nemo’s Insider Guide to… Mallorca

Mallorca is one of our favourite all-round destinations and we just keep going back. The island has everything we love; from postcard worthy beaches to world renowned cycling routes and fantastic food. We could not recommend a better change of scene, so here are our top tips…

Palma

Eat & Drink

1. El Camino: stylish tapas by the London Barrafina team where tapas are served at the very cool bar

2. La Vieja: creative tapas and a trendy, lively atmosphere

3. Naan: inspired by street-food culture, the food here is lots of fun!

Explore

1. Markets: Spain does food markets really well, and Palma has two shining examples with Mercat de Santa Catalina and Mercat de l’Olivar – perfect for getting a sense of local produce

2. Catamaran cruise: we’re suckers for boat trips and this is a fantastic one… rounding up the best of Mallorca’s south coast!

3. Basílica de San Francesco: this gothic style church is one of the largest and most beautiful churches on the Balearic Islands

Deia & Valldemossa

Eat & Drink

1. Ca’s Xorc: the restaurant at one of our favourite hotels never disappoints, we love its farm to table approach and of course the sea and mountain views

2. El Olivo: fine dining restaurant at the Belmond hotel, a special experience for a romantic meal under the olive trees

3. Neni: for a change from tapas, head to the fabulously fun restaurant of boho-chic Bikini hotel for middle eastern food and views over the port of Soller (we love the bar too!)

Explore

1. Beach hopping: the beaches are great on this side of the island, typically Mediterranean small coves

2. Hillside villages: the cobbled streets of Valldemossa and Fornalutx are steeped in history and so, so charming!

3. Hot air balloon ride: Admire the UNESCO world heritage site of Tramuntana from above – this magnificent mountain range is nearly 90km long and covers almost 30% of Mallorca’s land mass

North East

Eat & Drink

1. Ponderosa Beach: our favourite beach club in the area, fabulous food and very buzzy

2. The Wine Side: an eclectic menu of small plates – from croquetas to sushi – focused on local produce

3. Milano Beach: a fun beach club with good paellas!

Explore

1. Playa de Formentor: Exceptionally beautiful drive to an exceptionally beautiful beach – enough said!

2. Alcudia market: this outdoor market comes to town twice a week and sells everything from fresh produce to straw bags – a great excuse to explore the pretty medieval town of Alcudia

3. Cycling: this side of Mallorca is famous for its cycling routes and where Sir Bradley Wiggins trained… so if you’re feeling energetic, this is your moment!

Eastern Coast

Eat & Drink

1. Porxada de Sa Torra : this traditional restaurant is an institution and the suckling pig deservedly famous!

2. Cassai: both Cassai and its sister restaurant on the beach are the perfect mix of good food, great design and a buzzing atmosphere

3. Retroway: great spot for healthy food that’s delicious and fun!

Explore

1. Mondrago Natural Park: one of our favourite spots on the island, with fabulous hikes, beaches and bird watching

2. Es Trenc: powder white sand and crystal clear waters make this a popular choice, but with just a handful of simple beach bars it still has a laid-back feel

3. Cala Figuera: picturesque fishing village famous for its seafood restaurants and a great jumping point for local boat trips

Central

Eat & Drink

1. Forastera Taproom: enjoy local craft beer from Taproom, or join one of their tastings and tours

2. Sa Mola 13: possibly the most hipster coffee shop in Mallorca, but arguably the best flat white on the island and a great option for breakfast too

3. Sa Vermuteria des Carrer Major: a true old school, local bar full of character – to counteract that hipster coffee!

Explore

1. Wine tasting: Bodega Ribas is the oldest winery on the island and a great place to discover the local wine

2. Alaro Castle: it’s a steep climb, but the views more than make up for it

3. Sineu market: this is the most traditional weekly market on the island in the pretty village of Sineu, and is the last market still trading in livestock