Top places to see in Mallorca

S'Albufereta de Pollensa is a wetland nature reserve in the north of the island, however, it is largely private property.  Visitors can drive along the main road from Pollenca to Alcudia to view the habitats.

The Serra de Tramuntana mountains (translated as the "mountains of the north wind") run the length of Mallorca's northwestern coastline extending for almost 90km and claim some of the island’s most magnificent scenery. In 2011, it was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO under the cultural landscape category.

The Cabrera Archipelago is a maritime-terrestrial national park which lies 10km off the south east coast of Mallorca.

Just off the coast road 5km south of Port d'Alcudia in the north west of Mallorca, the S'Albufera wetlands make a welcome relief from long stretches of crowded beach.

The Llevant Peninsula is found on the north east of Mallorca. This hilly terrain could almost pass for the Scottish highlands (on a good day!), with its covering of heathers and shrubs at the higher altitudes.

This 200-hectare nature reserve on a headland jutting out from the east coast of Mallorca is an oasis of peace amid a desert of high rise apartments and hotels.

A royal palace has stood on this site next to Palma's cathedral since the Muslim walis (governors) built their alcazar soon after the Arab conquest.

These are the most significant remains of the Talaiotic culture, which flourished in Mallorca between around 1300 and 800 BC.

Much of this 4000 square metres complex has been restored so that you can now see the remnants of the medieval fortress that it once was.

Castell d'Alaro is perched on top a rocky mountain above the town of Alaro in the west of Mallorca. A popular walk from the town (or further up the hill if you prefer to drive) takes you to a ruined castle and hilltop chapel offering spectacular views of the Tramuntana mountains and over towards Palma and all the way to the sea.

Capdepera was founded in 1300 and it was by royal decree that a fortress was built in which to house the residents, to protect them from pirates. This walled town became known as Capdepera Castle.

Pollentia was founded by the consul Qintus Caecilius Metellus in 123 BC in the strategic location between the bays of Pollenca and Alcudia. It was the most important city in the Balearics duing the Roman period and covered an area of 15-20 hectares.

Mallorca's most sacred site - a former monastery in a spectacular setting in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains to the north west of Mallorca.

The construction of the church began at the end of the 19th century. It was overseen by priest Rubí and the builder Gaspar Bennàssar, who directed the works and built the bell-tower, the highest building in town known as Torre Rubí.

This old hermitage, 509m above sea level at the highest point of the Serra de Llevant near the town of Felanitx, was the senior house of Mallorca's monastic order and the last to lose its monks in 1992.

Visit the monastery at Valldemossa, where Chopin and George Sand spent the winter of 1838-9. The Real Cartuja (Royal Carthusian Monastery) was originally a royal residence, until Carthusian monks occupied the building from 1399 until 1835.

The glory of Palma - a magnificent Gothic cathedral whose sandstone walls and flying buttresses seem to rise out of the sea.

The Puig de Randa, rising 543m out of the plain, has been a place of pilgrimage ever since Ramon Llull founded Mallorca's first hermitage here in 1275.

Dark and cool, these limestone caves on the edge of Porto Cristo have become one of Mallorca's top tourist sights. Groups walk along 1200m of smooth paths exploring the magnificent stalactite formations within. 

This wild peninsula on Mallorca's northeast tip has stunning views, sandy beaches and the island's original luxury hotel. The 20-km drive from Port de Pollenca to Mallorca's most northerly point has scenery as dramatic as anyone could wish for. Cliffs 400 metres tall jut into the sea, their weird rock formations attracting nesting seabirds, while pine trees seem to grow out of the rocks.

You cannot miss these caves as you drive from Manacor to Porto Cristo. Most people only want to visit one set of caves during their time on Mallorca and the giant billboards and flags at the entrance are an attempt to ensure that this is the one. In fact you are better off continuing to the 'Cuevas del Drach' or up the coast to the 'Coves d'Arta'.

These caves near Arta, in the north-east of Mallorca, are a fascinating network of underground caverns whose weird stalactites and stalagmites conjure up mysterious images of Heaven and Hell. An early visitor was Jules Verne, the caves are said to have inspired his Journey to the Centre of the Earth.

Do not believe anyone who tells you that they have discovered the perfect unspoilt cove on the west coast - unless of course the name is Sa Calobra. This is indeed a beautiful spot, which is why tour buses pour in by the dozen every day, even in winter.

The Caves of Campanet are situated in the north of Mallorca in the foothills of the Tramuntana mountains. The caves cover a surface area of approximately 3,200 square metres at a depth of 50 metres