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3 Days in Mallorca: Ultimate Itinerary for A Perfect Break

panoramic view of Port de Soller Mallorca at Sunset

Mallorca is a beautiful island off the east coast of mainland Spain. Home to some of the country's best beaches, charming hilltop villages, and vibrant towns, it's the perfect place to spend 3 days. Mallorca is the biggest of the Balearic Islands and has a different feel to its smaller sister island, Ibiza. In fact, with just 3 days in Mallorca, it's not possible to see everything this incredible island has to offer.

That's why you need a well-thought-out Mallorca itinerary to give you the right balance of picture-perfect beaches, stonewalled villages, and cultural hotspots. All without too much traveling and enough time to relax.

I've visited Mallorca several times and love so much about this island. For practical reasons, I'm not actually going to recommend one of my favorite parts of the island – the north – if you've only got 3 days. You should enjoy the northern area of the island on a totally different itinerary!

For my ultimate 3 day itinerary, you'll visit the island's capital, the Tramuntana Mountains, and the stunning south coast beaches.

Getting Around Mallorca

If you've only got 3 days in Mallorca, the last thing you want to do is spend your time waiting for buses and being dependent on taxis. Of course, that's still an option and you can arrive everywhere on this itinerary by bus, but hiring a rental car gives you much more flexibility.

The infrastructure and roads in Mallorca are great and it's the easiest way to see some hidden spots. Car rentals are pretty affordable, although prices can go up in peak season.

Where to Stay for 3 Days in Mallorca

This really depends a bit on personal preference. For just 3 days, I usually stay in one hotel to avoid hanging around for check-in times. If you're like me, then I'd recommend staying in Palma de Mallorca, Sóller (not Port de Sóller), or one of the more rural villages around Santanyí.

If you're happy to move, then you could spend the first night in Palma de Mallorca and move on to one of the others on day 2.

Best Hotels for 3 Days in Mallorca

Here are some of my favorite budget and luxury hotels in Mallorca.

Luxury Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

3-Day Mallorca Itinerary

Day 1 Morning: Getting to Know Palma de Mallorca

aerial view of Port, Palma de Mallorca

Mallorca is an island, so there are limited ways of getting there. Nearly everyone will arrive by boat or plane to Palma and this is the best place to start our itinerary. Palma is a beautiful city, full of cosmopolitan charm, lively nightlife, and beautiful architecture. It's an easy city to walk around and there are so many fascinating things to see. I like doing a walking tour, this will give you a good overview on your first day.

I also recommend walking along Parc de la Mar. It's a very pretty, shaded walkway that runs right the way along the seafront of the city. It gives you great views out over the ocean and of the very impressive Palma Cathedral. There are plenty of nice cafes along the front for a drink too.

Day 1 Lunch: Trying Vermouth

From the harbor, head up Passeig del Born towards the center of town to La Rosa Vermuteria. I first came across this cute little restaurant when I had an 8-hour layover in Palma on my way from Berlin to Valencia. If you can, try to sit at the bar so you can see all the food being made and, of course, you should try some of the house vermouth! In peak season, you may need to book in advance.

If you want to try traditional paella, I can recommend Restaurant Ca'n Monolo Palma. It's close to the harbor and everything I've tried so far is amazing. The fish stew and black rice were great!

Day 1 Afternoon: Walking Around the Historic Center

You could either visit Castell de Bellver, a beautiful castle with amazing views, or head to Santa Eulàlia church. The historic center is full of traditional buildings and charming streets and it's the perfect place to have a drink or ice cream and watch the world go by.

For your first night, either stay in one of Mallorca's boutique hotels in Palma or travel on to your next stop.

Day 2 Morning: Valldemossa and Deià

aerial view of old buildings and houses on the hills at Deia, Mallorca Spain

This is one of my favorite areas of Mallorca. Before I first went, I thought Mallorca was all about beautiful beaches and sunset bars. And there are plenty of both, but inland Mallorca is just as beautiful as the coast. Valldemossa and Deià remind me a little of Tuscany but with some Mediterranean charm. They're popular villages with hikers and mountain bikers but I just loved walking around, admiring the views, and looking at the vineyards for as far as the eye can see!

Start in Valldemossa. Barbaflorida is a cute little cafe that serves great brunch and cakes. They have a nice outdoor terrace and it's perfect for starting your second day in Mallorca. When you've had your fill of walking around the cobbled streets, jump in the car and head over to Deìa, one of the most beautiful villages on the island.

Day 2 Lunch: Deià

Deià is a must if you visit Mallorca. It's such a beautiful town surrounded by fruit and nut trees, palms, and vineyards. There's one main street in Deià but I definitely recommend walking along the little side streets to see the beautiful houses and gardens. Some options for lunch include:

After lunch, you'll be heading to one of my favorite beaches on the island so, if you'd prefer, you could also go for lunch at the coast. Restaurante Mirador Na Foradada serves tapas and rice dishes and has a stunning view over the Mediterranean Sea.

Day 2 Afternoon: Cala de Deià or Caló de s'Estaca

After 24 hours on this beautiful island, it's finally time to head to the beach. Port de Soller is one of the biggest and most famous beaches nearby, but I wouldn't recommend going there – more on that a bit later. Cala de Deià is much more beautiful. It's a tiny little curved, rocky beach at the end of a pine-covered path. There are also lots of large boulders to climb on and the water is crystal clear. It's perfect for enjoying a relaxing afternoon with a stunning backdrop.

If you want something a little more adventurous, I will go to Caló de s'Estaca. This little cove is like a private swimming pool, protected by the rocks surrounding it. You beat the crowds as there isn't any sand to lie on, but the water is spectacularly clear and it's perfect for snorkeling.

You can either go to Sóller or Port de Sóller for dinner. For many, Port de Sóller is a must when you've got 3 days in Mallorca but, honestly, I found it a little lackluster and it was really touristy. There is the iconic train that takes you through town though, so it could be an option if you're traveling with kids. I much preferred the charming town of Sóller.

Es Pont is a cute little tapas bar serving a daily and changing menu in Sóller.

aerial view of gorgeous rock formations and crystal clear waters at Cala de Deia Beach

Day 3 Morning: Santanyí Market

It's a beautiful drive through the surrounding mountains from Sóller to Santanyí. Santanyí is a cute town in the southeast of the island, close to some of the very best beaches and Mondrago Natural Park.

You'll find a traditional market every Wednesday and Saturday in the village with local veggies, clothes, pottery, and some great souvenirs.

The town is full of beautiful streets, but away from the main square is definitely not as beautiful as the villages from day 2 of this itinerary. It's a great place to stop off for breakfast on your way to the beach. I can recommend Cafe Bar Can Chono for coffee and a light breakfast.

Day 3 Lunch: On the Beach!

view of Cal del Moro beach and rocky islands

Santanyí is close to some of the best beaches on the island. But you don't want to leave it too late to arrive, as they fill up quickly. I'd recommend grabbing a sandwich in Santanyí and taking it to the beach to eat.

Cala Santanyí, Cala Llombards, and Cala Figuera are just a short drive away and Cala d'Or and Cala Ferrera are close too. Any of them will offer you pristine water and white sand. My favorite, however, is Caló del Moro. It's a beautiful beach and perfect for snorkeling and sunbathing.

Day 3 Afternoon: Exploring More Beaches

aerial view of Quiet beach, Mallorca

This part of your 3 days in Mallorca itinerary really depends on you. If you've found a great spot on a beach, stay and enjoy it.

If you're up for exploring some other beaches, you should go to Platja des Trenc or Cala Pi. Platja des Trenc is a large and open beach that is ideal for kids to play on. Cala Pi is one of the most incredible in Mallorca and they're both (kind of) on the way back to Sóller and Palma and close to Santanyí too!

Enjoy one last meal in Mallorca before heading home tomorrow.

3 Days in Mallorca – Frequently Asked Questions

☀️ When's the Best Time to Go to Mallorca?

Mallorca is a little less seasonal than the smaller Balearic Islands of Ibiza and Formentera and most things in Palma are open all year long. However, July and August get much busier, so I'd avoid going then if you want to put your towel down on the sand. My favorite months are May and September, when the weather is still warm but the crowds have somewhat gone. Spring is also lovely, although a little cold for swimming.

⏰ Is 3 Days Enough Time in Mallorca?

3 days is enough to see Palma, beautiful villages, and some of the most amazing beaches. But, you can't see everything. In this itinerary, there just wasn't time to visit Pollença, Alcúdia, or Artà or a lot of the most beautiful beaches in the north of the island. But that's OK – you'll just have to go back!

💰Will Staying 3 Days in Mallorca Be Expensive?

3 days in Mallorca can be as expensive as you want it to be. There are plenty of 5-star hotels all over the island and lots of fine-dining restaurants. But, Mallorca definitely has many budget-friendly options too. There are some great apartments and hostels in Palma and every town has a supermarket. You can also take public transport to explore the island – there are lots of buses leaving Palma for other towns and beaches.

👨‍👩‍👦 Is Mallorca a Good Place to Go with Kids?

Definitely! Mallorca and Menorca are two of the most kid-friendly places in Spain. Mallorca has some amazing, sheltered beaches that are ideal for little ones to paddle in. There are also water parks and lots of things for kids to do in the bigger towns. Some beaches also offer water sports.

3 Days in Mallorca – Final Words

Mallorca is an amazing island to visit for 3 days. There's so much to do and so much to see that you could easily spend a week in Mallorca. But 3 days give you enough time to swim in the most amazing water, eat local dishes, and enjoy the varied landscape. It's the perfect destination for a weekend break and easily accessible from all over Europe!

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