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Home to world famous cities like Madrid and Barcelona, blessed with warmer weather all year round and with endless miles of coastline, it’s no wonder Spain is one of the top destinations for Americans flying across the pond.
The entire country is a tourism hotspot, from the culturally charged northwestern provinces to the resort-dominated Costa del Sol, but one island in particular seems to be driving tourism growth the most (and stealing the hearts of visiting Americans).
How’s the food going? heladitos as you walk along a palm-lined promenade, swim in turquoise waters and explore postcard-ready medieval towns, does this sound like a holiday?
Mallorca is an important driving force behind the tourist boom in Spain
According to Spain’s AIReF, the entity responsible for GDP-related statistics, the Balearic island of Mallorca is a huge contributor to the recovery of tourism in Spain, with the local economy (mainly based on tourism) growing by 3.2% in 2023, above the national average of 2%.
In total, Last year it received 11.6 million tourists, including a growing number of Americans, who have been taking non-stop flights to the island paradise since 2022; this year it could break all records as flight frequency from key markets increases and demand soars.
It is racing for the number one spot in Spain, challenging Malaga and nearby Marbella, voted a top destination this year, the tropical Canary Islands, Barcelona, famous for its Gaudí heritage and the soon to be completed Sagrada Familia- basilica.
But with so many destinations in Spain to choose from, you might wonder why it is Mallorca where they are going.
What makes Mallorca so special?
Mallorca, the largest island of a Mediterranean archipelago known as the Balearic Islands, and the seventh largest in this sea, has been inhabited since the third millennium BC, and although in modern times it is mainly a leisure destination, it is also a cultural site of the first order.
A beautiful old capital
The beautiful, compact capital of Palma de Mallorca concentrates a number of historical monuments, from a fortified cathedral to Bellver (one of Europe’s last remaining round castles), to the monumental Royal Palace of La Almudaina, to the UNESCO-listed Gothic Silk Exchange.
As with other settlements in Palma, the cityscape is ochre-colored, which gives it an alluring appearance age-old flairand there are several Mallorcan and traditional restaurants tapa bars that serve cheaply shades and tasty facts to satisfy the foodie in you.
Magaluf is the European Cancun
However, Palma’s true charm lies in its unique combination of European charm, Old World charm and modern resorts: just a 23-minute drive from the capital, straddling a part of Palma Bay where the sea is crystal clear, Magaluf here you will find your perfect all-inclusive stay.
Nestled in a Caribbean-style development zone, with tourist-friendly facilities and hotel complexes spread along a sandy coast, this is where Germans and Brits flock for their sunny getaways, whatever the season; it is, as we like to call it, the European Cancun.
The overnight stay average in the resorts of Magaluf Beach is only $123 before the high season, great Expedia.com choices including Hotel Spa Flamboyan Caribe, Leonardo Royal Hotel Mallorca and the adults-only VIP Ibero Star Selection Jardín del Sol Suites, at an entry fee of $314.
Picturesque coastal scenes
Magaluf may be the ‘Cancun’ of Mallorca, but you should bear in mind that there is a whole island to discover, from highly developed beach areas to unspoilt fishing villages whose origins have been lost in time, not to mention a green, hilly hinterland dotted with charming historic towns.
The Tramuntana Range, which includes Palma’s highest peak and unique geological formations, is a sustainable tourism center rich in biodiversity, while the northwestern edge of the island is particularly known for its scenic coastal routes and charming port towns.
No visit to Mallorca is complete without Port de Sóller, popular for its historic tram line and imposing Romanesque-Gothic church, the stone settlements of Deià, Fornalutx and Valldemossa, with their narrow streets and terracotta roofs, or the medieval port of Pollença (and all its pristine calas).
Mallorca is an affordable getaway to Europe
When it comes to prices, Mallorca is incredibly affordable by Mediterranean standards, because a stay of a week already costs you a lot of effort $1,045 per personincluding accommodation, meals and transport between different municipalities.
Most of the food served in the restaurants is locally sourced, and thanks to Palma’s fertile terrain and mild climate, there is an abundance of tropical fruit and vegetables and freshly caught fish in the markets; the cost of living outside the resort areas is also quite low.
On average, restaurant menus in Palma are the same half the price of New York, with prices for cheap meals in local eateries at $14, and more extensive three-course dinners for two in the mid-range costing $53.87, or the equivalent in euros.
Non-stop American flights return this year
Furthermore, there will be one increase in capacity to United’s New York-Palma flights this year, proving that demand among Americans continues to grow: Starting May 25, the airline will deploy a 240-seat Boeing 767-400 ER on this route, 26 more than last year.
In the wake of United’s success, American Airlines also plans to operate this transatlantic route sometime this year, with flights from Miami to Palma expected to be announced soonalthough no further details have been revealed at the time of writing.
With non-stop flights returning and as many as three weekly flights scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from late May through September 25, not to mention a frequency increase for low-cost flights within Europe, we expect Palma one of the top destinations in 2024.
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The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
