Majorca holidays

In the north coast resort of Puerto Pollensa, you’ll find Playa d’Albercuix. More than one kilometre in length, this is a beach of two halves. Over to the west, things are more lively and energetic, while the eastern end of the beach is quiet and peaceful. Strolling along the palm-lined promenade behind the beach makes for a nice walk, with beautiful views of the rugged hills in the distance.

Cala Bona, on Majorca’s east coast, offers a smaller and quieter beachfront than you’ll find in Cala Millor. There are no watersports at this 500-metre beach, but there is plenty of soft, fine sand that’s perfect for sunbathing on. The promenade behind the beach is an attraction in itself. The palm-lined boardwalk features a wide variety of restaurants, bars, souvenir shops and small supermarkets.

Located just outside the busy capital of Palma is Playa Punta Portals, in the Portals Nous area. This 150-metre long sandy beach is nestled in a small bay. The waters are very calm and protected, and ideal for families. There are no watersports here, so kids can swim without fear of motorised equipment. Things are very laidback and low-key here, allowing you to enjoy the slow, relaxed island life in Majorca.

Many towns in Majorca have market days, so it’s well worth asking around to find out when local vendors will be setting up in your area. You can pick up all sorts of bargains here, like handmade jewellery, artworks and crafts. And if you visit one of Majorca’s bigger resorts in the summer, you can check out one of the fun night markets where you’ll find local Majorca-inspired trinkets and gifts.

Not sure what to bring back home from your holiday in Majorca? Some of the best souvenirs from the island are local products, like olive oil, olive wood, Majorcan pearls, and alcoholic drinks such as Herbes de Majorca, and the orange-flavoured Angel d’Or. Baked clay sculptures are also popular. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and according to local legend they’re believed to chase away evil spirits.

For designer buys, there’s nowhere better than Majorca’s capital, Palma. Head straight to Passeig des Born, which is one of the most exclusive streets in the city. There are many designer stores here, including Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, and Mulberry. Don’t forget to check out the stores inside the Spanish shopping centre chain El Corte Ingles, which has a mall located right here in Palma.

If you’re travelling with the kids, you’ll be pleased to hear that outside of Magaluf, Majorca nightlife is generally very low-key and family-friendly. The traditional Spanish tapas bars are ideal for laidback nights, with great food, great wine, and a chance to get to know the locals. If you’re really looking for quiet and peaceful nights, consider staying up on the north coast of Majorca. Destinations like Puerto Pollensa are tucked away from the larger and more lively resorts of the eastern and southern coasts.

While the capital city of Palma certainly has plenty of bars and clubs, there’s nowhere like Magaluf when it comes to Majorca nightlife. The Magaluf strip, or Punta Ballena, is home to bars, clubs, and karaoke joints that stay open until around 6am. The neon lights of the strip are impossible to miss, and with so many venues, it’s easy to bar-hop along the street and check out all the different entertainments on offer. Things kick off late here, so try your hotel bar for some aperitifs before hitting the club scene.

The cuisine in Majorca is a mix of Spanish, Catalan, Valencian, and Mediterranean flavours. The local diet is based on vegetables, beans, plenty of olive oil and local wine, and, of course, a generous helping of fresh seafood. While there’s lots of fresh fish on offer, grouper and lobster are some of the most popular dishes.

If you’re heading to a typical Majorcan restaurant but don’t know what to order, don’t worry. There are many delicious dishes available across the island. Sobrassada is a spreadable cured sausage, a little like a soft chorizo. Or try the local soup, sopa mallorquina, which is a favourite in the cool mountain regions.

If you’re travelling with kids, or anyone with a sweet tooth, they’ll love the sweet breads and pastries in Majorca. Bunyols are a popular breakfast food, a bit like small doughnuts. Ensaimada is a similar pastry-based treat, topped with icing sugar. You can also get these filled and covered in cream.

The dining in Majorca is a little different to that in Ireland. In Spain, and across the Spanish islands, many meals are eaten in a slow, social style. Tapas meals involve lots of different dishes, served on small plates that are shared by the table. Dinners here can last for hours, with all sorts of different foods to sample.

While wine and beers are common accompaniments to meals, the Majorcans typically finish a meal with a glass of the local liqueur. Herbes de Majorca is a herbal liqueur with a strong anise flavour, a bit like Greek ouzo. The taste is mellowed a little with the addition of mint, rosemary, fennel, and lemon.