The island of Mallorca is best known for its historic sandstone cities, pristine beaches and rugged limestone mountains. Although it's the largest of Spain's Balearic Islands, Mallorca is still compact enough for travellers to easily uncover its charms. Surrounded by the Mediterranean, the seafood is always fresh and often paired with ingredients harvested from the local area. It's consistently ranked among the most popular places to live in the world, and the island’s idyllic backdrop and lifestyle might make you want to stay a while longer.
Hostels in Mallorca are dotted all across the island, from seaside spots to a farm stay in the fertile plains of the interior. Choose a Mallorca hostel with a fully equipped kitchen to make the most of the fresh island produce, or one with a cosy fireplace so you can warm up once the temperature drops in the evenings. Lots of Mallorca hostels have sea or mountain views from sun-drenched outdoor terraces and some rooms even have private balconies.
Sóller, to the west of the island, sits in the “Golden Valley” at the foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. Its small bay has two beaches and a marina, the perfect place for watching the sunset. The capital city Palma de Mallorca is best known for its imposing cathedral and winding old town. Santanyí in the southeast has breathtaking coastal paths with picturesque beaches. It's also the ideal jumping-off point for the Cabrera Archipelago Maritime-Terrestrial National Park, where you can visit a 14th-century castle and spot whales and dolphins.
With more than 260 beaches, you’ll want to spend some quality time with the sand between your toes. Choose from bustling city sands with sun loungers and umbrellas or sneak off to explore hidden coves. For hiking, head to the UNESCO-listed Tramuntana mountains, whose twin peaks can be seen from Palma and nearby Sóller. For something less active, you could tour the Wine Route on a day trip from Palma – Mallorca has over 70 bodegas (wineries) to discover.
Mallorca has an extensive bus network, with journeys usually taking no more than 2 hours. Most of them leave from Palma’s Estació Intermodal de Palma. You can also get a bus from Palma de Mallorca Airport, 8km east of the city, into the centre. The Sóller railway is an antique wooden train that runs between Palma and Sóller throughout the day, and modern train lines link Palma with Inca, Sa Pobla and Manacor. Mallorca is a popular destination for biking holidays, so you'll find lots of cycle routes too.
