Unique Things to do in Mallorca

Before my first trip to Mallorca, I didn’t know much about the island, and I associate it with a party destination. As I am not really into clubbing or drinking until the early hours of the morning, I searched for other unique things to do in Mallorca, mostly culture and nature related. And oh, what amazing things I found! My first trip was so great that I returned and immersed myself deeper into everything the island has to offer. And let me tell you, spending your holiday in Mallorca will be a treat if you love nature, good food, and unique experiences.

I managed to find quite a few unique things to do in Mallorca, especially as I travelled there off season, which I highly recommend that you do too. The weather was never bad enough to make me cancel my plans and I also got to experience all those gorgeous beaches that Mallorca is so famous for, without any other people around. I never imagined I would have Cala Pi, or Cala Mondrago, which are very popular in summer, all to myself! And what a feeling that was! I also took a dip in the sea in November, and even though the water was chilly, it still wasn’t as cold as the English Channel is during the summer.

In this article I will tell you all about those unique things that will make your holiday to Mallorca so much more special. I like to stay away from crowds when I travel, and if you do too, keep reading on.

Where to Stay in Mallorca?

During my trips to Mallorca I stayed in different places and areas of the island. I was always welcomed with beautiful, clean, and comfortable rooms.

A photo taken by night, from the balcony of the room towards the pool. The pool is lit and you can see on the side the tables and chairs from the restaurant of the ground floor.

On my first trip to the island I chose to stay in the North of Mallorca. As I was travelling there with three other friends, I chose Apart-hotel Flora because of the really good price (£275 for 5 nights) and the location, two blocks away from the beach in Port Pollenca. The apartment was big enough for the four of us, it had a nice balcony with a view towards the pool and daily housekeeping included in the price. Click here to check the latest reviews on Tripadvisor, and here to see the most updated prices on Booking.

A compact room with a white bed in the middle covered by a white bed cover. In the middle of the bed there is a small blue cushion. On the left wall there is a white air conditioning. On the right, just after the bed, there is a hallway that leads to the rooftop terrace.

Another time I stayed in Palma, at Ca Sa Padrina. The B&B was located on a quiet street in the heart of the old town of Mallorca and had a lovely rooftop terrace which I didn’t have to share with anyone. The room was large enough and had a spa bath. It was simply decorated but very comfortable. When I left, the owner allowed me to leave my luggage in one of the lockers for the day, and I kept the key with me until the afternoon. For this room I paid £55 a night. Click here to check the latest reviews on Tripadvisor, and here to see the most updated prices on Booking.

A very large open space room inside an old rustic barn. There is a very large four poster bed in the back, covered with an orange bed cover. The room is decorated with rustic elements that used to be tool of the farm, when it was functioning. In the middle of the room there is a large arch that goes from one side to the other.

Another great place to stay in Mallorca is Finca Agroturismo Es Pujol. As a treat to myself after attending a conference in Palma, I booked three nights here. This is an old farm transformed into comfortable touristic accommodation. I paid £140 for three nights and enjoyed a large apartment with a massive bed, a modern bathroom and a magnificent view all the way to the sea. The finca had a gorgeous infinity pool, but as I was here in November, it was too cold to sunbathe. I want to return in warmer weather, as my stay was simply perfect. There was also a cat and a pony living on the property, which I thought was really cute. If you want to book this place you must hire a car, as it’s located in quite a remote area. Click here to check the latest reviews on Tripadvisor, and here to see the most updated prices on Booking.

How to Travel Around Mallorca

A red and yellow bus stopped at the Intermodal bus station in Palma. There are a few people waiting to get on.

During my trips to Mallorca, I used public transport but I also hired a car. Most of the towns and resorts on the island are connected very well to Palma by public transport. I have written a guide on how to use the public transport in Mallorca, here. If you book accommodation around the island and not in Palma, it’s a good idea to book a transfer to and from the airport.

On my first trip to Mallorca I used Hoppa, which was £18 for a return transfer from Palma airport to Port Pollenca.  Taking in consideration that the transfer was door to door to my hotel, and that the distance between the two is around 60 kilometres, this was a great deal. What I liked about the transfer is that they took care of everything, and they confirmed the return directly with the reception of the hotel, which meant that I didn’t have to worry about it. The reception informed me what time the shuttle would pick me up the day before my departure.

A small white Fiat500 parked on the right hand side of a long empty street.

When I stayed in Palma, I chose to either to take a taxi or the airport bus to my accommodation. I also rented a car when I wanted to explore corners of the island that were harder to reach by public transport. You can read my guide on how to hire a car in Mallorca, based on my own experience, by clicking here.

Unique Things to do in Mallorca

A photo of a simple rowing boat on the shore, next to the sand. Next to it there is another boat which is covered by a white cover.

I never visited Mallorca during the main season, which meant that I was able to explore the attractions of the island without too many other tourists around.  If you don’t like the crowds, I highly recommend that you do the same. The only disadvantage is that the weather might not be sunny all the time, but there are plenty of things to do in Mallorca when it rains. During my last trip to the island last November, I encountered quite a lot of rain, but the locals said it was really unusual and that it hadn’t rained that much for 20 years. Despite the bad weather I still enjoyed the beaches, the hikes, the castles, the empty roads and the plenty of parking spaces.

Go Hiking

A small bay seen from the cliffs above. The water is a beautiful shade of azure blue

You may be surprised to hear that Mallorca is a hiker’s paradise. There are so many wonderful trails along the Tramuntana mountains, the beaches, the national parks and to the hidden coves, which are only accessible by foot.

My first hike in Mallorca was from Port Pollenca to Cala San Vicente, a short 40-minute trail connecting the two villages over a hill. From the top of the hill there is a pretty panorama towards Port Pollenca. The trail is very well marked on Google Maps, and you can’t really miss it. It is fairy easy, with just a bit un uneven terrain at the beginning, uphill. Once you reach the top there is a flat portion, before the path starts descending towards Cala San Viecente.

By the time I reached the cala, the sun was preparing to set, embracing the landscape in a warm, golden light. Even if the sea was quite rough, after the rain its colour was a gorgeous shade of azure blue. This was my first encounter with what I call “the blues of Mallorca”– because of this gorgeous shade of blue that reminded me more of the exotic Caribbean Sea rather than the Mediterranean Sea.

I am sitting on a large rock, looking towards the view in front of me, from the top of the mountain. I am wearing a white tshirt and black jeans. Next to the rock I have my red and black backpack.

Another memorable hike I’ve done in Mallorca was in the Sierra de Tramuntana mountains, in Valdemossa. I wasn’t planning on hiking, but after I visited the village I noticed that I had two hours to spare until the next bus, so I thought, why not. So off I went, even if I wasn’t really prepared, as I was wearing jeans and sketchers instead of hiking gear. I wanted to reach the first Mirador and then come back, but the main path was going through private land, so I had to take the much longer de-tour trail. As I kept climbing and climbing, the views became more and more breathtaking. It wasn’t the easiest trail because of the rocky terrain, but it was wide enough for my fear of heights not to kick in. The path moved from the side of the mountain towards the thick pine forest, where I encountered sheep and a few packs of wild mountain goats. Half an hour later I reached the viewpoint I was aiming towards, and wished I had more time to continue further. I would love to return to Mallorca for a trip that involves more hiking. I am still yet to discover more of the west of the island.  

Cycle Your Way Up to Lluc Monastery

The entrance to Lluc monastery, with two red and yellow buses waiting in front.

I have to admit, I didn’t personally cycle to Lluc – I don’t think I’m fit enough. I did go there by bus and I noticed that it was a really popular route for cyclists. I do know that Mallorca is a great place for cycling holidays, and if this is your passion, you will find some amazing scenery along the way.

The road to Lluc climbs a whopping 525 meters up the mountain and it’s pretty steep and sinuous. There were however plenty of cyclists on it, and I really admired them as I rode a bike to and from my office for a few years, and I know it’s not easy at all uphill.

If you choose to take the public transport to Lluc like I did, be aware that currently there is only one direct bus, the number 312 from Inca.  There are only a few buses a day, so make sure you check the schedule before the trip.  

The Monastery from Lluc is a pilgrimage site and it is the first Sanctuary on the island of Mallorca, founded in the 13th century.  At a very reasonable price you can even spend the night at the Monastery, to enjoy the peacefulness of the mountains.

Every August thousands of people join the “Night of the Pilgrims”, and hike from Palma to Lluc overnight – a distance of around 50 kilometres.

Discover Sa Calobra 

The lagoon at Sa Calobra. There are two rock walls broken apart by the sea. In front, there is a green lake which contrasts with the blue of the sea. There are a few people lying down next to the lake.

Whilst during high season reaching Sa Calobra is relatively easy by boat from Port Soller, during all other times is more difficult. Sa Calobra is a small bay flanked by the high rocky walls of the Sierra de Tramuntana. It is a gorgeous place, but reaching it by road can be an adrenaline ride.

When I went to Sa Calobra, there was one bus a day connecting the village with Port Pollenca. Currently there are no buses going there, so the only way to reach it is by hiring a car. I remember being on the bus and hearing the driver saying to the passengers in front that the drive to Lluc was just the appetiser.

Soon enough I got to learn what that meant. All of a sudden, when we reached the top of the mountain, the road curved into a loop, and there were no safety barriers. This is one of the most famous hairpins in the world, turning 270 degrees and looping under itself, creating an angle of 360 degrees. When I looked out the window, my heart stood still. In front of me all I could see was what I thought to be an infinite number of curves going down the mountain, narrow and abrupt. A sign on the road was reading “Sa Calobra – 13km, 7” gradient”.

The road going down to Sa Calobra seen from the top point. It looks like a snake cutting through the mountain abruptly, with very sharp bends.

It took about an hour, if not more, to reach Sa Calobra. During all this time, the only things going through my mind were scenarios of the bus falling off a cliff. And my fear was not unfounded, as some of the hairpins were so narrow that the bus had to manoeuvre back and forth in order to get round the bends. When you see nothing but the drop in front of you, your breath kind of stops. I couldn’t have been happier when we finally reached the village and I got off the bus and felt the ground underneath my feet.

The trip was well worth it though, as Sa Calobra is gorgeous! The bay itself is really small, but the real surprise comes after crossing the tunnel through the mountain. All of a sudden, the landscape opens up into a peaceful lagoon, where the mountains meet the sea, and the waves crash powerfully onto the rocks, creating white foam. There is a green lake as well, which contrasts with the blue shade of the sea. This is a lovely place to take your time and relax, connect with the nature and enjoy the sounds.

Have Lunch in a 16th Century Windmill

A glass of red wine next to a bottle which is labelled

For a unique experience in Mallorca, go for lunch in a 16th century windmill. Mesquida Mora is a vineyard located in the heart of Mallorca, run by Barbara, a very passionate fourth generation winemaker. She has created a vineyard with personality, combining her life philosophy with her love for the soil. The wines she produces are in small batches and are inspired by her passion for the region soil and grapes she produces.

As the weather forecast was rainy, I joined this unique homemade lunch paired with Barbara’s delicious wines, inside the 16th century windmill that she had just finished renovating. It is situated in the middle of the vineyard.

The lunch consisted of traditional Mallorcan dishes cooked by a local woman from the village. It was a showcase of the local ingredients in hearty dishes in a relaxed, cosy atmosphere. This is without a doubt one of the non-touristy things to do in Mallorca because if you don’t know about Mesquida Mora, you wouldn’t know that they organise these fantastic lunches in the vineyard (when it doesn’t rain). If you are travelling to Mallorca in a group of at least five, you can always contact Barbara and book this amazing experience.

Go on a Wellness Experience

A glimpse of the garden from Tramuntia. A rustic metal blue table and chairs can be seen through a bush of purple lavender. Behind the table there is a large bush of rosemary

When I travel, I like to combine exploring with a bit of wellness. After all, it’s the only time I can take off work, so as much as I love discovering new things, I also like to take a few days off at the end of an active itinerary, to relax. Whilst I am not really keen on spending the entire day on a beach, no matter how beautiful, I do like to enjoy some relaxing time in nature, with good food and some light activities.

During my last trip to Mallorca, I learned about Tramuntia, a company which organises wellness weekends in the beautiful surroundings of the Puig de Galatzó Nature Reserve. Miguel, the owner of the company, is a chef who has channelled his love for nature and his learnings from Zen Buddhism into a unique experience, aimed to relax both the body and mind. The three mantras of the weekend are to disconnect, to move, and to practice self-care.

The experience includes accommodation in a rural house surrounded by lemon and orange trees, yoga sessions, mindfulness meditation, foraging walks in the forest, and hikes in different beauty spots on the island, complete with a full vegetarian menu that celebrates the local seasonal ingredients.

I spent a day at Tramuntia, taking part in their vegetarian gastronomic experience, which is meant to help disconnect from the rush of the daily life and awaken the senses of the body. Miguel cooked a delicious six course meal, which was paired with four Spanish wines and a local vermouth. The meal was supposed to take place in nature, but because it was raining, we enjoyed the cosiness of the converted finca. You can read more about the Tramuntia experience on their website, by clicking here.

Visit a Mighty Castle

The inside of the walls of the Capdepera castle. There are a lot of ruins and archaeological excavations sites around the garden and the footpath for visitors is signposted with red arrows

You wouldn’t associate Mallorca with mighty castles on top of hills, overlooking the land below. So imagine my surprise when I was driving towards Cala Mesquida and saw such a castle rising above the town in front of me. As soon as I arrived at my destination, I followed the map back on my phone and learned that the castle was called Capdepera. On my return, even if it was pouring with rain, I decided I needed to stop and check it out. And what a good decision that was!

Castell de Capdepera is a walled fortress, one of the largest on the island. Its construction started in 1300 and its role was to protect the residents from pirate attacks. The fortress has massive walls that can be seen from afar.

I parked the car in the lower part of the town, and then made my way up on the very steep and narrow streets.  15 minutes later I was at the gate. I paid the 3 euros entry fee and pretty much got the entire castle to myself as I was the only visitor. I spent about an hour climbing the walls and visiting the exhibition in the Governor’s House. The ground floor was dedicated to a permanent exhibition celebrating the art of palm weaving and to the people who dedicated their lives to this craft. Before coming here I had no idea that palm weaving was such an important craft on the island. The castle holds demonstrations once a week.

From the highest point of the castle, which is above the church, there is a beautiful 360 panorama. I could easily imagine how the inhabitants could see when the pirates were approaching from afar. The visibility on the day I visited wasn’t great due to the heavy rain, but I could still see the sea and the coast of the island.

Find a Hidden Cala

The beautiful shades of blue of the sea at Cala Boquer. The beach is rocky and the bay is surrounded by tall cliffs

Mallorca has plenty of hidden calas, some of them accessible only by boat or hike. One of these places is Cala Boquer, a great recommendation from the receptionist of my hotel in Port Pollenca. The trail starts behind the resort, and it is very well signed.

The path to Cala Boquer is around 7 km long, mostly flat, going through some rocky areas so you will need a pair of good grip shoes if you plan to hike it. Not many people walk this trail so most of the time it was just me and the goats. The path goes through the mountains, so the views are pretty stunning.

There are no trees or any shade on the trail so bring plenty of water and sunscreen with you. Even though I hiked here in April, it was still very hot.

As soon as the sea starts to get visible, the path becomes uneven and rocky, covered with vegetation. It also splits into more trails and it’s a bit tricky to get down to the beach. It’s good to remember well which path you take so you don’t get lost on your way back, like I did.

Cala Boquer is one of the most stunning bays I have seen. The sea is turquoise, and the water is so clear that you can see the pebbles on the bottom and the fish swimming around. It was amazing to be there alone and enjoy the beauty of this place like it was just mine. I could have spent the entire day on the tiny beach or on the rock close to the shore, suntanning.

Take a Harbour Cruise in Palma

Yachts anchored one next to another in the bay of Palma. They are either black or white coloured.

Palma is a charming city that looks even prettier from the sea. I highly recommend a harbour cruise to see it from a different perspective. I boarded Marco Polo at 2pm with my friend, and we were the only passengers who had bought tickets for that time. This was definitely an advantage of coming to Mallorca in the low season!

We sat outside, at the front of the boat and enjoyed the beautiful views as well as the very expensive yachts anchored in the harbour. The cruise lasted for an hour and included a nice commentary from the skipper. We found out which boat belonged to which famous person, and also had a couple of cocktails from the bar. Even though Marco Polo was small, it still had a fully stocked bar.

There are several cruises that you can take around Mallorca, some of which you can book in advance:

Explore a National Park

A view of the Es Trenc beach, near the salt flats. It is close to the sunset and the rocks on the beach are lit by a golden light of the sun. The sea is a bit choppy and there are some waves coming towards the shore from the right hand side of the photo.

Mallorca has quite a few gorgeous natural parks and reserves which are best explored by foot or bike. I had the pleasure of exploring two of them without any other tourists around, which made it so much more special.

The Es Trenc – Salobrar National Park is located in the south of the island and incorporates the salt flats D’Es Trenc. The easiest way to get here is by car, on a very narrow, potholed road.  Be prepared to pay a hefty 7 euros fee to park. When I visited, three quarters of the car park was flooded as well, with only a few tiny spaces on the right-hand side. Fortunately there were only three other cars there, so I managed to park my small Fiat 500 between them, without taking too much space.

I spent a good few hours here, enjoying nature and the quietness whilst walking up and down the beach. The natural park is composed of wetlands that are separated from the sea by a sandbank. Stepping on the dunes is not allowed, but there are a few pathways around them, from where to observe. At the Es Trenc beach, the lagoon breaks through the dunes and opens up to the sea, making it a perfect environment to produce salt.

As I was driving towards the beach I noticed the entrance to the Salinas d‘Es Trenc and their small boutique shop where they sell the salt which they produce. At the moment you can only visit the salt flats either by making a booking in advance, calling, or sending an email. Click here for details. As I didn’t have a reservation, I had to drive on and see the flats from the car.

The lagoon is a great nesting environment for many birds, such as the flamingo, the black winged stilt, the pied avocet and the heron. If you are into birdwatching, this is a perfect place to see the seabirds in their natural habitat. The Es Trenc beach is also the nesting habitat for the loggerhead sea turtle.

The beautiful S'Amarador beach with the water changing the shades of blue as it goes further and further away from the shore. The bay is surrounded by pine forests.

Another fantastic natural reserve that I visited in Mallorca was the Cala Mondrago. Here I avoided paying a high fee for parking and left my car in the nearby Barca Trencada area. The streets around here were empty due to all of the hotels being closed down. From here I hiked to Cala Mondrago and further on, to S’Amarador beach. The trail is so beautiful, passing through a pine forest, offering gorgeous views of the turquoise water below. Halfway through I stumbled upon an old military bunker.

The hike was very pleasant, and it can easily be done during summer as well when the temperatures are much higher, as it’s shaded.  The pine forests are home to many species of fauna and flora, such as different species of orchids, weasels, hedgehogs, genets, stone curlews, kestrels and hoopoes. It is very important not to stray from the marked path, so you don’t disturb the wildlife.

I spent quite a bit of time relaxing at S’Amarador Beach, which I had all to myself. I thought this was one of the most beautiful beaches in Mallorca because of it’s golden sand and the beautiful colours of the sea. The different shades of turquoise in the water, and the rays of sun shining gently on the water made this place feel so special.

Find a Fishing Village

An image from the Cala Figuera, with houses built uphill and the boats anchored on the water in front. There are all sorts of boats here, from tiny rowing ones to small yachts.

Cala Figuera looks more like a traditional village in Greece rather than in Spain. The houses along the Y-shaped bay are white, decorated with green shutters, and have small “garages” underneath for the boats. Further along where the bay opens up, expensive yachts are anchored below the villas which are built on cliffs.

The village is located on the edge of Cala Mondrago Natural Park, which surrounds it with thick vegetation. You will mostly find fig trees around here, which inspired the name of the village.

Walking around the village is not just peaceful but also extremely relaxing. The picturesque scenery, the turquoise blue waters, the cats that seem to come out from every corner, make this village such a romantic place to be in.

Visit the Footwear Museum

A view from the inside of the shoe museum, where different old machines are displayed.

Camper is one of the most famous brands of shoes that started in Mallorca, back in 1975. The founder of the company was the first to bring sewing machines to the island, from England, having an important role in the evolution of craft. The Camper shoes are still designed on the island and the brand has stores in over 40 different countries. Whilst back in the 1950s there were hundreds of shoe factories in Inca, today there are only very few left. They are all family owned and they take great pride in their manufacturing.

The leather shoe manufacturing started in Mallorca in the 13th century, but it only became industrialised much later on. Back in the day, the craft was passed from father to son, with children helping their parents from a very young age. Inca has become the centre of footwear manufacturing in the Balearic Islands in the late 19th century, when many locals moved from agriculture to working with leather. The Museum of Footwear and Industry showcases the beginnings of the trade on the island and passes through history to the current day through old machines, tools, patterns and leather samples.

A small collection of decorations portraying animals inside shoes

Visiting the Footwear Museum is a very unique experience. I started my visit with no expectations, but left with so much knowledge and interesting facts. You could easily spend an hour and a half here, reading about the evolution of the leather shoe making and seeing all the different unique designs from the “Curiosity box” at the end. On the ground floor, the museum hosts different temporary exhibitions. During my visit, they were preparing to launch the “Cinderella broke her shoe” exhibition, focused on female empowerment, no longer needing a prince to save her.

The museum has its own mascot named “Crispina”, which is a fun representation of one of the shoe-making machines. She is the character on the audio-guide that leads you through the museum.

Check out the Local Markets  

A stall in the market displaying red tomatoes, white garlic, yellow lemons and red apples.

I loved going to the market in Mallorca. Every day, a different town has market day, so by moving around the island you have many opportunities to buy fresh vegetables and fruits, organic sobrasada and Mahon cheese from nearby Menorca.

Pollenca is a lovely old town with a beautiful market square and a small church on top of a hill. 356 stairs to be exact, that take you to the most beautiful viewpoint in town. The market in Pollenca takes place on Sundays. I arrived in Pollenca quite early, so before exploring the market I sat down at one of the cafes in Placa Seglars and ordered breakfast: a coffee and an ensaimada, Mallorca’s most famous pastry. Once my stomach was full and my mind de-fuzzed, I headed to the main square. Here, local producers were showcasing their best produce: tomatoes and garlic, olives and cheese, jamon and sobrasada, almond honey and orange marinade. There was even an impromptu bread maker, baking fresh rolls on the spot. I bought bread, olives, and tomatoes for a quick lunch on the go.

A general image of the market in Santiany with vendors selling fruits and vegetables, meats and cheese, and clothes.

The most famous market in Mallorca is in Inca and takes place every Wednesday. Here you can find anything you can imagine, as it not just a food market, it sells goods too.  Every Wednesday morning, the entire centre of the town transforms into a street market. Some of the most traditional products you can buy here are the woven palm leaves baskets and the leather goods.

My favourite market in Mallorca is in Santanyi, a very small town in the South-East of the island. The market is very small, but it has very friendly producers who are happy to chat with you. Before browsing through the market I sat down at a small café on one side to have my morning coffee and contemplate on what I’d love to buy.  As I was staying at the agrotourism finca with no restaurants nearby, I decided to buy dinner: Ramallet tomatoes, Mahon cheese, sobrasada sausage, sun dried tomatoes, and some delicious local oranges.

Enjoy a Feast at a Cellar Restaurant

A platter with an entire roasted suckling pig sat on a metal platter, surrounded with dried plums and apricots.

There may be more, but I only found two cellar restaurants on the island, and dining at one of them was such as special experience. The cellar restaurants offer a traditional menu, with typical Mallorcan dishes, among which, for a feast, is the porcella.

Porcella is a traditional Mallorcan dish that is usually eaten for Christmas or on special occasions. It consists of a suckling pig, slowly roasted until the meat will melt in your mouth and the skin is crispy. It is served with roast potatoes, salad and dried apricots and prunes.

I had suckling pig at the Can Ripoll Antic Cellar, in Inca. The restaurant is an old wine cellar that still has the giant barrels in which Bacchus’s favourite drink used to mature. The walls are decorated with old utensils used to make wine, copper pots and pans, whilst the ceiling is covered in wooden beams. The restaurant serves traditional food from Mallorca at very affordable prices.

If you order porcella make sure you are not alone, as you will be served the entire pig.  

Visit a Carob Farm

A hand holding a bunch of carob seeds

My friend Heidi from Kitchen Talk and Travels has visited a carob farm in Mallorca, and shared the experience with me.

“Quite a few years ago I discovered Carob. This plant offers an alternative to cacao or chocolate, with some people saying it is a far healthier alternative.

On a recent trip to the Spanish island of Mallorca I had the opportunity to visit a carob farm, to learn more about the product, see it growing and of course taste some delicious food using the processed carob.

Juana Verger brought back the idea of growing carob in Mallorca following a visit to Peru in 2015 and decided to start a project called Es Garrover.  The idea was to grow the carob bean, grind it into flour to bake with, create delicious drinks and syrups and all from a sustainable perspective.

The inside of the carob bean is generally used for food products and the outside for animal feed.

Unfortunately the day we visited Es Garrover was just after a night of heavy rain and the fields were too muddy to walk through.  This didn’t however stop us once the sun came out from seeing the crop on trees, being able to hold the celebrated carob bean whilst enjoying a cup of a coffee like drink (called Afe – Algarroba Tostada) or a tea infusion (Algarroba Infusion). Both drinks offering a refreshing beverage whilst being 100% organic, caffeine free and low fat.

The carob bean can be turned into chocolate like syrups, spreads and flours for baking and more and the passion of Juana Verger whose family business Johannis – Es Garrover de Mallorca will do her utmost to ensure the education of the Mallorcan people will continue and the legend of the carob bean will continue to grow.”

You can book a visit to the carob farm by clicking here.

Visit a Sanctuary Populated by Cats 

A panoramic view of the Sanctuary and it's walls, on a very rainy day. There is a well in the middle of the yard, surrounded by stone benches

At someone’s recommendation, I added Artà to my Mallorca itinerary. This beautiful medieval town is extremely picturesque and not yet on the touristic radar, which means that here you will be able to experience the authentic rural life of the island.  

Artà is home to the 16th century church of San Salvador, which stands on top of a hill, overlooking the town and the landscape below all the way to the coast. As I climbed the steps towards the top of Calvary Hill, I thought how similar this walk was to the one in Pollenca leading to the Calvary chapel. As I arrived at the top, the heavens opened again, so I searched for refuge inside the church. To my surprise, I was joined by a pack of cats, who meowed and rubbed against my legs until I sat down and petted them. It was quite funny, as there was nobody else around, just me and the cats.

>A grey and white kitten sitting upright on one of the wooden praying benches inside the church

A special statue is displayed in the church: a coloured wooden statue of Virgin Mary which is thought to have been brought to the island by Jaume I of Aragon, who conquered Mallorca from the Moors in 1229. He stayed in the fortress after the conquest and transformed the small mosque inside into a Christian temple.

Sunsets in Mallorca are Pretty Special

The sunset on the beach in Palma. The entire atmosphere is golden, with the sun reflecting orange rays in the water and on the sand.

I don’t know about you, but I never get bored of sunsets. And the ones in Mallorca didn’t disappoint. Even though the weather was wet, at the end of the day a few rays on sunshine were still able to break through the clouds and turn the sky into beautiful shades of red, orange and yellow.

There are plenty of beautiful places where to watch the sunset from. Some of my favourite ones included the beach in Port Pollenca, the promenade in Palma, the infinity pool at my accommodation (with a glass of wine) and the salt flats Des Trenc.

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79 thoughts on “Unique Things to do in Mallorca

  1. Michelein says:

    Wow!! GREAT list of things to do in Mallorca! Pinning this to help for our next trip there. It’s such a beautiful region and your pictures have me wanting to visit again!

  2. Anna says:

    I visited Mallorca almost 10 years ago, now your post gave me some serious wanderlust to return and explore more of the island! Cala Figuera def looks more like Greece rather than Spain – both are my favorites anyway, so can´t wait to visit!

  3. Bea says:

    Really enjoyed this. I always like getting off the tourist trail. When a friend and I went to Mallorca we rented a car and simply got lost, followed our noses and ended up in the most amazing little cover, following a similar hairy drive as you!

  4. jolayne says:

    I always love the non traditional, non touristy locations to explore. Looks as though you had a great time discovering Mallorca.

  5. Susanna says:

    Thanks for sharing this. As a German resident, I only hear about how touristy Mallorca is, so it was nice to see there is something else to the Island. I honestly had no desire to go until now! It actually looks like there are a lot of things I would be interested in – including cats, farms, hiking, biking, and more!

  6. Blair Villanueva says:

    Thanks for giving us so many reasons why Mallorca is one of the best destinations to explore. I would love to visit it when an opportunity comes. And yup, I’ll take your advice to visit during off-peak season. I love cats, and that sanctuary will be on my list too!

  7. Chrissy says:

    Honestly, I envy travelers like you who can get to see different places, its already paradise with photos so what more in real life? Thanks for sharing!

  8. Lyosha says:

    now that is probably the most part of your Mallorca post series for me (as I am planning a trip there). I absolutely love renting a place not a hotel room from time to time, it makes me feel very special

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