Mallorca is one of the hottest beach destinations in Europe, hosting about 9 million visitors each year. It’s a surprisingly large island, about twice the size of Maui, so there are plenty of corners to explore (from the beaches to the mountains) and away from the crowds on Playa de Palma.
Sant Elm
Sant Elm was my favorite beach town and it offers everything you want from Mallorca. Clean sandy beaches, turquoise blue water, tons of water activities (swimming, jet skis, kayaking, paddle boards, etc.) and great food.
Mondrago
A few Spaniards told me their my favorite beach was on the east side of Mallorca — I can see why. It involves a short hike into a protected natural park — an entrance fee is required. We parked at the main entrance and walked 15 minutes to the main beach in the first cove. If you wish, there are two other beaches around the corner, about another 15 minutes on foot. Both coves offer cliff diving and some of the brightest turquoise water on the island.
El Trenc
Wide sandy beaches are a hot commodity on the southeastern side of the island, and El Trenc is by far the largest. It’s clean and surprisingly uncrowded for how accesible it is. I also found the water to be a few degrees warmer than the coves we visited earlier in the day.
Cala d’Or
Cala d’Or may not be the most remote beach in the area (Mondrago is a better option for that); however, it offers one of the most picturesque coves in the Baleric Islands. I recommend coming here early as the beach (and parking) will be full by mid-day.
Valldemosa
If you’re looking to escape the blistering beach sun, venturing an hour into the mountains is an option. The most well-known and picturesque mountain town on the island is Valldemosa, where the cobble stone streets are only accessible by foot. The only downside to Valldemosa is it can be reached by tour coaches. As such, the streets can flood with tourists by mid-day. Even so, it’s a wonderful escape from Palma.
Deia
Just 20 minutes past Valldemosa lies Deia, one of the best-kept secrets on the island. It’s incredibly remote and the roads to Deia are not accessible to the tour coaches that often flood Valldemosa.
Deia is a quaint, charming and artistic town, set on a steep hillside overlooking the Mediterranean at 180 degrees. According to Vogue, it’s a popular retreat for many celebrities, including Beyonce, Kate Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow and others. This part of the island is unlike any other on Mallorca and feels more like an Italian village on the Amalfi coast.
