This Spanish island really packs a punch when it comes to things to do on your holiday. With something to please everyone, you won't be left bored. We've taken our pick of the best things to do and see in Majorca.
Valldemossa
sol33 under Creative Commons license. Valldemossa makes a charming day trip: about half an hour drive from Palma, it has long been known as one of the prettiest villages on the island. People flock here to visit the Carthusian monastery, where Frederic Chopin once took rooms with his lover George Sand in the 1830s. Wander the quaint but steep streets, meandering from gallery to gift shop to bakery where you must try the coca de patata; a sweet cake made out of boiled potatoes. Best enjoyed with a rich hot chocolate!
Monastery of Lluc
Click-mallorca.com under Creative Commons license. Another monastery worthy of a visit, the monastery of Lluc dates back to the 1200s. The monastery is ornate and impressive and, with a museum and botanical garden on site, it makes a great day trip. This monastery is also home to the Los Blautes school choir, a famous choir that dates back to 1531 - you may even be lucky enough to catch them rehearsing. Set in some spectacular mountain scenery, this is a magnificent base for walking or hiking.
Palma de Majorca
Even if you're staying outside at a resort, the capital of Palma is definitely not to be missed. First stop should be the Cathedral Le Seu, set in the narrow alleys of the old town. It's a true gothic masterpiece, and one that has suffered from many a Spanish earthquake but still survived.
Make sure you've allocated some time to just stroll around the winding narrow streets that surround it, many of which have a very Moorish feel about them. Here you'll find the delightful Arab baths where you can imagine the citizens of Palma relaxing hundreds of years ago, but watch out - it's very easy to get lost!
Of course, you'll also find plenty of stalls here, and amongst them there are some high quality shops offering olive tastings and selling homemade olive oil soaps and toiletries.
Marineland
With dolphins, parrots, sea lions and a tropical aquarium, complete with snakes, lizards and piranhas, Marineland is an ideal family day out. There are animal shows throughout the day and you can even swim with the dolphins for an extra fee. Plus, it's located just ten minutes outside of Palma.
Walking
Image by Paraflyer under Creative Commons license. Majorca is full of walking routes, varying from mountain tracks to scenic coastline paths; through orange groves, picturesque villages and hidden coves. With mild weather even in the winter, Majorca makes a great all-weather walking destination. Puerto de Soller is a popular base for walkers.
Horse-riding
If you'd rather someone else did the walking, think about horse-riding in Majorca. You'll find plenty of stables offering lessons from beginners to advanced, or try a ranch stay such as the one at Rancho Grande, the largest horse ranch on the island. There's a real wild west theme going here, and there's acres of olive groves and beautiful countryside to see from the saddle.
Hot air ballooning
Majorca is a stunning location to see from the air - you can't beat taking in everything from the beautiful coast to the rocky Tramuntana Mountain range. Calm and tranquil at a height of 500 metres, a hot air balloon trip typically lasts between 30 minutes and an hour.
Wine and Dine
While there are plenty of restaurants serving English-style food, the island has more than a few top-quality Spanish restaurants. Michelin-starred and raved about by many, Bodeguilla in Palma is famed for both its gazpacho and tapas, not to mention the wine list reputed to be the largest on the island.
If you want something that feels typically Spanish and at a slightly cheaper price, try Taverna le Boveda in Palma. Dishes are traditional, seafood-orientated and good value for money in this exquisitely-tiled venue.
Spanish-style tapas by Salome Chaussure under Creative Commons license. In general, look out for the hearty first-course soups which are heavy on vegetables and taste. Like much of Spain, tapas is popular here. Look out for Padron Peppers, flash cooked green peppers from the region of Padron, served with Patatas Bravas. Seafood is readily available, with lobster and fish croquettes a favourite on many menus. If you fancy a change from Spanish food, pay a visit to Italian hostelry Mangiafuoco, which offers authentic Tuscan cuisine.
Top Image by Tommie Hanson under Creative Commons license.
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