Mallorca: The Island Beyond the Resorts
Mallorca runs two parallel economies: the resort strip everyone pictures, and the island behind it, with the Tramuntana mountains dropping into coves you can only reach by boat or paddle. Our picks work the second economy: the classic train-tram-and-boat circuit through the mountains, kayaking into sea caves near Alcúdia, and Palma's Gothic cathedral, which would be a headline sight in any mainland city.
The island's best day is also its oldest tourist product: the 1912 wooden train through the Tramuntana to Sóller, the tram down to the port, and a boat back along cliffs the road never sees. It is logistics-heavy and we say so below, but there is a reason a century of visitors keeps doing it.
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Our 7 picks in Mallorca
Hand-curated, revisited quarterly. We only list excursions we'd tell a friend to book.
Last reviewed July 2026Outdoors & water
Kayaking, Sea Cave, Cliff Jumping and Snorkel Tour
Five adventures in three hours near Alcúdia with cult-favorite guides: paddle, cave, jump, snorkel, repeat. A 4.8 across 1,747 reviews earned on personality as much as coastline.
Culture & workshops
Palma Walking Tour with Cathedral and Ensaimada Tasting
A max-15 guided old-town walk covering the cathedral's history, finished with the island's famous spiral pastry. Excellent 4.8 on a small 184-review base, flagged as such.
Tickets & monuments
Palma Cathedral Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket
Skip-the-line entry to La Seu, the Gaudí-touched cathedral over the bay, for about the price of lunch. Sixteen thousand reviews at 4.6; the island's one unmissable building.
Outdoors & water
Palma Bay Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Swim Stops
The island's highest-volume boat day: five hours of Palma Bay coves, swim and snorkel stops, and onboard lunch. Nearly eleven thousand reviews at 4.6.
Evening & shows
Pirates Adventure Dinner Show
Mallorca's signature acrobatic dinner theater: an 800-seat spectacle that consistently delights families. The food is basic and we say so; nobody comes for the food.
Food & wine
Palma Gourmet Tapas and Wine Tour
Palma's top-selling evening food crawl: gourmet tapas stops paired with local wines through the old town. 4.6 across 724 reviews, and the wines are the quiet star.
Day trips
Island Tour by Boat, Tram and Vintage Train
The classic Tramuntana circuit: Sóller's 1912 wooden train, the tram to the port, and a boat past Sa Calobra. Category-defining, and its 4.4 rating reflects the logistics; we explain.
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