9 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Mallorca
What Not to Do in Mallorca on Your 1st Visit
Some mistakes people make when visiting Mallorca can be avoided by simply knowing a bit more about the culture and what the island has to offer beyond gorgeous beaches. It’s a popular summer getaway, but did you know that the island is great to visit year-round?
This guide helps shed light on some slight misconceptions as well as a few common pitfalls visitors often face, all so that you can better plan your own visit to this most popular of the Balearic Islands. Read on to learn more and to ensure your vacation is enjoyable and hassle-free.
9 mistakes people make when visiting Mallorca
- Planning to visit only in summer
- Underestimating the heat
- Packing only for the beach
- Going for lunch or dinner too early
- Not carrying enough cash
- Falling for timeshare scams
- Drinking in the streets of Magaluf
- Exploring only Palma
- Sticking to beaches and missing the World Heritage Site
1. Planning to visit only in summer
Autumn, winter, and spring are also great times to go
Categoría: De aventura, Parejas, Familias
Mallorca is known for its great collection of beaches which attract regular crowds, especially in the summer months of June through September. In other seasons though, hotel rates tend to be more competitive and there’s plenty of action and adventure to enjoy without the sweltering heat of summer. It’s a great year-round island destination.
Off-season sightseeing in the capital city of Palma is great with the milder temperatures and quieter streets. You’ll have cleaner shots of gorgeous landmarks such as the Santa María cathedral and it’ll be much easier to bargain at markets. In inland destinations, enjoy pleasant hiking and visit charming rural villages set against serene landscapes.
Planning to visit only in summer
2. Underestimating the heat
Mallorca’s summer sun can be relentless
Categoría: De aventura, Parejas, Familias
Summers in Mallorca can get quite hot, so don’t underestimate the heat. The temperatures can reach 40°C and the water off some beaches is around 29°C. Even when the mercury lingers around the 30s, it can still feel unbearable for sightseeing strolls or excursions inland. There have been heatwaves in the past with authorities urging visitors to refrain from taking hiking trips in the mountains.
Avoid getting sunburnt on the beach and remember to pack the right, light clothing for your visit. Also importantly, bring enough water to keep you hydrated during your time exploring.
Underestimating the heat
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3. Packing only for the beach
Shorts and sandals are best reserved only for the beach
Categoría: Parejas, Familias
Besides packing for the beach during your Mallorca visit, note that it won’t be all about sun and sand. Cities like Palma are quite cosmopolitan where an “unofficial” dress code applies; simply think neat and casual. In most neighborhoods, the scene is quite fashionable.
Wearing your shorts or beach sarong around town would easily self-label you as a tourist. You’ll most likely want to include a visit to an important historical place or cathedral, so proper attire would be required. A light scarf for ladies can prove to be handy on strolls and to cover up in such cases. Dress appropriately to respect local customs.
Packing only for the beach
4. Going for lunch or dinner too early
Spanish meal times might be quite different
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Gastronomía en
Many visitors to Mallorca, and much of Spain, often need time to adjust to the unique meal times and might find themselves going for lunch or dinner too early. Sure, the more touristy neighborhoods serve lunch and dinner at times closer to what you’re probably accustomed to, but for the local and authentic dining experience, meals are served a little later.
Breakfast is often not much of a big deal, though there are two breakfast times before noon. Lunch, however is usually served at 2 pm rather than noon and is the main meal of the day. Aperitifs proceed any dinnertime, usually at about 8 pm. Then, enjoy dinner from about 9 pm onwards.
Going for lunch or dinner too early
5. Not carrying enough cash
Credit cards aren’t accepted everywhere
Categoría: De aventura, Económico
Always try to have an adequate amount of cash in Euro with you when traveling in Mallorca, especially for small purchases and taxi cab fares. Most registered taxi cabs take credit cards, though. However, you’ll never know when you’ll come across an irresistible bargain and need a bit of cash.
For the beach and to be on the safer side, bring just enough spare change for cold beverages and other refreshments as well as the sun lounger or umbrella hire.
Not carrying enough cash
6. Falling for timeshare scams
One of the classic rip-offs also happens in Mallorca
Categoría: De aventura, Exótico
Timeshare scams in Mallorca follow the classic pattern of you being approached on the beach or along the promenade with a harmless scratch-and-win card. You’ll win most of the time. The catch is, you’d have to go to a particular spot to claim it, where you’ll be offered a presentation that can drag on for a half-hour or more, wasting a significant amount of your precious leisure time.
The “prizes are often too good to be true, because they are. Any so-called “free” stay at a gorgeous-looking property or “exclusive” vacation club often requires unnecessary, extra purchases. Simply decline any offers and resist signing any contracts.
Falling for timeshare scams
7. Drinking in the streets of Magaluf
Mallorca’s hip partying destination is trying to fix its image
Categoría: Parejas, Vida nocturna
Magaluf has been known as the go-to in Mallorca for lively nightlife, and its streets have witnessed their fair share of revelry and drinking. Most of the time, it gets livelier than it should, and this Mallorcan “party town” attracts thousands of summer vacationers every year.
You might want to reconsider partying too hard in Magaluf and to prevent yourself from spilling out of bars and drinking along the streets. Note the measures put in place by local authorities, which include a limit on bar crawls and a ban on alcohol consumption in the streets after 10 pm.
Drinking in the streets of Magaluf
8. Exploring only Palma
The island has different regions to explore
Categoría: De aventura, Foto
There’s much more to explore in Mallorca than only its gorgeous and well-developed capital, Palma. The city does offer unmissable magnificent landmarks in its old town, such as the grand La Seu aka Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma and the royal palace of La Almudaina. But remember, Mallorca is Spain’s largest island and it’s worth getting away from the pretty, cobbled streets and discovering more.
There are more glorious, and even hidden, bays to discover all around the island. The mountains are graced with many picturesque villages and sanctuaries that have stood the test of time, so escape from the crowds to these tranquil settings and soothing views.
Exploring only Palma
9. Sticking to beaches and missing the World Heritage Site
Beautiful highland scenery awaits
Categoría: De aventura, Foto
Mallorca isn’t just famous for its beaches, so it’s always worth going on a road trip to discover more of the island’s inland offerings, such as the World Heritage Site. The magnificent Serra de Tramuntana highlands extend over 20 municipalities, boasting impressive topography and cultural significance.
Serra de Tramuntana’s tallest peak, the Puig Major, is the highest in the Balearic Islands, at about 1,445 meters. Some of its mountain roads are among the most scenic in all of Spain, especially the snaky 13-km highway that winds down to the beach town of Sa Calobra. For another journey with breathtaking views, head to the village of Sóller aboard the Tren de Sóller railroad.
Sticking to beaches and missing the World Heritage Site
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