Unforgettable 3 Day Mallorca Itinerary with Beaches & Fairytale Towns
Planning an escape to Mallorca? This 3 day Mallorca itinerary blends charming mountain villages, jaw-dropping beaches, and Mediterranean views that feel straight out of a postcard.
I visited Mallorca at the end of my first-ever trip to Spain, after exploring Madrid, Seville, and Barcelona. Since it’s only a quick one-hour flight from Barcelona, it felt like the perfect place to unwind with some beach time.
Mallorca is the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands. I didn’t realize just how big it was until I started planning. With only 3 days, I knew I wouldn’t be able to see everything, so I prioritized the things I love most: stunning beaches and dreamy, storybook villages.
If I could do it again I would definitely give Mallorca more time because the island is incredible and full of surprises. In just 3 days I was able to cover a lot but it did feel a little rushed. Remember that this 3 day Mallorca itinerary is based on my own travel style, interests, and limited time so it isn’t meant to be an extensive travel guide to the whole island. Even so it includes some of Mallorca’s most beautiful beaches and charming villages and I am excited to share my personal favorites so you can plan your own unforgettable Mallorca itinerary.
Whether you’re into cobblestone streets, scenic drives, or crystal-clear coves, Mallorca is the kind of destination you’ll be dreaming about long after you leave.
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How to Get to Mallorca
Mallorca is easily accessible by air, with frequent flights from major European cities. The main airport, Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI), is located just outside the island’s capital, Palma. If you’re already in Spain, flights from Barcelona and Madrid are quick and inexpensive. Mine was under an hour from Barcelona!
From the US, you could book flights with a layover at a major European city to get to Mallorca. There is now a direct flight from New York (EWR) to Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) on United Airlines.
Do You Need A Car for Mallorca?
Yes, the best way to explore Mallorca is by driving. I recommend using Discover Cars to research the best options and booking.
Pick up your rental car at the airport when you arrive.
I strongly advise you book a small car because the mountain or village roads can get quite narrow and parking can be tight. I can’t tell you the number of times we were driving on windy cliffside roads thinking “this has to be a one way street” and seeing a car coming towards us from the opposite side and being shocked.
Drive with caution!
Rental Cars: Book with Discover Cars for the best prices – I always choose a trusted company like Hertz, Enterprise, or Sixt within the search results.
Useful Information for Mallorca
- Currency: Euro(€)
- Cash/Credit card: Most places accept credit cards but bring cash for smaller local markets or shops. Some of the parking machines or credit card machines had trouble connecting so we used cash in those instances.
- Language: Spanish and Mallorquin (a Catalan dialect). English & German are widely spoken due to high number of tourists.
- Outlet: Type F (Get this travel plug adapter that includes USB and C)
Where to Stay in Mallorca
Mallorca has so many beautiful areas to choose from. If you’re only staying for a short time, I recommend picking one home base as moving hotels can be a hassle. For trips 4 nights or longer, I’d suggest splitting your stay to minimize time in the car and experience two different sides of the island.
For this 3 day Mallorca itinerary, I did decide to split my stay between one night in Santanyí on the south side of the island to explore the southern beaches and two nights in Sóller for visiting the villages on the northwest side. This worked out well for me, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace you can stay in one area and do day trips to the other.
My Recommended areas to stay:
- Santanyí – Laid-back town with charming streets, local markets, and quick access to beaches. Perfect for exploring the island’s best beaches on the south coast, including Caló des Moro, Cala S’Almunia, and Cala Llombards.
- Sóller – Mountain village surrounded by orange groves, great for scenic drives and historic charm. Ideal for visiting the mountain villages like Valldemossa and Deià, and for enjoying the vintage tram to Port de Sóller or Palma.
- Deià or Valldemossa – For luxury stays in romantic hilltop villages (best for couples or a splurge. Some of these are in the countryside slightly out of town)
- Palma – The capital city with nightlife, shopping, and a good home base if you like easy access to shopping and dining.
3 Day Mallorca Itinerary
Mallorca Itinerary Day 1 – Arrival + Explore Santanyí
After landing at Palma de Mallorca Airport, pick up your rental car and head straight to Santanyí (about a 40–50 minute drive). Remember to search for the best options on Discover Cars and book early for the best prices.
Spend the rest of the day settling in and getting to know this charming rural town.
What to do in Santanyí:
- It’s a pretty small town. You can walk around the whole town so once you arrive, park your car and explore on your foot.
- Wander the golden-stone streets and browse boutique shops
- Grab a coffee or gelato in the main square (Plaça Major)
- If you’re there on a Wednesday or Saturday, check out the Santanyí Market which is one of the island’s best markets.
We stayed at Can Ferrereta, a hotel that had been on my bucket list for this trip. It is a beautifully restored 17th century mansion that has been transformed into an adults-only 5 star property with just 32 rooms and suites. At the time of our visit the hotel was partnered with Hyatt, and as members of the World of Hyatt program we received a complimentary room upgrade and breakfast. To this day it remains one of my favorite hotels I have ever stayed in. Everything from the thoughtful interior design to the warm hospitality of the staff was absolute perfection. The valet parking was also a huge relief since parking in Mallorca can often be a challenge.
Mallorca Itinerary Day 2 – Beach Day & Sollér
Today is all about exploring Mallorca’s most iconic beaches, all which are fairly close from Santanyí. In general, the parking spaces near the beaches start to fill up quickly so I advise grabbing breakfast at your hotel or a cafe nearby, and having an early start to the day.
Bring a towel since many of the beaches in this area do not have facilities or rentals.
Morning: Caló des Moro + Cala S’Almunia
Start early and head to Caló des Moro, a postcard-perfect cove with turquoise water and dramatic cliffs. It’s a short and sometimes steep walk from the parking area, but so worth it.
You’ll actually pass by Cala S’Almunia first as you walk from the parking lot, but I decided to head to Caló des Moro first since it’s the most popular beach and known to get crowded.
Caló des Moro was as beautiful as I had seen it in photos.
Right next to it is Cala S’Almunia, a smaller and more rugged beach where locals often swim. It was much rockier here, and the water didn’t feel as clear as Caló des Moro.
Also consider Cala Llombards
While Caló des Moro and Cala S’Almunia are stunning, they do not have any amenities such as bathrooms, beach chairs, or umbrellas. If you prefer a beach with more facilities, head to Cala Llombards, which is only a five minute drive from the Caló des Moro parking area. This beach has a convenient parking lot right by the sand, making access easy, and you will find chair and umbrella rentals, as well as restaurants and beach bars where you can enjoy a meal or a drink with your toes in the sand.
Sóller
After a morning by the sea, we drove about ninety minutes northwest to Sóller. If you are splitting your stay like I did, this will be your base for the next two nights.
Sóller is a charming town in Mallorca, nestled in the Tramuntana mountains and known for its orange trees and picturesque streets.
One of the highlights of Sóller is its historic wooden tram, which has been running since 1913. The ride takes about thirty minutes and connects the town to Port de Sóller, a scenic harbor with a crescent-shaped bay. If you have time, I highly recommend taking this tram ride to enjoy the views of orange groves, mountains, and the sparkling sea as you make your way to the port.
In Sóller, start with Plaça de la Constitució, the lively main square surrounded by cafés and overlooked by the impressive Sant Bartomeu Church. From here, you can wander the narrow streets, browse the local shops, or simply sit outside and soak up the atmosphere. For the perfect end to the day, enjoy dinner here paired with a glass of wine as the sun sets over the mountains.
Book these popular activities for Mallorca!
Mallorca Itinerary Day 3 – Valldemossa and Deià
On your final day in Mallorca, head into the heart of the Tramuntana mountains to explore two of my favorite villages on the island.
Morning in Valldemossa
Just a short drive from Sóller, Valldemossa is a postcard-perfect hilltop village famous for its honey-colored stone buildings, green-shuttered windows, and flower-filled balconies. The town sits surrounded by lush mountains, making every turn feel like a scene from a fairytale.
This entire village felt like stepping into a story book.
Things to do in Valldemossa:
- Try coca de patata, a soft pastry made of potato which is a local specialty
- Stroll around all the picturesque alleyways
- Check out cute shops. My favorites were Tea Valldemossa and Valldemossa Pearl.
- La Cartoixa de Valldemossa
- Mirador de Sa Miranda des Lledoners observation deck
- Frédéric Chopin and George Sand Museum
Deià
From Valldemossa, it is about a 25-minute drive to Deià, another gem of the Tramuntana mountains often described as one of the most beautiful villages in Spain.
Head to Cala Deià, a small rocky cove framed by cliffs. The water is perfect for a refreshing swim, and the atmosphere here is laid-back and scenic. It is pretty rocky, so you might want water shoes!
If you want a memorable meal, book a table at Ca’s Patró March, a beautiful seaside restaurant. This is one of the most picturesque places to dine in Mallorca, but notoriously difficult to get a reservation for. You can make reservations on their website or by calling, but it fills up very quickly. If you can’t get a reservation, try to get to the restaurant BEFORE it opens and get on the waitlist.
The road to get here is super windy and narrow, and down a hill. At the bottom there is a small parking lot. The lot tends to fill up quickly. After parking, it’s a short walk down some steps to the beach area and you’ll find yourself at Cala Deià, with the restaurant to your left.
The credit card machine at the parking lot and the restaurant is known to have connection issues, so definitely have some cash handy.
Come back the the center of Deia and spend some time exploring the narrow, winding streets lined with stone houses and lush gardens.
For dinner, I highly recommend one of the restaurants at the Belmond La Residencia hotel. This luxury hotel is set among olive groves and gardens, with sweeping views of the Tramuntana mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, making it one of the most romantic dining settings on the island. The hotel grounds here are beautiful, and this way you can see the grounds without having to spend a fortune to stay here.
El Olivo is the hotel’s fine dining restaurant with a magical candlelit stone terrace setting. Unfortunately they were fully booked when I tried making a reservation, so if this restaurant is on your list, make reservations in advance.
For a more casual option, Restaurante Miró offers a relaxed setting surrounded by original works of art by Joan Miró. This is where we chose to dine on our last night, and it was absolute perfection. The menu is inspired by Mallorcan and Mediterranean flavors, and the terrace here offers a magical fairytale setting with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
It is pricey, but taking account the quality of the food, ambience, service, it’s worth the splurge.
Final Thoughts on This 3 Day Mallorca Itinerary
Mallorca is one of those destinations that leaves you wanting more no matter how long you stay. This 3 day Mallorca itinerary is based on my own trip, and while it only scratches the surface of what the island offers, it captures some of its most unforgettable highlights.
If you have more time, you can slow down the pace, add in extra villages, or explore other parts of the island such as the Formentor Peninsula or the beaches in the northeast. I’m definitely planning another visit to this magical island soon!
I hope this itinerary helps you plan your own incredible getaway to this Mediterranean paradise.
USE MY CHECKLIST TO PLAN YOUR TRIP!
- Flights
- Search for the best flights on Skyscanner to get to your destination
- Search for the best flights on Skyscanner to get to your destination
- Hotels
- I use Booking.com for most accommodations
- For Asia, I prefer Agoda as they have the most competitive prices. I also compare prices on Klook (you can use my code MINYWANDER for a discount so see if that’s a better deal)
- For vacation rentals, especially for larger families, consider VRBO
- Transportation
- Trains & Ferries – book on Omio
- Rental Cars – I usually book on DiscoverCars
- For reliable airport pickups, use Welcome Pickups
- For Asia I use Klook (code MINYWANDER for a discount) – Japan trains for example
- Activities & Tours
- GetYourGuide and Viator are my go to’s.
- For Asia, I prefer Klook as there are more options – use code MINYWANDER
- E-sim
- Stay connected with Airalo E-sims.
