10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Mallorca

Mallorca is known for its great collection of beaches which attract regular crowds, especially in the summer months of June through September. In other seasons though, hotel rates tend to be more competitive and there’s plenty of action and adventure to enjoy without the sweltering heat of summer. It’s a great year-round island destination.

Off-season sightseeing in the capital city of Palma is great with the milder temperatures and quieter streets. You’ll have cleaner shots of gorgeous landmarks such as the Santa María cathedral and it’ll be much easier to bargain at markets. Inland, you can enjoy pleasant hiking and visit charming rural villages set against serene landscapes.

Summers in Mallorca can get quite hot, with temperatures reaching 40°C and the water off some beaches around 29°C. Even when the mercury lingers around the 30s, it can still feel unbearable for sightseeing strolls or excursions inland. There have been heatwaves in the past with authorities urging visitors to refrain from taking hiking trips in the mountains.

Avoid getting sunburnt on the beach and remember to pack the right, light clothing for your visit. Also importantly, bring enough water at all times to keep you hydrated during your time on the island.

Besides packing for the beach during your Mallorca visit, note that it won’t be just all about sun and sand. Cities like Palma are quite cosmopolitan where an ‘unofficial’ dress code applies – simply think neat and casual. In most areas, the scene is quite fashionable.

Wearing your shorts or beach sarong around town would easily self-label you as a tourist. You’d most likely include a visit to an important historical place or cathedral, so proper attire would be required. A light scarf for ladies can prove to be handy on strolls and to cover up in such cases.

Many visitors to Mallorca (and most of the rest of Spain) need a little getting used to the unique mealtimes. Sure, the more touristy areas serve lunch and dinner at times closer to what you’re probably accustomed to, but for the local and authentic dining experiences, meals are served a little later.

Breakfast is often not much of a big deal, though there are 2 breakfast times before noon. Lunch, however – the main mealtime of the day – is usually served at 2 pm rather than noon. Aperitifs proceed any dinnertime, usually at about 8 pm. Then, dinner itself is served from about 9 pm onwards.

Try to always have an adequate amount of change in Euro with you when travelling in Mallorca, especially for small purchases and the taxi fare. Most registered taxis take credit cards, though. But you’ll never know when you’ll come across an irresistible bargain.

For the beach and to be on the safer side, bring just enough spare change for cold drinks and other refreshments as well as the sun lounger or umbrella hire.

Timeshare scams in Mallorca follow the classic pattern of you being approached on the beach or along the promenade with a harmless scratch-and-win card. You’ll win most of the time. The catch is, you’d have to go to a particular spot to claim it, where you’ll be offered a presentation that can drag on for a half-hour or more – wasting a significant amount of your precious leisure time.

The ‘prizes’ are often too good to be true – because they are. Any so-called ‘free’ stay at a gorgeous-looking property or ‘exclusive’ holiday club often requires unnecessary, extra purchases. Simply decline any offers and resist signing any contracts.

Magaluf has been known as the go-to in Mallorca for lively nightlife. Most of the time, it gets livelier than it should. This Mallorcan ‘party town’ attracts thousands of summer holidaymakers every year.

You might want to reconsider partying too hard in Magaluf and to prevent yourself from spilling out of bars and drinking along the streets. Measures put in place by local authorities include a limit on bar crawls and a ban on alcohol consumption in the streets after 10 pm.

There’s more to Mallorca than its gorgeous and well-developed capital, Palma. The city does offer unmissable magnificent landmarks in its old town, such as the grand La Seu aka Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma and the royal palace of La Almudaina. But remember, Mallorca is Spain’s largest island and it’s worth getting off pretty, cobbled streets and discover more.

For one, there are more glorious and even hidden bays to discover all around the island. The mountains are graced with many picturesque villages and even sanctuaries that have stood the test of time, all allowing you to escape from the crowds with tranquil settings and soothing views.

Ride-hailing apps like Uber aren’t available in Mallorca and the rest of Spain. Officially registered and conventional metered taxis are the most common way of getting around.

Taxis are readily available, lined up outside Palma de Mallorca Airport arrivals. Around the capital and in major tourist areas, you can easily hail one down on the street.

Mallorca isn’t just famous for its beaches, so it’s always worth going on a road trip to discover more of the island’s inland offerings. A top highlight is the magnificent Serra de Tramuntana highlands, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The mountain range, which extends over 20 municipalities,  boasts impressive topography and cultural significance.

Serra de Tramuntana’s tallest peak, the Puig Major, is the highest in the Balearic Islands, at about 1,445 metres. Some of its mountain roads are among the most scenic in all of Spain, especially the snaky 13-km highway that winds down to the beach town of Sa Calobra. Another journey worth taking for the breathtaking views is to the village of Sóller aboard the Tren de Sóller railway.