About Mallorca
Highlights:
Whether you’re looking for beautiful mountain hikes, busy resorts offering plenty of nightlife, or simply a quiet break by the sea, Mallorca, has it all. The island capital is Palma de Mallorca, an enchanting port city which overlooks a vast bay and preserves a charming historic quarter. The Serra de Tramuntana, a rugged mountain range which stretches along the northeastern swathe of the island, offers magnificent scenery and stunning walks. If clubbing and beach life are more your thing, there are scores of buzzing resorts, including S’Arenal, Palma Nova, Cala Millor, and Cala Ratjada.
Food & drink:
Mallorcan specialities include ‘sobrassada’, a cured pork sausage spiced with paprika; ‘ensaïmada’, a twirl of flaky pastry dusted with sugar which is great with a coffee for breakfast; ‘frit mallorquí’, chunks of meat, offal, potatoes, peppers and other veggies fried up in olive oil; ‘trampó’, a simple but delicious salad made with tomato, green pepper, and onion dressed in olive oil; and ‘tumbet’, fried aubergines, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes and garlic. Popular local dishes also include roast lamb, ‘porçella’ (roast suckling pig), and, of course, a great selection of seafood.
Off the beaten track:
It’s easy to get off the beaten track in Mallorca. Although much of the coastline, particularly around the Bay of Palma, has been built up, some quieter beaches still remain, including the Platja d’es Trenc, a glorious stretch of protected, white sand backed by dunes. The interior of the island is tranquil and laid back, with plenty of traditional villages to explore, and the Tramuntana Mountains are laced with hiking paths to suit walkers of all levels.
