What to do in Majorca if you don’t go to the beach? Complete guide

Did you think that the beautiful island of Majorca can only be enjoyed beach hopping? Well, nothing could be further from the truth, because the largest of the Balearic Islands has plenty of things to do on your holidays that don’t involve putting your swimming costume on. Even visiting Mallorca in winter is an excellent option!

At ROIG, we want to introduce you to the island as we know it and we hope to be able to convey its charm to you with this complete guide on what to do in Majorca if you don’t go to the beach.

Visiting some of the prettiest villages

Whether you like fishing villages or mountain towns, Mallorca has true treasures that will take you back in time as you wander through its narrow streets and historic walls. These are some of the most beautiful villages in Mallorca that you cannot miss on your getaway.

• Manacor: Without a doubt, this is one of the best plans to do Mallorca without setting foot on the beach, as it is famous for its pearls and for being the birthplace of the famous tennis player Rafael Nadal.

• Port de Pollença: Stroll along the long stretches of white sand along its palm-lined promenade and stop off at one of its cafés or restaurants.

• Alcúdia: Alcúdia is known for its medieval walls surrounding the old town, one of the best preserved in Europe. 

• Sóller: In this beautiful village, we can take the old tram to get to Port de Sóller.

• Deià: This is a timeless village nestled in the heights of the Mediterranean, popular with artists, writers and celebrities looking for a hideout.

• Fornalutx: Surrounded by almond, orange, lemon and olive trees, it is one of the most picturesque villages on the island and has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site.

• Valldemossa: This elegant village, with its Carthusian monastery and winding streets, will make you feel as if you have travelled back in time.

Discovering the Serra de Tramuntana

The Serra de Tramuntana is one of the most visited tourist attractions on the island, as it is the main mountain range in the Balearic Islands. Here you can find a lot of activities to do, such as some of the best cycling routes on the island of Mallorca, or hiking trails.

The Tramuntana mountain range is a natural site with a surface area of 63,084 hectares, of which 1,123 hectares are marine. This mountain range has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, as it represents a clear example of the perfect integration of the human footprint with nature. The result is a very interesting mix of nature, heritage and culture.

Some of the most famous towns that are part of the Tramuntana mountain range are Sóller, Fornalutx, Deià, Valldemossa, Banyalbufar, Estellencs, Sant Elm and Galilea, where you can get to know the essence of what life is like in this mountain environment. Taking a route through some of these villages is one of the best ways to explore the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range by car.

We recommend that you do at least one route, either on foot or by bicycle. We suggest the Ruta de Pedra, as it is the most famous and best-preserved route in Mallorca. The complete route is 280 kilometres long, in 8 stages from Andratx to Pollença. Choose the stretch that you like best and that best suits your physical abilities.

Spend hours in amazing museums

Mallorca is a safe bet for your holidays, as the weather is very stable and there is almost no rainfall. However, it may rain on some of the days you are on the island, enough to avoid going to the beach. Have you prepared your plan B?

Going to a museum is the best thing to do in Mallorca when it rains, because as well as keeping you under cover, you will discover places full of art, culture and history. Here are the best museums in Mallorca.

Es Baluard

This is a contemporary art museum where you can enjoy more than 700 pieces of art from different artistic periods. The exhibition ranges from the 19th century to the present day, including painting, sculpture, photography and video.

Museum of the Royal Palace of La Almudaina

Some of the rooms of the Royal Palace of La Almudaina are open to the public and allow visitors to follow in the footsteps of the Royal Family when they are on the island. Its interior is decorated with tapestries, paintings of great value and pieces of Gothic and Islamic architecture.

Pilar and Joan Miró Foundation

This foundation has more than 7,000 works of art by the famous artist Joan Miró and some other pieces by avant-garde artists. You will also be able to see the artist’s original studio, which will give you an insight into his creative process. Finish your visit with a leisurely stroll through the sculpture garden.

CaixaForum Gran Hotel

This building was designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner and is one of the best examples of Modernist architecture in the Balearic Islands. The museum has 5 floors and each floor houses exhibitions on different themes. This is one of the best things to do in Mallorca in winter if you want to see everything from the most classical to the most contemporary works.

Tasting the delights of the island

Now we come to one of the most sought-after moments of the day: lunchtime. The truth is that, whether you want to go to the beach, to the mountains, to the museums or to visit the villages, you cannot miss the exquisite gastronomy of the island. Here we are going to show you some of the most figer-licking, traditional dishes of Mallorca:

• Tumbet: This is a vegetable dish that mixes aubergines, potatoes and roasted red peppers with tomato and garlic.

• Ensaïmada: It is shaped like a conch shell and is usually eaten both for breakfast and as an afternoon snack. It is a real delicacy!
• Arrós brut: The name “brut” (translated as “dirty”) comes from the dark colour achieved with the spices and the minced chicken liver that is added when cooking this rice dish over a low heat.
• Coques: This is a type of savoury pastry with a puff pastry base and seasonal products, bought in the best markets in Mallorca, are added on top.
• Sobrassada: Sobrassada is a sausage made with pork, paprika and salt, which is cured for several months.

On the island, you will find everything from traditional restaurants to Michelin-starred restaurants in Mallorca, so you can choose the one that best suits your budget.

Day trips to its natural parks

If there is one thing the island of Majorca can boast of, apart from its beautiful beaches, it is the large number of natural spaces it has. If you want to get to know Mallorca’s flora and fauna at close quarters, you should get away from the tourist routes and explore some of its natural parks with respect.

• Cabrera Natural Park: You can get there by boat from Colonia Sant Jordi and walk around the island along its marked trails, which do not interfere with the park’s ecosystem.
• Torrent de Pareis: This is one of the most beautiful and abrupt natural spots on the island of Mallorca, thanks to the formation of a karst canyon with walls of up to 200 metres.
• Puig de Galatzó Reserve: This is a natural park where you can see waterfalls in Mallorca and, at the bottom, the water accumulates in natural pools where you can take a refreshing dip.
• S’ Albufera de Mallorca Natural Park: Here you will find more than 70% of the total number of bird species in the Balearic Islands, that is, more than 271 different varieties.

Sailing on a boat trip

Taking one of the boat trips around Mallorca is one of the best ways to enjoy the island’s marine ecosystem. On the island you can find many boat trips, so that you can discover the beauty of the island, the white sandy beaches, the coves with crystalline waters and the dreamlike landscapes, from a different perspective.

The possibilities for discovering Mallorca by sea are so extensive that you will find it difficult to decide on just one route. Some of them are short and others will take you the whole day. In addition, many of the routes offer you a meal included or a party at the end, with a DJ on board. Depending on the experience you are looking for, you will have to choose the boat trip that best suits you.

This is the end of our complete guide to things to do in Mallorca other than the beach, but this is also where your adventure begins. To get around the island, we recommend that you take a look at ROIG, where we offer you the best rental cars at a great price. The seriousness and professionalism that characterise us will allow you to relax and enjoy your holiday as you deserve.