MAJORCA is no secret to Brits – it’s a great place for a holiday with its beautiful city, sandy beaches, nightlife and tasty food.
Now, the island has been named one of the ‘hottest destinations to visit in 2026’, and it’s not hard to see why it continues to be firmly on our radar.
The Independent named Majorca one of the ‘hottest’ places to visit this year – and travel company ASmallWorld named Majorca as Spain’s newest ‘It’ island
CEO Zain Richardson said: “What makes Mallorca stand out from other Spanish islands is its sheer diversity.
“You get the bohemian charm of stone-built villages, the buzz of Palma’s restaurants and galleries, and an ever-changing coastline of quiet calas and long sandy beaches, without having to compromise on comfort or style.”
I visited the island’s capital, Palma, myself almost a decade ago now.
But I’m not surprised that it’s still up there with the most popular holiday destinations for Brits – almost 3.5million of us jet off there each year.
Palma has the perfect blend of city and beach with a busy Old Town full of winding streets with classic high street names and plenty of designer shops.
Passeig del Born, a street that’s also called the ‘Golden Mile’, has lots of luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Bvlgari and Hugo Boss.
I could only window shop, but there are still plenty of other inexpensive shops to be explored.
For sunglasses, check out Óptica Santa Maria Boutique which has some lovely, and reasonably priced frames – along with designer ones of course.
Giovanni L. Gelato Deluxe is another must – it’s Palma’s oldest ice cream parlour with around 80 flavours on offer.
You can easily spot it thanks to its bright red awning and gem embellished ice cream mural outside.
Choosing a flavour was a no-brainer as the brand has award-winning ice cream and was awarded the title for the “World’s Best Pistachio Ice Cream” twice.
I opted for a simple blend of pistachio and vanilla – and it was delicious.
The city is of course framed by its huge 14th-century cathedral on the seafront, and tourists can go inside for around €11 (£9.61).
I find though that you can still appreciate it enough by wandering around the outside.
Next door, the Gardens of S’Hort del Rei (The King’s Orchard) at the foot of Royal Palace of La Almudaina is a lovely spot where you can find some shade – and it wasn’t busy either.
As for where to stay, I set up base at the Hipotels Gran Playa de Palma which is tucked behind the promenade at Playa de Palma – around 20-minutes outside of the city centre.
The hotel has two outdoor pools, three bars, two buffet restaurants and entertainment during the evening.
As much as I enjoy a fly and flop holiday, I do love some activity outside of the hotel, and here was a great spot.
The hotel was a short walk to the beach, and the promenade filled with cafes, restaurants and plenty of places to pick up a bucket and spade.
The beach has soft golden sand and while there are sun loungers which you can hire out for a fee, there’s plenty of space if you want to simply sit on a towel too.
One of my favourite spots was Levita Café where I ended up stopping in most days for a rosé sangria which set me back €6.50 (£5).
If you’re so inclined, it’s also near one of Majorca’s biggest clubs, MegaPark.
I didn’t venture inside, but it’s known for having a huge open-air disco, a large beer garden, and a show stage.
Even though our hotel was just a five-minute walk-away, I never heard any noise from the club.
While there are party opportunities dotted around the island, it’s becoming more welcoming for those who aren’t there to seek out the party lifestyle.
It’s been reported that local authorities are tightening rules on party boats and noisy beach activities.
When it comes to money, Majorca isn’t the cheapest place, it’s not hugely expensive either.
According to Numbeo, you can pick up a local beer for £3.49 and coffee for £2.51.
If you want to see more of the island outside of Palma, then some other top-rated spots include the Tramuntana region with huge mountain ranges.
Some of the best beaches in the country include Cala Mondragó which is within the Mondragó Natural Park – but there are plenty to choose from as the island has over 200 of them.
As for when’s best to head to the island, it can vary as this week there are highs of 21C and plenty of sunshine, but there is a risk of rain.
Personally, I’d head there in springtime – May, April and June are generally dry with lots of sun without being too hot.
In peak months like July and August, temperatures can reach the mid-30s.
Flights won’t set you back too much either, in April, you can fly from Birmingham and London Stansted from £15 with Ryanair.
And you’ll be setting down in two and a half hours from the UK.
Here are top eats in Majorca from experts…
Tour guides Georgiana Paun, Michelle van der Werff, Emily Himmer, 30, and travel agent Tomas Nanak, share their top Majorca tips…
Georgiana said: “Las Olas is a family restaurant located on the beachfront in Santa Ponsa on the west of the island, with incredible views.
“You can enjoy all kinds of Mediterranean food while watching the sun go down over the bay of Santa Ponsa.
“Choose between their fish, seafood, paellas and meat dishes, as well as a variety of delicious tapas made with local market products.”
Michelle and Emily said: “One of our local favourites is Toque de Queda in central Palma, because of its fresh, healthy cuisine served in a cosy ‘living room’ atmosphere.
“The laid-back vibe and delicious local dishes make it a perfect place for an easy evening out, with Balearic charcuterie boards from 14 euros, and fish tapas from 9 euros.”
Tomas said: “Bar Esperanza in Ses Covetes has great Mediterranean food, with tapas from 4 euros, while Organic on Cala Marsal beach offers the best brunch on the island, with hearty Spanish breakfasts from 12.50 euros.
“If you’re looking for delicious tapas, head to Babbo Portocolom with views of the harbour on the southeast side of the island, with dishes from 7.50 euros, or S’Arrosería in Colonia de San Jordi has the best paella – from 18 euros.”
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