It’s always a good time to visit insula maior (below, we explain where the name comes from) and experience it all over again. Its legends, landscapes, and small discoveries invite travelers into an emotional map of the island, with secrets that even regular visitors can still stumble upon. Book one of the best hotels in Mallorca and get ready to see the island from a fresh perspective.
An island that hides more than it shows
Mallorca beyond the beaches
Mallorca’s beaches and coves are a natural starting point (or a memorable finale). Beyond them, the island reveals much more. From its capital, Palma, to the villages inland, Mallorca unfolds as a kaleidoscopic destination when seen from the right perspective.
A culture shaped by history, tradition, and the sea
Mallorcan culture reflects the Mediterranean way of life, with an unforced beauty and a natural simplicity that reveals its depth the closer you look. Even with limited time, the island has a way of pulling visitors in. An all-inclusive day pass at a five-star hotel in Mallorca can serve as a starting point for exploring what lies beyond. Little by little, Mallorca’s history and traditions come into focus, always with the sea in view.
Natural curiosities that surprise any traveler
The underground lake at the Caves of Drach, one of the largest in the world
If Mallorca is on the plan for a family trip, the Caves of Drach are well worth the visit. The experience appeals to both adults and children, thanks to its underground lagoon, Lake Martel, considered one of the largest in the world. It stretches about 115 meters long and 30 meters wide, framed by stalactites and stalagmites. The finale is a classical music concert, made even more memorable by the cave’s remarkable acoustics.
The fossil forest hidden in Es Trenc
Beyond being one of the new hotels in Mallorca, Iberostar Selection Es Trenc is also a great base for exploring a surprising natural scene. In the Es Trenc-Salobrar Maritime-Terrestrial Natural Park, the roots of pines and junipers “anchor” the dunes in place, creating an effect that feels almost fossilized.
The beach that “disappears” in summer: Es Carbó and its shifting sands
Staying at an adults-only hotel in Mallorca can also be the starting point for lesser-known corners, including Es Carbó, where the shoreline can seem to vanish in summer as marine currents move the sand. It collects into a large mound known as a “tómbolo,” creating a natural link to the islet of Na Doctora. Like Posidonia oceanica, it shifts with the waves, echoing the island’s natural rhythms.
The Serra de Tramuntana and its network of ancient Arab routes
In winter, Mallorca’s countryside proudly showcases its historical legacy. The quieter season is ideal for exploring the Serra de Tramuntana’s network of ancient Arab routes, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Cultural Landscape. Advanced Islamic farming techniques left their mark in the form of terraced fields, irrigation channels, and dry-stone paths that shape the territory between Sóller, Deià, and Fornalutx.
Historical secrets few people know
Palma and its cathedral that never ends: details of the “Mallorcan Gaudí”
Palma Cathedral holds so many stories and details that it always feels like there is more to discover. Inside La Seu, the modernist chapel by Miquel Barceló, often referred to as the “Mallorcan Gaudí,” creates a vivid, imaginative world, with stained glass that echoes the sea, humanity, and the Earth. It is a visit many children enjoy during a stay at family hotels in Mallorca.
Bellver Castle, one of the few circular castles in Europe
Art in Mallorca moves between past and future. For anyone drawn to architecture with an enigmatic edge, Bellver Castle is a must. It is one of the few circular fortresses in Europe, and its design breaks from typical rules. Built in the 14th century, it served as the royal residence of James II, a prison for his enemies, and a solid military refuge. From the top of its walls, Palma Bay opens up in a full 360-degree view.
The mysterious origin of the name “Mallorca”
Mallorca has more art galleries than any other Spanish capital, and it also has an expressive name open to interpretation. Linguists state that it comes from the old Latin insula maior (larger island), in contrast to insula minor (smaller island). It is believed that both place names evolved through Romance languages, including Castilian and Catalan, until becoming Mallorca and Menorca.
The Jewish and Arab influence still alive in local architecture
Local architecture is a blend of influences that reaches far beyond Art Deco or Gothic. Arab and Jewish heritage still shapes the old town, from alquerías (large houses with courtyards and columns) and the hammam to the island’s hydraulic systems. It also appears in the street plan of the Call (Mallorca’s Jewish quarter) and in the Hebrew details preserved in some stately homes. This guide to Palma in one day helps readers take it all in without missing the key landmarks.
Traditions that tell stories
“Siurells”: clay figures that still hide their meaning
Siurells are one of the most distinctive pieces of Mallorcan craftsmanship, with a long history and an air of mystery. Made from fired clay, whitewashed with lime, and painted with green and red strokes, each one includes a small whistle that gives it its name. Tied to Mallorca’s myths and legends, siurells have been linked to agricultural rituals and the protection of the home. They can still be found in towns such as Marratxí or Sa Pobla, although their exact original purpose remains part of the island’s lore.
The ancestral dance of the “Cossiers”
Six dancers, joined by the Lady and the Dimoni, take to the streets in towns such as Alaró, Montuïri, or Manacor during patron saint celebrations. They are known as the cossiers. Documented since the 16th century, their dance represents either the struggle between good and evil or their eventual reconciliation. Colorful, theatrical, and full of rhythm, it is an easy win for families, and children often enjoy it just as much as a stay at hotels with waterslides in Mallorca.
Mallorcan whistling, the lost communication of shepherds
Before it became an international travel destination, insula maior was defined by voice and mountain. Mallorcan whistling, now close to disappearing, once helped shepherds communicate across long distances between trails and rural estates. Simple and effective, it belonged to the Serra de Tramuntana landscape as much as the stone paths and terraces. Tuning into this modest heritage, while also experiencing Mallorca’s more refined side, brings a sense of balance to the trip.
The festivals of the Dimoni and their hidden symbolism
In the same way, the peace and silence found in protected spaces such as S’Albufera Natural Park pairs naturally with plans full of celebration. In Mallorca, the Dimoni is not associated with evil, but with the chaos needed to create order. A central figure in festivities such as Sant Antoni or Sant Sebastià, this guardian devil moves through the streets amid bonfires, music, and satire. These celebrations blend pagan and Christian traditions, shaped by the agricultural cycle and the return of light after winter. Because for Mallorcans, fire does not burn; it purifies.
Gastronomic curiosities that define its identity
Ensaimada: from local dessert to international symbol
Baked in Mallorca’s traditional kitchens, the ensaimada has grown from a festive family treat into one of the island’s best-known specialties. Since the 17th century, its light, spiral-shaped dough has traveled far beyond Mallorca, earning a place on lists of the world’s best desserts. Trying one in a historic bakery in Palma or Valldemossa is a reminder that simplicity, when done properly, can make a lasting impression without trying too hard.
“Pa amb oli,” a staple that captures Mediterranean life
Pa amb olicaptures Mediterranean life in a few simple ingredients: brown bread, ramellet tomato, olive oil, and, if desired, Mahón cheese or sobrasada. It started as a rural staple and today appears just as naturally alongside other options in popular brunch spots. In cafés across Palma and in coastal villages, it is celebrated, adapted, and enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Eating well here is less about fuss and more about respecting local ingredients and taking care of your own well-being.
Sobrasada and its tradition-protected recipe
Authentic Mallorcan sobrasada sticks to tradition. Made with pork, paprika, and salt, it received Protected Geographical Indication status in 1996, reflecting how paprika from the Americas shaped Mallorcan cuisine. After it is prepared, it is left to cure slowly in porxos and pantries. Try it at Iberostar Selection Llaut Palma, a Mallorca hotel popular with travelers who plan their stays around good food. Its Mediterranean-Japanese fusion restaurant, Katagi Blau, is a pioneer in omakase.
Mallorcan wine, a jewel revived after centuries
Vine cultivation on this Balearic island dates back to Roman times, although for centuries it became little more than a footnote due to crises and plagues such as phylloxera. The good news is that areas like Binissalem and Pla i Llevant are experiencing a renaissance in Mallorcan wine, thanks to native grape varieties such as Manto Negro and Callet. Small wineries and a contemporary vision, still tied to memory, have restored wine to its place within Mallorca’s gastronomy.
Unique corners few travelers know
The hidden village of Deià, home to artists and writers
The hidden village of Deià, tucked into the Serra de Tramuntana, has drawn artists since the early 20th century. Writers like Robert Graves came here for inspiration and solitude. John Lennon, who was detained in Mallorca in 1971, stayed nearby, adding to the village’s bohemian lore. Even today, Deià preserves a slower, freer, more cultured rhythm. Visit to see a different side of Mallorca.
Formentor lighthouse and the road once thought impossible to build
Inaugurated in 1863, Formentor lighthouse stands above one of the Balearic Islands’ most dramatic landscapes. For decades, the terrain made building a road there seem impossible, until engineering advances finally made it possible in the mid-20th century. The drive is part of the experience, with views that feel as memorable as the lighthouse itself. Nearby trails lead through pine forests and along cliff edges for hikers who want to explore responsibly. Afterwards, unwind at Iberostar Selection Playa de Muro Village, one of the best five-star hotels in Mallorca for combining active travel and self-care.
Sant Elm, the town where time seems to stand still
Imagine Mediterranean landscapes paired with a well-earned stay at a spa hotel in Mallorca, where the pace finally softens. In Sant Elm, time seems to matter a little less. This small town in the island’s southwest, facing the distinctive silhouette of Sa Dragonera, has a calm that feels timeless. Short, narrow streets, clear-water beaches, and long sunsets invite you to slow down and remember that moving without hurry is a privilege.
Dragonera island and its pirate legend
Sa Dragonera, a Natural Park since 1995, owes its name to the dragon-like silhouette it draws on the horizon and to pirate legends that describe it as a hideout and lookout point. Located off Sant Elm, it features small coves and storybook trails, ideal for planning child-friendly excursions from family hotels in Mallorca. Its protected waters are also considered among the best diving spots on the island.
Mallorca has a thousand secrets, and each one deserves to be discovered
The “larger island” is full of customs, places, and stories that reveal themselves when you travel with care and respect for what makes Mallorca unique. Find hotels in Mallorca that feel a little different, and give yourself a reason to come back more than once.
