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How many days in Mallorca? 5 days: Palma, the Tramuntana mountains and the coves
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Mallorca is much more than its package-holiday resorts: a Gothic capital, Palma, a UNESCO-listed mountain range, the Serra de Tramuntana, with stone villages and dramatic roads, and dozens of turquoise calas (coves) along the south-east coast. Five days with a car covers Palma, the mountains and villages of the west, the northern peninsula of Formentor, and the caves and coves of the east. In July and August, start early: the famous coves fill by 10:00.
Short answer
Three days covers Palma, the Sóller train and the mountain villages, and one beach day. Five days adds Formentor, the caves and more coves.
The 5-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Palma
Morning. Visit La Seu, Palma's Gothic cathedral on the seafront (about €10), with one of the largest rose windows in the world and a canopy over the altar designed by Antoni Gaudí. Next to it stands the Royal Palace of La Almudaina.
Afternoon. Wander the old town's lanes and patios, the Arab Baths and the market halls of Mercat de l'Olivar. Take a bus or taxi up to Bellver Castle, a 14th-century circular castle with views over the bay.
Evening. Have tapas in the La Lonja district and walk along the seafront promenade to see the cathedral lit at night.
Palma's cathedral looks its best from the Parc de la Mar lake in front of it, especially at sunset.
Day 2: Sóller, Deià and Valldemossa
Morning. Take the vintage Sóller train from Palma (1912, about 1 hour, roughly €25 one way) through the mountains and tunnels to Sóller, then the old wooden tram to Port de Sóller on its round bay.
Afternoon. Drive or take the bus along the coast road to Deià, a stone village where the poet Robert Graves lived (his house is a museum), and Valldemossa, with the Royal Carthusian Monastery where Chopin and George Sand spent the winter of 1838-39.
Evening. Watch the sunset from the Sa Foradada viewpoint near Deià, then dinner in Valldemossa or back in Palma.
The Sóller train is busiest in the morning; buy tickets online or go in the afternoon from Sóller back to Palma instead.
Day 3: Sa Calobra and the Tramuntana
Morning. Drive the Sa Calobra road, 12 km of hairpin bends dropping 800 metres to the sea, including the famous 'knot tie' where the road loops over itself. Or take a boat from Port de Sóller to avoid the drive.
Afternoon. From Sa Calobra, walk through two tunnels to the mouth of the Torrent de Pareis canyon, with a pebble beach between vertical walls. Stop at the Lluc Monastery, Mallorca's spiritual centre, in the mountains.
Evening. Return via Pollença, climbing the 365 steps of the Calvari for the view, and have dinner on its main square.
The Sa Calobra road is crowded with coaches and cyclists in the middle of the day; go early or late.
Day 4: Cap de Formentor and Alcúdia
Morning. Drive to Cap de Formentor, the island's northern tip, with cliffs 300 metres high and a lighthouse. In summer, private cars may be restricted on the last section; a shuttle bus runs from Port de Pollença. Stop at the Mirador Es Colomer viewpoint.
Afternoon. Swim at Platja de Formentor, a beach of pine trees and calm water, then visit Alcúdia's medieval walls and the Roman ruins of Pollentia.
Evening. Have dinner in Port de Pollença or Alcúdia old town.
Check the current access rules for Formentor before going; restrictions change each summer.
Day 5: The caves and the south-east coves
Morning. Visit the Caves of Drach near Porto Cristo (about €20-25), with one of the largest underground lakes in Europe and a short classical concert played from boats on the lake.
Afternoon. Swim in the coves of the south-east: Cala Mondragó (natural park), Caló des Moro (very small and very crowded, arrive early), Cala Varques (reached by a walk). Or go to Es Trenc, a long white beach with dunes in the south.
Evening. Have a last dinner in Santanyí or on the seafront in Palma.
Mallorca's coves are small. In July and August, choose less famous ones or arrive before 9:30.
Only have 3 days?
With 3 days, do Days 1, 2 and 5. You lose Sa Calobra and Formentor.
Got extra days?
With more time, hike the GR221 'Dry Stone Route' through the Tramuntana, visit the island's wineries around Binissalem, or take a ferry to Menorca or Ibiza.
Where to stay in Mallorca
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Palma (Santa Catalina / old town edges) | Central, buses and restaurants, no car needed for the city. | €100-160 |
| Mid-range | Palma old town | Boutique hotels in old mansions, base for day trips. | €180-300 |
| Mid-range | Sóller / Port de Sóller | Mountains and sea, train to Palma. | €160-280 |
| Comfort | Deià / Tramuntana fincas | Luxury hotels in mountain villages and estates. | €400-1,200 |
Getting around
A rental car is best for the mountains, Formentor and the coves; book early for summer and choose a small car for narrow roads. TIB buses connect Palma with most towns, and the Sóller train and tram are an experience. The airport is about 20 minutes from Palma. Parking in the old towns and near popular coves is limited in summer.
What to eat in Mallorca
Mallorca's specialities are ensaïmada, a spiral pastry dusted with sugar, eaten at breakfast; sobrassada, a soft paprika sausage spread on bread; pa amb oli, bread with olive oil, tomato and local cheese or ham; tumbet (layered vegetables, like ratatouille); and frit mallorquí (fried lamb offal with potatoes and peppers). The island makes good wine and olive oil. In villages, a set lunch costs €15-20; dinner in Palma €30-50.
Best time to visit
May, June, September and early October, with highs of 24-29°C and warm sea. July and August are very hot and crowded. February brings almond blossom across the island. Winter is mild but many coastal hotels close; it is ideal for cycling and hiking.
Month-by-month weather for Mallorca →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | €50 | €100 | €300 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €50 | €110 |
| Sights & activities | €10 | €30 | €70 |
| Car (share) & fuel | €20 | €30 | €60 |
| Total per person, per day | about €105 | about €210 | about €540 |
Approximate 2026 high-season prices. The Balearic Islands charge a sustainable tourism tax (ecotasa) of about €1-6 per person per night, depending on the accommodation and season.
Before you go
Common questions
Do I need a car in Mallorca?
For the mountains, Formentor and the coves, it is much easier. For a city break in Palma with one or two trips, buses and the Sóller train are enough.
Which part of Mallorca is best to stay in?
Palma for culture and a central base; the Tramuntana villages for scenery; the north (Pollença, Alcúdia) for families and beaches; the south-east for coves.
Is Mallorca only for party tourism?
No. Party tourism is concentrated in a few resorts (such as Magaluf). Most of the island is quiet villages, mountains and coves.
Which are the best coves?
Caló des Moro, Cala Mondragó, Cala Varques and Cala Llombards in the south-east, and Cala Deià and Cala Tuent in the north-west.
Can I visit the Tramuntana without driving the mountain roads?
Yes: the Sóller train, the TIB buses through Deià and Valldemossa, and boat trips from Port de Sóller to Sa Calobra cover the highlights.
Is Mallorca good in winter?
Yes for walking, cycling and Palma's culture, with mild weather (about 15°C). Many beach hotels close, so stay in Palma or the mountain villages.
Is the Caves of Drach visit worth it?
Yes: the underground lake and the short concert on boats are memorable. Book a timed ticket in summer.
How this guide was made
Written by hand, without AI, from experience planning Spain trips. Prices and access rules are approximate for 2026; confirm on the official Palma Cathedral, Ferrocarril de Sóller, Cuevas del Drach, TIB and Consell de Mallorca websites before booking.
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