30-07-2026
5 min
Plan your trip
Mallorca
Mallorca is a small island only on the map. As soon as you start driving, it changes shape with every bend: a mountain road overlooking the sea, a stone village where time seems to have stopped for lunch, a hidden cove among pine trees, a wind-battered lighthouse or an inland market where the island feels more local than touristy.
That is why talking about day trips from Mallorca is not just about beaches. It is about short routes that feel like complete journeys.
From Palma de Mallorca, you can reach practically any corner of the island in under 3 hours. The key is to choose the most authentic places, set off early, leave room for spontaneity and avoid trying to see everything in a single day.
You land on the island, hire a car and can start exploring straight away by booking your car hire at Mallorca Airport.
This is one of the most beautiful day trips from Palma and also one of the most popular. But there is a better way to do it: slowly, and with less of a “checklist” mentality.
Start early in Valldemossa, before the stone streets fill up. Wander without a map, pop into a small shop, try a coca de patata and look at the flowerpots as though they were part of the scenery. Then continue to Deià, one of those villages you do not simply visit: you stop and take it in.
To round off the day, head to the Sa Foradada viewpoint. You do not need to do much more. Park, walk a little, look out to sea and understand why the Serra de Tramuntana is so famous.
What makes it special: the mix of mountains, stone, olive trees, cliffs and the Mediterranean.
Wiber tip: in high season, do not turn this into a midday route. Set off early or save Sa Foradada for sunset.
Sóller has a different kind of energy. It sits in a valley surrounded by mountains, with the scent of citrus in the air, modernist façades and a square where you will probably want to sit for longer than planned.
From there, head up to Fornalutx, one of Mallorca’s most photogenic villages, with steep streets, stone houses and views across the Tramuntana. Then make your way down to Port de Sóller and finish with a walk by the sea.
It is the perfect day trip if you want a bit of everything in one day: village, mountains, harbour, a beautiful drive and a meal by the water.
A perfect plan: Sóller in the morning, Fornalutx before lunch and Port de Sóller in the afternoon.
Something different: if you are travelling outside high season, look for a short walking route among the terraces and orange groves. This area is best enjoyed at a slow pace.
Banyalbufar does not always appear on lists of “must-sees”, and that works in its favour. It is a small village suspended between terraced hillsides and the sea, with beautiful light and a road made for unhurried driving.
Nearby Estellencs is even quieter. The idea here is not to do lots of things, but to slow down: stop at a viewpoint, have a drink on a terrace, walk down to a cove if the weather is good and enjoy a quieter side of Mallorca.
Why it is worth it: because it still feels like a local stretch of coast, less obvious than other parts of the Tramuntana.
Practical tip: the roads are narrow and winding. A manageable car, patience and zero rush are the best combination.
Sa Calobra is a spectacular day trip, but it is not one to do without planning. The road is part of the experience: bends, mountains, viewpoints and an arrival that seems designed to leave you speechless.
Once there, you can walk towards the mouth of the Torrent de Pareis and enjoy one of Mallorca’s most cinematic landscapes. If you would prefer a slightly quieter alternative, combine the route with Cala Tuent, which is greener and generally more peaceful.
On the way back, stop at Lluc, an important landmark in the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana. It is the perfect way to turn a beach outing into a complete mountain route.
Ideal for: travellers who enjoy driving and want to experience one of the island’s most impressive routes.
Mistake to avoid: going late in summer. Between traffic, bends and parking, the experience can change considerably.
Northern Mallorca has a very distinctive character. Pollença is a great place to start: an old town, stone steps, quiet squares and an atmosphere that feels more local than coastal. From there, the road towards Formentor does the rest.
Es Colomer viewpoint is an essential stop, but do not stop there. The Formentor peninsula has a wilder beauty, with cliffs, pine forests, coves and that feeling of being at the “end of the island” that you do not find everywhere.
Recommended plan: Pollença early, the viewpoint, Formentor beach if access is permitted, then head back without leaving it too late.
Important: in summer there may be traffic restrictions on the road to Formentor. Check the regulations before you go and do not leave it to chance.
Unukomo - Wikipedia
Artà has character. It is not just a pretty village: it has a market, streets full of personality, a beautiful climb up to the Santuari de Sant Salvador and a welcome sense of local life.
From Artà, drive towards the Ermita de Betlem. The road crosses a drier, more open landscape, with views towards the sea and the Bay of Alcúdia. Then head down to Colònia de Sant Pere for lunch or a walk by the water.
This trip is perfect if you are looking for somewhere less crowded than the island’s best-known classics.
Why we like it: because it combines inland Mallorca, spirituality, scenery and coast without losing its authenticity.
Ideal plan: Artà in the morning, Ermita de Betlem before lunch and Colònia de Sant Pere in the afternoon.
A. Savin - Wikipedia
Capdepera is one of those places where having a car lets you create a really complete day trip. Start by visiting its castle, with wide-open views over the north-east, then continue to some of the area’s most beautiful beaches.
Cala Mesquida is the easiest and most striking option, with dunes and open sea. Cala Torta, when conditions and access allow, has a wilder and less developed feel.
Ideal for: anyone who wants to combine history and a swim in the same day.
Practical tip: on north-eastern beaches, check the wind and sea conditions. Not every day is equally suitable for swimming.
Araceli Merino - Wikipedia
There is a lot to explore in south-eastern Mallorca, so we have turned this into a complete day trip. Santanyí is the best place to start, especially if you visit on market day. Golden stone, galleries, terraces and a local atmosphere that makes you want to stay a little longer.
Then head down to Cala Figuera, a narrow and photogenic fishing harbour where the boats seem to be parked between white houses. For a swim, choose Mondragó, with coves such as S’Amarador or Sa Font de n’Alis, or continue to Es Trenc if you want a long, pale and unmistakably Mediterranean beach.
What makes it special: it combines a village, traditional harbour, natural park and postcard-perfect beach in a single route.
Wiber tip: in high season, do not try to park right next to every cove. Sometimes a 10-minute walk is the best part of the plan.
Not everything in Mallorca has to end at a cove. The Pla de Mallorca, in the island’s interior, is perfect for a more local, food-focused and relaxed day trip.
Sineu is ideal if your visit falls on market day. It has plenty of life, traditional bars and a very convenient location for exploring the centre of the island. Petra adds a historic and rural feel, with stone streets and fewer tourists. And the Santuari de Bonany rewards you with wide views across inland Mallorca.
Why it is worth it: because it shows you a less obvious Mallorca, one that is more agricultural and more everyday.
Wiber tip: this is a perfect route for cloudy days, winter or whenever you want a break from the beach without staying in Palma.
Alaró is very close to Palma, but it still feels like a proper getaway. The village is pleasant, with a square, cafés and a local atmosphere. From there, head towards Orient along a beautiful road through mountains and olive groves.
If you feel like walking, Castell d’Alaró is one of the best inland plans on the island. The climb is worth it: sweeping views, a real sense of height and a Mallorca that makes more sense when seen from above.
Ideal for: active travellers, couples and anyone looking for a short route with plenty of scenery.
Important: wear suitable footwear, take water and avoid the hottest hours of the day if you are doing the hike.
Valldemossa, Deià, Sa Foradada, Sóller and Port de Sóller. Perfect if it is your first time in Mallorca and you want a scenic, Mediterranean and highly photogenic route.
Santanyí, Cala Figuera, Mondragó, Es Trenc and Colònia de Sant Jordi. Ideal for combining a market, fishing harbour, coves and sunset by the sea.
Sineu, Petra, Bonany, Alaró and Orient. A day trip for discovering Mallorca’s stone villages, countryside, squares and quiet roads.
Set off early. In Mallorca, an early start does more than help you avoid the heat and crowds: it also changes the light, parking availability and the whole experience.
Do not pack too many stops into one day. The island may look small, but mountain roads, access to coves and parking can make any plan take longer than expected.
Always take water, sun protection, swimwear and comfortable footwear. Even a village outing can end at a cove, viewpoint or stone path.
Check access restrictions in high season. Areas such as Formentor, some coves and natural spaces may have restrictions, visitor limits or limited parking.
Respect the roadside. Parking badly on narrow roads or in natural areas can not only result in a fine, but also block access and damage the environment.
Do not rely only on your phone. Download routes or save locations before setting off, especially in the Tramuntana or around coves where coverage may be weak.
And leave room for the unexpected. In Mallorca, the best moment is often not at the final destination, but at the viewpoint where you stopped “just for a minute”.
It depends on how you like to travel.
If you want an essential postcard view, choose Valldemossa, Deià or Formentor. If you are looking for peaceful villages, try Banyalbufar, Estellencs, Artà or Sineu. If you fancy sea and nature, go for Mondragó, Es Trenc, Cala Tuent or Cala Mesquida. If you prefer a more active route, choose Alaró, Sa Calobra or the Serra de Tramuntana. And if you want to discover a less obvious Mallorca, head inland: Petra, Bonany, Orient or Colònia de Sant Pere.
The best thing about travelling around Mallorca by car is that you can decide as you go. Swap a cove for a village, a long route for a viewpoint, or a quick lunch for a long meal with a view.
Because the best day trips are not always the most famous ones. They are the ones that let you feel, for a few hours, that the island is a little more your own.
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