Mallorca in 2 Days: everything you need to know

The largest of the Balearic Islands boasts natural gems of the highest order: historic fishing villages, dream beaches and coves, a variety of caves and underground rivers, lively nightlife, plus a pleasant climate almost all year round.

Despite this wealth of attractions, I promise you that in 2 days you can condense the best things to do in Mallorca. You just need to be well organised and have a good itinerary prepared.

Mallorca can be reached by air or by sea, as it is an easily accessible island. For starters, there are direct flight connections from all major cities in Spain and several in Europe.

You can also travel by ferry from Cabrera, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, any of its Balearic sisters. Once you get from the airport to Palma, get up early to make the most of your visit.

This first day will be largely devoted to exploring Palma's old town. There are sublime monuments that you should not miss, such as the Church of Santo Tomás, the gardens of S'Hort del Rei, Bellver Castle and the Jewish quarter.

After the tour, considered one of the best tours in Mallorca, I recommend that you spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach.

Stroll around El Borne

The morning tour is less than 1 km long and starts at the Plaza del Rey Juan Carlos I. Also known as the Plaza de las Tortugas (turtle square). Also known as the Plaza de las Tortugas, it winds its way past shops, fountains and stone sphinxes surrounded by leafy trees until it reaches the Plaza de la Reina, where restaurants and terraces mark the end of this pedestrian walkway. Walk along the Paseo del Borne especially if you are visiting Mallorca at Christmas time.

Visit the Lonja of Palma de Mallorca

Built to be the main mercantile hall in Mallorca, this building became one of the greatest exponents of civil Gothic architecture in the Balearic Islands.

The nave crowned by high ribbed vaults and the harmonious buildings that make up the Lonja de Palma are architectural references in Spain.

• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10:30 am - 1:30 pm and 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm from April-October. Tuesday to Sunday 10:30 - 13:30 hours and 16:00-18:00 hours from November-March.
• Price: free of charge.

Get to know the Almudaina Palace

A little more than 5 minutes from the previous site is the Almudaina Palace, which opens onto the citadel and is where the Spanish monarchy usually resides during the summer months.

In addition, the signature Gothic stamp of this imposing palace welcomes visitors to the historic centre of Mallorca.

• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday between 10:00 - 18:00 hours from October - March. Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 - 19:00 hours from open-September.
• Price: From 7€.

Visit Palma Cathedral

Next to the palace is the icon of the capital for more than eight centuries, Palma Cathedral.

La Seu, as it is known to Mallorcans, is a monumental Gothic temple dedicated to the Virgin Mary and has wonderful views over the bay of Palma.

The Cathedral of Light was built over 300 years and the involvement of Antoni Gaudí and Miguel Barceló resulted in a beautiful site that is well worth a guided tour.

• Opening hours: Monday to Friday between 10:00-17:15 hours and Saturdays between 10:00-14:15 hours from November-March. Monday to Saturday between 10:00-15:15 from April-October.
• Price: From 9€.

Grab a bite to eat and get ready for the afternoon

After finishing your morning tour of the historic centre, it's time to grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants in the centre.

Once you have finished, you can rent a car, a motorbike - in the port and at the airport you will find the main companies and you can rent a car from 17 € per day - or you can takepublic transport.

I recommend that you hire a means of getting around on your own, especially as public transport timetables may affect your itinerary. Time is running out and the intention is to enjoy the island as much as possible.

Afternoon between coves and beaches

Once you've sorted out your transport, head south along the coast. It is only 80 km to Colonia de Sant Jordi, where there are also different accommodation options.

This first afternoon will be spent among beaches and coves. The main recommended stops are:

• Cala Beltrán.
• Cala Pi beach.
• Ses Covetes beach.
• Es Trenc beach

All of them are located between imposing cliffs, have shallow crystalline waters, easy access to restaurants and you can go paddle surfing, kayaking, snorkelling and even go jet skiing.

But if you just want to lie on the golden sand with an idyllic panorama on this first day, I recommend spending the afternoon on the unspoilt beach of Es Trenc. It is the most popular beach in the south of Mallorca and is the largest nudist beach in the Ensenada de la Rápita.

If you prefer a beach suitable for the whole family, with a quiet atmosphere, views and services similar to those offered by Es Trenc, plan your excursion in Mallorca with children directly to Playa Ses Covetes, another unspoilt beach located just 5 km from Es Trenc.

Spend the night in Sant Jordi

As the sun sets, head to Colonia de Sant Jordi, a seaside resort where you'll find a hundred or so accommodation options, restaurants and a wide variety of leisure activities.

It is ideal for getting to know the Mallorcan nightlife and sleeping in a charming fishing village.

On the last day of your visit, after breakfast at your hotel, a day trip in Mallorca awaits you which includes the famous Drach Caves, water activities in the marine paradise of the east coast of Mallorca, the Mondragó National Park and a closing with a tasting of typical Mallorcan food.

You can sign up for a boat tour of Mallorca or make your own way through the winding roads on your own.

Spend the morning in the Mondragó Nature Park

There are 700 hectares of land where coves and beaches are surrounded by forests and fields.

You will be able to choose between simply enjoying a swim or doing other more active activities: snorkelling, paddle surfing, kayaking or scuba diving in crystal clear waters with rich marine fauna.

A visit to this nature reserve is one of the things to do in Mallorca in summer.

S'Amarador Beach

To the right of Cala Mondragó you will find an unspoilt beach, an idyllic attraction for visitors who want to enjoy the varied landscape of the eastern part of Mallorca with the sea at their feet and a low influx of tourists.

Here the services are somewhat limited, you have a beach bar and lifeguard so the amenities are on your side.

However, Playa S'Amarador boasts a protected environment with forests, dunes, mountains, crops, cliffs and beautiful viewpoints along its 145-metre length. This beach is the perfect place to spend time with your partner in a semi-private setting.

Mondragó Cove

This cove has everything you need to classify it as a natural Mallorcan swimming pool. There are 150 metres of shallow turquoise waters that have been awarded the blue flag.

On its fine white sand you can find parasols, sunbeds, lifeguards and a picnic area. Here children have a great time discovering the marine ecosystem with their snorkel, also available for rent.

Caló d'es Burgit

Leave the car parked at Cala Mondragó and walk along the park's path for about 800 metres. Along the route you will find interesting places such as the Mondragó Cave cavern, the Machine Gun Nest and the Alric Cave to take pictures of before reaching your next stop, Caló d'es Burgit.

Once at your final destination, you will find the smallest cove in the reserve. Despite its intricate access, it is well worth the walk, as you are surrounded by a natural treasure.

Have lunch to regain your strength

At the end of your tour of Mallorca's coves, you can have lunch at Cala Mondragó, where your car is.

Restaurant Sa Font de n'Alis is one of the options, offering fresh fish dishes at moderate prices. There is also the Cafeteria Playa Mondragó where the prices and the menu are geared towards tourists.

Afternoon of caves, museums and wine cellars

The afternoon is reserved for a tour of the most popular activities on the east coast of Mallorca around Rafael Nadal's home town of Manacor.

The beaches are left aside to make way for the wineries, underground lakes, stone houses and vineyards. To reach the first point on the route, you will have to drive about 50 kilometres north.

Drach Caves

This is a series of 25 m deep caves with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites, inside which lies the Martel Lake. The visit lasts 60 minutes.

Inside you will board a boat to cross the lake right after listening to a live classical music concert in this magical place.

Everything is included in your ticket, but always remember to book in advance, as it is one of the busiest places on the island.

• Opening times: Monday to Sunday four passes: 10:30am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:30pm from November to March. From Monday to Sunday seven passes: 10:00, 11:00, 12:00. 14:00, 15:00, 16:00 and 17:00 from April to October.
• Price: From 16€.
• Address: Carretera de les Coves, s/n, Porto Cristo.

Experience the Rafa Nadal Museum in Mallorca

It will only take you about 15 minutes to drive from the caves to Manacor, where the Rafa Nadal Museum is located.

Visitors can admire the most outstanding trophies from the career of this world tennis legend while enjoying an interactive environment that allows them to compete virtually with world-class figures.

When you buy your tickets to the Rafa Nadal Museum in Mallorca you also have the opportunity to learn about the history of contemporary sport thanks to the memorabilia and objects contributed by great figures such as Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Cristiano Ronaldo, Roger Federer and Fernando Alonso, among others.

• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday between 10:00-18:30.
• Price: From 19€.
• Address: Carretera Cales de Mallorca s/n, Km 1,2, Manacor.

Wine tasting and/or winery visits

The world of wine is a passion and here in Mallorca it is lived from the heart. Visits to the island would not be complete without a stop at the main wineries in the area.

Winery tours usually last 90 minutes and include wine tastings. Highlights in Manacor include:

• Vinos y bodegas Pere Seda: Located at Calle Cid Campeador, 22. Price of the visit starts at 15€. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday 09:00-15:00 hours, Friday 09:00-14:00 hours.
• La bodega Mandia Vell: It is located in Carretera Manacor-Porto Cristo km 5,5. Prices depend on the chosen activity and you have to book in advance by writing to bodega@mandia-vell.com or calling +34 674 30 04 03.
• Vins Miquel Gelabert: C/ Salas, 50. The price of the visit is around 25€ and the opening hours are from Monday to Friday between 09:00-17:00 hours and Saturdays from 10:00-13:00 hours.

Say goodbye to Mallorca with a gastronomic tour in the evening

After your visit to the wineries, you must succumb to the charms of Mallorcan cuisine. Just as important as the coves, caves and cliffs, you must complete your visit with one of Mallorca's gastronomic tours.

Try their tapas with sobrasada, include ensaimadas, tumbet or frito mallorquín... there are options for all tastes and wines are the order of the day.

A dinner like the locals is a must to complete the list of things to do in Mallorca in the evening.