Mallorca for Nature Lovers

Best Outdoor Activities on the Beautiful Island of Mallorca in 2024…

After living on Mallorca for the last year we continue to be impressed by the spectacular natural settings around this incredible Mediterranean island.  The reason we moved to the island was because we were seduced by the natural beauty of the Tramuntana mountains, countless natural settings and unparalleled beaches and coves.  And after a year of exploring the island we have to say that it has exceeded our expectations!

While there is a significant number of developments and tourism on the island, we have found remarkable natural and largely untouched locations. There is incredible variety of landscapes ranging from the sandy beaches with crystal clear water, to the snow-capped mountains and serene wetlands.  

There are new surprises and places to explore daily and we are excited to share some of them with you!

Secluded Beaches

Let’s start with the obvious and get into the remarkable beaches and waters surrounding the island of Mallorca. 

Mallorca’s beaches are easily some of the most beautiful in Europe. The island has hundreds of beaches, and many of them are easy to get to and quite crowded.  However, many remain untouched, and their natural beauty is breathtaking.

Here are some of our favorites…

 Sa Calobra is a set between two high cliffs allowing for a stunning beach and impressive setting. The beach is located at the end of a gorge made by the Torrent de Pareis. There are no amenities here, just unparalleled serene natural beauty. If you are up for hiking down through the Torrent de Pareis it allows for a remarkable way to enter the area.  Additionally, one of the most exciting and beautiful ways to get to Sa Calobra is by boat! You can hire a passenger boat from Soller or charter your own if you are up for it.  We highly recommend this option!

Cala Formentor is one of the loveliest beaches on the island of Mallorca and our nine-year-olds favorite beach, due to the color of the water. The sea is crystal clear and warm, featuring stunning views of the mountains from the shore. It is a long, narrow beach made up of soft white sand that is great for a stroll and a nap!

You can find a secluded spot to sit for the better part of the day while cooling off in the clear blue water. Make sure to bring snacks and an umbrella to allow for optimal relaxation. If you feel like it, you can take a walk to the nearby Hotel Formentor, one of the first luxury resorts on the island, and sit and enjoy a delicious cocktail.

Cala Mesquida is a long stretch of sandy beach surrounded by pine trees and sand dunes. It is located on the northeast coast of the island.  There is often wind in this location making it a popular spot for surfers.  There are essentially two sides to the beach, with one being more natural and secluded and the other more touristed and popular with families. We prefer the quieter side, but you can dip into both to get the total experience. 

Coastal Natural Parks

There are several natural parks on the island of Mallorca, and each is worth visiting.  There are unique species of birds and lizards as well as incredible flora and fauna in each location allowing for each one to have a very different feel and experience.

Mondrago Natural Park is a beautiful coastal nature reserve on the southeast coast of Mallorca.  It has clear turquoise water and sandy beaches.  It also has wetlands, Fonts de n’Alis, and the migratory birds that spend time there are remarkable.  There are unique species that migrate back and forth between Europe and Africa and bird enthusiasts gather year round to catch a glimpse.  

On the north coast of Mallorca, near the bays of Alcudia and Pollensa there are more wetlands that provide resting and migration spots to different varieties of birds as well.

S’Albufera Natural Park is the largest and most rich in birds of all the nature reserves found on Mediterranean islands.  S’Albufereta which boasts an impressive variety of landscapes where you can find not only the Eleonora Falcon but Osprey and Purple Gallinule.  Even if you are not a bird enthusiasts you will be impressed by the beauty and variety of plants and animals.

Unpopulated Islands

The islands around Mallorca are treasures of natural beaty. 

Sa Dragonera is a small islet off the west coast of Mallorca which has become a landmark of particular interest in recent years. Here you can also visit a early 20th-century lighthouses with great views over the Mallorca coastline. There are more than 300 plant species here, a wide variety of bird species, and a wide variety of wall lizards, an endemic subspecies that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. 

Off the eastern coast, the Cabrera Archipelago is a maritime terrestrial national park. Known for its aquamarine waters and unspoiled beaches where snorkeling is very popular so don´t forget to bring your fins and snorkel. It is said to be used as abase for pirates who used to attack the island   Now a national park, it is home to rare endemic flora and famous for its marine biodiversity thanks to the Posidonia prairies that surround its coast. Endangered animals come under the park’s protection and fishing is prohibited in its waters. There are scheduled boat trips over to Cabrera but, if you are visiting on your own yacht or yacht charter, you will need to apply for a permit.

Formidable Mountains

Mallorca has two sets of impressive mountain ranges.  The first, Serra de Tramuntana, is the largest and provides the backbone of the island of Mallorca.  Running almost 90 kilometers, the whole range has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site for its historical, cultural, and environmental importance. 

Whether you choose to drive, hike or cycle, there are countless incredible sights to see and places to visit along the entire range.  

Cyclists have named these mountains one of the best spots for training. allowing for challenging climbs and unparalleled views.  

The mountains are also the perfect backdrop for countless hikes with stunning views.  One of the more well-known hikes is the Dry Stone Route which is an 8-day trek that runs from Port d’Andratx all the way to Pollença following ancient cobbled paths.

If you prefer to use a car, you can drive around discovering the endless breathtaking views of the sea and the mountains after each hairpin bend.  And while we prefer to hike we have enjoyed many drives through the mountains where we stop for a cappuccino and stretch in one of the quaint traditional villages scattered around the mountains.

In the north part of the island there is the smaller mountain range of Llevant which has secret coves, pristine beaches and colonies of Mediterranean sea turtles.  

Both mountain ranges have incredible things to offer and we highly recommend exploring them both.  

Waterfalls and Natural Springs

Es Salt des Frau is a natural waterfall between Bunyola and Alaro within a beautiful forest of holm oak, pine and olive trees. It’s a great place to swim, paddle or go canyoning.  Summer is not the ideal time to visit, due to the lack of rain, the waterfall can sometimes dry up. However, after some heavy rainfall, it’s worth visiting a little forest in Campanet to see the natural spring of Ses Fonts Ufanes, a hydrological wonder that only appears after a downpour. A little river just pops up out of nowhere due to a natural underground system which handles overflows from the main river running through the forest and makes for a great easy walk.

Extraordinary Caves

Mallorca possesses some of Europe’s most extraordinary cave formations which have become some of the biggest tourist attractions on the island. While you must tolerate some crowds the uniqueness of the formation and caves make it worth your time.  Arta Caves encompass vast chambers of stalactites and stalagmites within the rock face on the north eastern coastline. Further down the coast, the Cuevas del Drach are four caves containing a large underground lake considered to be one of the largest in the world. The formations and colors are incredible and we have never seen anything like the caves in all our travels.  

In conclusion…

Mallorca is a paradise for natural beauty set in the Mediterranean.  It is an incredible island full of an endless number of opportunities to connect and appreciate nature across a variety of settings. We hope you enjoy!