Travel Guide to Mallorca
From mountains to beach, from orchard to nightclub, Mallorca sets the stage for one of the most unique and varied vacation getaways you can have in the Mediterranean.
A warm-hearted people with a proud and lively culture, a stunning land- and seascape, pleasant year-round weather—the biggest of the Balearic Islands has an awful lot to offer, even if (like so many tourists here) it’s sunbathing on our internationally famous beaches you’re primarily interested in.
There’s so much to do and see—enough for a lifetime of repeat visits, really. Here at Hoposa, we’ve put together just a sampling of (non-beach) Mallorcan attractions here for your trip-planning pleasure. We also urge you to read through earlier entries in this blog for more ideas on activities, attractions, and events.
The Restaurant: Maria Salinas
Mallorca has emerged as a genuine gastronomic destination in recent decades. The rich availability of homegrown seafood, produce, and meat gives chefs plenty to work with, for one thing. Here you’ll discover eateries celebrating the sturdy deliciousness of traditional Mallorcan fare—from the rice stew called Arros Brut to the offal-and-veggies dish Frit Mallorqui—as well as those serving the high cuisines of Europe and elsewhere in the Mediterranean. Many establishments draw from both local and international cookery.
There are many, many fine restaurants on the island (and more than a few Michelin stars), but here we’ll spotlight the charming and cozy Maria Salinas, situated in the little mountain hamlet of Mancor de la Vall. The restaurant is named for its chef/owner, who conjures lovely home-style dishes that look as good on the plate as they taste.
Chef Salinas devises her cuisine based on the bounty she daily fetches from the Sa Pobla market. You’ll enjoy wonderfully high-value dining here given the three-course prix-fixe lunch and five-course dinner menus.
The Museum: Bellver Castle
The History Museum of Palma would be worth a gander for the quality of its collections and exhibits alone, but the fact that it resides in one of the most famous historical landmarks on Mallorca really sweetens the appeal.
The landmark in question is Bellver Castle, a unique circular citadel built in the early 1300s during the reign of King Jaume (James) II of Mallorca. Ringed by a moat, the Gothic-style castle includes an arch-encircled inner courtyard, three buttressing towers, and a mostly standalone keep (or donjon) linked to the rest of the structure by an archway.
The views from the castle of Palma and its bay are magnificent, and the museum’s overview of local history—from Mallorca’s Roman and Arab eras to the imprisonment in Bellver of the Spanish Enlightenment luminary Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos—is absorbing.
The Event: The WTA Mallorca Open
Mallorca has a deep-rooted tennis tradition, and these days the island’s downright legendary for the fact that it claims one of history’s all-time greatest players, the mighty Rafael (“Rafa”) Nadal, as a native son. (Nadal’s having quite the season this year, and will aim for his 10th title at Roland Garros in Paris this June.)
Now the island boasts its own Women’s Tennis Association tournament, the Mallorca Open, part of the grass-court leadup to the Wimbledon Grand Slam. (Rafa’s uncle and longtime coach, Toni, is the tournament director.) The inaugural 2016 Mallorca Open saw some of the biggest names in the sport—including Garbine Muguruza, Jelena Jankovic, and Eugenie Bouchard—competing, with Caroline Garcia of France emerging victorious. The wide-open WTA field this year ensures the 2017 competition, which falls June 18 through 25, will be especially dramatic.
The Hotel: Hoposa
With better than three decades in the business and a grand range of hotels and vacation apartments available, Hoposa is your number-one choice for Mallorca accommodations. From Puerto Pollensa to Cala San Vincente and Deia, we set you up in magnificent lodgings within easy reach of the above attractions and many more!
