An island located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Spain’s Mallorca is a favorite vacation spot for Europeans. Rugged cliffs are well-developed in the southern part of the island, and stunning beaches are scattered everywhere. This photo was taken at the coastal village of Mallorca travel guide, known as ‘Cala S’Almonia,’ which is a great spot for diving and snorkeling.
“One of the most beautiful places on Earth. The vividness and mystery of nature are dissolved in both the sea and the sky here.” This sentence was left by the novelist and lover George Sand, who spent four months with Chopin on the Spanish island of Mallorca in 1838-39. Mallorca is a beloved European resort destination. Europeans flocking to the island from spring to autumn would surely agree with Sand’s words.
These days, many Koreans are also visiting Mallorca. After indulging in culture and gastronomy in cities like Barcelona and Madrid, and diligently walking the Santiago Pilgrimage, Koreans have begun turning their attention to Spain’s proud resort island. In mid-last month, I spent a week in Mallorca. It was an island permeated with mystery everywhere.
Exploring the Stunning Southern Beaches and Coves
When you think of Mallorca, you think of the sea. Since an island twice the size of Jeju Island sits right in the middle of the brilliant turquoise Mediterranean, it is natural that there are so many wonderful beaches.
‘Cala d’Or.’ As soon as I arrived at Palma Airport, I entered the destination into the rental car navigation system. It is a coastal village in the southeast of the island. ‘Cala’ or ‘Calo’ is a Spanish word meaning a small bay and coastal village. There are many ‘calas’ in the south of the island where cliffs are well-developed.
The beach ‘Cala Petita,’ which I rushed to after dropping off my luggage at the hotel, was truly dazzling. I jumped into the jade-colored water and enjoyed snorkeling. Even though the daytime temperature was 25 degrees Celsius, the sun was stinging enough to make my skin smart.
Driving west for about 15 minutes, I visited ‘Calo des Moro.’ It is a beach famous as the background of works by the Spanish photographer Yosigo, who has many fans in Korea. After walking about 15 minutes along the village path from the parking lot and another 10 minutes down a dizzying cliff, a picturesque scenery unfolded.
The U-shaped cozy bay, cliffs, sea caves, the sparkling color of the sea, and people floating around looked surreal. There were an unusually large number of Korean newlyweds. Small beaches like Calo des Moro do not have convenience facilities such as toilets, showers, or cafes. I recommend bringing towels and water. Illegal parking is also strictly cracked down on.
Northern Charm: Pollenca and Scenic Hiking Trails
After enjoying the sea to my heart’s content, I drove to the northern part of the island. I visited the ‘Rafa Nadal Academy,’ a tennis training facility established by Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal in his hometown of ‘Manacor.’ Opened in 2018, the academy also features a museum, souvenir shop, and hotel. I looked around Nadal’s traces and bought a t-shirt with his name on it.
Driving another hour north from Manacor, I arrived in Pollenca. I stayed for two nights at a farmhouse accommodation in this small town. From a breakfast priced at a modest 9 euros (approx. 13,500 KRW) to a tropical garden where goats and ponies run around, a starry night sky, and a 300-year-old traditional house that gave me a deep sleep, it was a paradise where I wanted to stay for a month, not just three days.
The Sunday market held in downtown Pollenca was also cozy. Local agricultural and livestock products and handicrafts such as olive oil, wine, and handmade ham were inexpensive. The saying that Mallorca is the most expensive place in Spain did not apply here.
The ‘El Calvari Steps,’ consisting of 365 stone steps, is also a landmark of the village. After walking up the hill lined with cypress trees, a cozy chapel appeared. The view of the village looking down from here was just like a picture postcard.
The ‘Tramuntana Mountain Range’ stretches long from east to west in the northern part of Mallorca. Even if you do not climb the highest peak (1445m), there are plenty of trails worth walking. I walked the ‘Cami de Boquer’ trail, a 6 km round trip near Pollenca.
Because it was a dry limestone canyon, it resembled the desert of the American West, but when I arrived at the turning point, ‘Cala Boquer,’ it was a completely different world. The yellowish limestone valley and the turquoise sea harmonized strangely. I encountered wild goats throughout the walk. Some of them followed me around asking for snacks.
Valldemossa, the village where Chopin stayed on the northwestern slopes of the mountains, is a must-visit for tourists. The monastery where he convalesced looks great from the outside, and the view from the inside is also wonderful. Chopin created many masterpieces here, including the ‘Raindrop Prelude.’ In the nearby port city of ‘Soller,’ wooden trams were running. It felt like Chopin and Sand would step off the tram hand in hand right away.
Palma City Highlights and Essential Travel Tips
The island’s largest city, ‘Palma,’ was as bustling as Myeongdong in Seoul. The high-rise buildings and streets lined with luxury shops were so noisy that I wanted to return to my farmhouse accommodation. The ‘Palma Cathedral,’ whose interior was reportedly renovated by Gaudi, surprisingly did not reveal much of the genius architect’s personality. Gaudi had planned a much more radical interior, but due to conflicts with church conservatives, he reportedly stepped down as site supervisor midway.
There are two main ways to get to Mallorca from Korea: transferring through a major European hub airport and heading directly to the island, or taking a low-cost airline from a Spanish city like Barcelona or Madrid. This time, I used KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Incheon-Amsterdam-Palma). A rental car is essential in Mallorca. I used a Spanish rental car company called ‘Record Go.’ It was cheap because I booked during a discount period (about 120,000 KRW for a week), but the waiting line at the airport was very long and I had a petty argument with the staff over extra charges. Global companies like Hertz and Europcar are expensive, but their service is better.
