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If you think the best summer holidays in Spain are in Madrid or Barcelona, you’re looking in the wrong place.
This year, the crown goes somewhere completely different: an island that is quietly trading its sleepy Mediterranean reputation for serious momentum among American travelers.
Welcome to Mallorca.
With unspoilt calas, storybook medieval villages and a glamorous coastline, this is officially the only place to be this season. And we completely agreed.
The best part?
You don’t even need a stopover to get there
This is Spain’s top-rated destination this summer
Mallorca, the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, measures approximately 90 kilometers from east to west and 72 kilometers from north to south, and despite its relatively modest size it is actually Mediterranean bliss personified.
In case Mallorca doesn’t ring a bell, or you’ve only vaguely heard of it while scrolling past yet another viral TikTok of a turquoise bay somewhere in Spain, here’s why CN Traveler Spain voters kicked Barcelona to the curb and chose this city this time:
You can practically find it all here, from medieval cities frozen in timegolden sandy beaches surrounded by blue-green waters, dramatic mountains dotted with rolling vineyards, and – if that’s your main draw for a European summer holiday – a glamorous, resort-lined coastline.
Whatever your reason for visiting Mallorca, chances are your trip will start in Palma, the beautiful, compact capital.
There you will find the one from the island iconic fortress-like Gothic cathedralwith its beautiful honey-colored stone exterior and palm tree-lined streets that look like a Mediterranean postcard, come to life.
As beautiful as Palma is, it’s outside the city that the real magic happens.
A quick break
DO NOT fly to Europe without doing this first
If you’re flying to Europe this season, you need to know Travel rules for US passport holders have changed. Now you have to be fingerprinted upon arrival, and soon you won’t even be able to board that United flight without applying for a travel authorization in advance.
Fortunately, you can still travel with your passport alone this summer, but not for long.
Stay informed of the ever-changing European travel rules via the Entry Requirements Checker.
Discover the true charm of Mallorca outside the capital
Mallorca is best experienced by car, as public transport can feel limited compared to mainland Spain, and the picture-perfect, tucked-away villages you see in travel brochures are often difficult to reach on local buses.
But if there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss, it’s taking the cutest wooden, vintage train from Palma to the valley town of Sóller, where you can find even more. flowery shady squaresa grand cathedral with a dramatic main portal bordered by whimsical and lively cafes galore.
The journey itself takes about an hour and along the way you will pass beautiful views of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, olive groves and citrus groves.
Once you pick up the car, the first stop you should visit is Valldemossa:
This is high in the Tramuntana Mountains one of the many storybooks of Mallorca, medieval villages that feel completely untouched. Think cobbled streets, flower pots and stone houses surrounded by green hills.
Whatever you do, don’t leave without trying Forn i Pastisseria Ca’n Molinas in Valldemossa, the city’s legendary bakery that Coca de Patata fresh from the oven. The best brioche you will have in your life.
Is Mallorca, Spain safe for tourists this summer?
Wondering how safe Mallorca is to visit right now?
It currently scores 85 out of 100 on the Traveler Safety Index, based on reports from travelers who have recently been to the island:
More serious issues that often plague mainland Europe, such as urban violence, knife attacks and other forms of extremism, are not really a problem in Mallorca.
On the other hand, incidents of pickpocketing and scams can occur occasionally, especially in tourist-heavy areas such as Palma or Magaluf.
It is best to keep a close eye on your surroundings and never leave items unattended when you are at the beach.
The most beautiful medieval town in Mallorca
For slower strolls and scenic coffee stops, head to Deià, a hip hilltop artist town known for its steep streets leading to viewpoints with incredible sea views and award-winning restaurants.
One of these is Restaurant Es Racó d’es Teix, known for its refined Mallorcan tasting menus and excellent local wines, popular with visitors for its creative cuisine and Balearic wine pairings.
For all my fellow water babies, the hidden slice of Mediterranean heaven, the turquoise bay with white pebbles, Cala Deià, is just a 10 minute drive from the village and is one of the last remaining swimming spots in Mallorca that still feels unspoilt and locally frequented.
Perhaps our favorite find in Mallorca, Alcúdia is not to be missed.
It is perhaps the most beautiful medieval town on the island, with huge, well-preserved city walls, winding streets that twist and turn seemingly endlessly, and a Gothic church in the middle.
It is also within walking distance of Playa de Muro, one of Mallorca’s largest stretches of Caribbean soft white sand.
This is the best resort area of Mallorca
We wouldn’t normally recommend coming to Mallorca just to party, when there are all these beautiful villages to explore and amazing culture to enjoy, and Ibiza is literally part of the same island chain, but we’re not judging here.
If that’s the vibe you’re going for, then you should be happy enough to stay in or around Magaluf, the main resort strip.
It is by far the largest entertainment center on the islandperhaps rivaled only by the up-and-coming Playa de Palma in the Ballermann area, and it’s packed with bars, mega clubs (such as BCM style) and beach clubs.
Here’s the Mallorca overview for you:
- For a relaxing cultural city trip: Palma de Mallorca
- For village hopping and wine tasting: Serra de Tramuntana
- For a mix of Old World charm and Caribbean beaches: Alcudia
- For plenty of parties and cheap drinks: Magaluf
Fly non-stop to Mallorca from the US
Since 2022, Americans have been able to fly to Mallorca every summer thanks to United Airlines’ Transatlantic service, now a fully established seasonal route connecting Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), serving New Jersey and the broader New York metro area, with Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI).
This is only the fifth year the route has been in operation, but since its launch it has proven to be a resounding success, with around 50,000 seats available each year and growing interest in Mallorca holidays in the United States.
You know how it goes: if there’s a non-stop transatlantic option and you can choose between that and avoiding one of those unnecessarily long layovers to get to your destination, that is the option most travelers choose.
Route overview (EWR → PMI)
- Airline: United Airlines
- Frequency: 4 flights per week (Mon, Tue, Thurs, Sat)
- Aircraft: Boeing 767-400 (long-range wide-body aircraft)
- Departure times: from Newark around 4:10 p.m
- Arrival: around 6am the next day in Palma de Mallorca
As those who have flown this route in recent years can testify, there is no true First Class on this route, but loyal United customers can still book Business Class seats with their points, while more casual budget travelers can snag tickets from as low as $685 round trip sometimes.
But that’s usually out of season. In high summer you’re looking at round-trip fares of around $900 – $1,200.
