The largest island of the Balearics, Mallorca offers its visitors a lovely mixture of natural beauty, sun-soaked beaches, charming villages, and captivating history.
Going on a Mallorca road trip is one of the best ways to experience its many attractions and it’s also one of the most beautiful areas for a road trip in Spain.
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If you plan to explore Mallorca by car and see its highlights at your own pace, then you may be wondering about the best routes to take and which of its attractions to visit.
To make things easier, I have put together a Mallorca road trip itinerary for you. It includes the main places to stay and all the different things there are to see along the way.
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Palma And Valdemossa
Day one of your Mallorca itinerary is spent exploring the capital city of Palma. The highlight here is the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma, known to the locals as ‘La Seu’.
Built in stunning Gothic style, it is located along the Roman walls that once protected the city. It is free to enter and beautiful both inside and out, surrounded by lovely gardens and opposite a lake.
If you get the chance, try to see it at night when it is beautifully illuminated. From the cathedral, it is just a short walk to the Royal Palace of Almudaina.
Dating back to the 14th century, this is the official residence of the Spanish royal family whenever they visit the island.
It is also one of Palma’s top attractions, and you can stroll through its grand rooms as you learn more about its history. Entrance tickets can be booked online, but note that the Palace is closed to visitors on Mondays.
After that, I recommend a visit to the fascinating Arab baths, just a 5 minute walk away. Dating back to the 10th century, they are all that is left of the Arab city of Medina Mayurqa.
For a small fee, you can see the baths and watch a video explaining how they used to work. There is also a peaceful garden to relax in before moving on.
Just over a 10-minute drive out of the city center is Bellver Castle, a well-preserved 14th-century fortress surrounded by pine woods. From here you can enjoy one of the best views of Palma and its bay (Bellver is Catalan for ‘lovely view’!).
The building now contains Palma’s museum of municipal history, featuring pottery from the Talaiotic, Roman, Arab and Spanish periods.
You may decide to stay in Palma itself (especially if you want to catch that night view of the cathedral) or head to your next destination, the town of Soller on the northwest coast. You can reach it via the Ma-11 in just under 40 minutes.
But if you have time, I recommend taking a slight detour to Valdemossa first (a 30-minute drive from Palma via the Ma-1110).
The journey towards this lovely town takes you into the Tramuntana mountains, and you can visit its Real Cartuja (Royal Carthusian Monastery) and the Chopin museum. Alternatively, head to one of the town’s excellent restaurants and enjoy the spectacular views as you dine.
Soller And Sineu
This lovely Meditteranean town is filled with rustic charm. Traditional style townhouses with the typical green Mallorcan shutters line the narrow streets.
Meanwhile the main square – Plaça Constitució – has lots of busy cafes. There is also a lively market every Saturday, selling traditional local products and crafts.
Depending on when you visit, you may even catch one of the many traditional festivals and fairs to which the town plays host every year.
Next to the square is the scenic 16th-century baroque church of Eglésia de Sant Bartomeu. But if it’s natural beauty you are seeking, then visit the Jardí Botànic just a short walk away.
There are also several interesting museums in Soller, including the Museu del Casal de Cultura where you can see ancient relics and antiques, the Natural Science Museum, and the Can Prunera which is devoted to Modernist art.
Soller‘s main attraction is its port, which lies a couple of miles from the main town. You could drive there, or – better still – leave the car behind and take the popular vintage tram instead.
En route, there are orange groves, olive trees, and beautiful mountains to admire. The port has its own little village, plus two nice beaches and lots of good restaurants.
From Soller, you will head east along the Ma-11 and Ma-13 for around 1.5 hours to the next stop on your Mallorca itinerary – Capdepera.
To break up the journey after the first hour, stop off at the historic rural town of Sineu.
Home to a palace that was once the residence of many Mallorcan kings, Sineu was formerly one of the island’s most important towns. Signs of this are everywhere and you will see lots of impressive architecture, monuments, and ancestral homes.
Be sure to visit the parish church and its famous bell tower with seven levels. Another must-see is the town’s hospital – the first in rural Mallorca and dating back to 1240.
Capdepera, The Drach Caves, And Portocolom
Located right on Mallorca’s eastern tip, the beautiful village of Capdepera enjoys stunning sea views and is surrounded by lush meadows and forests.
It is one of the least explored parts of the island but probably one of its most interesting!
Its highlight is the legendary Capdepera Castle, built in the 14th century to defend residents of the region against pirates. It later became a private property but was then bought by the town and turned into a museum.
The climb to the castle is a bit steep, but the views from the top are a reward that makes it worthwhile!
There are other interesting historical buildings to see, including the church of Sant Joan and the Ca’n Piricus, a 19th-century manor house housing the Municipal Library.
But the wonderful thing about road tripping in Mallorca is the freedom that it gives you – and Capdepera makes a great base for exploring the eastern coastline! There are some exceptionally pretty beaches nearby, including Cala Mesquida, Cala Agulla, and Cala Molto.
As you head out of Capdepera, take the Ma-4040 and Ma-4023 for the 30-minute drive to the Cuevas del Drach in Porto Cristo.
One of the most fascinating places to visit in Mallorca by car, the attraction is made up of 4 interconnected caves. Their chambers are filled with magnificent stalactites and stalagmites and the hour-long tours include a live classical music concert.
I also recommend taking the 20-minute drive via the Ma-4014 from the caves to Portocolom. One of Majorca’s most well-established tourist resorts, it has a large, natural harbor and a wonderful blue flag beach – Cala Marcal – that is perfect for children.
Finally, it’s time to take the last leg in your Mallorca road trip itinerary – the 40-minute drive along the Ma-6100 to Colonia de Sant Jordi on the southeastern coast.
Colonia De Sant Jordi
There are lots of good reasons to visit this vibrant and friendly resort town. Once a fishing village, it has a reputation for excellent seafood.
But it is rich in culture and history, too, with signs of settlements from the Bronze Age.
The Romans valued it for its salt production and you can visit the ancient saltworks at Es Trenc to learn more about the process. Whilst there, be sure to stop off at Es Trenc’s beautiful, natural beach.
Another of Colònia Sant Jordi’s main attractions is the marine reserve of Cabrera, an archipelago of small islands located just 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) offshore. Although they are now uninhabited and rich in marine life, they were used during the Napoleonic wars to hold prisoners.
The town is also home to the only natural thermal springs in the Balearic Islands.
You will find them at the thermal spa of Fontsanta on the outskirts of town. I recommend enjoying dinner at the hotel’s wonderful restaurant whilst you are there!
Colonia de Sant Jordi has several beaches to enjoy. Playa Es Port – located close to the harbor – is the most popular and there are plenty of places to park nearby.
It also offers many amenities – including a lifeguard, changing facilities, sunbeds, and watersports. That being said, it can get very busy in the summer as it is within easy reach of many hotels!
For a quieter option, head to Platja des Dolç. It is very pretty and has many amenities, but is far less crowded. You could even continue further along the coast, where they are several peaceful and lesser-known coves to explore.
Final Thoughts On Road Tripping In Mallorca
I hope that this guide has been helpful and you enjoy every moment of your Mallorca road trip.
There is so much more to this beautiful island than just its sunny beaches and this itinerary will make it possible to see the best of everything at a pace that suits you.
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