If you are visiting Palma de Mallorca for a couple of days, it’s always a good idea to take a day trip from the city to get to know the island a bit. As Mallorca isn’t really large (3,640 sq. km), any place on the island is a feasible day trip destination from Palma. You will be amazed of the variety of places the island has to offer: cute little villages, stunning nature, sunny beaches, beautiful caves, and a handful of authentic experiences.
When I visited Palma on a city trip in the winter, I took a day tour to Pollença to see a bit more of the island. Unfortunately, I wasn’t staying long enough to get to know well the island, so I asked fellow travel bloggers, which were their favorite day trips from Palma. So, here are their recommendations for the best places to visit on a day trip from Palma de Mallorca.
Read more:
❒ The best attractions in Palma de Mallorca
❒ The best 4-day itinerary in Mallorca in winter
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I have visited Palma for the Traverse21 Conference. The trip to Pollença was provided by the organizers from Visit Palma and the town of Pollença. All opinions are mine.
I’ve made this handy map, so that you can locate the places and have an idea about the distances from Palma.
Pollença
by Daniela, the author of this blog
Pollença is a small adorable town in the north part of the island and it makes for a great day trip from Mallorca’s capital. If you have a car, the ride takes less than an hour (55 km), but Pollença is easily accessible by public transport. Take bus line 301 from Palma to Port de Pollença and get off at bus stop 42001 in Pollença.
When in Pollença, take a walk along the narrow cobbled streets and visit the local museum, located in the old cloister of the Dominicans. The museum in Pollença hides some real treasures, among which are a great collection of works of Anglada Camarasa, Tito Citadini and other artists who came to Mallorca at the beginning of the 20th century.
Afterwards head to Plaça Major and visit the lovely 13th-century church Our Lady of the Angels (Esglèsia de Nostra Senyora dels Àngels). Then take a stop for some refreshments at one of the many cafes at the square, before you continue wandering the medieval streets. Make your way to the so-called Roman bridge (Pont Romà), which was believed to be built in the days of the Roman empire.
The most famous attraction in Pollença is the Calvari hill with the small chapel on it. Beside the stunning views from the top of the hill, the place is famous for the reenactment of the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday each year, which symbolizes the way of Jesus to the crucifixion. There is a staircase with 365 steps that leads from behind the Church of Our Lady of the Angels to the top of the hill. However, my advice will be to take the road to the top of the hill and then descend to the square via the staircase.
Read more: Here you’ll find my article on the best things to do in Pollença. Includes a free map.
Castell d’Alaró
by Iris Veldwijk of Mind of a Hitchhiker
Some 30 kilometers from Palma de Mallorca is the village of Alaró. Since many of its inhabitants commute to the capital, Alaró is well-connected by bus and rail. Alternatively, you can rent a vehicle such as a scooter to travel around Mallorca. Both modes take about 30 to 40 minutes travel time.
When approaching from Consell, you’ll see the two peaks Puig d’Alaró and Puig de s’Alcadena like a gateway. It’s a beautiful vista that looks like it’s straight from a Medieval fantasy movie. Once in Alaró, you can enjoy the pleasantness of this cool and quiet village. But the main activity is to either hike up or drive and then hike up to Castell d’Alaró on the peak of the same name.
If you have your own vehicle or pay for a taxi, you can drive up the hairpin-turn road to a restaurant called Es Verger. This takes about 25 minutes by vehicle or 90 minutes on foot. From there, continue on foot as the road quality deteriorates. It’s a 2.6-kilometer or a 50-minute hike through a beautiful forest to the ruins of Castell d’Alaró.
You can spend a good hour or two at the peak enjoying the vistas and wandering among the beautiful ruins. The castle dates back to the early 10th century and was a place of refuge for islanders during several sieges and conquests. After its gradual abandonment starting in the 14th century, it became a religious refuge.
On a clear day, you’ll see the highest peak Puig Major with its military radar dome, the twin peak across the valley, and the rest of the Serra de Tramuntana and its villages. Enjoy lunch or an excellent cup of coffee at the inn on the peak.
Author’s bio: Iris Veldwijk from Mind of a Hitchhiker: standing by the road since 2013. That’s a blog about full-time digital nomad travel by means of kayaking, sailing, scooter driving, train riding, ferrying, hiking, and – of course – lots of hitchhiking.
Cap de Formentor
by Paulina of Ukeveryday – Travel Blog
To visit one of the best attractions on Mallorca Cap de Formentor, catch bus 340 in Palma de Mallorca, then change it for the 353 in Port de Pollença. It is also a good idea to leave your car there if you are driving. Roads in the northern part of the island are very narrow and quickly become overcrowded. You can also book a day trip from Palma to Cap de Formentor, if you don’t feel like driving:
If you decide to drive a car, but get stuck in a traffic jam between Port de Pollença and Cap de Formentor, stop at one of the most beautiful beaches on the island – Platja de Formentor. Stunning views of the Tramuntana mountains and crystal clear water make it a top location for taking incredible photos in Mallorca.
On the beach, you will find L’Espigó bar where you can eat something before heading off to Cap de Formentor. This northernmost point of the island attracts many tourists every year. Breathtaking cliffs and incredible blue water offer the best views in Mallorca.
The 12 kilometres long peninsula is really worth a visit. Mirador Es Colomer viewpoint is a great place to stop in Cap de Formentor. You can capture beautiful pictures of the sea and the Serra de Tramuntana cliffs.
Fun fact: The cultural landscape of Serra de Tramuntana is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011.
Cala Figuera or Cala Murta are other great spots that Cap de Formentor has to offer. This northernmost point of the island is relatively close to Palma de Mallorca, as it only takes 1h 15minutes to drive there. However, exploring all places in the peninsula might take time so I would recommend planning a nice day trip to Cap de Formentor.
Author’s bio: Paulina is the author of ukeveryday.com. Her blog was shortlisted as one of the Top 70 UK Travel Blogs to follow. She loves coastal walks in England, Wales and Scotland, but also travels worldwide. She fell in love with Mallorca’s breathtaking cliffs and incredible clear waters.
Coves dels Hams
by Ania James of The Travelling Twins
Coves dels Hams, or sometimes referred to as Hams Caves is a great place to visit on a day trip from Palma de Mallorca. The caves are located on the east side of Mallorca (or Majorca). The Mallorcan name of the caves Cuevas dels Hams in exact translation means “the fishhook caves”. The name comes from the strange shape stalactites and stalagmites. And yes, you guessed they have a shape of a fish hook. Although the caves were formed during prehistoric times, they were only discovered at the beginning of the 20th century.
Visitors to the Coves dels Hams are let in organized groups on specific time slots, and the tour starts with a movie about how the cave got discovered. This informative movie lasts around 15 to 20 minutes and shows some spectacular footage of the cave. After the movie, you get to explore various cave chambers, all with nice light or laser show. One of the shows includes “Magical Mozart” – a light and music show presented in the cave on the underground lake.
Visit in the cave takes around 40 minutes, but around the cave, you can find a great picnic area, or you can finish your trip by having a delicious lunch in the nearby town of Porto Cristo, as we did and after that, we took a short boat cruise, which all made a perfect day trip out of Palma.
Cuevas dels Hams are located close to the town of Porto Cristo, so it would be better to rent a car to get there, though you may as well go by bus (line 401). By bus the trip would take over 90 minutes, while by car its around 50 minutes. Entry tickets to the caves cost around 20 EUR.
If you do not want to take care yourself of the logistics, you can always opt for an organized tour from Palma to Porto Cristo and the Coves dels Hams:
Author’s bio: Ania James – Photographer, traveller, blogger and what most important mother of The Travelling Twins. I always travelled the world and decided after that having twins won’t change it, and now for the last six years, we have travelled the world as a family.
Sóller and Port de Sóller
by Joanna of The World in My Pocket
One of the most popular day trips from Palma is to Sóller and Port de Sóller. The main reasons that tourists choose to go to these two beautiful towns in the west of the island is the vintage train that takes them there, followed by the old 1913’s tram that is still in function.
Riding the vintage train from Palma to Sóller is an experience in itself. The train was inaugurated in 1912 with much joy, as it finally connected the orange producing town of Sóller with the harbour in Palma. A year later, the tram connecting Sóller with Port de Sóller was put in function as well, which opened up the trade from the sea – taking oranges and olives to the Port and bringing back fish to Sóller. Back then, the tram was used mostly to transport goods.
You can book a trip to Sóller here:
The wooden train has many original elements that were never changed. It is really well maintained so that visitors can have an authentic experience. The train leaves Palma and, one hour later, arrives in Sóller. It passes through beautiful mountain scenery and stops at a viewpoint from where you can see the town of Sóller from above.
The trip to Sóller and Port de Sóller takes the entire day. The two towns couldn’t be more different from each other. Sóller is a quiet town with a gorgeous architecture, with quite a few buildings being designed by Joan Rubió y Bellver, who worked with Gaudí on Sagrada Familia, Parc Güell, and Casa Batlló in Barcelona. On the other hand, Port de Sóller is a vibrant seaside resort with restaurants lined along the seafront and yachts anchored in the marina.
Read more: Are you fascinated by Modernista Architecture? Read my guide about Art-Nouveau Architecture in Palma.
Author’s bio: Joanna is a South of England based blogger who writes about off the beaten path destination, slow travel and local gastronomy. She has travelled to over 50 countries around the world.
Sa Calobra
by Nadine of Le long weekend
The tiny settlement of Sa Calobra is only a bit more than an hour away from Palma, but it feels like another world. Located on the northwest coast of Mallorca, it’s among some of the most dramatic landscapes on the island.
Getting to Sa Calobra is easiest by car, but it is possible to take the bus (or train) to Sóller, and continue by bus to Sa Calobra. In the summer months, you’ll also find ferry services from Port de Sóller to Sa Calobra, so if you had an entire day up your sleeve, you could enjoy a train ride to Sóller, followed by the vintage tram to Port de Sóller, and continue by ferry to Sa Calobra. If you decide to drive, the road is wild and interesting, and there are some incredible viewpoints along the way too.
Once you reach Sa Calobra, there is a large paid parking lot. Leave the car and proceed by foot down to the first beach. Small, but scenic, it’s a lovely place for a swim. But undoubtedly, the main event is a short walk away. Follow the main promenade, past the smattering of cafes and souvenir shops, until there’s nothing left but you and nature.
After a short stroll, you’ll find the tunnel entrance to Torrent de Pareis. Widely known as one of the most beautiful beaches in Mallorca, its unusual shape sets it apart. Here you can relax in nature, with none of the usual distractions of a popular beach – there aren’t any services, loungers, or watersports on offer, but that just adds to the tranquility. You’ll need to allow at least 2 hours in Sa Calobra to enjoy the beaches and grab a bite to eat in a waterfront bar, but you could easily spend a whole day.
Author’s bio: Nadine is a New Zealander living in France, who writes about her European adventures at Le Long Weekend. Always with a camera in hand, she loves exploring on foot, and always has to see “what’s around the next corner”.
Valldemosa
by Karen of Outdoor Adventure Sampler
Valldemossa, a historic city only a half hour drive from Palma de Mallorca, is an excellent day trip. The quaint village is on a hilltop with views of the terraced valley below.
Stroll the narrow, car-free cobbled alleyways to soak in Spanish history and culture. Visit the parish church of Valldemossa to learn of Santa Catalina Thomas, the first patron saint of Mallorca.
Polish composer Frederick Chopin and his lover known by her pen name George Sand spent a winter in Valldemossa. Visitors can enjoy the museum that houses Chopin‘s piano.
For outdoor enthusiasts stunning hikes in the Tramuntana mountains start in Valldemossa. The views from the ridges of the coast and the mountains are spectacular in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Browse the weekly outdoor market for scrumptious food and local fruits and vegetables. Handicrafts and textiles found at the market make welcome gifts. The market is on Sunday and located not far from the Tourism office.
Valldemossa is an easy bus ride or car trip from Palma de Mallorca and makes for a fabulous day trip. However, if you can book a room in town, you can wake up to the morning sun over the valley and share the quiet alleys with only the locals. As Valldemossa is a popular tourist destination, you will enjoy the uncrowded mornings in the village.
Another option would be to book a day trip from Palma to Valldemossa. There are also tours that combine a few places in Serra Tramuntana, or a day trip with a walking tour of Valldemossa.
There are charming cafes around the town for socializing and people watching. Try the rustic Quita Penas restaurant for amazing tapas. You can be back in Palma de Mallorca for your evening plans after a fabulous day visiting Valldemossa.
Author’s bio: Karen of Outdoor Adventure Sampler blogs about outdoor adventures around the globe. Her 40+ years as a professional outdoor educator and trip leader gives her many outdoor experiences to write about. e next corner”.
Fornalutx
by Andreea of Andoreia
Fornalutx is a picturesque small village located in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains that can easily be visited on a day trip from Palma. And since it’s very close to Sóller, you can even combine the two.
The best way to get there is by car, so my advice is to rent one, at least for a few days out of your vacation. Despite the fact that public transportation is generally very well organized, a Mallorca road trip is a better and more flexible way to discover the island. The journey from Palma to Fornalutx usually takes around 45 minutes and you will find a small parking spot right at the entrance of the village. Another option is to visit by bus: take line 204 to Sóller and get out at stop Cetre, where you’ll change to line 232 to Fornalutx. You can pay by card on the bus.
Once you arrive at the village, the best thing to do is to get lost in its tiny, cobblestone alleys, lined up with potted plants, and admire the impressive backdrop of the mountains that surround Fornalutx. Hikers will also be delighted to know that there are several walking trails to choose from. Just make sure to start your day early if you plan on doing one.
The bare minimum to spend in Fornalutx is one to two hours. This will be more than enough to explore the tiny village, but you’ll need to add more time if you plan to hike or stop at one of the few restaurants in the main square to grab something to eat or a drink.
Author’s bio: Andreea is a DIY travel enthusiast and the owner of andoreia.com, where she writes tips, itineraries, and guides about the destinations she visits.
Other day trips from Palma
The best part about Mallorca is that you can visit a few places from Palma on a day trip. Even if you decide to spend more time on the island, you don’t need to move around in order to discover Mallorca. You can stay in Palma and explore Mallorca one day tour at a time. Renting a car is a good option, but for a stress-free travel I recommend booking a tour. Thus, you won’t be fussing around about the logistics and as most of the tours are guided, you’ll learn also a lot the places that you are visiting on Mallorca.
Day cruises from Palma
If you visiting Palma in the summer, you might love to get on the water. You can book a cruise with a catamaran in Palma Bay, or a boat trip along the coast with some sightseeing.
Wine tours from Palma
Are you a wine lover? Mallorca won’t disappoint you. In the last years the wine industry on the islands is booming and there are many small private wineries scattered all over the island. You can visit some of them with a wine tour from Palma, which includes also wine tasting.
