There are some trips you plan down to the very last detail, and then there are the trips where you happily let someone else take the lead. Our Mallorca trip was definitely the latter. We headed to Mallorca for a friend’s birthday, and since I wasn’t the one who planned the itinerary, I got to do something I don’t always do on vacation: just enjoy the plans.
We based ourselves in Palma, the island’s capital, which gave us old-town charm, great food, and easy access to the water. Here’s how our three days played out, plus what I’d do differently next time.
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Landing in Palma, Mallorca
Because we were flying in from Madrid, we already went through customs there, so we were in the domestic terminal. The airport was still busy! Transportation from the airport can get expensive depending on the time of day and how far you’re going. We ended up finding a driver and negotiating a price for our ride. Looking back, I think renting a car may have been the better option for our group, especially since we had plans outside Palma later in the trip.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate with the drivers. We ended up cross-checking the price they quoted with Uber’s to see if it was fair.
Where We Stayed: A Villa in Palma
We stayed at Villa Palma 3, a five-bedroom chalet in Palma with its own private pool. It sleeps up to nine, which makes it ideal for a group trip. There’s a garden, a terrace, a barbecue, and a full kitchen, so it’s easy to spend a whole afternoon without leaving.
After checking in, we did a little wandering around town to get our bearings, then came back to enjoy the villa. Lunch was at the coffee shop right across the street, which was about as easy as it gets after a travel day. For dinner, we kept it low-key and ordered pizza in. Sometimes the best first night of a girls’ trip is just pizza, a pool, and catching up.
I loved that it was like a mansion in the middle of the city, rather than far out in the middle of nowhere. I always think there’s something to be said for not over-scheduling the first day of a trip. The location was great with several stores and restaurants within walking distance of the villa, and easy access to the public transportation system.
Day 2: A Mallorca Boat Day
We had a boat booked for a half-day and headed to the dock in the morning. Mallorca is surrounded by beautiful Mediterranean water, so spending part of the day on a boat felt like a must. I will say that the water was rough this day because of incoming afternoon storms, so I did get seasick. My advice is to pack Dramamine!
It was the perfect girls’ trip activity because we could relax, take in the views, listen to music, and enjoy being out on the water without worrying about a packed schedule. The captain took us to several spots where we could swim, do water activities, and cliff jump. Looking back, I would probably research a boat that includes food and other amenities in the price, but it was still a good experience.
After leaving the boat, it was about to rain, so we sat at a marina restaurant and waited out the storm. This area was about 30 minutes from our villa, so we got an Uber home. The roads were pretty clear and easy to navigate, so next time I come here I will definitely rent a car.
Dinner at Restaurant Illeta
That evening, we had dinner at Restaurant Illeta and timed it around sunset. And if you know me, you know I love a good sunset dinner. I loved this restaurant because it sits on its own island with the best views of the mountains and coast. We were there at the beginning of September, so it got a little chilly once the sun went down. I definitely recommend bringing a light jacket!
The food there is your typical Spanish seafood-style cuisine. I ordered the grilled sea bass with veggies and had the cava sangria. The dish was fresh and filling. I love how you can walk to the back of the restaurant to take pictures of the view. If you plan to come to this restaurant, I recommend making a reservation for dinner.
Day 3: Palma, Shopping & Good Food
After a busy day on the boat and dinner, we wanted to explore the surrounding town. We headed down to downtown Palma for brunch. We stopped at the XO Bruncherie to fuel up for the day. I loved how spacious and aesthetically pleasing this restaurant was, with a wide range of breakfast and other meal options. They had coffee, matcha, juices, and drinks to choose from. It was honestly hard to choose what to eat with so many options.
This was one of those days where we didn’t necessarily need a strict itinerary. We spent the afternoon wandering the streets, popping into shops, and stopping by the square to people-watch and soak up the atmosphere. Palma is a very walkable city, so this is an easy day to plan loosely and just see where you end up.
Dinner at Nù Mallorca
That evening, we ventured outside of Palma for dinner at Nù Mallorca. It was about an hour away, so transportation was something we had to plan for. We hired a driver for the round trip, which ended up being a good option for getting outside of Palma without having to worry about arranging multiple rides. I loved the ride over, I got to see the countryside of Mallorca, and get ideas of other areas to explore should I come back again.
The restuarant was on the beach with a beautiful view of the coast. The restaraunt goes from beach club to restaruant to club again. At night most people were dressed up for dinner, and there was a DJ in the courtyard area. It is a big space with indoor and outdoor seating. The menu itself had alot of options including sushi. The bathroom felt like the real party with its fun lights and speakers from the party outside. It did throw me off that it was co-ed!
The food at Nu was what you would expect from a Mediterranean beach restaurant with the fresh seafood, meats, and dishes that spain is known for. We sat as the sunset and enjoyed company. I can imagine during a busier season, this restaurant gets very packed, so make reservations.
A Few Things I’d Know Before a Mallorca Girls’ Trip
Consider renting a car when visiting Mallorca
This is probably my biggest takeaway from our trip. If you’re staying primarily in Palma and don’t plan to venture far outside the city, you may not need one. But if you’re planning day trips, dinners outside of Palma, or exploring more of the island, having a car can give you a lot more flexibility. We were able to arrange transportation when we needed it, but the costs can add up quickly, especially when you’re traveling at certain times or going longer distances.
Map out the things you want to do and select a home base
Mallorca can be spread out depending on your goals. Do you want a secluded vacation or are you looking to explore the island? We looked at villas that were in the middle of nowhere, but luckily found one in the middle of the city. If you rent a car, where you stay might not matter to you, but it can save you the hassle of spending alot of time in the car, versus enjoying the area. Book everything you want to do like restaruants, activites, and areas to decide the best location.
Don’t over-schedule Mallorca
Before I came to Mallorca I was in Madrid, and the contrast between the two is prominent. Being in Mallorca, you have a chance to slow down and reset. The one thing I loved about our trip, was having time to simply walk around Palma. Leave room for coffee, shopping, wandering through the streets, sitting down for lunch, and discovering places along the way.
Plan at least one boat day
One of the main draws of Mallorca is the crystal clear waters and beautiful lagoons to swim in. Depending on the season, it can be a smooth ride and a relaxing day. It is pretty affordable to book a private boat, but a group tour might be a fun way to meet new people.
Final Thoughts on Mallorca
Mallorca ended up being such a fun destination for a girls’ trip. Our trip wasn’t about trying to see every corner of the island. Instead, we had a nice balance of relaxing at the villa, exploring Palma, shopping, eating, spending time on the water, and celebrating a friend.
And honestly, I think that’s one of the best parts of traveling with girlfriends. Sometimes the best memories aren’t the things you meticulously plan. They’re the coffee runs, the conversations at the villa, the sunset dinners, and wandering around a new city together.
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