There are plenty of beaches in Mallorca where you can relax and do nothing. But there's also another side to Mallorca. One that's more adventurous. And one that I find much more appealing.
I'll admit it; I wasn't that excited to go to Mallorca. In my opinion, Mallorca is to Germany what Cancun is to Canadians - a place you go to sit on the beach and not do much else.
Being a beach bum may be some people's idea of a good vacation, but not mine. I relax by doing stuff, not by doing nothing. Fortunately, I learned I was wrong. There are a lot of adventurous things to do in Mallorca.
Related Reading: Hiking in La Gomera Why You'll Want to Do a 7-Day Self-Guided HikeCycling in Mallorca
Mallorca is famous for cycling. You can cycle leisurely by the sea on a flat paved road on the northeast side of the island. The views are spectacular and the cycling is easy.
If you're looking for more of a challenge head to the west side of the island where there are some serious mountains. It was with a mix of admiration and "Are you crazy?' that I observed cyclist after cyclist working their way up the mountain turn by turn. Watching them I realized that I'm more of an east side cycle kind of girl. I don't like mountains when I'm on a bike! If you would love to explore Mallorca on a bike then try out a tour.
Related Reading: Hiking the Vall de Núria, PyreneesWhen you think of hiking in Spain, you probably think of the Camino de Santiago. So I was pleasantly surprised at how mountainous Mallorca was and the multitude of hiking trails.
There are short easy walks to the touristy spots and longer full-day hikes on both the west and northeast parts of the island. I did some short hikes on both parts and thoroughly enjoyed it. If you are keen on doing a guided hike then try a 1-day hiking tour and stop for lunch with a local.
Exploring Mallorca's Coast
We found a park along the eastern coast simply by looking at a map and decided to check it out. It offered relatively flat hiking trails with sea views and hidden coves.
These may be popular during the day but at sunset it was practically deserted, making for a romantic stroll with my partner. I suspect there are many of these types of places in Mallorca - you just have to explore.
Related Reading: Coastal Hiking Tour from Spain to France
Apparently, there is good diving along the east coast in Mallorca. The weather didn't cooperate while I was there and as a result, I only did one dive.
Due to bad visibility and strong currents, it was not a good dive, as there wasn't much to see. I would like to go back when the weather was better to check out the diving as it sounds like there are some interesting dive sites. If your a beginner and want to try out diving Mallorca is a great place to start. Try out a guided dive with an instructor that will show you the ropes and take you to new depths (pun intended).
Related Reading: Beach of the Cathedrals: What Makes This Beach so AmazingClimbing the Look Out Tower
Cap der Formentor, the most northeast point of the island, was my favorite part of Mallorca. The views of rugged rocks and cliffs plunging into the dark blue sea are beautiful.
The views are even better if you climb the lookout tower. Getting to the view involves climbing a steep latter that clings to the outside of the tower and another short but vertical ladder inside the tower. It's not a long climb, but can be unnerving if you are afraid of heights. I loved it as it made me feel like a kid again!
Related Reading: 14 of the Best Secret Medieval Villages in Northern SpainHot Air Ballooning
Hot air ballooning is a popular activity in Mallorca and the perfect way to wholly appreciate the beauty of the island. The sunrises and sunsets on the island are unrivaled and seeing them in a hot air balloon... perfection. I personally love hot air balloon rides and have been on several. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to try it here but it is on my list of things to do in Mallorca on my next trip.
If you are interested you can try this highly rated hot air balloon ride in Mallorca.
Related Reading: The Top 10 Best Hot Air Balloon Rides in The WorldMallorca's Caves
Mallorca has a stunning coastline, rugged and lined with caves that you can explore. I won't list all the caves on the island (there are a lot of them), that would need to be a whole other post. But the most popular of the caves are the Dragon caves (Cuevas del Drach) and the Cuevas del Arta. The caves are excellent to visit but be warned, they are really touristy and can get pretty busy. Go earlier in the morning just after they open (usually at 9 am). You will miss the big crowds.
If you are leaning more towards taking a tour of the caves then try this tour of the Cuevas del Drach.
Coasteering
Coasteering is a fairly new adventure activity that encompasses everything from swimming, rappelling, cliff diving, and climbing. It gets its name from a mixture of mountaineering and coast. The general idea is to be able to move along the rocky outcrop of the seashore by climbing and swimming. It is best done at low tide as the currents are easier to navigate. I did not get the opportunity to try this but it looks like it would probably test me in many ways including my nerves. It is just another activity to add to my list of things to do in Mallorca.
If you have the nerve try it with this tour. I would love to know if you have tried it and what your experience was.
Places To Stay In Mallorca:
Antigua Palma Casa Noble is located in Carrer del Sol. It offers an indoor and outdoor pool as well as a Turkish bath and wellness center. Enjoy an excellent breakfast and a 24-hour concierge service. The decor is airy and modern and the rooms are large and comfortable.
Catalonia Majórica is located perfectly overlooking the Palma Bay. Some of the hotel rooms have amazing ocean views. Enjoy a meal on the pool terrace where you will have views of the Palma Harbor. The hotel also offers a small gym and an outdoor pool as well as a hot tub.
Hotel Araxa is located in a quiet area in the Palma de Mallorca area. It is an adults-only hotel that is walking distance from the seafront and Bellver Castle. The hotel is surrounded by green gardens and offers an outdoor pool and gym area. Massage treatments and infrared and steam saunas can be arranged.
