Mallorca in Two Days: A Love Letter to an Island I Barely Scratched

Last Updated on October 19, 2026 by Lauren Belzer Sanford

Two days. That’s all I had on Mallorca, and somehow it was enough to fall for the whole island. At the end of September 2023, leading into October, I took my second European trip, to Spain and Portugal. It was my first time traveling internationally alone, which felt like equal parts panic and thrill (if you’re flying solo for the first time too, my tips for surviving a long-haul flight might calm the nerves). But as I boarded my flight from LAX to Palma de Mallorca (PMI), the anticipation of meeting my family on this Spanish island outweighed every jitter.

Before you scroll: if you only have two days in Mallorca, spend one exploring the mountain villages of Valldemossa, Deià, and Sóller, and the other soaking up the energy of Palma. Base yourself in Palma for easy airport access, rent a car for the villages, and don’t skip Cala Deià, crowds and all. And be prepared to start planning a longer trip back.

I was a bit of a tag-along on this trip, which was a graduation trip for my younger sister, Perri. My parents and Perri started in Barcelona (which I was sad to miss!), but I couldn’t take that much time off work, so I met them for the rest of their Spain and Portugal travels, starting in Palma. After a four-hour layover at London Heathrow, I jumped in a taxi (another brave first, alone in a foreign country) and made my way to our home base, Hotel Costa Azul. The room Perri and I shared was high enough that we had a lovely view of the port, with cruise ships coming and going outside our window.

The jet lag crept in after we checked in, but the excitement of being reunited with my family in Spain won out. We kept my first night simple: a leisurely dinner at a local restaurant within walking distance, sangria and Spanish food, and stories from their days in Barcelona.

Day 1: Valldemossa, Deià & Sóller

Our first full day was all about the other side of the island. My dad and Perri had arranged a rental car, the sun was shining, and it was warmer than we expected for the end of September. A beautiful day to set off.

Our first stop was the village of Valldemossa, tucked into the green folds of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains. Strolling its cobblestone streets, past stone houses with colorful flower pots on every step, felt like stepping back in time. We took our time in the little alleys, popping into small boutiques and pausing to take in the views over the countryside.

One of the highlights of Valldemossa was the simplest: gelato from a local shop, eaten slowly in the village while the afternoon drifted by.

From there, we set off for one of Mallorca’s most beloved swimming spots, Cala Deià. With its crystal-clear turquoise water and rocky shore, this “beach” gave us beautiful views of swimmers, boats, and people lingering over food and drinks at the restaurants on the cliffs. We spent the afternoon lounging on the rocks, taking dips in the sea, and soaking it all in. Getting there takes some patience: it’s a bit of a trek down the hill, and my dad drove up and down several times before finding a parking spot (yes, in early October). But there’s a reason it’s so popular. It’s stunning.

We ended our time in Deià with drinks and lunch at Ca’s Patró March, with views as refreshing as the drinks.

As the day wound down, we drove over to Sóller and its town square. The church, Parroquia de Sant Bartomeu de Sóller, is breathtaking from the outside, and on our visit a wedding was underway inside, so we admired it from the square. We wandered for a bit, grabbed a café solo at Horno Santo Cristo and more gelato at Mister McCoy’s Island Ices, then headed to dinner at Nautilus, which Perri had reserved for us.

The restaurant sits on the cliffs, and we had delicious food, biodynamic wines, and an unreal sunset view.

Day 2: Palma

On our last day in Mallorca, we took it slow and explored Palma, the island’s capital. We wandered the charming alleys of the historic Old Town, full of beautiful architecture and centuries of history.

We walked the outside of the Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca, better known as La Seu, the magnificent Gothic cathedral that rises over the city and the sea.

After exploring for a while, we meandered through Palma’s busy streets and stopped at a little spot in the plaza for a quick lunch and an Aperol spritz. We ended the night with a walk along the water, admiring the boats in the port, and pizza for dinner before an early night ahead of our morning flight to our next stop: Seville.

What to Pack for Mallorca

Even heading into fall, Mallorca holds on to that end-of-summer warmth, so think sundresses, linen, and sandals. My Euro Summer collection is built for exactly this kind of trip, from beach days at Cala Deià to dinner on the cliffs in Sóller.

For the practical side, my BÉIS luggage was my workhorse across four stops in two weeks, and I’d recommend the 26″ check-in roller for European sizing. And bring a good book or a Kindle; beach days (and Heathrow layovers) will make you want one. For more of what I travel with, here are my favorite suitcases and travel bags.

My itinerary only gave me two full days on the island since I joined my family late, so I’m already dreaming of a return, this time staying at one of the boutique hotels I haven’t stopped thinking about. And if Portugal is next for you, as it was for us, my guide to things to do in Lisbon covers the last stretch of our trip.

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