Mallorca in 2 Days: everything you need to know

The largest island of the Balearic Islands has natural jewels of the first order: historic fishing villages, beaches and coves of dreams, diversity of caves and subway rivers, lively nightlife, plus a pleasant climate almost all year round.

Despite this large number of attractions, I promise you that in 2 days you can condense the best things to do in Mallorca. You just need to be well organized and have a good itinerary prepared.

Mallorca can be reached by air or by sea, as it is an easily accessible island. For starters, there are direct connections by plane from the main cities in Spain and several in Europe.

You can also travel by ferry from Cabrera, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, any of its Balearic sisters. Once you get from the airport to Palma, get up early to make the most of your visit.

This first day will be dedicated in large part to touring Palma's old town. There are sublime monuments that you should not miss, such as the Church of Santo Tomás, the gardens of S'Hort del Rei, the Bellver Castle or the Jewish quarter.

After doing the tour, considered one of the best tours in Mallorca, I recommend that you dedicate the afternoon to relax on the beach.

Stroll through El Borne

The morning tour is less than 1 km long and starts in the Plaza del Rey Juan Carlos I. Also known as the Plaza de las Tortugas, it winds its way through stores, fountains and stone sphinxes surrounded by leafy trees until it reaches the Plaza de la Reina, where restaurants and terraces mark the end of this pedestrian walkway. Stroll along the Paseo del Borne especially if you visit Mallorca at Christmas time.

Visit the Lonja of Palma de Mallorca

Built to be the main mercantile hall of Mallorca, this building became one of the greatest exponents of civil Gothic architecture in the Balearic Islands.

The nave crowned by high ribbed vaults added to the harmonic buildings that compose the Lonja de Palma are architectural referents of Spain.

• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10:30 - 13:30 hours and 17:30-21:00 hours from April-October. Tuesday to Sunday 10:30 - 13:30 hours and 16:00-18:00 hours from November-March.
• Price: free of charge.

Get to know the Almudaina Palace

A little more than 5 minutes from the previous place is the Almudaina Palace, which opens the way to the citadel and is where the Spanish monarchy usually resides in the summer months.

In addition, the Gothic stamp of this imposing palace welcomes you to the historic center of Mallorca.

• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday between 10:00 - 18:00 hours from October - March. Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 - 19:00 hours from open-September.
• Price: From 7€.

Come to the Cathedral of Palma

Next to the palace is the icon of the capital for more than eight centuries, the Cathedral of Palma.

La Seu, as it is known to Mallorcans, is a monumental Gothic temple dedicated to the Virgin Mary and has great views of the bay of Palma.

The Cathedral of Light was built over 300 years and the involvement of Antoni Gaudí and Miguel Barceló resulted in a beautiful site that deserves a guided tour.

• Hours: Monday to Friday between 10:00-17:15 hours and Saturdays between 10:00-14:15 hours from November-March. Monday to Saturday between 10:00-15:15 hours from April-October.
• Price: From 9€.

Have a bite to eat and get ready for the afternoon

After finishing the morning tour of the historic center, it's time to grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants in the center.

Once you have finished, you can rent a car, a motorcycle - in the port and at the airport you will find the main companies and you can rent a car from 17 € per day - or you can go bypublic transport.

I recommend that you rent a means that allows you to move around on your own, especially because public transport schedules could affect your itinerary. Time is running out and the intention is to enjoy the island to the fullest.

Afternoon between coves and beaches

Once the transportation is sorted out, you should head south along the coast. It is only 80 km to Colonia de Sant Jordi, where there are also different accommodation options.

This first afternoon will be spent among beaches and coves. The main recommended stops are:

• Cala Beltrán.
• Cala Pi beach.
• Ses Covetes beach.
• Es Trenc beach

All of them are located between imposing cliffs, have shallow crystal clear waters, easy access to restaurants and you can go paddle surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, even ride on jet skis.

But if you just want to lie on the golden sand with an idyllic panorama on this first day, I recommend spending the afternoon at the unspoiled beach Es Trenc. It is the most popular beach in the south of Mallorca and is the largest nudist beach in the Ensenada de la Rápita.

If you prefer a beach suitable for the whole family, with a quiet atmosphere, views and services similar to those offered by Es Trenc, plan your excursion in Mallorca with children directly to Playa Ses Covetes, another virgin beach located just 5 km from Es Trenc.

Spend the night in Sant Jordi

At sunset head to Colonia de Sant Jordi, a seaside resort where you will find a hundred accommodation options, restaurants and a wide variety of leisure offers.

It is ideal to get to know the Mallorcan nightlife and sleep in a charming fishing village.

On the last day of your visit, after breakfast at your hotel, a day trip in Mallorca awaits you, which includes the famous Drach Caves, water activities in the marine paradise of the east coast of Mallorca, the Mondragó National Park and a closing with a tasting of typical food of the region.

You can sign up for a boat tour in Mallorca or make your way through the winding roads on your own.

Spend the morning in the Mondragó Natural Park

There are 700 hectares of land where coves and beaches are surrounded by forests and cultivated fields.

You will be able to choose between simply enjoying a swim or doing other more active activities: snorkeling, paddle surfing, kayaking or diving in crystal clear waters with rich marine fauna.

A visit to this natural reserve is one of the things to do in Mallorca in summer.

S'Amarador Beach

To the right of Cala Mondragó you find a virgin beach, an idyllic attraction for those visitors who want to enjoy the variety of landscapes of the eastern part of Mallorca with the sea at their feet and a low influx of tourists.

Here the services are somewhat limited, you have a beach bar and lifeguard so the amenities are on your side.

However, Playa S'Amarador boasts a protected environment with forests, dunes, mountains, crops, cliffs and beautiful viewpoints among its 145 meters long. This beach is a perfect little corner to spend with your partner in a semi-private environment.

Mondragó Cove

This cove has everything to be classified as a natural Mallorcan swimming pool. There are 150 meters of shallow turquoise waters that have the distinctive blue flag.

In its fine white sand you have available services of umbrellas, hammocks, lifeguards and picnic area. Here children have a great time discovering the marine ecosystem with their snorkel, also available for rent.

Caló d'es Burgit

Leave the car parked at Cala Mondragó and walk along the park's path for about 800 meters. Along the route you will find interesting places such as the Mondragó Cave, the Machine Gun Nest and the Alric Cave to take pictures before reaching your next stop, Caló d'es Burgit.

Once at your final destination, you will find the smallest cove in the reserve. Despite its intricate access, it is well worth the walk, you are surrounded by a natural treasure.

Lunch to regain strength

At the end of the tour of Mallorca's coves, you can have lunch at Cala Mondragó, where your car is.

Restaurant Sa Font de n'Alis is one of the options, offering fresh fish dishes at moderate prices. There is also the Cafeteria Playa Mondragó where the prices and menu are geared towards tourists.

Afternoon of caves, museums and wineries

The afternoon is reserved for the tour among the most popular activities on the east coast of Mallorca around Rafael Nadal's hometown, Manacor.

The beaches are left aside, to make way for the wineries, subway lakes, stone houses and vineyards. To reach the first point of the route, you will have to drive about 50 kilometers north.

Drach Caves

This is a series of caves 25 m deep with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites inside which lies the Martel Lake. The visit lasts 60 minutes.

Inside you will board a boat to cross the lake right after listening to a live classical music concert in this magical place.

Everything is included in your ticket, but always remember to book in advance, as it is one of the busiest places on the island.

• Hours: Monday to Sunday four passes: 10:30, 12:00, 14:00, 15:30 hours from November to March. From Monday to Sunday seven passes: 10:00, 11:00, 12:00. 14:00, 15:00, 16:00 and 17:00 hours from April to October.
• Price: From 16€.
• Address: Carretera de les Coves, s/n, Porto Cristo.

Experience the Rafa Nadal Museum in Mallorca

It will only take you about 15 minutes to drive from the caves to Manacor, where the Rafa Nadal Museum is located.

Visitors can admire the most outstanding trophies of this world tennis legend 's career while enjoying an interactive environment that allows them to virtually compete with world-class figures.

When you buy your tickets to the Rafa Nadal Museum in Mallorca you also have the opportunity to learn about the history of contemporary sport thanks to the memorabilia and objects contributed by great figures such as Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Cristiano Ronaldo, Roger Federer and Fernando Alonso, among others.

• Hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm.
• Price: From 19€.
• Address: Carretera Cales de Mallorca s/n, Km 1,2, Manacor.

Wine tasting and/or winery visits

The world of wine is passion and here in Mallorca it is lived from the heart. Visits to the island would not be complete without a stop at the main wineries in the area.

Winery tours usually last 90 minutes and include wine tastings. Highlights in Manacor include:

• Pere Seda Wines and Wineries: Located at Calle Cid Campeador, 22. Price of the visit from 15€. Its opening hours are Monday to Thursday 09:00-15:00 hours, Friday 09:00-14:00 hours.
• The winery Mandia Vell: It is in Carretera Manacor-Porto Cristo km 5,5. Prices depend on the chosen activity and you have to book in advance by writing to the email: bodega@mandia-vell.com or calling +34 674 30 04 03.
• Vins Miquel Gelabert: C/ Salas, 50. The price of the visit is around 25€ and the opening hours are from Monday to Friday between 09:00-17:00 hours and Saturdays from 10:00-13:00 hours.

Say goodbye to Mallorca with a gastronomic tour at night

After your visit to the wineries, you must succumb to the charms of Mallorcan cuisine. As important as the coves, caves and cliffs, it is necessary to complete the visit with one of the gastronomic routes of Mallorca.

Try their tapas with sobrasada, include the ensaimadas, the tumbet or the fried Mallorcan ... there are options for all tastes and wines are the order of the day.

A dinner like the locals is necessary to complete the list of things to do in Mallorca at night.