This 1-week Mallorca itinerary outlines a practical route with day-by-day stops, smart timing, and transit tips across the island.
Mallorca rewards a tight plan. Coast roads curve past terraces and stone villages, Palma hums with Gothic drama, and tiny coves glow like glass. This seven-day route keeps driving light, packs each stop with doable sights, and leaves room for long swims and slow meals.
At-A-Glance Schedule And Daily Bases
Use this quick view to lock the flow before you dive into details. You’ll spend two nights in Palma, two around Sóller/Deià, two in the north near Pollença or Alcúdia, and a final night toward the east or south.
| Day | Base | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palma | La Seu Cathedral, Old Town strolls, tapas lanes |
| 2 | Palma | Castell de Bellver, Santa Catalina market, beach time |
| 3 | Sóller / Deià | Tramuntana viewpoints, Port de Sóller sunset |
| 4 | Sóller / Deià | Valldemossa, coastal hikes, Cala Deià swim |
| 5 | Pollença / Alcúdia | Old towns, Cap de Formentor viewpoints |
| 6 | Pollença / Alcúdia | Alcúdia walls, Playa de Muro, watersports |
| 7 | East Or South | Cuevas del Drach, Mondragó coves, return to Palma |
Seven-Day Mallorca Itinerary With Coastal Loops
Day 1: Palma’s Stone, Light, And Food Halls
Drop bags and head straight for the waterfront to see La Seu’s flying buttresses catch the sun. The sandstone looks almost golden from Parc de la Mar. Inside, the nave soars and the light show from the rose window feels otherworldly. Check current visiting hours on the Cathedral’s site before you go (Cathedral visiting hours).
Back in the lanes, aim for Passeig del Born and drift through Carrer de Sant Feliu and La Lonja. Coffee at a terrace, then a slow loop past Plaça Major. Late afternoon, hunt pintxos near Plaça de la Reina or book a casual tasting menu in Sa Gerreria. End on the waterfront path with a soft breeze and the yacht masts flickering like matchsticks.
Day 2: Castle Views, Markets, And A Beach Dip
Walk the circular ramparts of Castell de Bellver for a full sweep over the bay. Later, graze through Santa Catalina market stalls—cheese, jamón, glossy olives—then grab a table at a bar that cooks what you just bought. Want sand? Can Pere Antoni sits close to the center; if you’d like wider shore, taxi to Cala Major. Keep dinner light in Santa Catalina or La Lonja and rest up for the mountains.
Day 3: Tramuntana Drive To Sóller And Deià
Pick up a small car or catch the vintage wooden train to Sóller for a scenic ride through citrus valleys (schedules on the official site: Soller Train timetable). Once in town, nurse an orange juice on Plaça de la Constitució and peek into the Modernist church. Roll down to Port de Sóller for a late swim and a golden-hour walk around the horseshoe bay. Book dinner facing the water and watch the tram trundle by.
If you’re driving, the Ma-10 draws a line along terraces and dry-stone walls recognized by UNESCO as a cultural landscape (UNESCO listing). Expect bends and regular pull-outs for photos; go slow and keep the stops short so you arrive before dusk.
Day 4: Valldemossa, Poets, And A Cove Swim
Morning in Valldemossa means stone alleys, potted geraniums, and a pastry stop for coca de patata. Tour the monastery if you like cloisters and quiet courtyards. Midday, trace the coast back toward Deià and hike a gentle stretch of the GR-221 (the “Dry Stone Route”). The path threads olive groves and sea views. When heat builds, descend to Cala Deià for a bracing dip. The cove is pebbly; water shoes help. Keep dinner simple in Deià or Port de Sóller.
Day 5: Northbound To Pollença, Then Viewpoints At The End Of The Island
Move bases to the north for two nights. Pollença’s squares feel made for slow mornings; Alcúdia’s walls and Roman remnants give a different mood. Aim a sunset run toward the Cap de Formentor viewpoints if the road is open to private traffic during your dates; seasonal limits often apply to protect the headland. Current rules and shuttle options are posted by the island council (Formentor road updates). A Spanish traffic bulletin adds clarity on barrier points and access windows in peak months (DGT Formentor 2025 PDF).
When you reach Mirador Es Colomer, the cliffs drop like a book page peeled toward the sea. If the lighthouse run isn’t feasible that day, you still get a knockout panorama from the early stops and can return at a different hour for softer light.
Day 6: Walls, Long Beaches, And Quiet Marshes
Start in Alcúdia’s walled old town, then wander toward Port d’Alcúdia. The sweep of Playa de Muro stretches for kilometers with sand like flour and water as clear as glass. Midday brings a perfect slot for a paddleboard or a guided kayak near the calmer sections. Birders can slip into the paths on the edge of S’Albufera reserve; silence and patience pay off here. Late afternoon, slide into Pollença’s main square for a slow drink and an early night.
Day 7: Caves, East-Coast Coves, And A Smooth Return
Point south-east toward Porto Cristo to tour the Drach caves, where a vast underground lake glows under careful lighting. Book a timed slot in advance on the official site to avoid queues and lock the hour (Cuevas del Drach tickets). Afterward, loop through Cala Varques or push on to the coves around Mondragó Natural Park for pale sand and pine shade. Keep one eye on timing for the drive back to Palma and an easy last meal near the marina.
Where To Stay For Easy Logistics
Palma (Nights 1–2)
Pick a spot within the old town or Santa Catalina to cut transit time. You’ll walk to dinner, markets, and the waterfront. Street parking inside the core is tight; consider a garage if you’re holding a rental from day one.
Sóller/Deià (Nights 3–4)
Base in Sóller if you want tram and train access without driving to dinner. Choose Deià for cliff paths and a quieter night sky. Either way, you’re a short hop from viewpoints on the Ma-10 and from coves with turquoise water.
Pollença/Alcúdia (Nights 5–6)
Pollença’s main square makes mornings easy, while Port de Pollença simplifies early runs to Formentor. Alcúdia gives quicker access to long beaches. Pick based on whether your plan skews toward hikes and viewpoints or sand and water time.
East Or South (Night 7)
Near Porto Cristo you’re close to the caves and family-friendly coves. Around Santanyí you get Mondragó’s twin bays and a straight shot back to Palma on good roads.
How To Get Around Without Stress
Driving Notes
A compact car is easiest in villages and parking garages. The Ma-10 is scenic with bends; avoid the tightest windows of mid-day in summer when pull-outs fill. Allow buffer time for photo stops and short walks to viewpoints.
Public Transport Options
Interurban buses, the island train, and the Sóller tram connect many stops. For routes, fares, and ticket types, check the official TIB portal (TIB info). Timetables live here as well (TIB routes & times). Service expands in summer, and you can pay on board or with local cards listed on the site.
Best Time Windows And How To Pack Light
Seasonal Rhythm
Late spring and early fall serve the clearest water and mellow heat with longer daylight. Winter brings quiet lanes and room to breathe in Palma’s museums and cafes. July and August add energy and traffic; plan early starts and reserve popular slots like caves or boats ahead.
What To Bring
- Thin water shoes for pebble coves such as Cala Deià.
- Light layers for Tramuntana breezes and chilly cathedral interiors.
- Sun gear you’ll wear all day: hat, long-sleeve rash guard, reef-safe sunscreen.
- Small daypack for snacks and swims; keep hands free on steps and trails.
Daily Details: What To Do, Where To Pause
Palma Highlights
Inside La Seu, scan the side chapels for ironwork and colored light, then step onto the sea-edge terrace for a full look at the buttresses. Nearby, the Es Baluard area mixes street art, galleries, and little coffee bars. If you crave a slow afternoon, walk the marina path toward Portixol for a low-key lunch facing the water.
Tramuntana Moments
Between Valldemossa and Deià, the road slips into olive terraces stitched with dry-stone walls. Stop at signed miradors only; private drives look tempting but aren’t public. Short hikes on the GR-221 give sea views without big elevation, and the trail network has clear blazes.
North Coast Pace
Climb Pollença’s Calvari steps early for shade and empty photos, then reward yourself with a long breakfast in the square. For the headland, monitor that Formentor page on travel days and pivot to Es Barcarès or La Victoria peninsula if access tightens. The north gives you choices; you’ll always find a quiet cove or a pine bench with a view.
East-Side Chill
The Drach experience includes a short concert on the underground lake. The lighting is soft and respectful; photos are limited inside, so enjoy the moment and stroll the paths after the show. Post-cave, pick a low-rise cala with clear entry and steady swell for an easy swim.
Drive Times And Simple Distances
These are ballpark times in normal traffic; add buffer at peak hours and for photo stops.
| Route | Approx. Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Palma → Sóller (Ma-11) | 35–45 min | Tunnel is faster; old pass is scenic |
| Sóller → Deià (Ma-10) | 25–30 min | Short but bendy with wide views |
| Deià → Pollença | 1 hr 15–30 min | Plan a mid-route photo stop |
| Pollença → Cap de Formentor | 35–50 min | Check seasonal access and shuttle |
| Alcúdia → Porto Cristo | 1 hr | Straightforward main roads |
| Porto Cristo → Palma | 55–70 min | Allow extra time near the airport |
Food And Coffee: Simple Wins Near Each Stop
Palma
Tapas bars cluster around La Lonja and Plaça de la Drassana. For daytime fuel, markets deliver fresh plates without fuss. Many kitchens close mid-afternoon; plan a late lunch or eat early.
Sóller And Deià
Port de Sóller gives grilled fish and sunset tables. In Deià, cliff-edge spots book up days ahead in summer—reserve if you want that view, or pick a village bistro inland for the same kitchen without the wait.
North
Pollença’s square is the island’s friendliest breakfast room. In Alcúdia, restaurants inside the walls feel timeless; a simple pa amb oli and a chilled drink go a long way after beach time.
East Or South
Santanyí’s evening scene spills into the lanes with outdoor seating. Near Porto Cristo you’ll find low-key seafood spots a block off the harbor that keep prices sane and crowds thin.
Smart Booking And Timing Tips
- Reserve La Seu and cave tickets in season. Both have timed entry systems linked above.
- For Formentor, keep an eye on the council page and the DGT notice during summer. If private cars pause, use the shuttle and go early or late for smoother crowds.
- If you rely on public transport, build plans around the current TIB timetable and leave a cushion for transfers.
- Carry coins for village parking meters and aim for municipal lots near old towns.
Why This Route Works
It stacks the capital first, gives two nights in the mountains, sets two up north for beaches and cliffs, and leaves the caves and coves for a gentle finish. Driving stays under two hours per move. You get daily water time without skipping stone villages, and every base has easy food within a short walk.
Add-Ons If You Have Extra Time
- Sa Calobra and the Torrent de Pareis amphitheater on a low-traffic morning.
- Wine tasting near Binissalem with a late lunch on a shaded terrace.
- Cycle hire on the flat stretch between Port de Pollença and Alcúdia.
- A boat trip from Port de Sóller to hidden coves on a calm day.
Quick References
Key official resources you might open during the week:
- Serra de Tramuntana World Heritage — background on the terraces and irrigation systems that shaped the mountain route.
- TIB routes and timetables — island bus and train planning hub.
Printable Daily Checklist
Copy this into your notes app and tick as you go:
- Day 1–2 Palma: Cathedral, market lunch, Bellver, beach hour, tapas lane.
- Day 3–4 Sóller/Deià: Vintage train or Ma-10, GR-221 stroll, Cala Deià swim.
- Day 5–6 North: Old towns, long beach, Formentor viewpoints or shuttle.
- Day 7 East/South: Cuevas del Drach, Mondragó coves, easy return to Palma.