When summer comes, all we deserve is a place in the sun. And if it’s on an island surrounded by a turquoise blue sea, with beautiful coves, medieval villages nestled in mountains and fantastic cuisine, then it’s perfection. Let’s go to Mallorca? It’s the largest of the four Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain.
You’ll probably arrive on a quick flight from Barcelona or Madrid, the most common routes. The airport is 8 kilometers from Palma de Mallorca, the island’s capital. Palma is pure charm. A port city, by the sea, full of historic buildings in the old part, but also with a lot of nightlife and that typical European summer entertainment. Downtown is crowded at the end of the day. After enjoying the beaches, the people walk along the Parc de la Mar, go to La Seu Cathedral, which has Gaudi’s works and enjoys the best sunset in the city on the wall in front of the church. Passeig des Born Avenue is the most popular spot for dinner in the old town centre. I recommend the Ombu de tapas-fusion, From Tokyo to Lima restaurants in the rooftop of the Can Alomar boutique hotel, as well as the Bar de Nudos and Can’Eduardo to taste Mediterranean food and have the sea as a backdrop. Order a good local wine or a traditional sangria and don’t leave out the Iberian jamón and croquettes.
Leaving Palma in a north-westerly direction, you will find beautiful villages planted in the Tramuntana Mountains, a region considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Valdemossa was where the composer Chopin lived. Deià is where the blooming hotel Belmond La Residencia is located. Another village worth visiting is Soller. The little road that leads to it is full of orange plantations, grapevines and olive trees. When you arrive in the village, sit in a café in the Plaza de la Constituición and wait for the cable car to pass by. If you want to take a walk, know that it goes to the port 5 kilometers from there. You can also see the village of Fornalutx hanging from the mountain and surrounded by a lot of greenery. Its slopes full of staircases are a turn in time.
The beaches that need to be included in your itinerary are Cala de la Posada, Platja de Formentor, Cala de Deia, Cala Portals Vells, Es Trenc and Cala Figuera. My favorite is Cala des Moros, east of the island. Arrive early to have the cove just for you, in fact almost a swimming pool.
To stay very well accommodated, I recommend Cap Rocat. The hotel occupies the facilities of an old military fortress, which brings personality and an incredible historical context, in one of the most luxurious places in Mallorca. Other excellent options are the Belmond La Residence, The St Regis Mardavall, Es Princip Urban Boutique Hotel and Can Alomar (the last two are located in the historic centre).
Mallorca completely conquered me. I can assure you that it will also win you over.
XoXo, have a good week and see you next Tuesday.
