Mallorca off the beaten track

It is in the nature of things that Mallorca is still associated with words such as mass tourism and package holidays. Much of this has practically grown with the discovery of the island pearl as a tourist holiday destination and still persists to this day. But when approaching Mallorca, depending on which direction you come from, the Tramuntana, the rolling hills, the seemingly empty centre, small bays and secluded oases as well as the endless coastal paths also catch the eye - so somewhere on this island there must be more than where everyone is or wants to go.

If you increase your radius and really explore Mallorca, you will find stretches of land and quiet places that are authentic, charming and Mallorcan. This is Mallorca off the beaten track. As bizarre as it may sound, even in high season, parts of this island have an air of solitude because there is hardly anyone around. And there are places that are naturally under the radar of most Mallorca holidaymakers. These include lesser-known museums, hiking trails, manor houses open to visitors and wonderful parks.

There are places that are naturally under the radar of most holidaymakers in Mallorca.

For the "Mallorca without the crowds" experience, it is best to stay in a rural hotel or a beautiful finca and organise your transfers by car, bike or on foot. Public transport, which is better than its reputation, can also be used for individual journeys. This way you are far away from the crowded beaches and the main tourist routes. And if you're lucky, you'll be greeted at your hostel by a real Mallorca expert who can also give you tips for a quiet holiday without the hustle and bustle. Some people may immediately think that the centre of the island is a little too far away from everything. But this is not the case in the centre of Mallorca. You can be anywhere by car in just over half an hour: in Palma, in the west, in the east, in the north. And yet you can still enjoy the seclusion here.

The centre of the island, the northeast, parts of the west coast and some discoveries in the southeast are predestined for holidays on Mallorca away from the crowds. But even those who have booked a room in Palma or one of the well-known seaside resorts in the east, because there was no other option, can retreat to the quiet, secluded areas for tours and adventures. The Tramuntana is too big and its ascents are sometimes too difficult to attract crowds. Of course, there has long been a rush hour on the well-known hiking trails - so it's better to take alternative routes.

Mallorca Agroturismo - holidays in the countryside

The keyword for Mallorca holidaymakers who want to stay away from the all-inclusive hotels with full board is agroturismo. Holidays in the countryside. Many country estates and fincas have been opened up to tourism in recent years. The programme, which is supported by the state, is intended to open up new sources of income while at the same time directing the flow of holidaymakers to unknown regions of Mallorca and, thirdly, helping to preserve Mallorca's cultural assets. Many country houses today are simply too big to be kept as farmhouses alone - which is why some are being redefined as rural hotels. Those who follow the paths of agroturismo will almost certainly come into contact with the Mallorcan way of life fairly quickly. Agroturismo accommodation is well spread across the island, almost all of it restored and most of it also equipped with amenities such as a pool. Those who would like to go to the beach can grab their car and drive to a nearby spot.

Monastery holidays on Mallorca - spending the night in a hermitage

Not all, but some of the monasteries on Mallorca are still synonymous with hermitage and tranquillity. Today, you can also stay overnight in some monasteries and benefit from the seclusion of the places. The Santuari de Sant Salvador near Felantix, for example, offers a hostel at an altitude of 500 metres with well-kept double rooms and a panoramic view over half the island. One of the most famous monasteries on Mallorca, "Santuari de Santa Maria de Lluc", also offers secular guests a room with breakfast. You can find tips on this on the topic page"Monasteries on Mallorca".

Basically, if you are looking for peace and quiet on Mallorca, you will find it where others are not or where it is not so easy to get to. Quiet bays on the island are usually only accessible on foot or by boat and are free of any infrastructure. Discover Mallorca when the others are still having breakfast or are already on their way to the evening buffet, make the daily rhythm a little more Mallorcan and eat where the locals do (for example in the restaurants on the motorways and highways, good, reasonably priced cuisine).

If you love the water and don't want to lie down on the crowded beaches, set off on foot or take a small boat - you can hire one without a licence - and discover the coast. Even if you like water sports, you don't have to queue on land: book a boat with equipment and enjoy your private wakeboard tour, water skiing, crazy sofa or phantom off the coast. The safest ways to venture into deserted areas include horse riding, hiking, mountain climbing and diving.

10 tips for a Mallorca holiday off the beaten track:

1. La Victoria and Coll Baix - in the shadow of the famous Formentor peninsula, La Victoria has fortunately so far been spared the big crowds and the consequences. On the peninsula in the north of Mallorca, you can still enjoy the magnificent scenery quite undisturbed by the large crowds of tourists and, for example, work your way up to the bay of Coll Baix on an approximately half-hour walk with climbing passages - be sure to bring sturdy shoes and provisions. If you don't like it quite so arduous, you can hire a licence-free boat in the port of Alcudia and head straight to the bay. If you are looking for some seclusion on land, go hiking and conquer the Talaia de la Victoria on your way.

2. Son Serra de Marina - it's hard to believe, but even in the lively bay of Alcudia there are quiet places without mass tourism. Son Serra de Marina is one such exception. And this despite the fact that it has one of the most beautiful natural beaches on the whole island - without any amenities, but with plenty of space and crystal-clear water. Instead of holiday resorts, there are only rural houses here, which are mainly inhabited by Spaniards in the high season.

3. Manacor - After Palma, Manacor is the second largest town on the island and also the supply centre for the east of the island. For a long time, Manacor was rather neglected by tourism because it is home to a lot of industry and the town used to be considered rather dingy. If it weren't for the famous Mallorca pearls, for which Manacor is the centre, the town would probably never have appeared in the travel guides. Which is at least good for shopping in peace and quiet in the old town centre to this day. Although the centre is not primarily home to the high-end boutiques that can be found on the Paseo del Born in Palma, there are many small Mallorcan shops, lots of handcrafted items (leather and basketry) and many a unique piece by Spanish designers. The Rafael Nadal Museum is also worth a visit.

4th Artà - What applies to Manacor also applies to Artà. The pretty town in the north-east is much better known and better visited by tourists, but fortunately also far removed from mass tourism. This is largely thanks to those who watch over the town. With the Santuari de Sant Salvador fortress behind them, the people of Artà have largely resisted the desires of tourism, especially when it comes to oversized hotel projects. Tradition and culture are very important in Artà. If you want to explore the surrounding area, head to the beach at Cala Torta or Cala Mitjana or visit the Coves de Arta.

5th Barranc de Biniaraix - still a "shadow child". When you think of Mallorca and gorge hiking, the Torrent de Pareis is usually the first thing that springs to mind. This is also where most people go in summer. The Biniaraix gorge in the valley of Soller (west) is another adventurous place - and that is meant quite literally here. It is a paved stone path that zigzags up the gorge - and leads through breathtakingly beautiful nature. If you have plenty of time and energy, you can walk from Biniaraix to the Cúber reservoir.

6. Fornalutx - when it comes to the most beautiful mountain villages on Mallorca, Valdemossa and Deià are often mentioned first - although Fornalutx, which is not far away, has been voted Spain's most beautiful mountain village several times. Anyone who wanders up the narrow cobbled streets and enjoys the warm, golden-yellow natural stone houses with their many planters will be happy to endorse this choice. Fornalutx is picture-perfect - inside and, with its view of the Puig Major, outside too. It is best to visit in the late afternoon, when most of the other guests have already left and you can sit back and relax by the small fountain in the market square.

7th Orient - we stay in the mountains of the Tramuntana and look briefly to the east. There lies Orient - a dream of terraces, apple and almond orchards and sheep. Pretty much everyone should find peace and quiet here, as there is little to distract you. Those who come to Orient usually do so to go hiking or cycling or just to look around.

8th Cabrera - is always somewhat overshadowed by the much better-known Dragon Island (Sa Dragonera). Yet this small island off the south coast of Mallorca is a real gem. In the past, the island was a refuge for pirates, today it is stressed holidaymakers who come here in search of nature and tranquillity. Both and much more can be found on Cabrera. The island has been a national park for almost 20 years due to its protected flora and fauna. There are no large hotels or restaurants here - and apart from the employees of the park administration and the hikers' hostel, there are no inhabitants. You can get to Cabrera from Colonia Sant Jordi by speedboat, for example.

9th S'Albufera Nature Park - when it comes to silence and birdsong, the S'Albufera Nature Park is hard to beat. On the eleven-kilometre circular hiking trail, you can sit in the observation huts and watch nature come to life through binoculars. A rather atypical activity for Mallorca, but definitely recommended. And not just in the low season. At 30 degrees in the shade, not so many people will think of walking or cycling along the paths, some of which are well shielded from the sunlight.

10th Cap de Ses Salines - you just have to keep going, even if you have the feeling that nothing more is coming. On the way from Ses Salines to Santanyi, the MA 6110 branches off and leads directly to the southernmost point of the island: Cap de Ses Salines. There is not much more there than a lighthouse and a small beach, which is also popular in summer but does not suffer from the crowds.