Sun, Stone & Serra: Four Days Across Mallorca

Settle into your accommodation in central Palma — the old town puts everything within walking distance for the days ahead.

Begin where Palma's story begins: the great Gothic cathedral rising from the seafront. The interior light — famously manipulated by a Gaudí intervention in the nave — earns the walk-around twice.

Right next door to La Seu, this Moorish-turned-royal palace holds centuries of layered history under one roof — tapestries, Gothic halls and a chapel that is easy to linger in.

Head to the waterfront for your first dinner in Palma. Caballito de Mar is a Palma seafood classic — the kind of place where the catch and the setting do the talking.

Round off the evening at this characterful bar-restaurant in the old town, where the atmosphere is warm and unhurried — a good first introduction to Palma after dark.

Start day two at Es Baluard, Palma's museum of modern and contemporary art, built into the city's Renaissance sea walls. The terrace alone — overlooking the port — is worth the visit, and the collection keeps the mind busy.

A short walk from the museum walls, Molta Barra is the kind of place that suits a relaxed midday stop — good drinks, good company, no rush.

Miró spent much of his later life on Mallorca, and this foundation preserves his actual studios — paint-stained, tool-strewn, unnervingly alive — alongside a serious permanent collection. Take the bus or a short taxi ride to the Cala Major hillside.

On the wooded hill above the city, Bellver is one of the few circular Gothic castles in Europe. The panorama over Palma Bay from the upper terrace is the reward for the climb, and the light at this hour is ideal.

Return to Palma for dinner at Las Olas — a solid choice for an evening that feels properly local after a day of culture and views.

Board the historic wooden train from Palma's Plaça d'Espanya station for the hour-long journey through the Tramuntana mountains to Sóller. The viaducts and citrus-grove scenery are half the reason to go.

Wander the Modernista-accented main square and market streets of Sóller at your own pace. The architecture has a distinct personality — shaped by the town's orange-export wealth — and the scale is refreshingly unhurried.

Catch the vintage electric tram that rattles through the village streets and groves down to the port — a delightful five-kilometre ride that feels unchanged since the 1910s.

Port de Sóller's horseshoe bay is one of the most sheltered swimming spots on the island. Grab lunch at a portside spot, then spend the early afternoon on the beach — the water here is typically calm and clear.

Back towards Palma, stop at the Coves de Gènova — a compact but genuinely striking cave system with impressive stalactite formations, a good contrast to a day spent outdoors in the sun.

Keep the evening low-key after a full day in the mountains: Pizza Indústria delivers exactly what you want — straightforward, well-made food in a casual setting.

Spend your final morning at the Museu de Mallorca, housed in a 17th-century palace in the old town. Its collection spans prehistoric artefacts to Islamic-era pieces and medieval painting — a grounding overview of the island's long story.

Walk down to the working harbour and promenade. The scale of the port is striking — fishing vessels, superyachts and ferries side by side — and the seaside boulevard makes for an easy, breezy stroll before lunch.

A different flavour for the last afternoon: Besiki Sushi brings a focused, quality-driven sushi offer to Palma — a refreshing pivot from the week's Mediterranean plates.

This 17th-century coastal fortress on the eastern edge of the bay houses a small military museum and offers quiet, windswept views back across Palma's skyline — a satisfying final landmark before departure.

End the trip properly at Bodega Bellver — the kind of old-school wine bar that rewards a slow final hour: local bottles, no fuss, good conversation.

Close out Mallorca with a proper dinner at BLOCK HOUSE — a satisfying, no-nonsense final meal before heading home tomorrow.