When to go
May, June, and September are the sweet spot — warm, dry, and the crowds are thinner than July/August. October stays swimmable and the light turns golden. November through February is quiet, cool (10-16°C), and the mountain villages feel like a different country. Avoid early August unless you have a fixed booking — coastal towns are at capacity and prices spike 40%.
Where to base yourself
Palma for city + culture + nightlife within walking distance. Sóller and the Tramuntana villages (Deià, Valldemossa, Fornalutx) for hiking, light, and slower pace. Pollença and Alcúdia in the northeast for family beaches and Roman history. Es Trenc and the south for the Caribbean-feeling beaches. Don't try to do all four in one trip — pick two regions and explore each properly.
Best beaches and calas
Cala Mondragó and Caló des Moro in the south for postcard turquoise (arrive before 10am or after 5pm — both are TikTok-famous now). Es Trenc for white sand and length. Sa Calobra for the drama of the drive in. Cala Tuent if you want Sa Calobra without the crowds. Playa de Muro for families. Cala Deià for a long lunch at Ca's Patró March (book ahead).
What to eat and drink
Sobrasada (paprika-cured pork spread) on toasted bread is the local breakfast. Frito mallorquín, tumbet, and arroz brut are the canonical home-style dishes. Ensaimada for breakfast, with espresso. Mallorca's wine scene punches well above its size — Binissalem and Pla i Llevant DOs produce excellent Manto Negro and Callet reds. Stop at any cellar that's open. Palma has two Michelin-star fine-dining restaurants and dozens of strong neighborhood places — Forn de Sant Joan, La Bóveda, and Ca'n Eduardo are reliable.
Getting around
Rent a car. Public transport is fine in Palma but limited everywhere else, and the mountain roads + cala access points need a car. Book the rental 2-3 months ahead in summer. The Tren de Sóller (vintage wooden train Palma → Sóller) is a tourist experience worth doing once. Avoid driving in Palma's old town — park outside and walk.
Don't miss
The drive from Andratx to Pollença along the Ma-10 (the Tramuntana coastal road) — one of the great Mediterranean drives. Cap de Formentor at sunset. The market in Sineu on Wednesday mornings. Dinner at sa Foradada in summer (boat or hike-in only). The Caves of Drach with the underground concert. Palma cathedral at the spring/autumn equinox light show.