I arrived in Mallorca after a short 1h flight from Valencia (€11). The airport in Mallorca is unexpectedly big for an island with a million inhabitants.

This is my fifth Spanish island. I have already visited four of the Canary Islands: Gran Canaria and Tenerife in Nov 2024, and Lanzarote and Fuerteventura in Jul 2022. With Mallorca, I’ve now visited the five biggest islands in Spain.

Palma

Palma is the capital of Mallorca. The city’s name has switched back and forth between two options: Palma de Mallorca and just Palma. It is a whole political issue, tied to the political party in power. On the island, the political compass test consists of just a single question. That’s what politicians do and what politics is about.

In my opinion, the short name Palma may be confusing, since there are also international airports on La Palma and in Las Palmas, which are easy to mix up. I’m not even sure if I arrived in the right one. Not that I mind ending up in the wrong place: I reckon most places in Spain are nice. But apparently some people just need to be in the right place.

Palma is sandstone-grey.

Church

Considering it’s February, it’s even greyer.

Grey Palma

I found some colour.

Colourful square

There is a huge cathedral next to a pond. The contrast is nice.

Cathedral

There is a long promenade along the harbour. Mostly under construction.

Llotja de Palma

I saw a windmill up on the hill and went there. It’s an old part of the city.

Windmill

Old town

Palma is a big city, it even has a metro line, which I didn’t have to use (but really wanted to). I did however, take the bus. They have a round shape.

Round bus

The new parts of the city are modern and clean.

Modern street

Like you often see in southern countries, shopping centres are half-open.

Shopping centre

For the sunset, I’m climbing the hill.

Steep street

View of the cathedral

It’s dark now.

Lit-up cathedral

On another day, I went to the beach near the city: Cala Major. It’s more of what I imagined Mallorca to be like.

Beach vibes

Cala Major

Andratx

On my way to Sant Elm, I visited a small town, Andratx. A windmill on a hill overlooks the town.

Windmill

Market

Streets

Blue windows

Sant Elm

Sant Elm was empty.

Main street

It’s a proper resort town out of season.

Out of season

I came here to do the hike to the La Trapa monastery. There is a rocky beach on the way, also empty. I didn’t swim: too rocky.

Rocky beach

The clouds decided to hide the view.

Clouds

Path

View of Dragonera island

Hold on

The La Trapa monastery looks like a construction site. Absolutely not interesting in any way.

La Trapa way

But the hike is worth it.

View