Easter holidays are when we usually escape Belgium for a warmer and sunnier part of Europe. This year, we finally managed to arrange a trip together with our good friends and their children. Plane tickets to the Canary Islands were too expensive, so we opted for one of the Balearic islands instead - Mallorca.
Just like during our stay in Lanzarote (read here), we rented a car so we could move freely around the island. We chose Sa Coma, just south of Cala Millor, as our base because we found a resort that we liked that fit our budget. Otherwise, Alcudia Bay area is a popular choice for families if you want to stay close to the beach. If shopping and culture are your priorities, it's best to be based yourself in Palma. And if you're looking for a less crowded but picturesque base, pick one of the mountain towns like Deia or Valldemossa.
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| Sa Coma Beach, the backyard of our hotel |
Day 1: East of the Island
Our first day on the island was Easter Sunday, so we took it slowly and enjoyed a big Easter breakfast together at the hotel. We also decided to explore the side of the island closest to us.
Cuevas del Drach. A truly unique experience for our families. The kids have always loved caves, and this one includes a visit to the cave with a classical concert. The musicians play their instruments on small boats floating on the underground waters in front of a natural auditorium. Given that it's inside a cave, the acoustics are truly wonderful. The concert is held once every hour, so entrance ticket are sold in hourly slot and can be ordered in advance here.
Porto Cristo. Within walking distance from Cuevas del Drach is this old, picturesque fishing town, well worth a visit. We had lunch at a lovely restaurant called Vibes by Quince with a full view of the cliffs and shoreline. While we waited for our food, the four kids went swimming at the beach just across from the restaurant.
Cuevas dels Hams. If your family is really into underground caves, why not visit a second cave on the same day? Cuevas dels Hams is located in Porto Cristo. The underground lighting has been recently upgraded, and you can get a combo ticket with Dinosaurland.
Dinosaurland. You could skip this without regret, but we had time (and the energy) so we spent a couple of hours here, right by the entrance to Cuevas dels Hams. It's essentially a park with a walking path featuring life-size dinosaur sculptures, along with information you can read about each one.
Day 2: West of the Island
Our main activity for the day was experiencing the wooden tram ride in Soller, so we planned the day around it and caught the glimpses of the surrounding towns. We let the kids have some extra fun playing beach volleyball in the morning, so we started the day a bit later.
Soller Old Town. One of the most beautiful Mallorcan towns, located in the northwest of the island, also known as the "orange valley" because of its vast orange orchards. It's a town that deserves a full day of exploring, but we spent the morning wandering through its alleys and tried its bakeries before hopping on the old tram. The historic wooden tram (from 1913) leaves from the main town square every hour and takes you through streets, squares, orchards, along the Soller Bay, and finally to the Port de Soller. The ride costs 10 euros per person one way, and it's easy to park your car in one of the parking areas in Soller.
Port de Soller. We aimed to arrive by lunchtime and chose a nice beachfront restaurant where the children could play freely on the beach. The promenade is full of restaurants, cocktail bars, cafes and shops, making it easy to spend a relaxing afternoon - especially with a pitcher of sangria.
Deia. We skipped Deia to return to the resort and give the children more time at the beach, but if you have the energy for an extra stop, it's definitely worth visiting. It's one of Mallorca's most treasured mountain villages and apparently less touristy and more laid back.
Day 3: North of the Island
Alcudia. On the way to Cap de Formentor, it's a good idea to stop at the Old Town of Alcudia, a medieval Roman town surrounded by a city wall - which you can walk on.
Cap de Formentor. This is the northern tip of the island, where the end of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range meets the Mediterranean Sea. We reached it easily by car since we visited in April, but it's worth noting that Cap de Formentor is not accessible by car from June to September - during the summer peak season. The drive is jaw-droppingly scenic, and there's a small parking lot near the watchtower. It's said that sunset is the most magical time to visit, but we went in the morning to avoid the crowds.
Pollensa. Since Cap de Formentor is located in Pollensa peninsula, we decided to spend the rest of the day in Pollensa Old Town after enjoying the views. This is yet another picturesque mountain town, known as the "artists' colony", as writers, painters, and musicians discovered it in the early 20th century, and many settled there. This is where we found a homely restaurant on one of its small alleys and enjoyed paella.
The Calvari Steps. The impressive Roman stairway consists of 365 steps, one for each day of the year. Don't fret, despite the number, the ascent is not as difficult as you might imagine, even for kids. The steps are gentle, with benches and spots along the way to rest. The view is breathtaking, and the houses you pass during the climb are beautiful. We climbed during the day, but apparently the steps are illuminated at night and feel very romantic. The stairway leads up to the Calvary Chapel, with a small cafe nearby where you can even enjoy a drink.
Day 4: Palma
Palma de Mallorca city centre. I personally think that Palma deserves several days on its own, so we didn't quite do it justice by visiting just before heading to the airport. I think our family would need a separate trip, staying in the city to explore it properly - therefore a separate blog entry. The Cathedral is maginificent - probably the most famous landmark of Palma, Bellver Castle offers amazing views of the city, and the Royal palace, the official summer residence of the Spanish Royal family, is definitely worth a stroll.
Palma Aquarium. If you've been following our travels, you know that we have a thing for aquariums - we've visited one in almost every city we've been to (even New York City!). Since Palma Aquarium is located just next to the airport, we decided to end our adventure here before returning the car. With over 55 tanks, including a massive shark tank, you could easily spend hours here.