48 Hours in Mallorca

Let me just preface this post by saying I’m upset I only spent 48 hours in Mallorca, too.

As part of a big group going to Europe, it was decided that we would spend a majority of our time in Barcelona, Ibiza and Paris. I decided to deviate from the original group’s plans of 4 days in BCN as I studied abroad there and didn’t want to be a tourist in a city I almost ran to the ground in 2012. 👹 My friend Kathy and I planned out a short 2 day break in Mallorca, as a getaway of sorts from the group’s intense back-to-back schedule.

When we landed in Palma de Mallorca, I was already dumbfounded by the scenery presented within my little 9″ x 12″ RyanAir window. I’m not sure what I originally expected, but it wasn’t this:

I really didn’t foresee all the Pins from my Mallorca board to come to life so precisely. To put that leg of the trip into plain words, it was everything and more. To sum it all up, here are my takeaways to really enjoy and make the most of your time in Mallorca:

Stay & spend time in old town

For those 2 nights on that enchanting island, we stayed at the Hotel Antigua Palma. I wanted something charming and upscale, but within walking distance to major sights in the old town. This hotel was gorgeous. It was cozy enough that we felt at home, but perfectly situated so that we were able to easily explore. We were so happy to call this property our home base! Not to mention, the rooftop was such a relaxing area to start off our daily adventures with an Aperol Spritz.

Wake up early and have the city to yourself!

Old town is comprised of cobblestone streets and charming little alleyways that all lead back to the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma. This massive Gothic church overlooks the sea and is an iconic landmark in Mallorca. For art fanatics, the church’s giant rose window was made by Gaudí! If you visit early in the morning, you can admire its grandness and even catch its reflection uninterrupted in the fountain water shown below:

Go Cala hopping

Calas are small coves/bays that you can find all over the island. They are known for their dreamy clear blue waters and mesmerizing surrounding cliffs. All calas are open to the public but some are a little tricky to get to. Make sure you’re not trespassing any private property on your way down to a cala! While there are so many amazing calas to discover (Cala del Moro, Cala Llombards, to name a few), here are the two that stole our hearts:

Cala Gat

Cala d’Or

Don’t be afraid to get lost!

Of course, it’s best to always have your wits about you, especially when traveling. But when in Mallorca, make sure to explore as much as you can! Talk to the locals and discover some of the island’s best places to eat, relax, and take a swim. The people in Mallorca are extremely friendly – friendlier than the mainland in my opinion!

Last tip: rent a car! Yes, sometimes it can be a pain to try and find parking, but you’ll be robbing yourself of access to some of Mallorca’s most beautiful spots. ✨