Mallorca –
More Than Beaches.

Mallorca has an image problem — and that problem is largely unwarranted prejudice. The island, long considered a mass tourism destination, is far more nuanced than its reputation. The Tramuntana mountain range in the northwest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in the Mediterranean. Villages such as Valldemossa, where Frédéric Chopin once spent the winter, and Deià, which became an artists' colony and remains one today, are among the most beautiful places in Spain. Mallorca only disappoints if you limit yourself to Ballermann and Playa de Palma.

Palma de Mallorca is a real European city — cosmopolitan, vibrant and with a historic core that stands up to scrutiny. The Gothic cathedral La Seu sits majestically above the harbour, the modern art museum Es Baluard surprises with international quality, and the restaurants of the old town offer tapas at a standard that competes with Barcelona. A day in Palma changes your view of the island: the city lends it an urban depth you wouldn't expect.

Mallorca's beaches are not all the same — and that's the good news. In the north, Cala Torta and Cala Mesquida offer wild coastal landscapes without tourist infrastructure — rocks, clear water, solitude. In the south lies Es Trenc, Mallorca's longest natural beach with fine white sand and turquoise water, which despite its fame still offers plenty of space. On the west coast, Cala Deià surprises with dramatic scenery: tiny, framed by cliffs, with views of the Tramuntana massif. The diversity of the coastline is an argument in itself.

An honest note: July and August are crowded and expensive on Mallorca. Peak season brings full beaches, full restaurants and prices that far exceed those on the Spanish mainland. Anyone wanting to see Mallorca at its best should visit in May or June — the almond and orange trees are in bloom, temperatures are perfect and the island still belongs largely to its residents.