Mallorca, the largest of the Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain, is an adventure travel haven for families. Beyond its sunny beaches, its amazing scenery, its wonderful rugged mountains, if offers up a feast of active vacation experiences for every age. Ideal for families with youngsters of all ages and for multigenerational family travel, Mallorca promises an unforgettable holiday for all. The islands top 3 adventure pursuits include hiking, cycling and water sports of every sort:
Walking and Hiking in Mallorca’s Northwestern Mountains
Dominated by the Tramuntana mountain range, the northwestern region is Mallorca at its most spectacular with its breathtaking scenery. It is also a walker’s and hiker’s paradise with trails winding through pretty hill villages, tumbling at intervals to rocky caves and home to some of the most historical and picturesque towns on the island.
Among the many holidays on foot in the area, an easy walk takes you from the town of Puerto Pollensa through the spectacular Boquer Valley to Boquer Bay, where you can enjoy a cool swim. Or start with a visit to Lluc Monastery, Mallorca’s most sacred site nestled high in the mountains and home to a Baroque church built between 1622-24. A good time to arrive is when the boys choir sings, daily at 11 am. From here, a 2-hour climb among scented pine and cypress trees, spotting black eagles en route to Puig de Tomir, rewards you with an incredible view of the island. There are many more walking and hiking routes in the region for all abilities.
Cycling
Family holidays spent cycling in the mountains, on the coastline on this paradise island’s many biking trails offer the very best of adventures. Cycling is very safe in Mallorca since most of the roads are virtually traffic free. A trip on wheels up the hills in the Northwest will take you to some truly breathtaking views, in the midst of plant and animal life at its best.
A cycling trip between Valldemossa, a lovely little town with pretty houses and cobblestone streets at the top of a picturesque valley, and Deia, with its stunning setting to the backdrop of lush, green mountains, is an absolute must. A family biking trip is not complete without visiting bustling Palma, Mallorca’s capital city. Surrounding the city, you’ll pass through some stunning neighborhoods and interesting historical sights, including monuments from Roman, Byzantium, Italian and Arab times. The remains of the Moorish mosque under the Gothic style Cathedral La Seu and Bellver Castle, a 14th century royal fortress surrounded by scented pine, are not to be missed.
Whether you’re looking to cyle near the coast to take in spectacular sea views or prefer biking inland around small villages which offer a glimpse into Spanish culture and life, there are biking opportunities for every age and level in Mallorca.
Water Sports Galore
The biggest beach on Mallorca is at Alcudia in the north. Extending from the port of Alcudia for over ten miles, beaches of golden sand provide an ideal spot for aquatic adventures. Thought there is a great variety of watersports throughout the island’s coastline – parasailing, boating, surfing, etc., this is the area for the greatest assortment of watersports and incudes windsurfing, sialing, kitesurfing, catsailing, sea kayaking and scuba diving. Beyond magnificent watersports and beaches here, the nearby Parc Natural de S’Albufera, the largest wetland Nature Reserve in the Balearics, is home to many rare wildlife, plant and bird species. Alcudia’s Old Town walls still house ancient mansions from Moorish and Roman times, and the ancient city of Pollenta is not far away.
For sheer adventure, take the kids for a swim on Formentor Beach. Getting there is an adventure as dramatic and hairy as any child could wish – driving nearly upside-down in a valley of holes and fissures! Getting there is well worth the effort – the sea is azure blue-purple and the beach is a wonderful place for cool swims and relaxation after a worthwhile struggle.
Mallorca offers up many other adventure pursuits, among them horseback riding, caving, climbing and even tennis – all can be experienced here!