Around Mallorca in Seven Days: Palma, Port Towns and Wild Hinterland

Rise and shine, it’s your first full day in Mallorca and there’s not a moment to waste. After a hearty breakfast at the hotel this morning, you’ll be met by a friendly local guide who’ll be giving you the grand tour of Palma. The city and capital of the island unfolds around a beautiful bay and is framed by distant towering mountains. You’ll start with a walk through the higher parts of town to soak in the views across Palma, as well as a visit to La Seu, the very impressive Cathedral decorated by Gaudí and Miguel Barceló. Continue on to the centre of town to admire the narrow streets, Gothic churches and Baroque palaces of the old town. The rest of today is yours to spend at your own leisure. There’s plenty to keep you busy: visit Almudaina Palace, stroll through Plaça Major, discover Miró's studio at the Pilar i Joan Miró Foundation, get lost in the alleys of the bustling Mercat de l'Olivar and sample some delicious local charcuterie (sobrassada toast is a must-try).

Today you’ll be switching things up, swapping the hustle and bustle of the city for the calm of a quaint coastal town. After breakfast this morning, collect your rental car for the week and drive 45 minutes north to Puerto de Soller. Your home for the next two nights is a tasteful contemporary hotel overlooking the bay. The rest of today is yours to spend settling into your new surroundings. This charming natural port reveals a wealth of scenic delights: light-coloured houses clinging to the hillside, a classic Mediterranean bay with boats bobbing in the foreground and a spacious seafront promenade perfect for evening strolls. Enjoy some tapas and an aperitif back at the hotel this evening before heading out for a meal at one of the many stylish restaurants in town.

Make sure to fuel up at breakfast this morning as today you’ll be heading out on a guided adventure on an electric mountain bike. This is a great way to soak in the vast and varied landscapes of this portion of the island, without having to worry about running out of energy too quickly. You’ll be cycling in the Serra de Tramuntana, a breathtaking mountain range peppered with traditional villages oozing with old school charm.

It would be wrong to leave Mallorca without sampling life on the beautiful east coast. So this morning, pack your bags, jump back into your hire car and hit the road heading east. Your next destination is Capdepera, a historic village in the heart of rolling green hills. On arrival, check into your final hotel, which is surrounded by masses of gardens where olive trees, vines and fruit trees are plentiful. Everything here is beautiful, soothing and conducive to rest and relaxation. Send the rest of today soaking in your new environment. We recommend simply kicking back at the hotel: read your book by the pool, stroll through the gardens or have a go meditating under the shade of an olive tree.

Your last full day in Mallorca is dedicated to admiring the main sight of Capdepera: its castle and 14th-century fortifications, which long kept the pirates of the western Mediterranean at bay. When hopeful invaders abandoned the area, the inhabitants cautiously came out from behind their mighty walls and developed a new town: the fishing port of Cala Rajada. The castle is one of the most important in the Balearic Islands and can be visited year round. The interior chapel retains a 14th-century Christ and a Gothic virgin, Notre Dame de l’Espérance. Spend this evening soaking in one last slice of Mediterranean life. You could head out into town for an indulgent evening of wining and dining, or simply enjoy one last night of relaxation back at the hotel.