Traveling to Palma De Mallorca was one of the best surprises of this year for me. Before becoming a Flight Attendant, I knew nothing about international travel (nor did I pay attention in geography class). In other words, before my trip, I knew practically nothing about Spain and even less about this little island off the country's coast. But hey...I'm learning, right?
I can also argue that Mallorca doesn't get nearly as much advertising in the USA as other Spanish cities like Barcelona or Madrid. It makes me wonder if they keep this gem off the radar for a reason… Anyways, I quickly learned that Palma is the capital of Mallorca, a close neighbor to the island of Ibiza, filled with enchanting mountains, European-style beaches, a stunning coastline, and hidden coves.
Although I was only there for a short period of time, I am glad I got to dwell on this beautiful island for three days, and if you would like to visit, keep reading for suggestions!
When To Go and Weather
I went in June, and it was breathtaking, but I must warn you, the weather is scorching hot. It was above 95 degrees almost every day, and I probably lost about a pound from sweating every day. So, do I recommend going in June? Yes! But if you're not a fan of the heat, maybe look into cooler months like May or April.
Pricing
Mallorca is fairly pricey regarding hotels and flights. However, I found everything else to be somewhat reasonable. For instance, I spent about $110 on food for three days, which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all the sangria the island has to offer.
Below you'll see a breakdown of how much I spent (Minus flight and hotel) for three days in Mallorca.
Leisure and Activities- $100
Transportation- $30
Food- $110
Shopping- $60
Total- $300
Hotel and Transportation
Mallorca offers a wide range of lodging options. Many locals open their homes on Airbnb and Vrbo, and there are plenty of hotels and hostels across the island. I ended up staying at Castillo Hotel Son Vida, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Mallorca. Let's just say if you stay here, you're "living your best life." This hotel is costly, and I must warn you that it is a little far from the downtown part of Palma (the capital of Mallorca). But! Don't worry, there is a bus right outside the hotel that will take you downtown for 2 euros, or you can get a taxi for less than 15 euros. All in all, getting around in Mallorca is easy, and there are plenty of options.
My Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive and do the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus in Palma
Day 2: Mallorca tour
Day 3: Relax and visit Palma
Day 4: Head home
Day 1: After arriving at the airport (PMI), I checked into the hotel, rested for a while, and then took the 2 euro city bus into downtown Palma, Mallorca's capital. After getting drinks, ice cream, and a quick snack, I took the hop-on hop-off bus all around Palma for 20 euros. Hop-on-hop-off buses are always a favorite of mine, especially when I don't have much time to explore. When you do them in different countries, it allows you to see almost everything without over-exhausting yourself.
Once I finished the tour, which lasted about 1 hour, I walked around the Catedral-Basílica de Santa María area and had dinner nearby. I would like to note that honestly, you can eat anywhere in the downtown area and get good food. But try and eat in the not-so-touristy spots to get better prices.
After dinner, I did one of my favorite things to do, which is go shopping. There was a local market for clothing and jewelry in the area and stores like H&M, Mango, and Zara. I will note that the fashion in this town for ladies is unique; you can find some cute dresses and outfits here that you won't find in the USA.
Day 2: I decided it would be fun to tour different areas of the island, so I did the Mallorca in One Day Sightseeing Tour with Boat Ride and Vintage Train, which cost about 82$ at the time. The tour lasted about 8 hours, so be prepared for a long, thrilling day.
During the tour, you get to drive through the gorgeous mountains of Mallorca, drive through Sa Calobra, visit a beautiful European-style beach, sail the coast of Mallorca, go through caves, and take a train ride through the hills of El Tren de Soller. All in All, well worth the $80.
If I am to recommend anything for this tour, it is to bring a portable fan because it gets extremely hot. Also, wear your swimsuit to get in the ocean, and bring flip-flops or water shoes, so the rocks don't hurt your feet at the beach. In terms of food, it is not provided, but there are places to eat at most stops.
Day 3: My last day in Palma was spent relaxing at the hotel, primarily sunbathing at the pool and doing homework for school. Later in the day, I had dinner in downtown Palma, went shopping, and bought some wine to return to the states.
Also, I planned on going to the mall, but I discovered that many restaurants, malls, and shops are closed on Sundays or open for limited hours. So if you plan on doing anything on Sundays, check and make sure places are open.
Additional Recommendations
I didn't get to do everything I wanted to in Palma, mainly due to time. For this reason, I highly recommend staying in Mallorca for at least a week. I also recommend if you have more time to do these additional things:
Ultimately, don't sleep on Mallorca! This is a (semi-hidden) hot spot during the summer, and I honestly see why. However, although there are many pros, my only complaint about Mallorca is that it's not very diverse (which is expected). So, if you are somebody who looks like me, you might stand out a lot more and get some uncomfy stares. However, during the trip I felt safe the entire time, and nobody did anything insulting. I actually met another Black woman traveling solo in Mallorca, and she said it's her favorite place to go to. So, no matter what, go with an open mind, be yourself, and enjoy this breathtaking island. You won't regret it!