Pip’s Guide To Summer In Mallorca
Mallorca is one of those places that turns repeat visitors into lifers. What starts as a beach holiday quickly becomes something more obsessive: favourite market stalls, preferred swimming coves, restaurants you book before your flights, villages you quietly imagine living in. After 20 years of returning, I’ve come to realise the real magic of Mallorca lies in its layers.
We’ve spent much of the past two decades based in the heart of the island, which has given us a very different perspective on Mallorca from the typical fly-and-flop beach holiday. Living inland means morning market runs instead of hotel breakfasts, mountain hikes before lunch, tiny family-run restaurants hidden down backstreets, and beaches chosen according to wind direction, time of day and how busy Palma airport feels that week. It’s Mallorca at a slower, more local pace – and, in my opinion, at its best.
What keeps pulling us back is the island’s incredible range. One day can start with a walk through the olive groves in Deià, drift into a seafood lunch on the coast, and end with cocktails in Palma. There are beautiful boutique hotels tucked into monasteries and old fincas, beach clubs that still feel relaxed rather than flashy, and villages where almost nothing has changed in decades. Beyond the postcard beaches, there are museums worth planning trips around, hidden coves only reachable on foot, brilliant local wineries, and some of the best hiking in Europe.
This guide is a collection of the places we return to again and again as a family: the hotels we genuinely love, the restaurants we book every year, the bars worth lingering in, the beaches that still feel special, and the experiences that make Mallorca much more than a summer destination.
WHERE TO SLEEP
Nobis Hotel Palma
For a chic city stay, Nobis Hotel Palma is hard to beat. Set in the heart of the old town, it manages to feel both beautifully designed and deeply calm – all stone archways, muted interiors and candlelit corners. It’s the kind of hotel that makes you want to extend your stay by two nights.
Visit NOBISHOTEL.ES
Portixol Hotel
If you prefer being by the sea, Portixol has a completely different energy. Sitting right on the waterfront just outside Palma, it has a lovely, relaxed pool scene. It is and is surrounded by one of the city’s sweetest neighbourhoods, full of little cafés, restaurants and locals out walking along the promenade at sunset.
Visit PORTIXOL.COM
Hotel Corazón
Hidden up in the hills, Hotel Corazón feels like Mallorca’s coolest countryside retreat. The views are extraordinary, the aesthetic is pure Instagram heaven, and the restaurant is a destination in itself, with much of the produce grown locally or on site. It’s creative, soulful and feels very connected to the landscape around it.
Visit HOTELCORAZON.COM
Hotel Espléndido
Espléndido is one of those rare hotels that works brilliantly for both adults and children. Set right on the bay in Port de Sóller, it has an easy beach-holiday feel, a great pool, and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere that makes families instantly unwind.
Visit ESPLENDIDOHOTEL.COM
Hotel Bendinat
Hotel Bendinat is old-school Mallorca at its best. Glamorous without trying too hard, it has a slightly faded Mediterranean elegance that feels increasingly rare on the island, plus one of the prettiest waterfront terraces for lunch.
Visit HOTELBENDINAT.COM
La Residencia
La Residencia remains iconic for a reason. Tucked into the hills of Deià, it combines old-world luxury and charm with some of the most beautiful surroundings on the island – all olive groves, mountain views and terracotta-coloured sunsets. Even if you’re not staying, it’s worth visiting for a drink or dinner.
Visit BELMOND.COM
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WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
El Camino, Palma
El Camino remains one of Palma’s hardest tables to get – and for good reason. Sitting along the marble counter watching plates emerge from the open kitchen is part of the appeal, with beautifully executed tapas, an excellent wine list and a buzzy atmosphere that still feels chic rather than overdone.
Visit ELCAMINOPALMA.ES
La Rosa Vermutería, Palma
For something more relaxed and distinctly Spanish-owned, La Rosa Vermutería is always a favourite. Expect excellent vermouth, classic tapas dishes and a warm, lively atmosphere that feels much more local than many of Palma’s newer openings.
Visit LAROSATROUPE.COM
NOI, Nobis Hotel Palma
NOI is one of Palma’s chicest dinner spots right now. Start with a drink on the beautiful terrace before heading in for dinner – the whole experience feels elegant and grown-up without ever tipping into overly formal territory.
Visit NOBISHOTEL.ES
Anssia, Portixol
Set right by Portixol harbour, Anssia has that laid-back, beachy energy Palma does so well. With more than a hint of Ibiza about it, it’s the kind of place that starts with a long lunch and very easily turns into sunset cocktails overlooking the water.
Visit ANSSIA.COM
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Ponderosa, Playa de Muro
Ponderosa has become something of an institution in Mallorca. Right on the sand at Playa de Muro, it strikes the perfect balance between a laid-back beach restaurant and seriously good food, with excellent seafood, rice dishes, and an atmosphere that makes it very easy to stay all afternoon.
Visit PONDEROSABEACH.COM
Ses Coves, Campanet
Hidden in the hills near Campanet, Ses Coves is firmly in the ‘If you know, you know’ category. People come for the extraordinary setting and stay for hours over fire-cooked meat, fresh fish, excellent wine and one more bottle that no one really planned on ordering. It’s the kind of long, lazy Mallorca lunch that turns into an entire afternoon.
Visit COVESDECAMPANET.COM
Cassai, Ses Salines
Cassai perfectly captures the polished, bohemian feel of the southeast of the island. Set in the pretty village of Ses Salines, it’s as good for breakfast as it is for dinner, with beautiful interiors, a relaxed crowd and a fresh Mediterranean menu.
Visit CASSAI.ES
Nama, Deià
Nama brings a slightly different energy to Deià’s restaurant scene, with Asian-inspired dishes and one of the island's most spectacular terraces. Go at sunset for cocktails, mountain views and a dinner that inevitably stretches late into the evening.
Visit RESTAURANTNAMA.COM
La Terraza, Alcúdia
La Terraza is one of those classic northern Mallorca restaurants people return to year after year. The setting is beautiful, the seafood is excellent and the whole place has a wonderfully old-school charm that feels increasingly rare on the island.
Visit LATERRAZAALCANADA.COM
Santa Catalina, Palma
For restaurant-hopping, Santa Catalina is still Palma’s best neighbourhood. The area is full of great bars and restaurants, but Spot has remained a favourite for its lively atmosphere, consistently good food and the kind of easy energy that works equally well for dinner or late drinks.
Visit GRUPOTRAGALUZ.COM
Sea Club, Cap Rocat
Set within the extraordinary Cap Rocat hotel in the southeast of the island, Sea Club is one of Mallorca’s most beautiful lunch settings. Perched right above the sea with sweeping views across the bay, it feels effortlessly glamorous – all crisp rosé, grilled seafood and long, sun-drenched lunches that drift slowly into late afternoon.
Visit CAPROCAT.COM
THINGS TO SEE & DO
Cycling & Wine Tours
Mallorca is one of Europe’s best cycling destinations, but you don’t need to be a serious cyclist to enjoy it. Some of the loveliest days on the island combine gentle rides through vineyards and sleepy villages with wine tastings and long lunches, particularly in the quieter central part of the island.
Sa Foradada Walk
The walk to Sa Foradada is one of the most spectacular hikes in Mallorca. Winding through pine trees and dramatic coastal scenery, it ends at the island’s famous rock formation. You can stop here for lunch and enjoy a delicious paella at the restaurant (accessible only by boat or on the hike), then take a swim in the crystal-clear water below. Be warned, the hike back up the trail takes a little longer, as it is quite steep and the rosé can weigh a little heavy!
The Goat Walk To Cala Bóquer
For something slightly wilder, the Goat Walk to Cala Bóquer is unforgettable. The route takes you through a dramatic valley towards a completely unspoilt cove, with mountain goats often appearing along the way and some of the clearest water on the island waiting at the end.
Alaró Castle Walk
The hike up to Castell d’Alaró is absolutely worth the climb for the views alone. Perched high above the island, it offers sweeping panoramas across Mallorca’s mountains, countryside and coastline, plus a wonderfully atmospheric old castle at the top.
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Marineland & Aqualand
If you’re travelling with children, both Marineland and Aqualand are guaranteed crowd-pleasers. Marineland combines dolphin and marine shows with aquariums and beach access, while Aqualand is ideal for full days of water slides and slightly chaotic family fun.
Visit MARINELAND.ES & AQUALAND.ES
Es Baluard Museum, Palma
Es Baluard is Palma’s leading contemporary art museum and is worth visiting even for the setting alone. Built into the old city walls, it combines modern art with incredible terraces overlooking the cathedral and harbour.
Visit ESBALUARD.ORG
Miró Mallorca Foundation
The Miró Mallorca Foundation offers fascinating insights into the life of the artist Joan Miró on the island. Visiting his studio and home feels intimate and peaceful, and the whole space captures the creative spirit that has drawn artists to Mallorca for decades.
Visit MIROMALLORCA.COM
Boat Trips & Paddleboarding From Port de Sóller
One of the best ways to experience Mallorca’s coastline is from the water. Hiring a small boat or paddleboard from Port de Sóller lets you explore hidden coves, swim in impossibly clear water and see the Tramuntana coastline from a completely different perspective. If you head south in a boat, you will find Cas Patro March, a restaurant made famous by the television series The Night Manager – a lovely spot but you will need to book well in advance.
Shopping In Palma
Palma really is the heart of Mallorca – elegant, walkable and far more beautiful than many people expect. The old town is full of pretty cobbled streets, shaded squares and lovely independent boutiques, all set beneath the city’s extraordinary cathedral overlooking the harbour. Alongside smaller local stores, the shopping is excellent for Spanish brands that are often far more affordable than in the UK. Zara and Massimo Dutti are particularly worth visiting, not least because the flagship Massimo Dutti store is housed in one of the city’s most beautiful buildings. Non-EU visitors can also reclaim tax refunds at Mallorca airport, making shopping even more tempting.
For outlet shopping, Mallorca Fashion Outlet sits just north of Palma and is easily reached by train from the city. It has a great mix of brands including Ralph Lauren, The North Face and Nike, and is well worth a visit if you’re planning a bigger shopping day.
For more, follow Pip at @PHODGIE
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