IN 24HRS: Mallorca
Updated: 6 days ago
Summary
Mallorca in 24 hours. Tell that to your seatmate on the plane and they'll look at you funny. A Mediterranean island on the other side of a peninsula on the other side of the Atlantic. What could you possibly see in a day? Well, as it turns out, quite a lot.
There is only one nonstop flight from the US to the island of Mallorca. And that is on United from Newark. Our trip starts here with a rather conveniently-timed 4pm departure...if Newark cooperates. If the flight is on-time, you should arrive into Palma's bustling airport before sunrise, and be greeted with an empty terminal. Perfect timing for the start of a long day's adventure.
Situating yourself
Passport control should not take long at the early hour of your arrival. Exit the airport and head across to the back of the parking lot and to your right (in front of the parking garage), where you'll find the bus shelters. Plan to take the frequent and easy A1 bus from the airport to the main intermodal transit station in the city center. The bus takes tap to pay with your credit/debit card on your mobile wallet. Alternatively, Uber is widely available and will cost $25-30.
You'll want to seek out luggage storage on your mapping app upon arrival at the intermodal bus station. There are multiple options including lockers inside the station.
After storing your luggage, help yourself to a well-deserved coffee inside the station, before walking the short distance into the city center.
The language in Mallorca, much like Barcelona, is Catalan. You'll find no issues speaking Spanish with most locals, however.
Morning in the Old City
Start your visit to the old city center in Plaça Major. This plaza is at the heart of the city. Feel free to branch out from the square and get lost amongst the narrow, windy, poetic streets. It's hard to stray too far from where you started within the historic center.
Eventually, get your bearings and begin to head south towards the waterfront. Sunrise should be complete by now and your view on the harbor should be of the bustle of cargo and cruise ships coming into port in the distance.
Continue your stroll along the old city walls heading west, and you'll run into the breathtaking Catedral de Mallorca. Familiar yet vastly different in design from many of the other grandiose cathedrals of southern Europe, it's hard to look away.
Keep your eye on your watch as you leave the cathedral behind and continue to stroll west. Put Passeig des Born into your mapping app, and head for the tree-lined luxury shopping center of the city. If you've been to Barcelona, you'll find this area similar to the iconic Passeig de Gràcia.
Head north under the tree canopy until you find yourself back within striking distance of Plaça Major. Head through the plaza and Mercat de l'Olivar. Here you'll find the local crowd gathering fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood for their home kitchens. Just a few blocks away you'll be back at Estació Intermodal.
The mega underground station seems out of place in the middle of a Mediterranean island, however, it's easy to see how smart planning has made it the nucleus for the city. Here, buses and trains from all over the island take people to and from the economic hub and Palma with dizzying frequencies. Today you'll be headed down to the lower basement to the bus terminal.
Time your arrival at the station for around 9am at the latest. If your flight arrives at 6am and you are in the city center by 7, keep your stroll to the aforementioned destinations to around 2hrs. It'll be you versus the crowds for this next part of your journey.
A day trip from sky to sea
Once inside the bus terminal, look at the monitors for the 204 bus heading for Port de Sóller. You'll likely encounter a long line, which may mean waiting another 30 min for the next bus. Once onboard, you can again use tap to pay from your mobile wallet. Be sure to use the same card as you did on your bus from the airport. Your trips for the day will be combined into one singular charge on the card.
Take the first seat you can on the bus, amid the mad dash of commuters and villagers heading home from Palma. You'll be getting comfortable for the next 40-50 minutes.
The bus will soon exit the underground station and head onto the bustling city streets. Expect any remaining room on the bus to be quickly taken up as the bus makes a few more stops on city streets. Then, you'll head out of Palma's center onto the highway. The industrial outskirts of the city might make you think you never left Newark, if only for a second.
Keep your eyes on your map as you head into the iconic mountain tunnels just outside your destination, Sóller. You'll start your adventure in the stunning town nestled in a mountain valley just miles from the sea.
Your stop will be the first coming out of the tunnel, on the side of the main highway just outside of town. You'll have to request the stop, however, you likely won't be the only one getting off. Make sure to tap out when you depart this bus, unlike the airport bus, which only requires a tap in.
Walk roughly 15 minutes downhill from the bus stop to Plaça Constitució, in the center of town. Here you'll encounter the tracks of the iconic Ferrocarril de Sóller, running historic wooden cars from Palma through the mountains down to the sea. You may opt to enjoy your day via this train, if you budget a bit more time in your day. Just be sure to make advanced reservations. Bus remains the cheapest and easiest way to enjoy Sóller as part of a single day in Mallorca, in my opinion.
Plan to allow for roughly 2-3 hours in Sóller. Assuming you arrive around 10:00am, plan to leave no later than 1pm. You should have plenty of time to stroll the narrow streets lined with shops and restaurants, as well as grab a bite to eat at one of the many tapas bars.
You may also choose to trek on foot to the neighboring village of Biniarraix. The walk is mostly flat and will allow you the chance to see some of the hillside farming done on the island. Total round trip should take about an hour.
Back in Sóller, do not miss the iconic Església de Sant Bartomeu de Sóller and Mercat-Municipal, where you'll have yet another chance to eat. Plan your departure in advance via a mapping app, so you can time the bus out of town. You'll want to head to the Sóller centre 2 stop just a little ways up the road from where you got off the bus. Here, most of the traffic heading into Sóller should be leaving, leaving you with a comfy seat for the next leg of the journey.
Take the 204 bus (or select other routes) another 15 minutes to the terminus, Port de Sóller. Rely on your mapping app for bus timing and route options. Once onboard, you'll travel through another mountain tunnel before popping out at sea level. A short walk from the bus station, you'll find the half-moon shaped bay lined with cafes and beachfront.
The atmosphere has shifted from cozy mountain village to beachfront party, all in a matter of minutes.
The best way to enjoy your time here is to buy a few cans of your favorite beverage from one of the many mini-marts, and lay out on the beach. At this point, the exhaustion from your travel day is setting in. Allow 2-3 hours here to chill and relax. You may want to start with a quick stroll around the waterfront, ending on the south end of the bay. The beach in this area gives you a better view of the open sea in the distance.
For even better views of the ocean, walk uphill towards the Citric Hotel. Be mindful of the signs, as authorities do not want you getting too close to the cliff edge.
Head back towards the bus stop by 4-4:30pm to ensure you have time for a wholesome evening back in Palma. A crowd will grow around the bus shelter prior to departure. Expect the bus to drop off incoming passengers, stop for a driver break, before pulling up a few meters to where you are waiting amongst the crowd.
Once you make your mad dash for the first available seat, settle in. Traffic heading back into Palma will make the ride take up to an hour. If entering Palma Cathedral was at the top of your bucket list, make sure to depart later for Sóller or return earlier. The cathedral closes around 5pm. This is one attraction that does not make the cut with this packed itinerary.
A vibey evening in Palma
Once you arrive back in Palma, the city should be much more crowded than you experienced before, upon your early morning arrival. Head for La Viniloteca, a wine and music shop in the shadow of another one of the city's historic churches. Enjoy a glass outside on the street, at the recommendation of the shopkeeper.
This is now the perfect time for a stroll back onto the Passeig des Born for a little shopping, before restaurants begin to open for dinner. Most restaurants will not start serving until after 8pm in the city.
Head just west to the La Llotja neighborhood. Take a stroll through the impossibly narrow streets in search of one of the many sophisticated eateries or tapas bars. You'll have no trouble finding something memorable.
As dinner wraps up, remember to collect your luggage. United's flight does not operate daily, so booking a budget flight to Barcelona is your best option if you'd like to return to the US the next morning. Late night flights are frequent and cheap.
If you plan to stay the night, expect limited budget accommodation options during peak summer season. The evening in Mallorca is best spent strolling the streets and people watching.
This itinerary may seem daunting, but with a little bit of research and planning, can be perfectly attainable for a memorable day in the big city, a mountain village, and by the seaside.
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