Excursions and guided tours in Mallorca

Mallorca is far more than its famous beach resorts. The largest of the Balearic Islands packs over 550 km of coastline, UNESCO-protected mountain ranges, historic towns, hidden coves and world-class hiking trails into a surface small enough to drive across in a couple of hours. Whether you're visiting for a week or planning a second home here, the real joy of Mallorca is how many different islands fit inside the same island.

Here's a curated guide to the excursions that genuinely capture what makes Mallorca special — not just the postcards, but the experiences that keep owners coming back year after year.

Why Mallorca deserves a second look (and a second home)

Mallorca has been a second-home destination for decades, and the reasons are structural: mild Mediterranean climate, reliable direct flights from most European capitals, a mature tourism infrastructure, and a UNESCO World Heritage mountain range (the Serra de Tramuntana) that runs the entire northwest coast.

The island also offers genuine geographic variety. You can spend the morning on a cliff-top hike in the Tramuntana, have lunch in a medieval village, and watch the sunset from a turquoise cove — all within the same day. For owners, that variety is what keeps a second home in Mallorca from ever feeling repetitive.

Post-pandemic, Mallorca has also become a serious base for remote work and extended stays, thanks to solid connectivity, a growing international community, and good schools in Palma. The buyer profile has broadened well beyond the traditional summer tourist.

Nine excursions that capture the real Mallorca

1. The Sóller train and tram

A wooden train from 1912 that runs from Palma to the town of Sóller, crossing the Serra de Tramuntana through tunnels and switchbacks. Once in Sóller, a vintage tram continues down to the port. It's touristy, yes — and also genuinely worth it, especially if you prefer experiences over Instagram spots.

2. Coves of Drach (Cuevas del Drach)

One of Europe's most impressive cave systems, near Porto Cristo on the east coast. The visit includes an underground lake concert (Lake Martel, one of the largest underground lakes in the world), and the caves maintain a steady temperature year-round. Local legend speaks of a dragon that supposedly lived in them — hence the name.

3. Cala del Moro (and neighbouring Cala S'Almunia)

A tiny, postcard-perfect cove on the southeast coast — white sand, turquoise water, framed by two rock walls. It fills up quickly in peak season due to its small size, so arrive early. The adjacent Cala S'Almunia is even more discreet and often less crowded.

4. Bellver Castle

A 14th-century Gothic castle built by King Jaume II, perched on a hill above Palma. Rare for Europe: it has a circular floor plan, one of the few of its kind on the continent. From the top you get panoramic views over Palma Bay, the Tramuntana, and the plains of central Mallorca. Three kilometres from central Palma and accessible on foot or by car.

5. Cap de Formentor

The northernmost tip of Mallorca, reached via the Ma-2210 road from Port de Pollença — one of the most scenic drives in the Mediterranean, winding through cliffs that drop straight into the sea. Several stops along the way (Mirador es Colomer in particular) offer views that locals consistently rank among the best in Spain.

6. Sa Dragonera Natural Park

A small uninhabited island off the western tip of Mallorca, reachable by boat from Sant Elm or Port d'Andratx. Protected nature reserve with walking trails, rugged cliffs, and a genuine sense of isolation — only daytime visits are allowed, and the boat traffic is regulated.

7. Cabrera Archipelago

A separate national park south of Mallorca, accessible by boat from Colonia Sant Jordi. Protected marine ecosystem, a small historic castle, and some of the clearest waters in the Mediterranean. Visitor numbers are strictly capped, which is exactly why it has remained pristine — book in advance.

8. Torrent de Pareis

A legendary canyon hike in the Serra de Tramuntana, starting near Escorca and descending through a narrow gorge to the sea at Sa Calobra. Approximately 7 km with significant elevation loss and scrambling over rocks — moderate-to-demanding, 5–7 hours, and not suitable in rainy weather or after heavy rainfall. One of the most iconic hikes in the western Mediterranean.

9. Sailing the northwest coast

The stretch between Port de Sóller and Cap de Formentor is spectacular from the water — steep Tramuntana cliffs, hidden coves like Sa Calobra and Cala Tuent, and a sunset perspective you simply don't get from land. Day charters out of Port d'Andratx, Palma or Port de Sóller are easy to arrange.

Live Mallorca like an owner, not a tourist

With VIVLA, you don't need to book another hotel in Mallorca. You can own a fraction of a carefully selected luxury home on the island and come back year after year, for several weeks each year, to a property that's genuinely yours — fully managed, so you just arrive with a key and unpack.

For owners, the island unlocks differently. You stop booking "summer in Mallorca" as a one-week holiday and start treating it as a base — a spring weekend for hiking the Tramuntana, a family week in August, a September escape once the crowds have left, Christmas in a Palma townhouse. Ownership changes the cadence.

Explore the current VIVLA homes in Mallorca and other prime Spanish destinations, or learn how the co-ownership model works in practice.