Whether you’re looking for peace or adventure, Mallorca is the perfect place for a holiday. It’s ancient and it’s modern, it’s tranquil and it’s exciting, it’s got mountains, it’s got the sea, it’s got great food and great shops – there’s something for everyone in Mallorca. I’ve been there in spring, summer, and autumn and loved it every time.
Mallorca has a reputation for attracting British people with the lure of cheap booze in a sunny paradise. Particularly the resorts in the southeast, such as Magaluf, are geared to this type of holiday – McDonald’s, beach action, and wild nightlife abound. If you want to let your hair down, I must say this is a great place to do it. However, this holiday lifestyle is not for everyone and I want to make it clear that not all of Mallorca is like this, by any means.
If a sandy beach is essential to your holiday fun, you’ll find some stunning ones in Mallorca. Puerto Pollensa has a long, peaceful beach, running more or less around the whole bay. It’s comfortable for sunbathing and convenient for shops and restaurants, which are just across the road – and the sea there is wonderful for swimming in. The mountains behind the town are also interesting to explore.
The Sierra de Tramuntana provides some extraordinary landscape. Some of it is rocky and primeval, while other parts are covered in trees and home to wild goats. Mallorca is also a rich seam for bird-watchers. There are several nature reserves around the island and there are some fascinating underground caves too.
If you enjoy being active, there are tons for you to do. In and on the water, for example, you can sail, ski, dive, paraglide and snorkel. On land, you can, amongst other things, walk, bicycle, ride a horse, play golf and play tennis.
If you’re interested in ancient times, Mallorca is a paradise of Roman, Gothic, and Moorish architecture and influence, with a variety of superb museums to give you more information. Palma alone would keep a historian happy for months and Alcudia, the other principal Roman settlement on the island, also has a lot to offer, including an amphitheater and significant archaeological remains.
There are some interesting art galleries around the island, where you can see the works of both up-and-coming and well-established artists. Joan Mir and his wife set up a foundation in Palma and his public art is to be found all over the city. In terms of music, too, Mallorca has a lot to offer, with classical, folk, and other musical concerts being frequently put on.
Mallorcan food and drink are well worth exploring. You sometimes have to work quite hard to find the real thing, as opposed to tourist fare, but it’s good stuff. The most famous specialties are sobrassada, a spicy pork salami, and ensaimada, a spiral pastry. The locally produced wine is gaining popularity, for good reason.
The accommodation in Mallorca doesn’t have to be expensive. With such a wealth of sporting and cultural activities on offer, I think Mallorca provides one of the best-value holidays available.
2021-06-08
