Is Mallorca on your wishlist for a glorious summer holiday escape? This charming Balearic Island offers a wealth of attractions and experiences for people of all age groups and interests. Whether you’re dreaming of a family holiday or a romantic break, you’ll find a wonderful mix of beaches, outdoor activities, history, culture, and delicious cuisine. TLTB founder, Susie Marquis, shares her expert tips on the island’s best resorts and the top luxury villas to rent in Mallorca.
Star attractionsFly and flop if you want to (and who could blame you?) but for those looking for great experiences beyond the beautiful beaches, Mallorca offers many other charms. Lovers of history, art, food, and wine will find plenty to whet their appetite. Mallorca has a well-deserved international reputation for great gastronomy and superb local wines, and also shopping, including delicious local food products, tempting artisan-made goods, and fashion. For the latter, the island is particularly known for its high-quality leather goods, including bags and footwear. There’s also a good choice of sporting activities on land and sea, ranging from hiking, cycling and golf, to yachting, sailing lessons and canoeing.
PollensaWith its sandy, child-friendly beaches, many with a great selection of activities, Mallorca is a perfect choice for a family holiday.  In the north of the island, the pretty, historic town of Pollensa and its surrounding countryside, is very popular for holidaymakers. It’s also a short drive (10 -15 minutes) to the beautiful sandy beaches of Puerto Pollensa and Alcudia. Both beaches offer many activities, including boat rentals, windsurfing equipment, kayaking, and paddleboarding.  The countryside around Pollensa town offers some great outdoor pursuits, including hiking up the Puig de Pollensa, and cycling. The popular 9-hole Pollensa Golf Club is just 2 km from Pollensa town and benefits from spectacular views of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains and the bays of Pollensa and Alcúdia.  There’s a market in the centre of Pollensa, selling fruit and vegetables, as well as jewellery, leather articles and clothing, every Sunday morning. In Puerto Pollensa, the market is in the main square every Wednesday morning, and in Alcudia there’s a twice-weekly market on both Sunday and Tuesday mornings. 
Port d’Andratx Another popular area by the sea (and offering an 18-hole championship golf course) is Port d’Andratx in the southwest of the island. Port d’Andratx is a very upmarket resort that has retained its traditional, picturesque fishing village character which further enhances its appeal. The beautiful hillside villas to rent here are in wonderful positions benefitting from views of the port and the sea. The fishing industry in Port d’Andratx provides fresh fish to many of the tempting bars and restaurants that line the water’s edge. There are also a few bathing areas and coves for swimming, while the nearby resorts of Camp de Mar and Sant Elm offer larger sandy beaches with sunbeds and beach umbrellas for hire. Several companies operate boat trips, including Carlo Mar which offers half-day, full-day, and sunset tours on a traditional Mallorcan boat. Many can also arrange snorkeling and fishing trips, and a short boat trip over to the small island and nature reserve of Sa Dragonera. 
Deia Deia is another of our favourites for its location, beauty and views. It also has an interesting history – it’s been home to many famous artists, writers, and musicians, including Robert Graves and Chopin. The original house of Robert Graves is now the Robert Graves Museum and open to visitors. Just a 15-minute drive away, you’ll find the Museum Chopin in the charming village of Valldemossa, home to the famous composer, who created some of his greatest compositions here.  We offer several stunning villas to rent in Deia and Valldemossa.  We also highly recommend visitors take the short walk down from Deia village to the beach at Cala Deia, with its large boulders and crystal-clear water. In this idyllic setting, you can enjoy some seafood dining at C’as Patro del March restaurant. The beach and restaurant were also the location of the popular TV adaption, The Night Manager based on the famous book by John Le Carré.  
Port de SollerA 20-minute drive north of Deia, is the picturesque coastal village of Port de Soller, built originally as a seaport for the town of Soller, 3 km inland. The setting at Port de Soller is impressive, surrounded by the peaks of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, and with a pretty bay and beach lined with restaurants, bars and cafés. There’s also an old San Francisco-style tram which travels between Port de Sóller and Soller. Set in a valley of citrus fruits (known as the Valley of the Oranges), Soller is a pretty town of narrow streets lined with beautiful traditional-style houses, and with a pretty main square, Plaça Constitució. As well as various cafés, the square also hosts traditional Mallorcan fairs throughout the year, and a regular Saturday market filled with stalls selling (unsurprisingly!) delicious citrus products, including marmalades and jams, juices, and liqueurs. The town is also home to an art gallery, Can Prunera, which features a permanent Modernist art collection with works by national and international artists such as Picasso, Miró, Matisse, Basquiat, Toulouse-Lautrec and Klee. For those wishing to visit Soller on a day trip, there’s a train experience from Palma, on the historic railway which has connected Palma and Soller since 1911. 
For wine enthusiasts, we can recommend visiting the town of Binissalem, nestled in the countryside between Palma and Pollensa, and known for its surrounding vineyards. It’s worth checking out the local wineries here, as many offer tours and tastings. There is also a popular wine festival here in September. A 20-minute drive south of Binissalem will bring you to the capital of the island, Palma, where you can enjoy exploring the city’s narrow streets, historic palaces and courtyards, art galleries, and stunning Modernista and Art Nouveau architecture. Joan Miró is an example of the many artists who have been inspired by the beauty and light on the island, and his wonderful legacy can be viewed at the Fundación Pilar I Joan Miró de Palma. Palma offers a wide range of permanent and temporary exhibitions and annual events to enjoy contemporary art, including the Es Baluard Museu d’Art Modern I Contemporani de Palma, and don’t miss a visit to the magnificent Majorca Cathedral, a wonderful example of Majorcan Gothic architecture, and one of the most architecturally renowned buildings in Europe. 
Five of the best luxury villas to rent in MallorcaThe gorgeous 5-bedroom Casa Esporles is located just a five-minute walk from the very charming mountain village of Esporles, within the UNESCO World Heritage Tramuntana Mountain Range. Guests here can enjoy the authentic local restaurants and bars, beautiful mountains walking trails, and the famous Tramuntana cycle routes. Palma airport is just a 25-minute drive from the property and the nearest beaches are a 20-minute drive away.  
One of the finest large villas to rent in Mallorca is Vista Andratx– a 6-bedroom property in a wonderful location, benefitting from panoramic views of the Tramuntana mountain range, the port, and the sea beyond. With easy access to some of the best restaurants and beach clubs in Mallorca, this is an excellent luxury villa to rent for large groups and families looking for a private retreat close to the action.  
Check out the beautiful 4-bedroom Can Begonia. This traditional Finca-style villa is situated in the countryside just outside the traditional town of Santa Maria, and around a 12-minute drive from the vineyards at Binissalem. Palma, to the south, and Pollensa to the north, are both within a 30-minute drive. With very pretty gardens and a swimming pool, it’s perfect for a relaxing holiday. 
Another 4-bedroom peach of a property is Finca Llubi. Just a five-minute drive from the small, historic town of Llubi, known for its traditional Mallorcan architecture, welcoming cafés, and beautiful surrounding countryside, guests will also be just a 10-minute drive from Can Picafort, one of the best beaches on the island. With breathtaking views over Llubi, the villa offers the perfect retreat for a peaceful and relaxing holiday.
Just a few minutes drive from the centre of Port d’Andratx, Cala Llamp sits in a quiet cul-de-sac, within 2000m2 of private grounds and surrounded by nature. Situated in the southwest of the island, this impressive 6-bedroom villa is within easy reach of the centre of Port d’Andratx. Right on the coast, the property benefits from breathtaking views of the sea and sunsets, stretching as far as Ibiza in the distance. Guests will love the infinity swimming pool and Jacuzzi, where the views can be enjoyed in complete tranquillity.
We also offer many more beautiful villas to rent in Mallorca and other island locations: Ibiza, Greek Islands – Hydra, Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu, Croatian Islands – Korcula, Brac, HvarSign up for a bi-monthly newsletter in which we share our latest luxury listings and unique travel itineraries here.