslim architecture.
The Arab Baths are another example of Palma’s history under Moorish rule. The surrounding gardens are worth visiting and are a green oasis protecting this historical site.
If you want to grab a bite to eat or buy something, the Plaça Major and the surrounding stores and restaurants will have something for you.
You can even enjoy a lovely local wine on one of the city’s lively terraces.
Art lovers will want to visit the Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró where there are 6,000 pieces to see. There are sculptures and paintings as well as a wonderful garden.
Check out our article on visiting Ibiza
Serra de Tramuntana
Let’s get away from the city and back to nature. Along the northwest coast of Majorca is the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range that spreads from Andratx to Pollença. The GR221 hiking trail joins these two villages and the range is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The “Ruta de Pedra en Sec” (Dry Stone Route) is home to many wonderful views and small villages to welcome you when you need to stop for a break.
Don’t forget to visit the village of Estellencs, Valldemossa, and Cala Deia beach. You might want to stop off at Soller and visit the Santuari de Lluc Monastery with its impressive archaeological collection.
This part of the island is also great for watersports and activities such as:
- Scuba diving
- Snorkelling
- Surfing
- Boat trips
- Kayaking
You can even visit the island in a hot air balloon.
Cap de Formentor
This cape is where the mountains meet the sea and you can head up to the lighthouse to enjoy the views for yourself. On one side, you can enjoy the seemingly endless Mediterranean and on the other, the mountains, cliffs, and Majorcan pine trees.
You can enjoy a palette of white sands, turquoise waters, blue skies, and lush green vegetation and watching the sunset from the Cap de Formentor comes highly recommended as it’s the perfect spot for photographers and nature lovers. The creeks and coves sprinkled along the coastline don’t make it that easy to get to, but it’s worth it.
Fortunately, they’re protected from the elements by the mountains and are nourished by the sea. Then there are places like Alcudia, El Arenal, and Drach to discover.
This trip to Majorca won’t be your last, that’s for sure!
You can also check out our guide to visiting Menorca
How Much Does it Cost to Visit Majorca?
Majorca is a destination you can visit without spending a fortune.
Here’s a budget for a 7-day trip:
- Return flights London-Majorca: £100.
- Accommodation: 2- or 3-star hotel: £40/day.
- Food and Dining: £25/day.
- Renting a car and petrol for 7 days: £140 per vehicle.
- Activities and trips: £5 to £10 per day.
All in all, £650 per person.
Of course, you could significantly increase this amount by travelling during the peak season and staying in luxury accommodation, just don’t forget to bring cash for purchases from small businesses and market stalls.
You might want to stay in a finca, a traditional farmhouse or villa which often provide luxury accommodation and a swimming pool. Many of them have been renovated or adapted for tourists while still retaining their Majorcan charm.
Now you just have to book your trip!
Vàmonos!
If you're looking to brush up on your Spanish or learn some useful expressions before you go, you could always enlist the help of one of the many talented and experienced tutors on Superprof!
No matter where you live, you should be able to find a tutor to teach you Spanish face-to-face, online, or in a group. Each type of tutorial has its pros and cons so think carefully about which option would be best for you.
Face-to-face tutorials are tailored to the students, allowing them to learn exactly what they want and what they need to learn. While these are normally more expensive than the other types of tutorials, they're also the most cost-effective as you can guarantee that every minute of the lesson is spent teaching you what you need to know.
Group tutorials are a good solution for those on a budget, especially if there are a few of you going on a trip and you all need to learn Spanish before you do. While you won't be able to enjoy tailored tutoring, you will be able to share the cost of the tutor's time with the other students in the class.
Finally, if you can't find any tutors working nearby, you can always opt for online tutorials. Since the tutor doesn't need to travel, they'll usually charge less than they would for a face-to-face tutorial and with subjects like foreign languages, online tutorials can be just as effective.
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