Destinations
Have you ever made up your mind to visit a place just by looking at its pictures on someone else’s Instagram? It’s not uncommon for me to do that, so when I planned my Spain itinerary (I had hardly ten days and I was starting from Barcelona), I knew I had to visit the Balearic Islands, and Mallorca specifically. If you know me, you know my love for crystal clear blue waters, and you would also know that I am happy to travel far and wide to see the best beaches that exist. I made it to Hawaii (my dream destination) a few years ago, and the Maldives thereafter, the Amalfi Coast in Italy, Santorini in Greece and most recently, The Whitsunday Islands in Australia, following my love for the azure colours of the sea. So, I knew whether I make it elsewhere or not in Spain, I was going to spend at least 2 days in Mallorca (I wish I could’ve spent more!).
I had to choose between Ibiza and Mallorca, but Ibiza’s reputation for being a crazy party island where the night doesn’t end wasn’t particularly appealing for me, so I choose the more serene and quieter of the two Balearic jewels. But what I realized, once I got there, was that Mallorca is much larger than it seems on a map and to explore all the beautiful coves, beaches, stone towns and hidden gems, 2 days were too less! Also, since I wanted to spend some time beach-bumming, I chose to stay away from the city centre, in a location known for its cerulean waters, which were a treat for the eyes. I would highly recommend renting a car unless you plan to just chill in your resort and not explore the island. The distances are large (from one end of the island to the other, you can easily end up driving for more than 2 hours) but the roads are well-paved and easy to drive on. In some parts, you will end up driving on hilly bends and curves so be careful, take it easy and do not drive after drinking!
Click here to book your car rental.
Mallorca (or Majorca) is not all about the beaches though. Charming stone towns, dramatic cliffs and lush hillsides, ancient castles and churches make for a great combination of culture, history and nature on an idyllic island. Shed your clothes, flaunt the sun-kissed look and get ready for breathtaking views because you WILL be mesmerized!
What to do in 2 days in Mallorca
Day 1: Palma de Mallorca, Cala Deia, Valldemossa, Playa de Muro
Palma de Mallorca, the capital city, is the ideal place to start as you’re most likely to arrive here. Two monuments attract the maximum attention here- Cathedral de Mallorca, a 13th-century sandstone building located in the old harbour and Castillo de Bellver, located on the hilltop overlooking the old town of Palma. However, if you prefer to lounge by the sea (like I do), then skip Palma altogether and head to Cala Deia instead. Also, if you’ve decided to stay in Palma de Mallorca, then you’ll have time in the evening to enjoy the lively nightlife here. You can head to other places during the day and explore Palma later in the evening.
Cala Deia is not a place that you’ll find in many suggested itineraries for 2 days in Mallorca. However, it was a hidden gem and a fantastic find for me as it is tucked away in one corner of the island, like a little secret that very few people know about. This gorgeous piece of heaven on the Western Coast of Mallorca is about an hour’s drive from Palma de Mallorca or the city centre. To get here, you’d have to pass through Valdemossa and just when you least expect it, you’ll see a picturesque cove sitting dramatically in the middle of jagged cliffs. Two restaurants located on either side offer breathtaking views of the crystal-clear alluring waters.
Valdemossa village itself is a charming place to explore. Known as the ‘stone village’ because of the winding uphill cobbled stone streets and the stone houses, the village is in an idyllic valley surrounded by the lush Tramuntana mountains. Several art galleries, boutiques and restaurants offering fresh seafood can be found in the town centre and a stroll in the lanes between the historic houses will take you back in time. The village is quiet, laid-back and magical!
Valdemossa Village
Valdemossa Village
Valdemossa Village
I chose to stay in Playa de Muro, an area known for its beachside resorts. Several restaurants, bars and lounges line the gorgeous white sandy beach which is also popular with families due to a large number of facilities available. Even the nights here are quite lively, though not loud, with live music and entertainment in several places. The street market selling souvenirs and handicrafts is a great place to shop. Playa de Muro is about an hour’s drive away from Valdemossa Village and also from Palma de Mallorca.
Playa de Muro
Dine at Picafort Beach restaurant if you enjoy live music!
Recommended place to stay in Mallorca (Can Picafort): The Sea Hotel by Grupotel
Day 2: Cala Mesquida, Drach Caves & Caló des Moro
If you're staying overnight in Palma, then this itinerary should be done the other way round, starting from Caló del Moro. As I chose to stay in Playa de Muro, Cala Mesquida made the perfect starting point.
Just a 45-min drive from Playa de Muro is one of the best beaches that I saw in Mallorca - Cala Mesquida. The perfect place to sunbathe on the white sandy beach or swim in the shallow turquoise waters of the sea, this place is best for beach bums to just relax and feast their eyes on exceptional sea views. You could start with coffee or breakfast at Restaurante La Terraza, located on top of the hill, offering sweeping views of the ocean and the beach below. From here, you can walk down the stairs to the beach itself. The fine-grained, soft white sand here is a unique quality of this place. It is possible to rent sun lounges and sunshades at the beach.
Not too far from the beach is a town called Capdepera, a medieval town with a castle and walls, worth a visit!
Cala Mesquida
Cala Mesquida
Cala Mesquida
About a 30-min drive from Cala Mesquida is the Drach Caves, an underground cave system. Home to one of the largest underground lakes in the world, the limestone caves with the magnificent stalactites can only be accessed with a guided tour which departs at fixed times from the entrance. The tour lasts for about an hour, mostly on foot, and ends with a boat ride on Lake Martel while calming classical music adds to the beauty of the experience.
From here, I suggest driving yet another 50 minutes to the south of Mallorca, towards Caló des Moro, a place I highly recommend to visit on the island, no matter where you're staying. Although the distances on the island can be unexpectedly large, the destinations make up for the long drives. Although not your typical white sandy beach and is slightly tougher to access because of the steep hike down to it, the phenomenal views are absolutely worth the effort. Surrounded by cliffs and bushes on both sides, the beach is not commercialised so you will not find any sun lounges or cafes in the area. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes because you will be hiking on sharp stones and through bushes, and do not expect to have a large, open area to relax and sunbathe unless you're willing to sit on the rocks. This beach is a swimmer's and sea view lover's haven!
Calo des Moro
Calo des Moro is about an hour's drive from Palma de Mallorca and an hour and a quarter from Playa de Muro. As the roads are winding and narrow, driving in the dark is not the most pleasant experience. Keep that in mind while taking the journey back!
Click here if you're looking for free tours in Spain.
Ioana Stoica
Amazing photos. Mallorca is incredible. My biggest regret was only staying 24 hours, I need to go back and spend at least a few days exploring! Thanks for posting
Maria
Wow, amazing photos! I hope to visit there one day!
Alexandra
oh wow! these photos look amazing! we are definitely adding Mallorca to our to-do list for the big Europe trip next year!
Ciara
I’ve been to Mallorca many times and your post makes me want to go back! I love your photos, isn’t the water just so crystal blue there?! Im glad you had a great time!
Tushar
I visited Hawaii for its beautiful waters last year and I’m looking forward to visiting the Maldives and the Amalfi Coast very soon!
Megan
Wow! Cala Mesquida looks out of this world. It is so pretty, and to think that is in Spain. I have to go.
Stéphanie
Oh gosh, the colour of the water makes me want to start packing my bags and jump on a plane… I will have to put Mallorca on my never ending bucket list… Thank you for sharing this post
Vasu Devan
Wow! you seem to be having the whole beach to yourself. Where are the people! I guess Mallorca is for those who want peace and quiet after the crazy partying in Ibiza.
Medha Verma
Some beaches were crowded but there were so many cute, hidden spots which were empty. I loved that about Mallorca!
Ariel Samangka
Amazing place with a great Island vibe! I haven’t been to Spain yet, and haven’t heard about Mallorca. I love this place, as I’m a beach lover. And with that turquoise water, Ohhh, I couldn’t elude the fact that I’m tempted to swim. Moreover, the Cala Deia looks like a paradise that I would love to own for a week. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Debra Schroeder
I’m with you, I’d prefer the quietness of Mallorca over the party scene at Ibiza. Nice itinerary, you were able to do a lot over your two days, much more than I did. I’m tempted to go back again and use your list to see all the things I missed.
Indrani
Both Mallorca and Ibiza are new destinations for me, but your exciting visit to Mallorca and its description has won me over. Gorgeous pics of you and the scene all around. The blue of the water is mesmerizing.
Adonis Villanueva
Excellent article on Mallorca! I’ve never been nor have in the other super-party place, Ibiza. The Underground “Drach” Lake sounds like a place for adventures.The photos are stunning with the blue waters. The seafood must be amazing and I can’t wait to check it out for myself!
Nicole Hunter
Your short trip to Mallorca sounds lovely. I’ve heard Ibiza is crazy as well, so your Mallorca itinerary sounds very appealing. I would love to go to Drach Lake – the underground lake. I love Cenotes in Mexico and this sounds a little like this.
Medha Verma
I really want to visit the cenotes in Mexico, they look lovely!
Linda (LD Holland)
Mallorca is still high on my travel wish list. I would certainly also choose this over the party spot Ibiza. And it was good to learn that we would really need more than 2 days to really enjoy Mallorca and all the great beaches. Those water views are stunning. Cala Deia certainly does look like hidden gem. And small towns with fresh seafood like Valldemossa village would be a treat.
Medha Verma
One can easily spend a week in Mallorca, I feel!
Tom
I’ve been reluctant to go to Spain as I went there quite a bit as a teenager and I feel like I want to tick everywhere off in the world, but posts like this do make me want to go back! I’ve not visited Mallorca before, it’s now on the list.
Medha Verma
I know exactly what you mean Tom! I have also already started building a list of countries that I will go back to when older, after checking off everything else in my bucket list. Sometimes you come across places that are gorgeous and you couldn’t make it to in the first trip, that’s why there’s a list for the second trip 😉
Stephanie Granados
I’ve always wanted to go to Mallorca! Looks picture-esque in every corner, great tips by the way!
Elaine Masters
I think a leisurely drive around these spots in Mallorca would be idyllic. Adore that little restaurant on the cove too! Love finding spots like that. Of course the water is the biggest allure.
Ann
Oh wow a post on Mallorca! This is one of my best favorite most brilliant places ever, I have such good memories from a trip we did there when I was a kid and ever since I have always wanted to go back! We didn’t have a car so I definitely agree one should go for a car rentral because it enables you to see so much more than if you jsut stay at your hotel and lounge. Even though I just hung out at the hotel and had a great time, if I were to go back, I’d definitely rent a car.
Medha Verma
The distances are quite large in Mallorca so if you do plan to explore the island, renting a car would be the best way to go!
Amar Singh
I must admit I have it on my list to visit and after reading your post would surely want to spend much kore time here as it just looks like the perfect holiday destination in the sun. Great to know you can get a fair taste of Mallorca in 2 days as per your detailed post and great tips. The sapphire waters look so tempting and reminds me of the Adriatic Sea around Croatia I must admit. It’s a very popular holiday Destination from the U.K. and I would like to visit it outside the peak holiday season I must admit. Thanks for sharing Mallorca
Medha Verma
I did see a lot of people from the UK as well as France while I was in Mallorca. I can totally see why its a popular holiday destination, and given the geographical proximity, it’d be easy to travel to it as well.
Vanessa
Oh my gosh – can you transport me here around February or March when I need a dose of sunshine? Those beaches and that soft white sand look absolutely gorgeous!
Medha Verma
But the water would be freezing here in February or March 😉
Aditi Sharma
Mallorca looks like a dream for sure. I can totally see myself enjoying gazing at those crystal clear blue waters – what a perfect way to unwind. I would love to visit both Ibiza and Mallorca but I always enjoy the serene and quieter places more – so looks like I might enjoy Mallorca more. Those brilliant blue hues of the sea draw me too, it was something that had captivated us when we in Amalfi Coast and Capri – so I look forward to experiencing those in Mallorca too. Thanks for this lovely post.
Christopher Mitchell
Oh my gosh, the water in Mallorca looks absolutely unreal! It’s like something out of a magazine!
Anita
Mallorca is one of the places I would like to see in Europe and there are some cheap flights from my country. I am glad to see your guide and itinerary for 2 days. It sounds like a great place to be.
Naomi
Fantastic photos! A very useful guide for those having a short time here, which tends to be the norm. Love it!
Niry
I have been to Mallorca but probably have chosen the wrong town to stay and also the wrong group! We settled down in Cala Major for an entire week and didn’t move from there because the boys just wanted to enjoy the beach life… Got bored!
Medha Verma
Oh no, sorry to hear you got bored. A week is the perfect amount of time to spend in Mallorca, in my opinion, but I would definitely want to drive around the island exploring all the beaches, caves, towns, mountain villages and churches. I am not the ‘settle-in-one-place’ sort of person myself, though I understand it’s different when you travel with children!
umiko
No wonder you love the blue of Majorca. It’s so beautiful! But my favorite easily falls to Calos de Moro. Crystal blue and not too many people even though it takes an effort to get there. Valdemossa Village also stole my heart with its cobbled stone streets and houses, surrounded by mountains. It’s so gorgeous!
corritta
The pictures were breathtaking? Do you think you would’ve like to have more time there or did two were just right? Were the beaches kid friendly? How do you feel about the community?
Medha Verma
2 days were certainly not enough! The island is quite large even though it doesn’t seem like it and there are gorgeous hidden gems in every corner. I had to pick and choose a few for the two days I was there but I could’ve easily spent a week exploring the island. Most beaches were kid-friendly though some that needed hiking down the steep rocks wouldn’t qualify.
Razena
I love vacations by the beach even though I’m not a sunbather. Your photos are lovely and Valldemossa Village seems to be calling my name, and is probably where I would stay if I visited the island.
Medha Verma
I stayed by the beach but I’m sure it’d be amazing to stay in Valdemossa Village as well!
Tania Muthusamy
What a stunning location for a 2 day getaway. Personally, I would want more. The water is so inviting and I always enjoy exploring villages. I love that you found a hidden gem, Cala Deia, that not many people know about. Nice one!
Mijia Eggers
I stayed there for a week and have been to Cala Deia and Valldemossa. In Cala Deia I still remember the Tapas lunch I had which was so tasty but very cheap. I guess nowadays this is no longer the case.
Medha Verma
A week sounds about the perfect amount of time to spend there, lucky you!
Viaje ni Bree
I’m not a beach person but wow, I would definitely go to Mallorca too! I especially want to explore the Valdemossa village and dip in the turquoise waters. 😀
Albína Mrázová
I would never say that I would go to Mallorca for 2 days, but look at you nailing it. It seems like you found how to make best out of it and it is a great recipe for all of us. So thanks for sharing
Medha Verma
I do wish I had more time for it though!
Sara
I love how you’ve made the most of a short stay in Mallorca! I often have only a day or two to explore a location so this will be very helpful if I ever get to Mallorca one day. It looks beautiful!
Medha Verma
It’s a pity but usually, even I don’t have more than 2-3 days in a city. Gotta make the most of it!
Kelly
I just put Mallorca on my agenda when I visit Spain. I’m with you….a beach lover! I also prefer a quieter area away from a lot of noise. I love caves as well. sounds like Mallorca has it all.
Charis
I have never been to Mallorca and I am always happy to read some good tips for the island.
Joella
Like you I am a sucker for those turquoise colored waters. And Mallorca has it going. How wonderful you found the little hidden spot that hardly anyone goes to. I like off the beaten track places so that would be going on my itinerary for sure. Oh and so glad you chose this over Ibiza by far a much better option than a party town.
Medha Verma
I’m not much of a party person so Ibiza didn’t make sense. I love stumbling upon secret spots that few people know about 😉
Summer
Mallorca has been on my “must-see” list for so long. Your pictures reminded me why! The underground cave system seems cool too! Looks like I’ll be adding it to my 2020 travel list.
Lisa
You’re giving me serious Mallorca vibes after reading this post! It’s been too long since I was last on this wonderful Balearic island, and I want to return. You’re so right about Playa de Muro, that sand looks perfect to me! I also love the look of Valdemossa Village; it reminds of some of the ones we have in Italy. As always, an envy-inducing post with great photos!
Medha Verma
Believe it or not, that’s exactly how I felt when I was in Valdemossa village, that it could be anywhere in Italy!
Anahita Irani
Some of your photographs took my breath away. Seems like you have plenty of fun under the sun. Lovely post.
Medha Verma
Thanks Anahita x
Adele Gee
Oh the blue waters, I can definitely relate to loving the blue of the sea. Mallorca is very popular tourist place and I am really happy to have a list of places to mark for my next visit there. Appreciate the advice of not driving in the dark. I share the same opinion to avoid Ibiza , a well-known party island.
Medha Verma
I am happy I chose Mallorca over Ibiza. I could’ve easily spent a week there, with so much natural beauty, cute and charming villages, and the bluest waters I’ve ever seen!