Hello. I haven't been here in awhile but the Forum is like an old friend! Happy to be back! My friend and I are planning a trip to Mallorca. We are currently doing research and trying to figure out where to base ourselves. We will have 4 full days there. From what I have read so far, it seems there are a lot of "packaged Holiday tours" of Brits and Germans that go to the built up resort areas. We do NOT want that! Not looking for big hotels and rowdy bars. For example, I know that Magaluf is NOT where we want to be. What we are looking for is an area that has some shops/resetaurants/cafes, has a nice sandy beach in walking distance, and access to public transportation so we can get to other places on the island. I thought Port de Soller looked nice but it seems it will be too time consuming to go see other sites in Palma or the caves on the East Coast. We want to site-see but also have some relaxing beach/pool time.
I love this message board and fellow travelers have come through so many times before! I hope someone can offer some suggestions. Thank you!
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5508 posts
I went to Mallorca in 2012 seeking out a place with no resorts and no guys on a stag-do. We chose Pollenca, which was lovely. An old, cobblestone town with good public transport connections and easy access to beaches. Not a high rise in sight. We made several day trips during our week there and I also really enjoyed Alcudia. Really beautiful areas in that town (again no high-rises) as well and it is closer to the beach. If I went back, that is where I would stay. We arranged for a car service to transport us from the airport in Palma and it wasn't that expensive. I have also thought I might check out Menorca if I go back - might be worth a look.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
I likely can't be much help.. as we are going to Mallorca this july and haven't been before. We too wanted a small town.. but not dead.. some cafes to sit and sip wine at.. a few restaurants, a lovely beach, but near a bus route etc.
We chose Cala'D'Or.. the pictures won me over.. so beautiful. We are going for a week so have a bit more time to fill. but plan on mostly relaxing.. visiting a few beaches( there is one right there..but its small , but apparently there is one in a national park thats a ten minute bus ride or 15 minutes by bike .. with two larger beautiful beaches and nature paths in a conservation area.
Theres also a marina in Cala.. so nice to wander down there for pre dinner drinks and watch the boats come and go.. ( lucky bums leisure sailing in the Med!)
Anyways hope you have fun.. do come back and tell us about where you went.. ( when are you going?) .
Posted by
OP
Laguna Beach, CA, USA
272 posts
thanks for the replies. i will do some more research on the places mentioned.
we will get there on aug 29. coming from madrid and prior to that, walking the camino de santiago for 10 days. DEFINITELY ready for some relaxation after that!! thanks.
Posted by
211 posts
I stayed in Palma so I could take buses to other places. Definitely try to visit Valldemossa.