Favourite Mallorca holiday haunts

Port de Sóller is a picturesque little village situated in a large horseshoe bay on the west coast of Mallorca. The seaside retreat was, until recently, one of the island's best-kept secrets. Surrounded by dramatic mountains and overlooking the sea, it is one of the few places on the island where you get both stunning scenery and breathtaking views. Being on the west coast, it's also one of the best spots to catch a beautiful Mallorcan sunset.

Cala d'Or or ‘Golden Bay’ in English is the name given to a widely popular, family-friendly tourist resort in the east of the island. Its name could be related to the fact that you are guaranteed the greatest number of sunshine hours on this eastern coastline, being furthest away from the disruptive Serra de Tramuntana mountains, and its proximity to some of the island's best beaches.

Illetas (also known as Ses Illetes) is a small, stylish resort tucked into the southwest coast of Mallorca just a few kilometres from Palma. In summer, it draws in visitors with its soft sandy beaches, calm turquoise waters, and laid-back upscale vibe. It’s one of the most attractive spots along the Bay of Palma, known for its whitewashed villas, leafy streets, and a mix of classic and modern hotels that blend into the hillside. The views are stunning, the atmosphere relaxed, and everything feels just a little more refined than your average beach resort.

There are still people who can remember when Palma Nova was just a village. Then, along came the tourist boom and the 'new Palma' was established as one of the first purpose-built tourist destinations on the island. Now we see Palma Nova moving towards high-quality tourism, becoming ‘the’ up-and-coming spot on the southwest coast. 

A village steeped in old-world charm, Valldemossa lies in an idyllic valley in the midst of the Tramuntana mountains. Its ancient blonde stone houses contrast vividly against the surrounding green forests of olive, oak and almond trees, and the blue sky above. It’s the kind of place you can sit back and soak up the scenery with a warm drink and pastry in the winter and a cold glass of wine and nibbles in the summer. 

Puerto Portals is widely known as the most glamorous marina on the island. It has become an attractive destination for the rich and famous to moor their yachts and now caters for more than 600 yachts up to 60 metres in length. Unlike many other ports in Mallorca, there is a year-round buzz here. It’s the place to visit for designer shopping, people watching and first-class restaurants and bars.

Ses Salines is a small village in the south east of Mallorca. It and its associated port Colonia St Jordi have a rich history thanks to its location on fertile land. Known for its salt flats, slow pace and understated charm, think stone houses, palm-lined streets and easy access to beautiful beaches like Es Trenc. With relaxed cafés, creative shops and a quietly cool atmosphere, it’s ideal for travellers seeking an authentic, unhurried slice of island life.

Puerto Pollensa, also known as Port de Pollença, is an established, family-friendly tourist resort in the north of Mallorca. Like many Mallorcan coastal towns, the resort was formerly a fishing village servicing the local area. It still features a large marina which nowadays harbours leisure boats more than fishing boats, but you can still see many traditional ‘llaüts’ used by the Mallorcans for catching fish.

Deià is an idyllic village of green-shuttered, honey-coloured houses that has become a millionaires' hideaway resting in the shadow of the Teix mountain, part of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. It may have been just another pretty west Mallorcan village had the famous English poet and novelist Robert Graves not decided to make it his home in the 1940s, raising its profile somewhat.

On the southwestern tip of Mallorca is where you will find Port d'Andratx, a picturesque fishing village as well as one of Mallorca's classiest holiday destinations. Popular with the yachting fraternity and film stars whose Italian-style villas can be seen climbing up the hillsides, it also has a working fishing industry that supplies many of the port's restaurants.