Things to do in Majorca: 11 highlights, from Palma to Formentor

The island's capital, Palma spreads around a wide bay on the south-west coast. The Gothic cathedral of La Seu towers over the seafront; next to it, the Almudaina royal palace recalls the city's past, and the old town mixes lanes, patios and busy squares.

Spend at least a day here: La Seu and its Gaudí additions, the Lonja district for tapas bars, the Olivar market for island produce, and the harbour promenade. The beaches of the bay are a few minutes away by bus.

The Serra de Tramuntana runs along the whole north-west coast of Majorca, from the tip of Andratx to Cap de Formentor. The range has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2011 as a cultural landscape: dry-stone terraces, irrigation networks, mills and stone villages bear witness to centuries of mountain farming.

You can explore it on foot, from an easy path between two villages to multi-day routes, or along the spectacular road linking Andratx, Valldemossa, Deià, Sóller and Pollença. In summer, walk early in the morning, carry plenty of water and download your routes: some areas are remote.

Near Porto Cristo on the east coast, the Coves del Drac (Caves of the Dragon) lead underground on a route of about an hour, between stalactites, stalagmites and lit chambers. The visit ends on the shore of Lake Martel, a vast underground lake.

Every visit includes a live classical music concert on Lake Martel, then the crossing by boat or on foot. Tours leave at set times, roughly every hour in season.

At the island's northern tip, the Formentor peninsula juts about twenty kilometres into the sea, all cliffs and pine woods. The Ma-2210 road leaves Port de Pollença, passes the Es Colomer viewpoint and Formentor beach, then winds out to the lighthouse at the end of the cape.

The views over the cliffs and islets are the finest on the north coast, and pine-fringed Formentor beach has very clear water. Cyclists are numerous on the narrow, winding road.

A honey-coloured stone village in the Serra de Tramuntana, about twenty minutes from Palma, Valldemossa is built around the Royal Charterhouse (Real Cartuja). Frédéric Chopin and George Sand spent the winter of 1838-1839 here; the cells they stayed in now house a museum devoted to the composer.

Around it, flower-filled lanes lead to the birthplace of Saint Catalina Thomàs, the island's saint, and to viewpoints over the olive terraces. Try coca de patata, the local potato bun, in the town-centre bakeries.

At the bottom of a valley of orange and lemon groves, ringed by the Tramuntana peaks, Sóller is a small town of modernista façades and a large shady square. It is linked to Palma by a wooden train inaugurated in 1912, which crosses the mountains through a string of tunnels.

From the square, a historic tram runs down to Port de Sóller, an almost enclosed bay with a beach and fish restaurants. The valley is also the starting point for walks to Fornalutx and Biniaraix.

On the south coast, between Colònia de Sant Jordi and Sa Ràpita, Es Trenc is a beach of about 2 km of white sand, with no buildings, backed by dunes. It belongs to the protected Es Trenc–Salobrar de Campos natural area, which also includes salt pans popular with birds.

The shallow turquoise water suits children. There is little shade and few facilities: bring a parasol, water and a picnic. In July and August the beach is very busy at weekends.

Clinging to the mountainside above the sea, between Valldemossa and Sóller, Deià is a village of stone houses and terraced gardens. The British poet Robert Graves settled here and is buried here; his house can be visited, and the village has drawn artists and musicians ever since.

A path leads down to Cala Deià, a small pebble cove with a few fish restaurants. The village is also a stop on the Tramuntana hiking trail to Sóller.

On the south-east coast, in the municipality of Santanyí, Cala d'Or is a resort built around several small sandy coves, including Cala Gran, Cala Esmeralda and Cala Ferrera. Its low white houses and marina give it a calmer feel than the big resorts on the Bay of Palma.

The sheltered, shallow coves suit family swimming and snorkelling. It is a practical base for exploring the south-east coves, such as Caló des Moro and Mondragó Natural Park.

On the east coast, Cala Millor is a family resort built along a sandy beach of about 2 km, shared by the municipalities of Sant Llorenç des Cardassar and Son Servera. The beach has facilities and lifeguards, and a promenade links it to S'Illot.

Hotels, restaurants and water sports line the seafront. The Drach Caves in Porto Cristo are about twenty minutes away by car.

East of the city, between Can Pastilla and S'Arenal, Playa de Palma is the big sandy beach of the bay, lined by a continuous promenade with numbered "balnearios" (beach stations with bars). It is a few minutes from the airport and from central Palma.

By day people come for swimming and water sports; the S'Arenal end is known for its very lively nightlife. For a calmer feel, choose the Can Pastilla end.