The limestone of the Serra de Tramuntana is warm under your hand as you hike the Archduke’s Path above Valldemossa, and far below the Mediterranean glitters in a shade of blue that seems almost impossible. Majorca receives twelve million visitors a year, but most never make it up here, into the mountain range that runs along the northwest coast and changes everyone’s mind about what this island really is. These five experiences are worth leaving the beach for.
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The Serra de Tramuntana: Hiking Above the Med
The Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World heritage site, is the backbone of Majorca. The mountain range runs the length of the northwest coast, and its peaks rise to over 1,400 metres. The GR 221, known as the Dry Stone Route, is a 135-kilometre long-distance trail that traverses the range in eight stages. For a shorter experience, the hike from Valldemossa to Deia along the Archduke’s Path is one of the best day walks in the Mediterranean. The path follows an old mule track carved into the cliffside, with views of the sea that stop you in your tracks every few minutes. Deia is the village where the poet Robert Graves lived and is buried. His house is now a museum, and the cemetery overlooking the sea is one of the most beautiful resting places in the world. The bus back to Valldemossa costs two euros.
Palma Cathedral: Gaudí’s Mediterranean Masterpiece
Palma Cathedral, known locally as La Seu, dominates the waterfront of the city. The sandstone leviathan was begun in 1229, after King Jaume I captured the island from the Moors, and was completed in 1601. The interior was renovated by Antoni Gaudí between 1904 and 1914, and his influence is unmistakable. The rose window, which is 13 metres in diameter and one of the largest in the world, catches the morning light and projects a kaleidoscope of colours across the stone floor. The cathedral is free to enter during certain hours, and the Parc de la Mar, the artificial lake in front of the cathedral, offers the best photographic vantage point. The reflection of the cathedral in the water at sunset is the defining image of Palma.
The Calas of the East Coast: hidden Coves Worth the Walk
The east coast of Majorca is notched with calas, hidden coves that are the island’s greatest natural resource. Cala Mesquida has sand dunes and turquoise water, with a beach bar that serves cold drinks and simple food. Cala Torta requires driving on an unpaved road and has no facilities at all, which is precisely why it is so beautiful. Cala Varques requires a twenty-minute walk through pine woods from the nearest car park. There is no road access, no sun loungers, and no beach bar. Just white sand, turquoise water, and the occasional family who brought their own parasol. The best calas require effort to reach, and the reward is proportional to that effort. The water clarity in these coves is exceptional, and the snorkelling is excellent.
The Caves of Drach: An Underground Concert
The Caves of Drach, near Porto Cristo on the east coast, are four interconnected caves that contain one of the largest underground lakes in the world. Lake Martel is 170 metres long, and the tour of the caves culminates in a classical music concert performed on a boat floating on the lake. The acoustics of the cave amplify every note, and the audience sits in complete darkness as the quartet plays. The concert has been performed daily since 1935. The performance is short, about ten minutes, and unexpectedly moving. The caves are undeniably touristy, but they are also completely worthwhile. Arrive early to avoid the bus tours. The 16.50 euro entry fee includes the guided tour and the concert.
The Vintage Train to Sóller
The journey from Palma to Sóller on the vintage train is one of the great short rail journeys in Europe. The train has been running since 1912, and the wooden carriages, brass fittings, and open windows have not changed much since then. The 27-kilometre route passes through thirteen tunnels and across a viaduct, through the orange groves that made Sóller wealthy. The town of Sóller itself is surrounded by mountains and filled with Art Nouveau architecture that reflects the wealth of the returning emigrants who made their fortunes in France and brought back the modernist style. The church of Sant Bartomeu on the main square is a striking example. From Sóller, a vintage tram runs five kilometres down to the port, where the seafood restaurants serve freshly caught fish on terraces by the water.
What is the one thing you found in Majorca that was not on any tourist list: the cala, the mountain trail, or the village where you lost track of time?
Published in: Spain. Updated June 11 2026.
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