Mallorca in January epitomizes a return to nature. It is a paradise for hiking enthusiasts and for lovers of leisurely strolls, and a place where local ingredients create not only food, but also indulgent art.
There aren’t many places that make me want to return immediately and do it all over again. I fell in love with Mallorca. It ignites that spark in me to take a step away from technology and material items, and live among its lively orange and olive trees with the sea whispering my name.
Our weekend in Mallorca:
- Day 1: Palma – Tapas & Wine at Ombu, Dinner
- Day 2: Port de Sóller & Hike Torre Picada; Sóller; Palma – Rooftop Sunset, Tapas & Drinks
- Day 3: Cathedral de Mallorca; Palma Port; Tapas at Finca 14
Day 1: Palma – Tapas & Wine at Ombu, Dinner
A quick and easy flight from Frankfurt, Mallorca was the weekend of my dreams. An island where the sun shines, food is indulge-worthy, and natural landscape is unbelievable.
Getting there: My husband, Andrew, and I arrived into Palma’s airport (PMI), quite impressed by how large and nice the airport was. We hopped on the A1 line Bus from the airport, which took about 25 minutes to arrive in Palma’s Old Town. We bought tickets at the airport bus stop.
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Immediately after stepping off the bus, the sun started to set a beautiful mix of golds, contrasting with the still baby blue sky. The palm trees silhouettes against the sky made me experience the exotic, island feelings.
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We stayed at Petite Palace Hotel Tres, conveniently located near Cathedral de Mallorca in the Old Town. After checking in, the receptionist gave us a few recommendations, including Tapas and Wine at Ombu, also conveniently around the corner from our hotel.
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Ombu Restaurant – I cannot recommend it enough for your first tapas experience! The food was such amazing quality and the wine made in Mallorca was exceptional. We ordered Chicken and pistachio croquette with curry mayonnaise, “Patatas Bravas” with sobrasada foam and charcoal aioli, Iberian pork bao bun with avocado, walnut oil and son tam salad, and red wine made in Mallorca – SA LLEBRE 2021.
What are tapas? Tapas are a Spanish food concept, where small portions of food, basically like snacks, are ordered and can be shared with others! It is not only about the food, but the relationships and conversations you have with loved ones while enjoying them. Beyond that, tapas can be any food, your whole meal, or just your appetizer.
(I’ve been told Mallorca is a popular winter destination for Germans, and it couldn’t be more true. While sitting in Ombu, the Germans at the table next to us opened the restaurant window. Andrew responded “Stoßlüften!” which completely stopped the Germans in their tracks, because we look and speak awfully American…you would have no idea we are living in Germany and can speak some of their language! Tapas sparked conversation with fellow Germans!)
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A second restaurant recommendation from our hotel was Celler Sa Premsa, which is where we ate dinner. Paella was a must try while in Mallorca, so we decided to order it here since the price was more reasonable and it didn’t have a 2 person minimum like most. (Usually you will be spending at least 20 euros/pp to eat Paella, and you have to pay for 2 people). Paella comes out in a huge pan and is split at the table to different plates. It is quite the experience!
(We sent our friend from Spain a picture of this paella and asking if it looks authentic. He responded and said “it looks good to me!” So, you might be in the clear eating here! Andrew ordered the mixed paella so he could try all different types of seafood in it, and was pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed it. I ordered a bottle of wine from Mallorca, which was also delicious (and inexpensive!))
Day 2: Port de Sóller & Hike Torre Picada; Sóller; Palma – Rooftop Sunset, Tapas & Drinks
January in Mallorca truly is a hiker’s paradise. The weather is warm, but not hot like during the peak season. Crowds are minimal, but there are enough people so you feel safe. Although it isn’t beach weather, Mallorca in January is still perfect.
The only warning I should give about visiting in January is that the iconic, vintage train from Palma to Sóller is closed for maintenance in January. The tram between Port de Sóller and Sóller, and the local ones in the towns are also closed for maintenance. It didn’t affect our trip much other than me feeling FOMO for not riding the train.
We had to ride the bus instead of taking the train, but it was a very simple experience that I would recommend. The buses in Mallorca seem very reliable and quick. While entering the bus, you tap your credit card, and when leaving, you tap it again so you are charged the correct amount! Their system was so simple yet so efficient.
We hopped on bus 204 to Port de Sóller from Estacio Intermodal, the underground bus station, in Palma. The bus ride was about 40 minutes and extremely scenic.
After disembarking the bus in Port de Sóller, we walked to the beach and along the shops and restaurants. There wasn’t much open and there weren’t many people there.
Our original plan was to take the bus directly to Sóller from Palma and hike the Barranc de Biniaraix, which is a long and difficult hike. The hotel receptionist giving us recommendations said he is an avid hiker, and told us to skip that one since we didn’t have a lot of time in Mallorca. He recommended hiking at Port de Sóller to Torre Picada.
Hike to Torre Picada: This well marked, extremely scenic, and easy hike was well worth the trip to Port de Sóller. It took us through olive tree farms, past goats, and ended with 180 degree views of the Balearic Sea. It was a highlight of the trip for us.
After hiking back down to the bus stop where we were dropped off, we caught the next bus to Sóller (if you visit any month other than January, you can take the tram to Sóller.)
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Sóller is one of the main towns to visit from Palma. It had a great variety of restaurants and cafes to choose from for lunch, and is known as an excellent base for many hikes around the area.
Admire Sóller‘s cathedral:
Located in the center of Sóller, this cathedral is a stunning view to have while sipping coffee at a cafe or walking past orange trees.
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Our lunch at Sa Butigueta, next to Sóller’s cathedral, was exceptional. The cafe didn’t have drink menus, and when I asked for one, the waiter said “just tell me what you want and I’ll get it.” That was so funny to me, so I just ordered a coffee and a Coke Zero. After, we ordered pasta and shrimp.
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Around the corner was a pastry and wine shop, Forn Es Pa Pagés . My husband and I stop for a chocolate pastry and for some local Mallorca wines. The wine was only a few euros, but was some of the best I’ve ever had.
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Walk around Sóller:
Buy local fruits from the grocery store:
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Return to Palma via bus 204.
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Eager to drink our Mallorca wine we bought in Sóller, we ran up to our hotel’s rooftop to sip our wine and watch the sunset. We were the only ones up there and the rooftop had a sauna, so we had that private, too! We admire the cathedral and the most colorful, beautiful buildings in Palma from our front row rooftop seats!
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The night was still young for us as we search for a bar and tapas this Saturday night.
I do believe that January limited our selection a little bit, but what was still open was top tier.
We ended up at Arlequin Restaurant and Bar for an unforgettable “circus” experience. Every drink comes with a story and a unique presentation. We ordered their cauliflower popcorn, tiger prawns, and pulled pork tacos, all while playing games! (We even received free shots for moving to a new table to accommodate a larger party!)
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We took our time lolly-gallying around back to our hotel to end the night.
Day 3: Cathedral de Mallorca; Palma Port; Tapas at Finca 14
Building of the Cathedral started in the 13th century, but wasn’t finished until in the 1630s. Its history is extensive, but nothing changes the fact that it is one of the most impressive Gothic style Cathedrals in the world.
We opted to not pay to go in, but you can buy tickets to see the interior. I’m sure it is as intricate as the exterior. The Cathedral has limited hours, so make sure to check before assuming it will be open! Click here for more information.
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This cathedral and surrounding areas are stunning and breathtaking. You can spend hours waking around the grounds and admiring the sea views nearby. This is now Andrew’s favorite cathedral in Europe!
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A short walk from the cathedral is Palma’s port to admire massive yachts and the Bellver Castle on the other side of the water.
(The Bellver Castle can be accessed by car, bus, or by walking, but we didn’t have enough time to get over there. It is a top thing to do in Palma, though!)
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Walk around Palma in the daytime:
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Grab Gelato (& go!) from Riva Reno Gelato:
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One final tapas hurrah at Finca 14 before catching our flight back to Frankfurt:
We ordered sangria, vegetable spring rolls, and grated potatoes with smoked salmon and guacamole.
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We took bus A1 to the airport for our flight out. The bus to the airport only took cash, so just be prepared and have some on hand. It was about 5 euros each.
A summary of foods to try in Mallorca:
- Croquettes
- Ensaimadas
- We did not end up trying one, but our friend from Spain said these are very popular and a must try!
- Paella
- Patatas Bravas
- Any and all seafood
Drinks:
- Wine made in Mallorca
- Sangria
Places we didn’t get to but wanted to:
- Valldemossa
- Hike Barranc de Biniaraix
- Palma Castle
- there are many beaches on the island that we didn’t consider visiting because it was January. For beaches and a party scene near Palma, try Magaluf, Palma Nova, and Torrenova (recommended by our Spanish friend)
Happy Travels!
January 12-14, 2024
GRAB GELATO & GO 
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