Autumn has officially arrived, and that means cooler weather and often clearer skies, making it a great time to head to one of Mallorca’s high points to take a picnic and soak up the beautiful views across the Pla de Mallorca and, weather conditions permitting, further parts of the island.
A foodie event that’s been a big success on the island of Madeira for the past six years is making its debut in Mallorca, in the village of Deià.
Fans of contemporary art can attend one of Palma’s most popular annual events on Saturday, September 20th. Nit de l’Art – the night of art – takes place that evening from 18:00h until 23:00h.
Many of Mallorca’s fiestas are linked to specific types of food, and if you’re on the island over the first weekend in September this year, you can see how a small town celebrates one of its most cooling and thirst-quenching crops of the summer.
A historic event from the 13th century is still celebrated every year in Mallorca’s southwest. In September 1229, King Jaume I of Aragon and his Christian knights and soldiers landed in Santa Ponça to conquer the Moors and reclaim Mallorca.
This week’s Restaurant of the Week is not only in a 5-star hotel but also has five-star views. The Castillo Hotel Son Vida is an icon in Mallorca, a renovated 13th-century castle in a commanding position, that’s been a luxury hotel since 1961.
Summer nights in Mallorca were made for listening to music, and if you enjoy classical piano, you’re in for a treat this month. There’s still one more recital in the annual Chopin Festival, on Sunday, August 24th.
As soon as we arrived at the restaurant S’Oratge, I knew we’d be returning. It wasn’t only the gorgeous seafront setting, but also the warm welcome and handshake from Victor as we walked in. I knew his name because it was on the contact page of the website, and I took him to be the restaurant manager. I later found out he’s one of the two partners in this restaurant (and two others in the east of Mallorca).
Photo by Nabit Photos on Unsplash
Kayaking is a fun way to take to the crystal-clear waters around Mallorca and enjoy the cooler sea air. There are several places around the island where you can kayak in a group.
Looking for somewhere different to eat in the east of Mallorca? How about a disused railway station? S’Estació in Sant Llorenç des Cardassar is on the old railway line that operated between Manacor and Artà from 1921 until 1977. Today, the tracks have gone, and this former station sits alongside what has been one of Spain’s green paths – a Via Verde – for the past eleven years.
Jazz lovers, mark your calendar: the Jazz Palma Festival returns to Mallorca this August, bringing world-class performances to the stunning outdoor venue of Castell de Bellver in Palma.
If you’ve never visited beautiful Son Serra de Marina on the Bay of Alcúdia, the village’s summer fiestas could be the perfect reason to visit.
Brusca Brewpub in Manacor is a combination of microbrewery, bar, and restaurant, tucked away in an 18th-century former flour mill just a short walk from Manacor’s railway station. Its owners are Miquel Gelabert (the son of the renowned winemaker and himself a winemaker) and his partner Neus Llopis, who has a master’s degree in Biotechnology, Advanced Microbiology, and Fermentation from the University of Tarragona – where the couple first met.
Felanitx has become a town to watch for good places to eat. Back in February, former Restaurant of the Week, Pax Gastrobar, opened there and has become hugely popular, unveiling a front terrace and rear courtyard in the months since.
Castillo Hotel Son Vida was the first luxury hotel in Mallorca when it opened in 1961. Today, the island is home to many luxurious hotels, but Castillo Hotel Son Vida remains an icon because it was built from a 13th-century castle, and its terrace offers the most amazing view of Palma and the Bay of Palma spread out below.
Roka, the pop-up restaurant that had a waiting list for tables last year, has returned to Mallorca for a fourth season. Internationally known for its modern Japanese dining experience, the Roka story began in 2004 when the first restaurant opened in London. Today, diners can also enjoy Roka restaurants in Dubai, Turkey, Greece, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and until September 7th, in Mallorca.
This one’s for you if you like to arrange your social calendar in advance. In this case, it’s an event on October 4th – which may seem a long way off, but time flies when you’re having fun in Mallorca.
One of Europe’s top classical music festivals happens each year in Mallorca. The Deià International Music Festival was founded in 1978 by Patrick Meadows as a workshop in the heart of Deià village.
Mallorca is home to several restaurants owned by chefs who gained invaluable experience working for the British chef Marc Fosh, whose Palma restaurant has a Michelin star. One of these is Vida Meva – a family business that opened in Palma in 2017. Chef Toni Martorell worked with Marc Fosh for seven years at the former Palma restaurants Misa Braseria and Simply Fosh. That experience is evident when eating at Vida Meva.
Porto Cristo has plenty of eateries where you can enjoy waterfront views, with dishes catering to all tastes and budgets. But for a more refined dining experience, it’s worth sacrificing the sea view for a visit to Restaurant Roland, in a side street in the heart of this east coast resort town.
Extensive views and the potential for some cooling breezes make having a drink at a rooftop bar an essential part of the Mallorcan summer.
You do not have to be a golfer to enjoy eating at Rotana La Reserva, the beautiful hotel with a private nine-hole golf course and vineyards. Located in the scenic Sa Vall, just a few minutes’ drive from the Via Palma – the main road through Manacor – it’s the perfect place to escape the bustle of the town and the summer visitors.
A visit to a public garden provides shady places to sit and enjoy Mediterranean trees and plants. Here are four to enjoy this summer.
If you’re someone who likes to eat and drink in iconic places, the newly opened Victoria Grand Café at the Hotel Victoria Gran Meliá could be for you, as it’s inspired by the golden years of this hotel.
A boat trip is a great way to cool off on a hot day and a fun trip will take you to the small island of Cabrera, part of the archipelago of the same name. This Maritime-Terrestrial National Park is less than 20km by boat from the southern resort of Colònia de Sant Jordi.
Photo: https://cafenou.com
Is it a pub? Is it a café? Is it a restaurant? Cafè Nou in Marratxí’s Sa Cabaneta district successfully manages to be all these things and more. For us, it was an unscheduled stop for a light lunch during a day of appointments. We hadn’t booked but were lucky to get a table. If you want to eat at Cafè Nou, I recommend that you make a reservation.
Before modern technology, seafarers relied on Mallorca’s lighthouses to aid their navigation. One of the best-known lighthouses in Mallorca is at Cap de Formentor – the tip of the Formentor peninsula. Cap de Formentor lighthouse opened in 1863 and was one of the most challenging to build because of its rugged and isolated location.
Photo: Es Molí Sa Coma
One of my favourite chefs in Mallorca – I do have a few – is Tomeu Caldentey, whose restaurant Tomeu Caldentey Cuiner is in the east coast resort of Sa Coma, offering tasting menus from an open kitchen.
If you’re a book lover, you may want to check out the Palma Book Fair, which is on now until Sunday, June 8th. This year’s book fair is the 43rd edition and this free event is held in Plaça d’Espanya.
If you’d like to discover more of Mallorca’s excellent wines, the pleasures of the grape are combined with other activities in this year’s edition of Wine Days. This annual celebration of wines is organised by the Denomination of Origin Binissalem, which covers wine production in the five municipalities of Santa Maria, Consell, Binissalem, Santa Eugenia, and Sencelles.
Photo: Restaurante Golf Alcanada
You don’t have to be a golfer to appreciate why lunching at a golf course restaurant can be a good idea. The food portions are generous to satisfy hungry golfers after they’ve come off the course, and the surroundings are restful, lush with well-maintained greens, and have lovely views.
If you’ve lost a family member or friend, gone through a divorce, break-up, serious illness, or job loss, or been through a big life change – such as a move to another country – you will have experienced some degree of grief. It’s tempting to face loss alone but support and a sense of solidarity can help you grow through the grieving process.
The rural hotel Finca Serena, near Montuïri, more than lives up to its name, with its tranquil, elevated setting offering surrounding views of the Pla de Mallorca. But you don’t have to be staying in one of this 5-star hotel’s 25 luxurious rooms and suites to spend some time here: Finca Serena’s restaurant, Jacaranda, is also open to the public and nourishes the soul as well as the body.
This week’s choice is for anyone in Palma who’s on a budget but would still like to have a three-course lunch with a glass of wine, beer, or a soft drink – in a stylish, contemporary setting – for less than twenty euros.
When the Montgolfier brothers, who were paper manufacturers in France, watched their first manned hot-air balloon take off in 1783, they could never have imagined balloon flight being a popular leisure activity in the 21st century.
Photo: Els Calderers
One of Mallorca’s best-loved wine-tasting events is the Fira del Vi de Pollença – or Pollença Wine Fair – and this year it takes place on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May.
You don’t have to be a hiker to visit Bar Bodega Biniaraix, but it is a good place to know if you are donning your walking boots for one of the several scenic hikes around this part of the Sóller valley.
Well-known Mallorcan chef, Andreu Genestra, moved his Michelin-star restaurant from Capdepera to Llucmajor two years ago. But the seasonal, rural hotel where it used to be located – Hotel Predi Son Jaumell – is still home to the most informal and affordable of his three restaurants, the Mediterranean bistro, Senzill.
Photo: Els Calderers
Discover what life was like in rural Mallorca in the 18th century on a visit to the Els Calderers estate, located between the villages of Sant Joan and Vilafranca de Bonany. The ‘possessió’ – or estate – dates from the 13th century, when it was owned by the Calderer family. But in the 18th century, the estate became the property of the noble Verí family who built the stately mansion visitors see today.
If you’ve recently passed Palma’s Moll Vell, you’ll have seen small marquees being erected on the waterfront for an event that’s considered the start of the Mediterranean sailing season. Yes, the Palma International Boat Show launches soon.
If you enjoy food that’s a creative fusion of Japanese and Peruvian with Mediterranean influences, a restaurant in the heart of Palma’s prestigious shopping area should be on your list.
It’s not difficult to find a good pizza in Mallorca, especially if you’re in Palma where several pizzerias are known for them. But if you’re in the northeast of Mallorca and want to eat freshly cooked authentic Neapolitan pizza, where do you go? Try N’Apolonia Restaurant in Artà.
On Wednesday, April 23rd, you may see people in Mallorca carrying a rose or a book – or both – because that date is the ‘Diada de Sant Jordi’ or St George’s Day, and there’s a very special tradition celebrated on this date in the Balearics and Catalunya.
You can eat cuisine from around the world in Palma, thanks to the wide variety of restaurants in Mallorca’s capital. But if it’s authentic Greek food you want, you’ll need to walk a little further from the touristic heart of Palma. You’ll be rewarded for your walk by Palet, a Greek-Mediterranean tavern, offering a good-value set lunch menu (weekdays except Fridays), appealing interior, friendly staff, and Greek chef/co-owner Stavros Gkouliamanis’s delicious food.
Photo: freshandeazy.com
Mallorca’s capital, Palma, is preparing for Easter as ‘Semana Santa’, Holy Week, begins on Palm Sunday, the 13th. Already, the flower stalls in the Rambla are selling intricately woven white palm leaves, which locals buy and take to church on Palm Sunday to be blessed. After that, you’ll see these palms displayed over the doors or on balconies of people’s homes.
Have you ever read about somewhere in a novel and been inspired to visit the place? That was the case for me with Contrabando, a tapas and wine bar in Llucmajor. This business is mentioned in each of the four Mallorca-based action crime novels in The 3R International Series by former police officer, Pete Davies.
Photo: TheOtherKev (Pixabay)
Keen birdwatchers will enjoy a visit to Mallorca’s largest wetland, S’Albufera – designated a Wetland Area of International Importance. Although close to Platja de Muro and Can Picafort in the north, it’s a place of tranquillity and natural beauty.
This week’s Restaurant of the Week is an ideal place for family meals out or for anyone wanting a rural and more traditional Mallorcan eating-out experience. Binicanella describes itself as a rustic restaurant and that’s a fair description.
The annual competition for trainee chefs from cookery schools across Spain returns to Mallorca this coming weekend. Protur Chef Gastro Weekend takes place at the Protur Biomar Sensatori Resort in Sa Coma and offers plenty of interest for foodies from the afternoon of Friday, 28th until the afternoon of Sunday, 30th.
It’s useful to know about a restaurant in Mallorca that’s by the sea, open 365 days a year, and offers Mediterranean-Asian cuisine. Negre in Port d’Alcúdia is such a place. It’s also open all day, which means that cooked breakfast cravings can also be satisfied there, thanks to the separate all-morning breakfast menu.
Photo: Phoenix Media Mallorca
If the spring weather makes you want to get out and get fitter, why not turn your exercise into a fundraiser for Cancer Support Mallorca and sign up for The Walk Against Cancer 2025?
Paddington Bear isn’t the only notable – albeit fictional – export from Peru. The South American country’s gastronomy has fans around the world, for its flavours, textures, and some exotic native produce.
Photo by Jake Weirick on Unsplash
Are you ready for the thrills of one of Spain’s largest travelling funfairs? Then you’re in the right place, because the Fira del Ram is back in Palma for its annual visit of around 60 days.
Now is an excellent time to eat out in Mallorca – and here’s why!
Have you discovered the health benefits of Tai Chi – often referred to as moving meditation? This branch of ancient Chinese martial arts comprises flowing movements balanced between yin and yang, which makes it highly effective as a health practice.
Here’s exciting news for foodies looking to eat out in Felanitx: PAX Gastrobar has opened in the town’s quiet Plaça Pax. I’d been following the progress of the new project on social media – excited by what I was seeing.
This weekend is a good time to be in Mallorca, because Saturday, March 1st is the ‘Dia de las Illes Balears’ – Balearics Day. This marks the date in 1983 when Mallorca and her sister islands were granted autonomy.
The first time I ate chef Santi Taura’s cuisine was at his original restaurant, which opened in 2003 in his hometown, Lloseta. I was blown away by the experience and excited to find such an appealing representation of the local cuisine.
Are you missing the sight of sailing boats out in force on the sea? Then Puerto Portals is the place to be this coming weekend, from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd.
This week, I’m recommending a taste of ‘la dolce vita’ at the Italian restaurant Osteria El Patio in Alcúdia Old Town. I first wrote about this eatery in 2017, when it had been open for two years. As well as the delicious food and friendly staff, I loved the large rear patio which, in the height of summer, felt like a haven from the holidaymakers who swarm through the streets of this medieval walled town.
It’s good to know that two of Mallorca’s most interesting art museums are open during the winter months.
Canela is the Spanish name for one of my favourite spices, cinnamon. It also happens to be the name of one of the cosiest, tucked-away places to eat in Palma. This restaurant took its name from the building’s original purpose as a gourmet deli.
You may be surprised to learn that Chinese New Year is also celebrated in traditional style in Mallorca’s capital, Palma – and you’re invited to join in the festivities. Because in Mallorca, we can never have too many parties!
Restaurants serving Italian dishes are plentiful in Mallorca, but a proper Italian restaurant owned by an Italian chef serving authentic dishes from his country’s cuisine is noteworthy. Ristorante Terra di Vino is in Binissalem, making it perfect for lunch or dinner if exploring this wine-producing area.
Do you enjoy taking photos? And do your surroundings inspire you to pick up your camera?
For Can March restaurant in Manacor, 2025 is an important year because this iconic family business celebrates its centenary. First opened in 1925 as a café serving the good folks of Manacor, one hundred years later it’s a smart restaurant with an enviable, island-wide reputation. Can March will mark its centenary with some special events during the year and the publication of a book about the business and its history, in several languages including English.
With so many wineries and different wines in Mallorca, you’re unlikely to be able to visit them all. But with the benefit of an expert wine guide, you can expect to discover some of Mallorca’s most interesting bodegas, learn about the characteristics of Mallorcan wines and, of course, taste some.
If you’re starting 2025 with a move to Mallorca and a new life chapter, you’ll want to make new friends.
If you like the thought of an eatery that helps disadvantaged people into meaningful employment, you should have a warm feeling when eating at Café Inca in, you guessed it, Inca.
Having been a fan of Andreu Genestra’s Palma restaurant, Aromata, since it first opened, I was shocked late in 2024 to hear that the restaurant was leaving its original premises with no new address revealed at the time.
If your ideal restaurant is cosy, has super-friendly owners, and home-made food, Restaurant Alma Cas Patró in Son Carrió, near Sant Llorenç, is worth a visit. Originally a café/bar, the premises became the home of Samuel and Rosy’s restaurant in August 2023. A bonus for those in Mallorca out of season is that Restaurant Alma Cas Patró is open all year, serving Mediterranean cuisine for lunch and dinner.
If you’re already looking forward to the New Year in Mallorca, a great way to start 2025 would be to attend a seasonal concert in beautiful Palma, where the festive ambience continues throughout most of January.
If you’re looking for a glamorous location for dinner, it’s hard to beat Yara in Puerto Portals. But there’s a lot more to this restaurant than the waterfront setting and views of dreamy motor yachts. It’s also where you’ll find the impeccable Japanese-Mediterranean cuisine of Simon Petutschnig, the executive chef and co-owner of Yara.
With less than two weeks to go before Christmas, there’s plenty on offer in Mallorca to help you get into the festive mood.
One of Palma’s most popular tapas restaurants, El Camino, now has a younger (and smaller) sibling – the appropriately named El Caminito, which opened in early October. British restaurateur Eddie Hart and his professional team created this new eatery in a tucked-away lane, strategically located only a few minutes away from El Camino.
The magic of the festive season comes to southwest Mallorca from this Friday, December 13th, with the start of the popular Puerto Portals Christmas Market and the switching on of the port’s festive lights at 19:00h.
If the Christmas decorations or some festive gift shopping mean a trip to Palma, you’ll probably need some midday sustenance. For a touch of luxury, an escape from the bustle of Mallorca’s capital, and good food and service, head to The Merchants in the area known as La Lonja.
Mallorca’s Christmas market stalls in Palma’s Plaza Major include some selling figures and ornaments suitable for putting in nativity scenes – or ‘betlems’, as they are known here.
For a town that was once the capital of Mallorca (from the start of the 13th century until the mid-14th century), Sineu is a sleepy place when it’s not market day. On an autumn Monday evening, our footsteps echoed on the cobbled pavements as we walked through the quiet streets and lanes to our destination, Bar Ten.
If you’re looking for some family fun in Mallorca this weekend, head to Son Amar for their Christmas market. The Son Amar Christmas Wonderland is more than just a market of more than 25 stalls though, with Santa Claus in attendance, festive food and drinks, entertainment, and an artificial skating rink in the Hall of Fountains. The Christmas Wonderland at Son Amar is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 15:00h until 21:00h until December 22nd.
This week’s featured restaurant is not where you’d go on a first date or to celebrate a special occasion, but it has a welcome simplicity that’s missing from so much in life. Son Bascos, near Montuïri, is also very affordable, which makes it a popular choice for those in the know.
The weeks before Christmas are magical in Mallorca, with Christmas markets large and small taking place around the island and festive decorations in towns and villages.
You may think it unlikely that you’d find a high-quality lunch for 22€ from a Mallorcan chef whose restaurant held a Michelin star for 14 years, but that’s what’s on offer at Bartomeu de Tomeu Caldentey in Sa Coma.
Olive oil is an essential element of Mallorcan gastronomy, and all things olive are celebrated at one of Mallorca’s most popular autumn fairs. The picturesque village of Caimari – between Selva and the mountains – is home to the annual Fira de s’Oliva, which this year celebrates its 27th edition.
If your palate becomes a little jaded with the arrival of autumn, I have the perfect prescription: Lunch or dinner at KOH in Palma, where the fresh and vibrant cuisine of Southeast Asia is a wake-up call for the taste buds.
The traditional autumn fairs continue in Mallorca, with more happening over the coming weekend – and the island’s largest to look forward to next week.
With the season in Mallorca now coming to an end, many popular restaurants close for the winter break. But there’s still time to celebrate a special occasion with a memorable dinner at El Olivo, the gastronomic restaurant at Belmond La Residencia in Deià.
If you enjoy going to the theatre to watch a play in English, there aren’t many chances to do that in Mallorca, but that is beginning to change, thanks to the Skald Theatre Group – based on the island.
The 30-plant challenge has been gaining momentum since Professor Tim Spector of Kings College London cited research on his nutrition website, Zoe, finding that eating 30 different plant foods a week benefits the gut microbiome. Mallorcan chef Andrés Benitez was ahead of his time, four years ago, when he launched his plant-based menu at Botànic, the restaurant at Palma’s 5-star Can Bordoy Grand House & Garden.
Mallorca is a popular destination for filmmakers and has been the backdrop to numerous films, TV shows, and commercials. So, it’s not surprising that the island has also become a destination for film festivals – one of which is the fastest growing of its kind in Europe. The British newspaper, ‘The Guardian’, described it as one of Europe’s most exciting film festivals.
I must have passed Gigi’s Piccolo Ristorante in Palma many times, walking between El Corté Inglés and the Mercat de l’Olivar, without realising what I was missing. When a friend suggested the place for lunch together, I discovered it was home to the authentic Italian cuisine of chef Gigi and the warm hospitality of his wife, Jackie. This is where you’ll find slow food, cooked with love to order, and served with what the Spanish call ‘don de gente’ – people skills.
This coming Sunday, October 20th, Palma becomes the centre of an annual sporting activity: the TUI Palma Marathon. This year’s is the 20th edition of the event, which includes the marathon, half-marathon, and 9km race.
If one of your criteria for a place to eat out is a great view, L’Atic in Palma should be on your restaurant radar. L’Atic is on the seventh floor of the Hotel Saratoga – the home of the former Blue Jazz Club – but more than impressive views await you.
Mallorca’s autumn fairs continue this coming weekend.
The Puig de Randa mountain is a popular destination for the incredible summit views, but the nearby, sleepy hamlet of Randa is also worth a visit for its rustic charm … and the gastronomic restaurant Sa Tanqueta.
October is a month with plenty of autumn fairs scheduled and there are a few for this coming weekend. These fairs offer a flavour of authentic Mallorcan life and culture, and a visit can make a good day out.
Earlier this summer, Queen Suthida of Thailand visited Mallorca for the first time, supporting her country’s participants in one of the most prestigious regattas starting from Puerto Portals. While on the island, the Thai royal went for lunch at Ses Aspes, near Manacor.
The end of summer means the end of the larger music events in Mallorca but there are still opportunities to enjoy concerts in different parts of the island.
This Restaurant of the Week doesn’t have four walls and a roof,so it’s not strictly a restaurant but an al fresco, farm-to-table experience from the Manacor company, Terragust, owned by Matias Adrover Sitger. Depending on the season, you could be at a table in an orchard, among grapevines, or in an olive grove on one of the farms in the countryside outside Manacor.
58th Festa des Vermar
When the grapes in Mallorca’s vineyards have been harvested, it’s time to celebrate, and the fun takes place in the town of Binissalem – at the heart of one of Mallorca’s wine-producing areas.
September is the start of the Balearic art season in Palma with an unmissable event to kick off the new cultural calendar: La Nit de l’Art, which happens this year on Saturday, 21st.
It’s always tempting to try new eateries in Mallorca, but I also love the stories behind family-run restaurants with a history. There are always good reasons such places have survived the economic ups and downs and the challenges of finding and keeping staff.
CRU – Cuina i Vins in Manacor is a restaurant with a point of difference: it specializes in offering natural wines made from organic grapes and without additives. It’s the only establishment in Manacor listed in the 2024 edition of the international natural wine and food lovers’ digital guide known as Raisin.
It’s rare to be able to see a play in English in Mallorca, but this September there’s a chance to do so, with the staging of ‘The Bexhill Bookclub’.
Port d’Andratx has a waterfront lined with restaurants, bars, and cafes, but if you want to be even closer to the sea and somewhere a little quieter in terms of traffic, take the road around to the other side of the harbour. Here, you’ll find a Mediterranean restaurant that’s been making diners happy for almost fifty years.
A slice of any type of melon is the perfect fruit to cool you down in the heat of the Mallorcan summer. Several varieties of this luscious, thirst-quenching crop are widely available on the island – though you may need to have good muscles to pick up some of the huge watermelons you’ll see for sale in food shops and on market stalls.
Getting out onto the sea is one of the best ways to cool off in the heat of a Mallorcan August. You’ll find plenty of opportunities around the island to take a boat trip – and you don’t have to have a superyacht budget.
The word ‘barefoot’ conjures up images of a relaxed summer lifestyle in Mallorca. It’s an appropriate name for a stylish hotel and restaurant in beautiful Portocolom, which never seems as frenzied in the high season as some other coastal places on the island.
You’re unlikely to come across Basic Bar Restaurante on a wander around Palma because it’s tucked away in a side street off Carrer Aragón, close to the rear of El Corte Inglés on the Avenidas.
Kayaking is a fun way to take to the crystal-clear waters around Mallorca – and there are several places where you can learn to master a kayak at sea in a matter of hours.
I’ve long been a fan of chef Javier Hoebeeck, who leads the culinary team at Fusion19 – the one-Michelin-starred restaurant in the popular resort of Playa de Muro.
For an interesting day away from the beach, hotel pool, or exploring Palma, take a trip to Alcúdia’s Alcanada headland. The Sa Bassa Blanca estate on its east coast is a protected rural area, declared a wildlife sanctuary. The animals you’ll see though are more likely to be made of granite, as Sa Bassa Blanca has a superb sculpture park that will impress children as well as adults.
If proximity to the sea is as essential to you for dining out as olive oil is to bread, this Restaurant of the Week should appeal. Es Vivers in Colònia de Sant Pere is known for its well-made Italian cuisine but also its superb location on the seafront in this attractive village not far from Artà on the Bay of Alcúdia in northeast Mallorca.
Summer nights in Mallorca were made for listening to music outdoors, and if you enjoy listening to classical piano, you’re in for a treat in August – the month of the annual Chopin Festival.
If you browse the web for Mallorca’s luxury hotels, you’ll find Cap Rocat near Palma. This 5-star hotel is a spectacular and award-winning renovation of a fortified citadel by the architect Antonio Obrador. I’ve always wanted to stay there, but Cap Rocat’s eyewatering accommodation prices are sadly beyond my budget. Fortunately, eating at the hotel’s Sea Club restaurant is a more affordable treat. And what a treat!
One of the streets in Pollença town is named after Philip Newman and, if you’re curious about this, here’s the reason: English violinist Philip Newman was the man behind the founding of the Pollença Festival in 1962. More than 800 musicians have since performed at the annual classical music event in August. Only Valldemossa’s Chopin Festival is older than this one.
Eating out by the sea in the height of summer is on many holidaymakers’ wish lists, but dinner in a more tranquil, rural setting can be just as memorable. For a countryside restaurant with beautiful sunset views, head to Restaurant Es Pati de Montuïri.
Photo: puertoportals.com
Visiting one of Mallorca’s many weekly markets may not have much appeal during a searing hot July or August day, but if you enjoy browsing craft-market stalls for tasteful local and artisan-made items in cooler temperatures, check out one of the summer’s night markets.
One of the Mallorcans’ most treasured places on the island is Santuari de Santa Maria de Lluc. Set high in the UNESCO Heritage Site, Serra de Tramuntana, it’s not only a place of religious and cultural significance but also somewhere to find peace and relaxation – and slightly cooler air in the hottest summer months.
Authentic Canary Islands’ cuisine – with contemporary touches and creative presentation – is on the menu at the Palma tapas bar and restaurant, La Vieja de Jonay Hernández. Owner and chef Jonay is from Tenerife, and his New Canarian cuisine pays homage to the archipelago of his birth.
Chefs in Mallorca may have a wealth of hi-tech kitchen equipment available to them but the oldest way of cooking – over a wood fire – is hard to beat for enhancing the flavour of food. Singular, a restaurant in the countryside near Sa Pobla has made ‘cocina del fuego’ its speciality.
One of the Mallorcans’ most treasured places on the island is Santuari de Santa Maria de Lluc. Set high in the UNESCO Heritage Site, Serra de Tramuntana, it’s not only a place of religious and cultural significance but also somewhere to find peace and relaxation – and slightly cooler air in the hottest summer months.
Palma is home to no fewer than four Michelin-starred restaurants – each offering the gourmet diner a memorable but different culinary experience. In 2015, the eponymous Marc Fosh was the first restaurant in Mallorca’s capital to gain the coveted star – a distinction it’s held every year since. And Marc is still the only British chef in Spain at the helm of a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Mallorca has many beautiful outdoor places where you can take a picnic but if you want to enjoy someone else’s cooking and still be in a natural setting, there are several opportunities on the island.
Celebrating the summer solstice in Mallorca means a fiesta, involving water, fire, and fun. The Sant Joan celebrations are on the evening of Sunday 23rd– the day before the saint’s day.
It’s useful to know a good pizzeria, although Manacor’s El Guiri – with its tongue-in-cheek name – offers not only excellent pizzas but also a decent choice of Italian classic pastas. Chef/owner Alexander Weinhold is the ‘foreigner’ here – although he looks nothing like his logo’s cartoon character.
For anyone holidaying on a fixed budget in Mallorca, a set three-course lunch option can be useful – but not every restaurant offers one, and some no longer include a drink, as was traditionally the case in the Spanish ‘menú del día’.
The Deià International Music Festival is back this year for its 46th edition. The concerts are on Wednesdays from June 26th until October 2nd and take place in the beautiful setting of Son Marroig – the traditional Mallorcan estate that captured the Archduke Ludwig Salvator’s heart in the late 19th century and became his home.
Is there a restaurant in Mallorca that you’ve driven past numerous times but never tried? El Castillo del Bosque, between Felanitx and Porto Colom, was one such restaurant for me. I’m pleased I finally stopped to try it.
Birdwatching enthusiasts shouldn’t miss a visit to Mallorca’s largest wetland, S’Albufera, which is designated a Wetland Area of International Importance. In the north of the island, it’s close to the resorts of Platja de Muro and Can Picafort – yet seems a world away from the tourist bustle.
If eating out in one of Palma’s oldest palaces sounds expensive, the three-course set lunch at NOI Palma within the Scandinavian-owned Nobis Hotel Palma may surprise you – at just 25€ a head.
Until the 6th of June, the town of Manacor in Mallorca celebrates its spring fair. The programme of events can be found on the town hall’s website but only in ‘mallorquín’. Events include sports, a wine-tasting workshop, routes to discover Manacor, and the inauguratin of the art exhibition, ‘People’, by Miquel Sebastian at the Centre Cultural S’Agricola.
The British and American Gut Project – run by the University of California and Dr Tim Spector of King’s College London – recommends that we eat 30 plants a week for a more diverse gut microbiome. If that number sounds like a challenge, you’ll get a good start if you eat at Plat a Plat, a vegan restaurant in the small rural town of Maria de la Salut.
Photo by Artur Rutkowski on Unsplash
Strawberries are ready to eat earlier in Mallorca than in Northern Europe and are available here for a much longer period. If being in the sunshine makes you crave these beautiful, healthy berries – rich in fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants – you should try Mallorcan strawberries.
Palma offers a fantastic choice of cuisines but if eating authentic Spanish food in a cosy, unpretentious ambience is what you’re craving, Cantina Panzà ticks that box … and others. Located along the iconic Paseo de la Rambla – home of the scented, colourful flower stalls – Cantina Panzà offers tapas, sharing plates, and a weekday ‘menú del día’.
Mallorca’s northeast town of Capdepera hosts its popular ‘Mercado Medieval’ in May – a three-day medieval market attracting people from all over the island.
The old fishing village of Porto Cristo in Mallorca is today a popular resort still retaining a traditional feel. The home of tennis supremo, Rafa Nadal, it’s also the location of the popular, waterside Quince Restaurante & Cantina – which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year.
The poet and author Robert Graves, whose numerous works include ‘I, Claudius’, was among the creative people who discovered the mountain village of Deià before mass tourism came to Mallorca.
The attractive, market town of Artà in northeast Mallorca may seem an unlikely location for an authentic Mexican eatery, but it’s where you’ll find the cosy restaurant, Xolomulato.
The Balearics are such beautiful islands that it can be easy to forget that many children living here are disadvantaged for a variety of reasons.
If you’re a fan of De Tokio a Lima restaurant at the Can Alomar hotel in Palma, a treat awaits you in the must-visit village of Valldemossa – where a second De Tokio a Lima opened at the end of February this year.
If you have a fascination for footwear, you’ll find plenty of shoe shops in Palma for some retail therapy. Mallorca’s association with shoemaking goes back centuries and some of today’s brands from the island – such as Camper, Carmina, Lotusse, and Bestard – are known around the globe.
For lunch after visiting the Thursday or Saturday market in Mallorca’s southeast town of Campos, check out the adults-only restaurant Tess de Mar, at the 17-room Sa Creu Nova Petit Palais Art & Spa. Tess de Mar is open to the public, has a separate entrance from the street for those not staying in the hotel, and is in the 2024 Michelin Guide.
If you hanker after the boating life or are already a nautical enthusiast, then Mallorca has just the event for you next week. The Palma International Boat Show launches on Thursday, 25th and continues until Sunday, 28th, at the Moll Vell, opposite La Lonja.
The charming town of Santanyí in Mallorca not only has an unmissable market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings but also some good places to eat and drink. My favourite Santanyí restaurant is Laudat, located in a side street just steps away from the imposing 18th-century Sant Andreu church.
Mallorca’s most popular wine-tasting fair happens this month – and this year the Fira del Vi in Pollença is on the same weekend as the Palma International Boat Show, so some diary planning may be required if you enjoy all things nautical and wine.
Shiny, new restaurants are often tempting but don’t always deliver on expectations. The Merchants by the Sea, however, is run by the experienced hospitality group that also has the successful Palma restaurant, The Merchants – Steak & Grill.
Mallorca has many traditional fairs – also known as ‘firas’ or ‘ferias’ – throughout the year. Visiting them is a great way to discover more about the island’s culture, gastronomy, artisans, and agriculture.
If your passions are art and wine, this exhibition launching on Good Friday and continuing throughout the season should be of interest. The Danish-owned winery Bodega BiniVista at Biniali near Sencelles is hosting its second Easter art exhibition.
Lume & Co is located in the former stables of Mallorca’s 15th-century Son Berga castle, just outside Genova. The restaurant is in gated premises, with a large private car park. Although only a short drive from the centre of Palma, it has a rural setting and makes a change from the bustle of the capital.
The sign on the wall reads Can Kiwi Coffee & Juice Bar but there’s much more than hot and cold drinks to this great find in beautiful Colònia de Sant Pere.
Mallorca’s east-coast resort of Sa Coma is home to a feast of foodie fun over the weekend of Friday, 22nd to Sunday, 24th March. Cooking contests, tastings, workshops, show-cooking, and a gastronomic market are all on the agenda for Protur Chef 2024 Gastro Weekend – an annual event first held in 2017.
Beautiful sea views and good food and drinks await you at the popular coastal restaurant, Sa Punta in Cala Bona, owned by Rafa Nadal’s uncle. We’ve eaten here many times – usually in summer – but went for lunch on the first Sunday of the season.
If the spring weather makes you get out and walk (or run), why not turn that exercise into a way to raise funds for Cancer Support Mallorca and sign up for the Walk Against Cancer 2024?
One of Porto Cristo’s best restaurants has moved to a new home in the port town. First opened by chef/patron Roland Schulte in 2011, Restaurant Roland now has the bonus of an appealing outdoor space for dining in the warmer months.
In literature, art, and screen entertainment, one woman in history has inspired creators probably more than any other. That woman was Cleopatra, Queen of the Kingdom of Egypt.
The name Bonnie Han will be familiar to foodies who live in Mallorca or eat in hot-ticket restaurants when visiting the island. Born in Singapore and raised in Australia, Chef Bonnie cooks delicious Southeast Asian cuisine at Nama in Deià but has also created menus for other island restaurants – the latest of which is Nº11 Gastrobar in Port d’Andratx.
The ‘Fira del Fang’ – or clay fair – is one of Mallorca’s most popular events and takes place in March every year. It showcases the talents of the island’s ceramicists and potters – whose studios are mainly found in and around Portol and Sa Cabaneta, near Marratxí.
On a beautiful sunny day at a resort or port in Mallorca, it’s tempting to choose an eatery overlooking the Mediterranean. But at Trobar – a short walk back from the harbour in Cala Ratjada – you’ll barely notice the lack of a sea view.
In the run-up to Easter in Mallorca, there’s fun for all the family at the annual ‘Fira del Ram’ – or Ram Fair – in Palma, which is on for almost seven weeks from February 23rd until April 7th.
It’s always a good day when you discover an eatery that surpasses all your expectations. That’s what happened when we met up with a dear friend for lunch at one of his local eateries, La Mallorquina, open all year in Colònia de Sant Jordi.
Feeling creative and looking for an outlet for it? Art could be the answer. Whatever type of art you can think of, you’ll find opportunities to learn or improve artistic skills here in Mallorca.
When holidaying in Mallorca, the Spanish royal family has dined several times at the restaurant Ola del Mar in Portixol, Palma’s former fishing village. You’ll find plenty of locals too eating out in Ola del Mar which, not surprisingly for its location, specializes in seafood.
The party never seems to stop in Mallorca. After the Sant Antoni and Sant Sebastià festivities, up pops Carnival and another excuse to take to the streets and have some fun. In 2024, Easter falls early, and carnival is a week earlier than last year.
The Canadian musician, singer, and songwriter, Bryan Adams, may be best known for his hits – including ‘Heaven’, ‘I Do It For You’, ‘Run to You’, and ‘Summer of ‘69’ – but did you know that he’s also an acclaimed professional photographer?
It’s almost impossible to get a short-notice table at Ses Coves in Campanet in the holiday season but I made my winter, weekday lunch booking only one day ahead. This rural restaurant is renowned for both its food grilled over embers and the high quality and provenance of its meat and fish. No wonder some of Mallorca’s top chefs eat here on a day off.
Underground cisterns for water storage may not sound as though they’d be of tourist interest, but Mallorca has several of these facilities – known locally as ‘aljubs’ (‘aljibes’ in castellano) – that are worth a visit.
If you’re looking for a Mallorcan restaurant with some history and a good reputation, head to the small town of Lloseta. Tucked away behind the now abandoned Palau d’Aiamans – a noble residence built in the 17th century – you’ll find Celler Can Carrossa, a restaurant business that’s 98 years old.
Port Adriano – Mallorca’s Philippe Starck-designed superyacht marina – has launched the fifth edition of its popular, annual photography competition. And if you think you have the talent to take great photographs, you’ll want to know about this free-to-enter competition, which has a total of 3,000 euros in prize money.
The German chef/patron, Sascha, closed his Artà restaurant L’Atrio in November 2021. The following summer, he opened Restaurante SaMo in Sant Llorenç near Manacor, serving ‘soul food’.
Photo: freshandeazy.com‘Visca Sant Antoni!’ – ‘Long live Sant Antoni’ – is a well-used phrase as we approach one of Mallorca’s most popular, traditional fiestas: the celebration of Sant Antoni Abat, the patron saint of animals.
If you’d like to get fitter in 2024 but you’re not a gym bunny, you could try Nordic Walking in Mallorca. It’s a resistance sport that exercises around 90 per cent of your muscles and has numerous benefits for your health, both physical and psychological. Practising Nordic Walking with a group of people on an organised outing is also a great way to meet new people, practise your language skills, and help boost your social life.
It takes a brave Englishman to open a tapas restaurant in Palma, but not when that man is Eddie Hart. Eddie was one of the brothers behind the successful Spanish restaurants, Fino and Barrafina, in London. With the launch of El Camino five years ago, Eddie brought a new level of sophistication and vibrancy to Palma’s tapas scene.
Mallorca’s biggest – and free – New Year’s Eve party is in Palma’s Plaça Cort. There’s usually music and a good atmosphere and the crowd grows as the magical hour approaches.
Italian restaurants are ubiquitous in Palma, so which do you choose for authentic ‘la dolce vita’ cuisine? You could follow in the footsteps of the King of Spain and Hollywood ‘royalty’, actor Morgan Freeman, who have both dined at Sandro Restaurante this year.
The name and sign over the door of this restaurant in Felanitx may be familiar, but everything else has changed since I first visited in 2004. Today, Estragon has a smart, contemporary interior and has been in the hands of new owners since the beginning of November.
Photo: Mallorca Diario
If you’ve browsed the traditional festive markets in Palma, you’ll have seen stalls selling a wide variety of ornaments and figures used to create nativity scenes – or ‘betlems’ as they’re known here in Mallorca.
Puerto Portals has its popular Christmas Market from December 14th to January 6th. This market takes inspiration from the traditional festive markets of Central Europe and always has a magical ambience and a certain style. You’ll find more than 40 wooden stalls offering crafts and tasteful festive decorations and if you get hungry, there’ll be stalls selling festive eats and drinks.
If a trip to Paris for some traditional French cuisine is out of the question, a visit to Mallorca’s Les Artistes could be the next best thing. This cosy French bistro in Palma has the ambience and cuisine of the ‘city of light’ itself.
It’s time to embrace the festive season and visit a Christmas market or two – without having to travel away from Mallorca. The island has a fantastic choice of festive markets this year, offering a wide range of crafts and nativity scene ornaments.
The Mediterranean Sea is one of the most important attractions for visitors to Mallorca. But like seas and oceans around our precious planet, the Mediterranean has suffered from the impact of human activities.
The resort of Sa Coma on Mallorca’s east coast appears almost deserted after the holiday season has ended, and the shutters are down at most businesses for the winter. But on Sunday lunchtime, we were in a line of several cars pulling into the free car park across the road from Tomeu Caldentey Cuiner.
A stalwart of popular Port de Pollença, Stay Restaurant is open all day, every day of the year. With its waterfront location and gorgeous views, it attracts locals and visitors alike. Stay first opened in 1972 but has been in its current guise since 2006. Contemporary in style, the restaurant has extensive decked terracing on two sides, and a smart dining room that’s filled with natural light.
If you’ve been in the countryside in Mallorca recently, you’ll probably have spotted various types of fungus growing in the wild, usually at the foot of trees. Autumn is mushroom season, and it’s not unusual to see locals out foraging for them – particularly in the Serra de Tramuntana.
Most beach eateries in Mallorca have closed their doors after a busy season, but for those days when the sun shines from a bright blue sky and invites you to the coast, it’s good to know somewhere you can still eat out by the sea during the day.
If you indulge in the Spanish tradition of ‘ir de tapeo’ – wandering from bar to bar having tapas and drinks – you should enjoy the annual autumn gastronomic festival of TaPalma. The event returns to Mallorca’s capital this month and is a must for foodies. TaPalma is all about tapas and cocktails, and restaurants and bars taking part in the city have special offerings at affordable prices to tempt you.
New restaurants are tempting – especially for those who like to post about them on social media. But established eateries with a good reputation will always have appeal, and if you’re looking for a seafood restaurant, where better than one located right above the fish market where the catch is auctioned in the early mornings?
Olive trees have been cultivated in Mallorca for more than two thousand years – and around 90 per cent of the trees you see here today are more than 500 years old.
It looks an unlikely place to go out for lunch – or even for breakfast or a mid-morning snack – but the vast greenhouse located on the side of the Ma15 between the Es Cruce roundabout and Manacor is home not only to a farm shop selling good, well-priced, local produce but also the restaurant Degusta.
Mallorca’s traditional autumn fairs continue, and what could be more autumnal than the humble pumpkin? Although used mainly in savoury cooking, the pumpkin is technically a fruit rather than a vegetable.
First opened in 1925, Can March was originally a café serving people from the town. Today, two years before the business celebrates a century in the same family, Can March’s reputation as an excellent restaurant has spread across Mallorca.
How will you spend the coming dark autumn and winter evenings? It’s tempting to stay indoors but you could be meeting new people and getting a culture fix, discovering fascinating facts relating to the arts.
Looking for a more authentic but modernized Mallorcan eating-out experience? This cosy, family-run restaurant in the heart of Sencelles could be the place for you.
This coming weekend you’ll find several traditional fairs taking place in Mallorca. On both Saturday and Sunday, Inca has its ‘Fira de la Terra’, where you’ll find plants, flowers, artisan, and other products from the land.
You don’t have to be a tennis player or even visit the interesting multi-sports Rafa Nadal Museum to eat lunch at the tennis supremo’s expanding centre in Manacor.
Palma is one of the most scenic locations in Europe to run a marathon and thousands of people will be doing just that this Sunday, October 15th, for the 20th edition of the Palma Marathon.
With the forecast of the current Indian summer in Mallorca continuing for a while longer, it’s time to seize the final opportunities to eat out in a beach restaurant – before the shutters go down for this season.
It may now officially be autumn, but Mallorca still has plenty of traditional fairs to enjoy this month for an authentic experience of the island’s culture.
Deià is Mallorca’s honeypot location, and at the height of the holiday season, it’s not easy to find somewhere to park a car. But just over two kilometres from the heart of this iconic village, you’ll find tranquillity in a restaurant with its own parking and spectacular views of Mallorca’s northeast coast and beautiful Deià itself.
There’s a view of Palma that many visitors don’t get to see: the panorama from the roof terraces of Palma’s magnificent Gothic cathedral known as La Seu. But until the end of October, it’s possible to climb the steps up to the rooftop, where you can walk around the flying buttresses, see the Cathedral’s famous large rose window, the bell tower, and enjoy the ultimate skyline view of Palma and the bay.
Despite all the sophisticated kitchen equipment and technology now available to chefs, cooking over a wood fire – a process dating back hundreds of thousands of years – is a growing trend in today’s international restaurant industry. One restaurant in Mallorca – named Singular – has made ‘cocina del fuego’ its speciality.
Binissalem is the town where Mallorca’s grape harvest is celebrated each year at the ‘Festa des Vermar’. This year’s fiesta is the 57th of its kind and the packed programme of events began on the 15th of this month.
September is the start of the cultural season in Mallorca, with an event that’s open to all – locals and visitors alike.
The appetite-reducing effect of Mallorca’s sizzling summer temperatures is over, making September perfect for resuming alfresco lunches out. With great timing, Mirabona restaurant at Finca Can Beneït has just launched its new weekday lunch menu and it’s worth the drive to hideaway Binibona (near Selva) to try it.
The first of the late-summer storms has already visited Mallorca, but we can look forward to several more weeks of eating out by the Med, accompanied by the sounds of the sea and the scent of briny air. Perhaps at Port Verd del Mar – in the quieter area between Cala Bona and Costa de los Pinos?
An historic event from the 13th century is still celebrated every September in Mallorca’s southwest. In September 1229, King Jaume I of Aragon and his Christian knights and soldiers landed in Santa Ponça, to conquer the Moors and reclaim Mallorca.
Korea meets Japan meets Spain. And it all happens in a peaceful enclave of Mallorca’s Santa Ponsa. Welcome to SABA Restaurant, one of the two eateries at the Kimpton Aysla Mallorca hotel – Kimpton’s first European property when it opened in October 2022 on part of the site of the former Santa Ponsa Country Club.
Who doesn’t love a fabulous view? Preferably with the Mediterranean in the background. Mallorca has some amazing viewpoints – or ‘miradores’ – and it’s worth a drive to soak up a sensational panorama.
I make no apology for choosing a ‘chiringuito’ as my Restaurant of the Week. Hey, it’s the height of summer, and where do we want to eat lunch out in the heat of a Mallorcan August? Maybe within mere steps of the Caribbean-like turquoise sea at Platja de Muro? Ponderosa Beach ticks the boxes for location, delicious food and drinks, friendly service, and holiday vibes.
The sun shines on over 300 days a year in Mallorca, so it’s not surprising that the island has a lot of sundials – which are part of its cultural heritage. The island is said to have around a thousand – some three hundred of which are in Palma alone. It’s one of the highest concentrations of sundials in Europe.
Palma’s Santa Catalina district is packed with ethnic food eateries. ‘Mallorquín’, Spanish, Peruvian fusion, Lebanese, Thai, Japanese, and Korean are only some of the cuisines on offer. But for top-quality, interesting British cuisine – with a twist – and the most hospitable hosts in town, head straight for Market Kitchen.
For a break from driving and trying to find a parking space, or if you don’t have a car, it’s easy and affordable to explore some of Mallorca by train.
Watching a movie under the stars is a fun way to enjoy a balmy August night and this month there are two places in Palma where you can enjoy a free, outdoor screening of a film.
Creative cuisine is found in the most surprising places in Mallorca. Until May this year, I’d barely noticed the signpost to Son Penya Petit Hotel on the Ma15 roundabout near Sant Llorenç. In May, I had dinner there for the first time and when I heard that the hotel was 20 years old, I realised how many opportunities I’d missed to eat there.
If you need some relief from the heat of August in Mallorca, go underground to luxuriate in a consistently cool temperature – and discover a different side of Mallorca.
For an indulgent gastronomic treat or a special occasion dinner, the Michelin-starred Es Fum in Costa d’en Blanes ticks all the boxes.
Visiting one of Mallorca’s many weekly markets may not have much appeal during a searing hot July or August day, but if you enjoy browsing craft-market stalls for tasteful local and artisan-made items in cooler temperatures, check out one of the summer’s night markets.
A restaurant where you may be able to book a table for the same day, you’ll find ample free parking, and the ambience is relaxing? In the height of the Mallorcan summer? Escape to the countryside and check out this rural hotel restaurant.
There’s something special about sipping a drink as you soak up a bird’s-eye view of your surroundings from a rooftop terrace. Outside the centre of Palma, here are a few others to try in Mallorca.
In the height of summer, so many locals and visitors to Mallorca want to eat at the coast that you may need to book a few days ahead to be sure of a table at the most popular establishments. But head inland to Mallorca’s towns and villages and you’ll have a more relaxed, summer eating-out experience. And find some surprisingly good restaurants.
Mallorca has a good choice now of hotel rooftops where you can go in the evening for a drink and maybe something to eat while you enjoy a great view. Not surprisingly, Palma has the largest choice; here are some of our favourites.
Can you imagine a Hollywood movie star topping up his tan on the beach in Magaluf? Well, in the mid-1950s, holidaying ‘High Noon’ star Gary Cooper and a female companion asked a taxi driver to take them to Mallorca’s most tranquil beach. Hard to believe it was Magaluf.
Sitting on a balmy evening under the darkening sky as you listen to classical music in the open courtyard of one of Europe’s few round fortresses is a summer treat in Mallorca. The venue is the Gothic-style Castell de Bellver, located on a hilltop and surrounded by forest to the west of the centre of Palma.
La Braseria may not have the allure of a seafront eatery in Port de Pollença or a restaurant in the narrow streets of the charming Pollença town, but it does have a Josper charcoal oven. And if you enjoy the flavour of food cooked over fire, La Braseria is worth a visit for young Bolivian chef Ruben Uzquiano’s expert cooking.
Mallorca is the setting for quite a few contemporary novels, written by authors inspired by living or holidaying on this island. But taking writing inspiration from beautiful Mallorca isn’t something new: famous literary figures from history include Robert Graves, Jules Verne, Josep Pla, Llorenç Villalonga, and Ramon Llull.
Before modern technology, seafarers relied on Mallorca’s lighthouses to aid their navigation. Today, these lighthouses are still a distinctive sight around the island, although it’s often landlubbers who seek them out for the beautiful sea views they offer in their strategic locations.
If you’re in the Manacor area wanting flavours of the world but made from local produce, check out Übeck, which opened at the end of 2021 as a different addition to the town’s restaurant scene.
Microwaves, high-speed electric ovens, and the Thermomix may have revolutionized restaurant cooking methods, but the Josper charcoal oven is the hottest – in both senses of the word – piece of commercial kitchen equipment right now.
Summer officially arrives next week and that means it’s time for one of the season’s best-loved and most magical fiestas, Sant Joan, which happens on Friday, the 23rd – the eve of the saint’s day.
Fans of the TV series ‘Friends’ will know that “Joey doesn’t share food!”. If you have a friend like Joey Tribbiani, don’t take them to Lassala Grill in Mallorca. Go with a foodie friend or two and order a few of the delicious dishes created specifically for sharing by executive chef Andrés Benítez – who is also behind the critically acclaimed plant-forward cuisine at Botànic restaurant in Palma.
Spanish cuisine’s most famous dish is undoubtedly paella, and it’s one that visitors to Spain are often keen to try. Although paella originated in Valencia, it’s possible to enjoy a good one in Mallorca if you know where to go.
MAY 29th, 2023
Cultural treats of a musical nature await you this summer in Mallorca. The 45th Deià International Music Festival begins in June, with concerts throughout the summer until late September. Traditionally, these concerts took place at beautiful Son Marroig on the rugged Tramuntana coastline and most of them still do, but other venues are also on the programme.
If watching recent TV travel documentaries about Italy has made you long for a taste of ‘la dolce vita’, set your GPS for the town of Son Servera in the Llevant area of Mallorca. In the heart of the town, Restaurante Peperoncino offers tempting Italian cuisine and warm Italian hospitality that’ll transport you – at least in spirit – to ‘la bella Italia’.
MAY 22nd, 2023
Fashion, urban art, food trucks, and music. If those sound like your kind of fun, don’t miss this year’s AfterSun Market – the seventh edition – which brings all these things together in one exciting pop-up event this spring. It happens over four weekends and has a great location in southwest Mallorca.
For a high-quality restaurant to survive in Mallorca for 35 years, it must be something special. The smart Port Petit in Cala d’Or is such a restaurant. Not only does it have a great location and gorgeous views over the marina from its dining room and terrace, but also a well-deserved fine-dining reputation. It’s recommended in the Michelin Guide for 2023.
MAY 15th, 2023
Each spring the hilltop town of Capdepera in the northeast of Mallorca hosts a Medieval Market – a three-day event that’s one of the most popular traditional events on the island.
A short drive from the east coast or the town of Sant Llorenç takes you to the small village of Son Carrió, where innovative cuisine features on this restaurant’s monthly changing tasting menu.
Photo by Benjamin L. Jones on Unsplash
Enjoying the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean is one of the pleasures of being in Mallorca, and it’s thanks to the seagrass Posidonia – one of the oldest living organisms on the planet – that the waters around our island are so appealing. The underwater Posidonia meadows are known as “the lungs of the Mediterranean”: they help maintain the biodiversity and transparency of the sea – and produce about half of the oxygen we breathe. If you’ve spotted strange, brown balls on the beach, you’ve seen dead seagrass that’s been washed ashore.
Look up at the sky above Mallorca and you’re likely to spot large birds of prey, such as red kites, on the wing. Not many visitors though realise that Mallorca is also an important habitat for vultures. The island is home to two types of vultures who live in the Serra de Tramuntana.
One of Mallorca’s most popular wine-tasting events celebrates its 20th edition this year: the Fira del Vi de Pollença – or Pollença Wine Fair – is on over the weekend of May 6th and 7th.
Even dedicated landlubbers will find something to enjoy at this year’s Palma International Boat Show, the event that’s seen as the start of the Mediterranean nautical season. It’s a good day out for all, with plenty to see – especially for those who own or dream of owning a boat.
The beautiful village of Deià attracted creative people long before mass tourism came to Mallorca; the most famous of these was the poet and author Robert Graves, whose numerous works included ‘I, Claudius’ – which was adapted into a BBC TV series.
As well as being an important religious festival in Mallorca, Easter is a time for families to get together around a table to enjoy the foods associated with this time of year. And Mallorca has some traditional Easter eats that visitors should try while they’re here.
Mallorca’s capital, Palma, is preparing for Easter as ‘Semana Santa’, Holy Week, starts on April 2nd, Palm Sunday. In the coming days, florists and the flower market stalls in Palma’s Rambla sell skilfully woven white palm leaves that traditionally come from Elche in southeast Spain. People take these to church on Palma Sunday to be blessed and, afterward, you may see them hanging over front doors or on balconies of homes here.
If you’d like to learn some new culinary skills and recipes, how about a one-day cooking workshop in Mallorca? You’ll pick up some tips and techniques to impress family and friends when you next cook for them.
The east-coast resort of Sa Coma is the place to be for foodies over the weekend of March 17th-19th, with cooking contests, tastings, workshops, show-cooking, and a gastronomic market all on the agenda for Protur Chef 2023 Gastro Weekend.
Mallorca always seems to have something to celebrate and next it’s Día de las Illes Balears – Balearics Day. This commemorates the Statute of Autonomy that gave Mallorca and her sister islands their own parliament in 1983. The 40th Balearics Day is on Wednesday, March 1st, and it’s a public holiday too.
The composer Frederick Chopin’s links to Mallorca – and Valldemossa – are well known, thanks to the famous book ‘A Winter in Mallorca’, written by his lover George Sand about their stay here together in the winter of 1838/39.
Even if you’re not giving up any of life’s pleasures for the forty days of Lent, you can still celebrate carnival – when practising Christians traditionally feast and enjoy themselves as much as possible before the period of abstinence starts that leads to Easter.
Have you discovered the health benefits of Tai Chi – often referred to as moving meditation? It’s a branch of ancient Chinese martial arts and comprises exercises balanced between yin and yang, which makes it highly effective as a health practice.
If you’d like to get fitter this year but you’re not a gym bunny, how about Nordic Walking in Mallorca? It’s a resistance sport that exercises around 90 per cent of your muscles and has numerous benefits for your health, both physical and psychological. Practising Nordic Walking with a group of people on an organised outing is also a great way to meet new people, practise your language skills, and help boost your social life.
Photo by freshandeazy.com / Dimonis Sineu
The Three Kings have been and gone but one of Mallorca’s most popular, traditional fiestas is still to come: the celebration of Sant Antoni, the patron saint of animals.
If you’re a resident in Mallorca, be sure to get your travel card – or ‘Tarjeta Intermodal’ – and you can enjoy FREE train*, metro, and bus travel throughout 2023. It makes this a good year to explore more of the island.
Get 2023 off to a musical start by enjoying some of the varied entertainment on offer in the first week of January.
If you’ve visited Mallorca’s Christmas market in Palma’s Plaza Major, you’ll have seen the stalls offering small figures and ornaments for nativity scenes – or ‘betlems’, as they are known here.
If you like to indulge in sweet treats at Christmas, Mallorca has a few traditional ones you should try over the festive period.
With two public holidays this week in Mallorca – Tuesday and Thursday – and festive shopping still to be done, you may like to check out more of the Christmas markets happening around Mallorca soon. Even if you’re not buying, browsing among the festive stalls is a great way to get into the spirit of the season.
If Christmas shopping is on your agenda, check out Mallorca’s Christmas market stalls for interesting gifts, decorative items, and a festive ambience.
Olive oil is an essential element of Mallorcan gastronomy and all-things olive are celebrated at one of Mallorca’s most popular autumn fairs. The picturesque village of Caimari – between Selva and the mountains – is home to the annual Fira de s’Oliva, which this year celebrates its 25th edition.
If you’re a golf enthusiast, Mallorca is a great destination for the sport – with some 20 courses open to visiting golfers and other non-members. Outside the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, you’re never far from a golf course, and many of them offer superb views and facilities.
If you enjoy a gin and tonic occasionally, imagine being able to drink or offer a gin that you made right here in Mallorca. In Santa Catalina in Palma, the Mallorca Gin Distillery offers fun workshops during which you’ll hear fascinating tales about gin’s history in Europe, have a gin-tasting session, enjoy four gin cocktails, and make, bottle, and label your very own gin – crafted to your own taste. The bottle will be wax sealed so you can pack it safely in your luggage.
Now that September’s cooler weather is here, how about seeing more of Mallorca … but in a different way? Have some fun on wheels with one of the companies offering special trips on the island.
The grapes were harvested earlier this year because of the hotter-than-usual summer, but the ´Festa des Vermar´ – celebrating the harvest – takes place over the usual period in the town of Binissalem. After a two-year break because of the pandemic, expect plenty of enthusiasm for the 56th edition of the popular Festa des Vermar.
Kayaking is a fun way to take to the crystal-clear waters around Mallorca – and there are several places where you can learn to master a kayak at sea in a matter of hours.
If you want a break from driving or haven’t rented a car for your Mallorca holiday, it’s easy and affordable to explore some of Mallorca by train.
If you love gardens, you may enjoy a visit to one of the gardens in Mallorca open to visitors.
School’s out and it’s time for a fun, family holiday in Mallorca. This beautiful island has plenty to enjoy with children – and the following ideas are just a few activities that families may enjoy on a day out.
From rooftop terraces to hilltop sanctuaries, there are plenty of places in Mallorca to enjoy elevated views, but for a real buzz and a bird’s eye perspective, take to the skies.
Head for a hotel rooftop terrace for an evening drink and maybe something to nibble for fabulous views of Mallorca’s capital, Palma. Here are some popular ones.
There’s a view of Palma that many visitors don’t get to see: the panorama from the roof terraces of Palma’s magnificent Gothic cathedral known as La Seu. But during the summer months it’s possible to climb the steps up to the rooftop, where you can walk around the flying buttresses, see the Cathedral’s famous large rose window, the bell tower, and enjoy the ultimate skyline view of Palma and the bay.
If hot sand isn’t for you and you’d rather view the Mediterranean from a comfortable lounger – with everything you could need on hand for a relaxing day – check out Mallorca’s beach clubs.
The summer solstice is next week and is celebrated with an unforgettable fiesta in Mallorca involving fire and water. It happens on Thursday, June 23rd – the eve of Sant Joan.
When the mercury soars, you can’t beat a cooling ice cream – and the choice of artisan Mallorcan ice creams is excellent.
Weather is warming up and we were in a mood to sit outside and enjoy a good glass of wine with a bite or two. Some friends had told us about this very authentic Spanish tapas bar in Ciudad Jardín.
If you’re a fan of chamber and classical music, the Deià International Music Festival should be on your calendar this summer. First held in 1978, this Festival has grown significantly over the years and in its 44th edition includes concerts in a few additional locations, as well as the traditional setting of the Son Marroig property on the northwest coast, near Deià.
Surrounded by crystal-clear waters, it’s no wonder Mallorca is a playground for those who love water sports. But did you know that Mallorca is also home to the top outdoor Olympic swim centre in Europe?
If you’re tempted by the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean, how about trying one of Mallorca’s hugely popular water sports? When it comes to finding a sport you can learn – or practise – easily on holiday, stand up paddle boarding (or SUP) is the one. Not only can you become proficient quickly, SUP is also suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
Each spring the hilltop town of Capdepera in the northeast of Mallorca hosts a Medieval Market – a three-day event that’s one of the most popular traditional events on the island.
A visit to the annual Fira del Vi in the town of Pollensa is an excellent introduction to the number and variety of Mallorca’s wines and wineries, or bodegas. It’s an opportunity to taste some of the wines and talk to the people who make them.
Ship ahoy! It’s the event that kicks off the nautical season in the Mediterranean: the Palma International Boat Show 2022 is on from Thursday, April 28th to Sunday, May 1st.
Music fans have three theatre treats in Palma to enjoy this April: two tribute concerts and a musical comedy show based on a 4-Oscar-winning British movie.
Easter is an important religious festival in Mallorca, and Holy Week, or Semana Santa, is full of rituals. It all begins on Palm Sunday, April 10th this year. Before then, you’ll find beautifully woven white palm leaves from Elche in southeast Spain for sale in florists and at the Rambla flower stalls in Palma. After these palms have been blessed at church, people hang them at their homes above doors or on balconies.
After a break because of the pandemic, one of Palma’s two most popular art events is back in its usual form this Saturday, March 26th.
Mallorca has some amazing caves full of mighty stalactites and stalagmites and at this time of year they’re not as busy with tourists.
All around Mallorca you’ll find traditional weekly markets happening in towns large and small. But the island also has some different markets to discover and a rummage around one of these can be a fun way to spend a morning.
Now is the time to enjoy a star of Catalan cuisine – the ‘calçot’. A calçot is a cross between a spring onion and a leek and they’re truly seasonal.
Seeing Mallorca from horseback gives a different perspective of the island and is the perfect way to discover the landscape. Riding is a popular pursuit with the locals, so you’ll find stables and riding centres around Mallorca offering horse-riding for adults and youngsters, and pony trekking for little ones.
Want to take home some new skills? You’ll find several cooking classes and workshops on offer in Mallorca – a chance to impress your friends with new recipes and culinary techniques learnt from experts.
Some of Mallorca’s most internationally awarded wines are produced in the heart of Manacor, at Vins Miquel Gelabert, with the Denomination of Origin Pla i Llevant. Their wines have been made from carefully hand-harvested grapes since 1985.
Foto: Museo Sa Bassa Blanca
Mallorca’s museums are a great introduction to the island’s culture and society, and there’s a variety of museums to suit different interests.
January is usually a fun month of fiestas in Mallorca – even after The Three Kings have paraded in style to deliver their gifts.
The clarity of light on a sunny winter’s day in Mallorca is perfect for seeing the island from a high viewpoint. Mallorca has several hilltop sanctuaries offering superb vistas that are worth the drive, cycle, or hike up to enjoy them.
Hiking is a great activity if you’ve resolved to get fitter and spend more time outdoors this winter. Mallorca’s varied landscape and terrain offer hiking possibilities for all levels of fitness and ability.
Start the New Year in Mallorca with some festive entertainment. How about attending a traditional orchestral concert, or seeing the world’s best-loved seasonal ballet?
Festive feasting is part of the Mallorcan Christmas season and the delicious, traditional treats at this time of year are worth the extra calories.
A nativity scene is a much-loved Christmas tradition in many Mallorcan homes. Festive market stalls in Plaza Mayor sell a huge choice of figures and ornaments to create or add to these nativity scenes, which are known as ‘betlems’ in Catalan.
Olives have been cultivated in Mallorca for more than two thousand years and ninety per cent of the island’s olive trees are said to be more than 500 years old. In the 19 th century, olive oil from Mallorca was recognised for its high quality and made up 80 per cent of exports from the island…
A visit to Mallorca at this time of year isn’t complete without exploring the Christmas markets. In an atmosphere of festive cheer, you’ll find a wealth of handcrafted gifts and festive ornaments for your home. Here are some of the best …
If you’re a fan of jazz, this is a good time to be in Mallorca – with two major jazz festivals taking place during November and December.
It’s often said that tapas came about when bars used to give customers a small slice of bread or ham to cover their drinks to keep out flies. Tapar is the Spanish word for ‘to cover’ and that’s where the name of the bite-sized nibbles came from. This is only one of several stories about the origin of tapas, but one thing is for sure: a tapeo – going out for tapas – is an essential part of Mallorcan social life.
On a rather chilly and windy Monday evening in Palma, the area of Santa Catalina was eerily quiet. Until we entered The Duke – a cosy nook of a restaurant in a side street near Santa Catalina market. This was where everyone was, creating the buzzy warm ambience that’s evidence of an eatery that knows how to please its punters.
Like several other chefs who have opened their own successful restaurants, Adrián Quetglas used to work for British chef Marc Fosh. After a decade working in Russia, in 2015, Adrián opened his own restaurant, which has a Michelin star. He also has the neighbouring D’Gustar tapas bar.
Plaça Raimundo Clar has become quite the foodie destination in the regenerated quarter known as Sa Gerreria, in Palma de Mallorca. Bars and restaurants border the attractive large square and, since last September, Japanese cuisine has expanded the variety of international flavours on offer here.
Toothsome isn’t a word I use very often, but it sprang to mind as I was eating a delicious lunch at Bi Bap restaurant in Palma de Mallorca last week. If I hadn’t been eating alone, I’d have used that word in conversation with my lunch companion. Instead, I’ve saved it for this review.
Arume restaurant in Palma is still my favourite place to eat Asian cuisine – with some Mediterranean touches. The amiable Mallorcan chef and owner Tomeu Martí honed his Asian culinary skills during his travels to that part of the world. He opened Arume in 2006, five years after winning the title of Spain’s best young chef, aged 21.
Ponderosa Beach is not a typical ‘chiringuito’, although you’ll find it on the long sandy Playa de Muro. This family-run beach eatery – which has its roots back in 1967 – offers an unexpected level of gastronomy for a place where there’s sand beneath your table.
I took an exciting train ride this week. Okay it may not be up there with Hercule Poirot’s adventures on the Orient Express or Tony Robinson’s trips around the world, but for me it was mildly thrilling and new.
Forn in Palma is in a former 19th-century bakery in La Lonja that was converted into a restaurant in 1992. The founder’s sons Carlos and Christian are now responsible for Forn restaurant, which has recently undergone a stylish makeover.
Remember that line from the movie Casablanca? The one when Rick Blaine (Humph) says, “Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine.”? Well, I wouldn’t describe the new Mallorca Gin Distillery in Palma as a ‘gin joint’ – but it is all about the spirit that has inspired countless quotes from people in all walks of life… from movie characters to Sir Winston Churchill. And, funnily enough, we walked into the place and found Nofre and Cati there too, who own the excellent Ca’n Nofre decorating store in Manacor. If they spoke English, we’d have quoted Rick, for sure.
As celebrations go, the one to mark the 20th anniversary of Aubocassa Extra Virgin Olive Oil was one I shall remember for a long time – and not just because Mallorca’s autumn weather was particularly fine that day. I’d been meaning to visit Finca Aubocassa for some time, so an invitation to one of two events held to mark the anniversary was the perfect prompt.
This week’s Restaurant of the Week is, in fact, a café, but it’s one with oodles of style, delicious international food, and friendly table service. Café Rialto is within the Swedish-owned lifestyle store Rialto Living, offering a comfortable and super-stylish place to eat and drink at any time during the day.
Tucked away around the corner from Palma de Mallorca’s Jaime III, Fera Restaurant and Bar first opened in the autumn of 2017 and quickly gained a loyal following. The restaurant is in a tastefully restored old palacio and you enter through a small courtyard. Even before you pass through the automatic glass doors, you can see that the experience of eating here is something different.
The old town of Palma de Mallorca is home to Quadrat, within the 5-star Sant Francesc Hotel Singular. It’s an elegant restaurant located in this former palacio’s original stables and you’ll see hints of the space’s original use in the interior décor.
Offering one of Palma’s most diverse and innovative menus, Vandal is the product of its two creative owners’ international careers. Executive chef Bernabé Caravotta worked in Michelin-starred restaurants in France and Denmark – Mirazur and with René Redzepi at the renowned Noma, respectively – and at the Blue Elephant Thai cooking school in Thailand, before moving to Mallorca in 2007.