7 Reasons To Visit Mallorca On Your Yacht This Summer

1. The Culture

Visit the Joan Miro Museum, in his old workshop. This gallery and museum is far from typical and gives real insight into how the artist lived and worked. Then head into the Old Town and you can’t miss the amazing gothic Cathedral, where work began in 1229 at the behest of Jaume I on the foundation of an Arab mosque. Completion took almost 400 years and this spectacular building has Gothic, Arabic and Renaissance influences. Even Gaudi had a go at updating the building in the early 20th Century, until artistic differences put paid to the project! After that how about the Es Baluard Museum of Modern Art, which has the added appeal of a fabulous café bar on the Old City walls, with spectacular views across the bay of Palma.

2. The Breath-Taking Views

Drive along the winding coast road along the edge of the Tramuntana mountain range, where the beautiful villages of Valldemossa, Deia and Soller offer boutique shops and many restaurants to peruse and explore. This route, amongst others, is popular with cyclists who head to the island in the spring and autumn to explore the glorious island and meandering roads outside of the summer heat. Another option, for truly panoramic views, is to head up to the skies and take it all in from a hot air balloon, enjoying a whole new perspective of the island.

3. The Food

Try the new San Juan Gastronomic Market, which has recently opened in Palma in a 1900s period building, converted to hold food stalls, cafes, sunny terraces and areas for wine tastings and cookery courses. There is truly something for everyone in this original setting.

There are also seven Michelin-starred restaurants on the island so why not pick one and treat yourself?

Hotel Predí Son Jaumell (Capdepera)
Simply Fosh (Palma)
Es Molí d’en Bou (Sa Coma)
Zaranda, Hotel Son Claret (Es Capdella)
Jardin (Port d’Alcudia)
Es Racó d’es Teix (Deia)
Es Fum, St. Regis Mardavall (Costa d’en Blanes)

4. The Beaches

Mallorca’s most famous beach is Es Trenc in the South West. With white, fine-grained sand and shallow turquoise waters, it is one of the last unspoilt and preserved stretches of beach.

If your idea of a day by the water is something a little more luxurious, then there are plenty of options, with Nikki Beach and other similar beach clubs gathered in Calvia Beach Resort, offering a more indulgent way to enjoy the sea and surf.

5. The Thrill

Mallorca is one of Europe’s premier rock-climbing locations due to the many limestone cliffs. As well traditional climbing, bouldering and deep-water soloing are becoming increasingly popular. The natural beauty of the area and easy accessibility makes Mallorca the perfect place so why not try it out during your stay?

For those who are not drawn by the adrenaline rush, you will find that the island is filled with hiking options for all different fitness levels. Still quiet and untouched in many areas, some routes are well sign-posted and easy to explore, but many visitors choose to go with a guide to explore the real hidden gems. You can head back to the Tramuntana Mountain for some more challenging climbs or there are plenty more gentle coastal rambles.

6. The Call of the Wild

Everyone has heard of Ibiza, most of Mallorca, some of Menorca, few of Formentera but there is one more small island in the Balearics, or more accurately collection of islands. Cabrera, 17 km off the south-west tip of Mallorca is an archipelago that is part of a marine national park, uninhabited and relatively untouched. As a result of the seclusion of these islands, the wildlife has thrived and the prolific birdlife has earned the archipelago’s status as a Special Protected Area for birds, as well as a fantastic marine ecosystem and ocean bed.

To take your own boat there requires permission from the island but with one of the organized boat trips you can swim in the deep blue grotto, hike one of the endless routes available, see how many rare species of birds and sea life you can spot, and visit the archaeological places of interest both on land and below the sea. All of this makes the diving extra special around these islands, but special permits are required and numbers are limited to ensure the preservation of the area.

7. The Shops

What better way to see the old town of Palma and its architecture than to shop your way through the city?

Not far from the cathedral you can head up the Paseo del Borne, a tree-lined treat of small boutiques and bigger stores such as Massimo Dutti, Zara & H&M, peppered with the likes of Louis Vuitton, Rolex and Hugo Boss. There is something for every budget. Just off the Borne is Jaime III, a relatively new and charmingly elegant street of smaller jewellery, shoe and clothes shops as well as the Corte Ingles department store. To the East of the Paseo del Borne is a patchwork of pedestrianized shopping streets featuring more individual quaint outlets of all descriptions. Around Plaza Cort in particular you will find an array of jewellers.

At the top of the Borne you will find Plaza Mayor and on some mornings there are craft stalls. Leading away from Plaza Mayor there is Calle San Miguel, full of more cute emporiums or Calle Sindicato and its endless stream of shoe shops. As you get further away from the old town and reach the old city limits the architecture fades but the shops go on and on!

For further information on yacht charters around Mallorca and the Balearics, please contact Rebecca Cutter on rebecca@bluewateryachting.com.