Majorca (Mallorca) is well-known for its beautiful beaches and promenades, Mediterranean weather, and the party coast of Palma de Majorca. And since travelling to the island is easy from anywhere in Europe and the climate is warm, Majorca is a popular holiday destination for Germans, Brits, and Co.
Majorca has plenty to offer outside of its capital. If you enjoy a more active holiday in nature, here’s what the island has in store.
Non-Resort Accommodations
Staying in one of the many resorts on the island has its perks, but they are very much aimed at mass tourism. Chances are, if you’re staying at a resort, you will meet more tourists than actual locals. When you would like to experience a more genuine Majorca culture, Majorca offers many holiday lettings across the island.
You can find accommodation for large groups, places that allow animals, luxurious villas, or culturally appropriate local residences. If you want to experience many sides of the island, you can book one holiday letting for a few days and then travel to the next.
Geographical Features
Majorca is part of Spain and the largest of the Balearic Islands. It has an area of 3,640.11 km2. Its highest point is the peak of the Puig Major with 1,436 m. The Puig Major is part of the northwestern mountain range and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Serra de Tramuntana. The other mountainous region is the Serrea de Llevant mountain range in the east. Its highest peak is the Puig Morei with 561 m.
The northeastern coast has two bays, the Badia de Pollenca and the Badia d’Alcúdia. Much of the northern coast consists of rugged shores and cliffs. Off the southern and western coast are some small and uninhabited islands and archipelagos.
The central part of the island is generally flat. Much of Majorca’s ground is made up of red clay-heavy soil, limestone, or dolomitic rocks. The entire island has a variety of caves, both above and below sea level. The Coves del Drach, another World Heritage site, houses one of the largest underground lakes in the world.
- If you want more information on Majorca and its history, heritage, and culture, here’s our Rough Guide to Majorca.
Climate
Majorca has a Mediterranean climate. Its winters are mild and wet, the summers dry and hot. The mountainous regions, especially the Serra de Tramuntana, are typically cooler and have more precipitation than other areas. The autumn is Majorca’s wettest and stormiest time.
Active on Majorca
Based on these geographic and ecological facts, Majorca is especially suited for some fun activities:
Cycling
Mallorca is a great destination for a bikepacking trip. The warm weather, diverse terrains, and good road surfaces have made Majorca a popular destination for cycling. There are multiple great cycling routes on the island. You can ride them on your own or join a cycling camp. Being the cycling hotspot that it is, there are plenty of affordable bike rentals across Majorca.
If you are interested in cycling in Majorca, Cycle Fiesta has listed the ten best cycling routes on the island and their special features.
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View on REI Read the ReviewHiking & Backpacking
Majorca stands out as one of Spain’s best islands. It’s home to beautiful and varied landscapes – rocky planes, lush valleys, or rugged ravines. Especially the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range is popular among hikers.
Here are some of the most popular hiking trails on Majorca:
- The Cabrera Islands: The Cabrera Islands are one of the small, uninhabited archipelagos off the southeast of Mallorca. Its main island is a protected national park, meaning nature enthusiasts will spot diverse fauna and flora when hiking. To start the hike, you will have to get permission from a park ranger and get there on a boat leaving from Colonia de Sant Jordi. The Cabrera Islands have multiple hiking trails. One leads to the archipelago’s lighthouse (11 km), the other to La Miranda and its nearby caves (7 km). You can explore the coves, cliffs, and ruins of a castle on these trips.
- Camí de l’Arxiduc: Archduke Ludwig Salvator of Austria was a conservationist and spent years studying the local wildlife on Majorca. During this time, he mapped out several hiking routes. The Camí de l’Arxiduc, or the Archduke’s Path, is one of them. It weaves through Ses Puntes and over the Puig de Teix and offers some of the best views of the Serra de Tramuntana.
- Alaró Castle: Around 2 hours of hiking up the Puig d’Alaró leads you to the ruins of the castle of Alaró standing at 815 meters high at the edge of steep cliffs, offering a great view over the area. The castle was built in the 15th century. It had replaced many different buildings that stood there and were destroyed. The original building standing on the spot originated in the Bronze Age.
- Puig de Massanella: The highest peak of the island is inaccessible since it houses a military site. The highest mountain you can climb is the Puig de Massanella with its 1,364 m height. One route to the top starts from the Lluc Monastery and takes about eight hours for the circular route, but the view from the top is worth it.
Conclusion
Majorca offers plenty of opportunities for an active holiday. It has established itself as a haven for both cyclists and hikers. You can enjoy the mild weather and various routes while riding your bike or walking on foot. Holiday lettings across the island make it perfect for backpackers who want to start on one end of Majorca and cross to the other. Doing so, they get the chance to explore coves, caves, cliffsides, nature parks, and many different terrains.
