Postcard-perfect Majorca is the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands. The 340-mile-long coastline is woven with azure beaches, hidden coves, and top-notch resorts. The beaches themselves are as diverse as the island’s international visitors — from the white-sand crescent of Cala Deià to the unbridled nightlife and festivals in Magaluf. Inland is where you’ll find Majorca’s softer side: charming villages favored by Spanish artists are surrounded by almond and olive groves and some of the island’s best food (think pit-roasted pig and local wines). Its diverse landscape promises awe and adventure, whether it’s cycling the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, hiking to hilltop monasteries, or sleeping in traditional manors that have been converted into modern retreats.

Majorca sits off Spain’s southeastern coast between Ibiza and Menorca. But don’t be daunted by its seemingly remote location. Thanks to an international airport and regular ferry service, it’s always easily accessible. Flying into Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI), near Palma, is the fastest way to reach Majorca, with flights from Barcelona taking under an hour. In the summer, it’s one of the busiest airports in Europe, and is the third largest in Spain. Domestic flights operate year-round, but some international routes are active only during peak summer travel. Ferries depart from Barcelona (7.5 hours) and Valencia (8 hours), as well as Ibiza (4 hours) and Menorca (1.5 hours). Once you’re there, it’s best to get around the island by rental car, bus, or train.

Majorca is blessed with a Mediterranean climate. Sunny summers and mild winters mean it’s pleasant year-round. May through September offers the best sunbathing weather and evenings temperate enough to linger over a late al fresco dinner. Early summer brings Mallorca’s embat winds — warm sea breezes that are ideal for kitesurfing and sailing. July and August are the hottest months, with dependably cloudless skies and average highs of 85 degrees Fahrenheit, yet the waters are warmest — and best for swimming — in September. Winters bring frequent rains, but the temperature rarely falls below 50 degrees, making it an opportune time to explore the island’s inland villages. Springtime isn’t to be overlooked, as the winter rains give way to blossoming almond, apricot, and orange trees and an ideal cycling and trekking climate.

Cala Mondragó

Cala Mondragó has everything you want from an outdoor adventure: accessibility, natural beauty, turquoise waters, and beach parasol rentals. As for the crowds? As a natural park, it earns protections others don’t, keeping visitorship to a minimum and commercial development at bay.

Serra de Tramuntana

The Serra de Tramuntana mountain range skirts the island’s northwestern edge and is lined with terraced farms, historic villages, and sweeping vistas. There are several ways to explore it: biking, trekking, or a road trip tracing its serpentine roads.

Valldemossa

This quintessential Majorcan hilltop village is only a 25-minute drive from Palma, yet it feels like another world. Cobbled alleys and stepped streets lead to viewpoints, romantic cafes, stone houses, and a 13th-century monastery.

Drach Caves

Some of Majorca’s best traits are beneath the surface. Drach Caves (Dragon Caves) are a subterranean network riddled with otherworldly geologic features like a ceiling of stalactites and one of the largest underground lakes in the world, which you can tour by rowboat.

Palma Cathedral

Situated on top of a former Roman citadel, Palma Cathedral is a must-see. Iconic for its dramatic spires and palatial design, the structure is one of the tallest Gothic cathedrals in Europe.