12 insider tips for Mallorca

1st Mallorca insider tip: Cap Falcó Beach bar

Cap Falcó Beach in the south-west of Mallorca is located in a small but beautiful bay. Free car parking is available nearby. The lovingly designed area of the small chiringuito, as this type of beach bar is called on Mallorca, invites you to relax and unwind. There are sun loungers, a cosy lounge area and seating for feasting. After a swim in the crystal-clear sandy bay, you can enjoy a delicious cocktail and be enchanted by the wonderful surroundings.

It's hard to resist the charm of the bay surrounded by pine trees. And if your stomach is rumbling - no problem. In the small wooden hut of the beach bar, delicious dishes are created in the smallest of spaces. However, if you want to dine, it is advisable to make a reservation, as many boats anchor in the picturesque bay and the beach is therefore always busy in high season.

In summer, Cap Falcó Beach regularly hosts the legendary Flower Power Party, where visitors can party in hippie style. The beach bar is also an ideal location for private events.

Address: Calle Cap Falcó, 07181 Calvià, Mallorca / Web: https://www.capfalco-beach.com

Note for all those who would like to visit Cap Falcó Beach by boat: A shuttle service to the beach bar is available. You will be taken to the beach in a small boat (short walk through shallow water, as there is no jetty).

2nd Mallorca insider tip: open-air cinema in front of the cathedral in Palma

In the summer months, an open-air cinema (Cinema a la Fresca) is set up at the Parc de la Mar in Palma in front of the cathedral. It is a favourite meeting place for the locals. Everyone sits comfortably on the banks of the lake, with a view of the big screen and the imposing cathedral and Almudaina Palace behind them - a fantastic atmosphere! Just the thing for a romantic or sociable get-together on warm summer evenings. So if you're strolling through Palma's old town in the evening, why not stop by? It's worth it! Hollywood classics are shown in their original version with Spanish subtitles, international comedies and Spanish blockbusters. Children's films and documentaries are also on the programme.

The open-air cinema in Palma usually takes place every Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from the end of July to the beginning of September. The programme starts at around 22:00 (in July), at around 21:30 (August) and at around 21:00 (September). Admission is free. There are a limited number of seats directly in front of the screen, but there is always a spot somewhere on the grass by the lake. So bring a blanket and something to drink and nibble and enjoy the special cinema experience!

3rd Mallorca insider tip: Flor de Sal

Mallorca's Flor de Sal is the ideal holiday souvenir if you want to give a piece of Mallorca as a gift or treat yourself to something special. The fine salt is available in different varieties, including natural, Mediterranean, black olive, chilli, orange, lemon and hibiscus. It is ideal for refining and seasoning and is packed in a flavourful package. The coarse-grained salt is extracted near the famous Es Trenc beach in the "Salinas de Levante" nature reserve.

The salt pans in the south-east of Mallorca offer the ideal conditions for harvesting the mineral-rich sea salt: plenty of sunshine, low humidity and a slight sea breeze. Wafer-thin salt crystals, known as salt flowers, form on the surface of the salt pans. These are removed by hand using traditional methods. After a slow drying phase in the sun, the valuable natural product is ready for sale.

You can buy flor de sal on Mallorca in some of the small souvenir shops and supermarkets. The fine salt can also usually be found in Palma's delicatessen shops, along with all kinds of other delicacies. Or you can take a leisurely stroll through one of Mallorca's many weekly markets and pick up a holiday souvenir for yourself or your loved ones.

You can find more information about Mallorca's Flor de Sal here: Flor de Sal d'Es Trenc

4th Mallorca insider tip: Hotel & Restaurant Villa Vegana

Villa Vegana is located in the centre of Mallorca between Inca and Campanet. You can unwind and indulge in culinary delights in a picturesque idyllic setting. The hotel & restaurant only offers vegan dishes on the menu. These are often traditional dishes from all over the world, which are interpreted in a vegan way with a great deal of creativity. The hotel rooms are tastefully furnished, without animal materials such as leather, wool and silk.

So if you are looking for something special, then be sure to visit Villa Vegana. Whether you're staying overnight or just popping in for a meal, you'll be amazed by the warmth of the hosts and their attention to detail. Incidentally, a pig, a duck, cats and dogs live on the beautifully designed estate of the Mallorcan finca.

It is advisable to make a reservation for breakfast or dinner at Villa Vegana if you are not a hotel guest. The beautiful terrace rounds off the culinary experience. Or why not opt for a stay of several days and relax in the midst of the Mediterranean landscape? Here you can experience Mallorca's beauty up close! Nature and animal lovers will get their money's worth here. There is also a pool so you can cool off on hot days.

You can find more information about Villa Vegana on Mallorca here.

5th Mallorca insider tip: Sant Joan festival in June

The Sant Joan festival is a special event on Mallorca. Everywhere on the island there are exuberant celebrations on the night of St John (night of 23rd to 24th June). If you are on the Balearic island at this time, you should not miss this spectacle! In Palma, the traditional fire walk takes place on the eve of Sant Joan at around 22:30 at the cathedral around the Parc de la Mar.

The participants let the sparks fly during the fire dance (Correfoc). Drummers, demons and fire games as far as the eye can see. So always keep your distance! The Mallorcans love their Sant Joan and it is celebrated extensively, as most people have the next day off. Sant Joan is an official public holiday on Mallorca. Not only in Palma, but also in other places on the island, the night of St John is celebrated in a big way!

In the evening, many people spend time with family and friends on the beaches of Mallorca. There they barbecue and celebrate together around a bonfire. It is traditional to swim in the sea at midnight and throw notes with good wishes into the water. So if you want to experience a piece of Mallorcan culture and way of life, the night of St John on the eve of Sant Joan is ideal!

6th Mallorca insider tip: The harbour promenade in Palma

When visiting Palma, you should definitely take a stroll along the harbour promenade, the Paseo Maritimo. During the day, you can take a close look at the numerous large and small yachts, cruise ships such as the AIDA and an old warship. There are numerous bars and restaurants along the Paseo Maritimo where you can stop for a bite to eat. Also very nice: find a cosy spot by the sea near the cathedral in the late evening hours and watch the cruise ships sail out into the bay of Palma.

The Paseo Maritimo attracts numerous night owls every evening. Here you can ring in the evening with a delicious meal in one of the many restaurants and then plunge straight into the nightlife. You will find the well-known Tito's club here, as well as many small bars and discos where you can spend a few enjoyable hours. The Irish pub Shamrock regularly hosts live music and an exuberant party atmosphere. The Thalassa bar is also a popular meeting place. If you like salsa, bachata and the like, the Malecon27 and La Bodeguita del Medio bars on Paseo Maritimo are the place for you. Here you can shake your hips to fiery Latin rhythms. But don't be surprised, most clubs and dance bars in Palma only fill up after midnight.

7th Mallorca secret tip: An ice cream at Iceberg in Palma

During your sightseeing tour in Palma's old town, why not make a short stop at Iceberg and try the delicious ice cream variations. Whether you like it classic or fancy, there is something for every taste. Iceberg now has two shops in Palma, one between the cathedral and the town hall and another in the La Lonja neighbourhood near the harbour. There are also several ice cream parlours in other tourist resorts on the island such as Puerto Portals, Port Adriano, Paguera, Magaluf, Artà and Cala Millor.

Special creations such as goat's cheese and honey, apple strudel, chocolate chilli, peanut butter etc. are on the menu. Sorbets and vegan ice creams are also on offer. The ice cream is made with Mallorcan milk, without colourings or preservatives. Regional oranges from Mallorca are used for the orange-mint flavour. A German and a Spaniard came up with the idea a few years ago and founded Iceberg Gelats. It has since grown into a successful franchise company.

Ice cream lovers are definitely in the right place here. So just pop in and enjoy!

8th Mallorca insider tip: Cycling along the south coast

If you fancy a nice bike tour in the south of Mallorca, you can cycle along the sea from Playa de Palma to the island's capital Palma (approx. 6.5 km from Can Pastilla). You will pass the villages of Es Coll d'en Rabassa, Es Molinar and Portixol. The route is highly recommended - even on foot if you enjoy long walks by the sea or if running is one of your sporting hobbies.

The Es Carnatge nature reserve is also on the route (between Cala Gamba and Can Pastilla) and is located directly in the flight path. When landing at Palma airport, aeroplanes fly very low over this area. It is a great experience, especially for children, to see the planes up close.

You will findbike hire shops all over Playa de Palma and in the island's capital, so you can easily hire a bike. Incidentally, it is a wonderful route for cycling and walking, especially with dogs, as there is a dog beach in Es Carnatge. You can find out more about this topic in our travel guide under Holidays with your dog on Mallorca.

9th Mallorca insider tip: Miró's artist's house

The Fundació Pilar I Joan Miró a Mallorca in Palma is a place you should definitely visit, especially if you are interested in art. In Joan Miró's workshops, the painter not only left behind half-full bottles of champagne, but also half-finished paintings, his brushes and colours. The Catalan artist Miró worked and lived on Mallorca for more than 25 years until his death. You can admire his life's work here in the old and new studios, in the large exhibition building and in the museum's garden.

The Fundació Pilar I Joan Miró houses several thousand paintings, drawings and sculptures, so you can embark on an extensive museum tour and immerse yourself in the life of the artist. Thanks to a donation to Mallorca after Miró's death, the island has preserved a piece of contemporary and art history that is wonderfully presented here. Incidentally, the foundation's large museum building was designed by the well-known Spanish architect Rafael Moneo and opened in 1992.

The Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró a Mallorca museum is located just outside the centre of Palma in Carrer de Saridakis, 29. You can find more information here.

10th Mallorca insider tip: Hike Son Marroig - Sa Foradada

Deià and Valdemossa are no longer insider tips on Mallorca, but there are all kinds of other highlights to discover near these two popular mountain villages. It's worth hiring a hire car on Mallorca just for the wonderful drive there. The Tramuntana with its narrow coastal roads and winding roads is simply a dream. You shouldn't miss out on visiting Mallorca's mountainous region. The Tramuntana has a lot to offer in terms of scenery: ancient olive trees, fascinating mountain formations and spectacular viewpoints on the cliffs where you can stop for a photo.

The hike from the historic Son Marroig manor house to the Sa Foradada cliff is the perfect way to experience Mallorca's Mediterranean beauty up close. The starting point is located directly on the country road that leads from Valldemossa to Deià. Free car parking is available on site. The hiking trail starts to the left of the estate (there is an iron gate that you have to climb over using an iron ladder) and ends at Restaurante Sa Foradada. The easy hike takes you past pine trees, free-roaming donkeys and mountain goats. At the end, the fantastic view of the Sa Foradada loch awaits you and you can fortify yourself with a freshly prepared paella and delicious sangria before setting off on your return journey. You can also cool off in the sea at a small bathing area below the restaurant.

Depending on your walking pace, the one-way route takes around 1:15 hours and is around 3 kilometres long. Please remember to wear sturdy shoes (preferably hiking boots), as you will be walking on rough gravel in places. And if you want to swim in the small bay, don't forget your swimwear and a towel! Also very nice: Be sure to visit the former manor house of Archduke Ludwig Salvator before or after the hike. In the garden of the manor house is the enthroned marble pavilion, which can be seen on many postcards. And right next to the estate there is a bar from which you can marvel at a fantastic sunset.

11th Mallorca insider tip: Cala Mesquida beach

Cala Mesquida is one of the most beautiful beaches in Mallorca. The fine sandy, gently sloping bay is located in the north-east of the island near Capdepera and Cala Ratjada. You can reach Cala Mesquida from the Palma region via the Ma-15 motorway. The village of the same name has less than 100 inhabitants. However, there are several larger apartment complexes and hotels above the beach. However, this does not detract from the beauty of the charming, spacious bay. In short, Cala Mesquida is one of Mallorca's dream beaches!

At the back of Cala Mesquida is a beautiful dune landscape. You can hike through this protected area. However, you should wear sturdy shoes, as the wooden walkway ends after a while and the path can then become somewhat uneven. On the beach, you can see the striking Cap de Freu in the distance, which gives the impression that part of the cliff has broken away. By the way, nudists will also find a spot in the bay. There is a separate section of beach at Cala Mesquida where you can practise nudism.

Cala Mesquida has car parks, toilets, showers, lifeguards and water sports facilities. There is also a restaurant and a beach bar. Here you can spend carefree hours with family or friends without getting bored. But be careful, please always pay attention to the colour of the flag. In Cala Mesquida, the water sometimes has high waves. It can happen that the red flag is raised, which prohibits swimming and bathing. In addition, there is always a slight current in the bay and small children should therefore never be left out of sight.

12th Mallorca insider tip: Restaurant & Bar Cocco in Portixol

You will find the Cocco restaurant on Mallorca's south coast near Palma in the small coastal town of Portixol. The menu includes delicious salads, pizza and pasta. You can also enjoy cool drinks and delicious cocktails here after dinner until late. There is a lovely outdoor terrace, where it is not always easy to get a seat without a reservation in high season. But the 2nd floor of the restaurant is also a dream. Here you can sit in air-conditioned comfort and enjoy a fantastic view of the small bay of Portixol and the sea thanks to the large glass front.

A recommendation from us: try the special lukewarm aioli creation in advance. We also highly recommend the pizza with truffle cream and the salad with goat's cheese.

By the way, a visit to the restaurant or bar at Cocco can be perfectly combined with a long walk. The route along the bay of Palma is simply marvellous, as you walk along the sea all the way. You can start in or near Palma and walk towards Playa de Palma or vice versa. The route is also highly recommended in the evening at sunset, when the coast is bathed in the light of the setting sun. And if the outward and return journey is too far for you, simply take a bus. Lines 25 and 35 connect Palma with Playa de Palma.