Majorca Q&A: All newcomers need to know

Majorca has long been a hugely popular holiday destination, and we reckon it’s pretty fair to say it’s a firm favourite among the British public. But there are plenty of Majorca virgins out there who are yet to discover the island’s attractions – and if that sounds like you, check out our handy newcomers’ guide.

Q: I’ve heard Majorca’s a great holiday destination, but where is it and how long does it take to reach?

A: Majorca is one of the Balearic Islands in Spain. Laying in the Mediterranean Sea, it is actually the largest of this archipelago and it takes as little as two hours to fly here from the UK. You’ll land at Palma de Mallorca Airport, which is around 8 km from the capital, Palma. There are plenty of luxurious hotels both in the capital and beyond.

Q: I’m a bit of a culture vulture – are there many galleries and museums?

A: Absolutely! One of the things I love most about Majorca as it achieves a good balance between sunny beaches and culture. Unsurprisingly, the capital is a brilliant place for culture vultures, and I’d very much recommend taking a stroll around the historical old town, where you can see some wonderful buildings, like La Almudaina Royal Palace.

In terms of galleries, don’t miss the Es Baluard Centre (Palma Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art), where you can see paintings, sculptures and drawings by the likes of Picasso, Miro and Cezanne. Over in Montuiri, meanwhile, you can peruse the amazing artefacts at the Son Fornes Museum. Some of these date back thousands of years, and give you a feel of what life used be like 2,000 years ago.

As a quick tip, you can explore the archaeological site these finds came from at the Son Fornes settlement around 2.5 km outside of Montuiri.

Q: OK, but what about historical attractions?

A: There are plenty of those too! Again, Palma is a great place to go for these, with the Catedral de Mallorca being one of the top spots. This gorgeous Gothic building dates back to the 13th century and has some beautiful features, like the engraved Mirador door and the stained glass in the Santisimo Chapel.

Over in the scenic town of Valldemossa is the Cartuja de Valldemossa, which is one of its most famous landmarks. As well as having once housed famous names like the composer Frederic Chopin, the monastery is now home to the Municipal Museum and local tourist office.

Q: Since Majorca’s an island, there must be some great beaches – where should I go?

A: Majorca has 550 km of coastline, and it is indeed peppered with pretty beaches. One of the most famous is Es Trenc, which has calm water and white sand. This, combined with the fact it’s so near the capital, means it’s usually pretty busy, but as it’s so big it’s never too tricky to find a quieter spot if it’s tranquility you crave – just be prepared to walk a little to escape the crowds.

On the south-west coast is Cala Llombards, which is a great beach for snorkelling. Backed by pine trees, this stretch of sand is idyllic and has the bonus of some fantastic laidback bars. Playa de Muro on Alcudia Bay, meanwhile, has Blue Flag status and is perfect for families.

Q: Well, a lot of places have nice beaches – are there any other natural attractions I should check out?

A: Definitely – I’d actually say that the various natural wonders in Majorca are just as much of a draw as the beaches. One of my personal favourites in the Caves of Drach, which you can explore with a boat tour to see spectacular stalactites and stalagmites.

It’s also worth remembering that a huge 40 per cent of the island has protected status, so there are lots of amazing landscapes to explore. For instance, the Sierra de Tramuntana mountain range is home to peaks reaching more than 1,400 m above sea level.

These questions were answered by Michael O’Donnell, an experienced travel journalist working on behalf of Sovereign Holidays.