Mallorca guide: villas, food, beaches and island life

Mallorca guides from our Palma team: where to stay, villa prices, beaches, Michelin dining, schools, tax and residency. Updated for 2026.

Written by the Azul Stays team in Palma: where to stay, what villas cost, the beaches and restaurants worth planning around, and the practical side of visiting or moving to the island.

47 articles · Updated 12 October 2026

Villas and where to stay

Areas of the island, what a villa costs by season, private pools, villas for large groups and how Mallorca compares with Ibiza.

Best Areas to Stay in Mallorca: Villa Guide: A practical Mallorca villa location guide for 2027: compare the southwest, Tramuntana, north, east, south and centre by pace, airport route and published July rates. (9 October 2026)
How Much Does a Luxury Villa in Mallorca Cost?: A practical guide to the published Mallorca villa rates checked on 9 October 2026. Compare monthly medians, July area and bedroom figures, stay rules and the costs to confirm before booking. (9 October 2026)
Luxury Villa Rental Mallorca: Your 2027 Planning Guide: A practical 2027 guide to choosing a Mallorca villa area, reading published nightly rates, planning July and August dates, and checking booking terms before you pay. (9 October 2026)
Villa with Private Pool Mallorca: Rental Guide: A practical guide to choosing a Mallorca villa with a private pool, from spring and autumn heating to family safety, privacy, views and the listing details that shape a stay. (9 October 2026)
Family Villa Holidays in Mallorca: A Practical Guide: A practical guide to choosing a family villa in Mallorca, from the right municipality and drive from Palma Airport to pool questions, car seats and quieter evenings. (12 October 2026)
Villas for Friends in Mallorca: A Group Guide: A practical guide to choosing a Mallorca villa for six to 14 friends, from bedrooms and outdoor living to real per-person nightly examples. It also covers local rules, transport and a current friends-tagged shortlist. (12 October 2026)
Large Group Villas Mallorca: 12 to 40 Guests: A practical guide to Mallorca villas for groups of 12 to 40 guests. Compare published nightly rates, bedrooms and minimum stays, then plan payments, transport and celebration enquiries. (9 October 2026)
Finca Holidays in Mallorca: A Countryside Villa Guide: A practical guide to Mallorca finca holidays, from the history of the possessió to rural villa areas, coastal drives and the type of stay that suits each group. (12 October 2026)
Beachfront Villas in Mallorca: What Beach Access Means: A practical guide to beachfront and beach-access villas in Mallorca. Learn what the listing terms can and cannot tell you, how Spain's coastal law works, and which details to confirm. (12 October 2026)
Golf Villa Holidays in Mallorca: Where to Stay: A practical guide to choosing a Mallorca villa base for golf, from Calvià and Andratx to Palma, Llucmajor, the north and the east, with current course access and drive estimates. (12 October 2026)
Best Villas for Weddings & Events in Mallorca: The Definitive Planning Guide: From clifftop ceremonies overlooking the Mediterranean to candlelit receptions in centuries-old fincas — a comprehensive guide to hosting the wedding or event of a lifetime in Mallorca's most extraordinary private estates. (13 May 2026)
Mallorca vs Ibiza: Choosing the Perfect Balearic Villa for Your Holiday: Two islands, two personalities, one impossible choice. A comprehensive comparison of Mallorca and Ibiza for luxury villa renters — from landscapes and lifestyle to dining, family life, and investment potential. (6 October 2026)
Mallorca vs Ibiza: Which Balearic Island is Best for Your Holiday?: A comprehensive comparison of Mallorca and Ibiza for luxury travellers. From villa styles to nightlife, beaches to gastronomy — discover which island matches your perfect holiday. (25 April 2026)

Planning your trip

When to go, drive times from the airport, the tourist tax, car hire and holidays with children.

How to Book a Holiday Villa in Mallorca Safely: A practical checklist for booking a Mallorca holiday villa with care, from checking an ETV or ETVPL registration to reading the payment, price and cancellation terms before paying. (12 October 2026)
When to Visit Mallorca: Month-by-Month Guide for Luxury Travellers (2026): Discover the best time to visit Mallorca for luxury villa holidays. Month-by-month weather, events, and insider tips from our local team. (15 May 2026)
Mallorca Villa Holidays in Autumn, Winter and Spring: Autumn, winter and spring bring a different rhythm to a Mallorca villa holiday. Use Palma climate normals, confirmed cultural opening hours, January festival dates and published 2027 rates to choose dates and a villa with the right amenities. (12 October 2026)
Best Time to Visit the Balearic Islands: Month by Month: Plan a Mallorca, Ibiza or Menorca villa stay with monthly airport climate normals, Balearic Sea temperatures, Aena passenger data and published seasonal villa-rate medians. (9 October 2026)
Palma Airport to Villa Drive Times: Balearics Guide: A practical arrival guide for villa guests in Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca, with comparable airport-to-area road distances, route times and transport choices. (9 October 2026)
Balearic Tourist Tax: Villa Guest Guide for 2026: A practical guide to the Balearic sustainable tourism tax for Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca villa stays, with current rates, reductions, exemptions and clear July calculations. (9 October 2026)
Luxury Car Rental Mallorca — The Ultimate Premium Driving Guide: Discover the ultimate guide to luxury car rental in Mallorca. Explore premium vehicles, scenic driving routes, and exclusive services for an unforgettable island experience. (13 May 2026)
Family Activities in Mallorca: 25 Luxury Experiences for All Ages: From private boat trips to hidden coves to exclusive cooking classes, discover the best family activities in Mallorca that combine luxury with adventure for unforgettable memories. (22 April 2026)

Food and wine

Michelin-starred restaurants, where to eat in Deià, private chefs in your villa and Mallorca's wineries.

Mallorca's Michelin Restaurants: Complete Guide 2026: All of Mallorca's Michelin-starred restaurants in the 2026 guide: the island's only two-star table, the one-star selection, Green Stars and booking tips. (15 May 2026)
Best Restaurants in Mallorca: A Practical Area Guide: A practical guide to the best restaurants in Mallorca, organised around the villa areas. Find current Michelin-starred tables, realistic drive planning and seasonal booking notes for 2027 stays. (9 October 2026)
Best Restaurants in Deià: The Ultimate Fine Dining Guide 2026: Where to eat in Deià in 2026, from Mallorcan tasting menus at Belmond La Residencia to Nama, Sebastian, Sa Vinya and Ca's Patró March above Cala Deià. (20 April 2026)
Hiring a Private Chef for Your Villa in Mallorca: Complete Guide: Everything you need to know about private chef services in Mallorca. Costs, menus, dietary requirements, and how to choose the right chef for your villa holiday. (15 May 2026)
Private Chef Experiences in Mallorca: From Market to Table: Transform your villa holiday with a private chef experience. Discover in-villa dining, traditional Mallorcan cooking and private chef options across the Balearics. (8 May 2026)
The Private Chef & Villa Experience: Mallorca's Finest Culinary Retreats: Eleven Michelin stars, a thriving farm-to-table movement, and a generation of chefs redefining Mediterranean cuisine — discover how a private chef transforms a luxury villa holiday into a uniquely private dining experience in Mallorca. (13 May 2026)
Mallorca Wine Guide: Bodegas, Tastings & Tours for Villa Guests: Discover Mallorca's thriving wine scene. The best bodegas to visit, local grape varieties, wine tours, and how to stock your villa cellar. (16 May 2026)

Beaches, sea and outdoors

Coves and beaches, sunset spots, hiking in the Serra de Tramuntana, yacht charters, golf and wellness.

Best Beaches in Mallorca: Calas by Coast & Access: From Formentor and Alcúdia to Mondragó, Cala Llombards and Es Trenc, compare Mallorca beaches by coast, access, facilities, family fit and current protection rules. (9 October 2026)
Best Beaches in Mallorca for Families: 15 Safe, Sandy Favourites: Discover the best family beaches in Mallorca with shallow water, sandy shores, and good facilities. Our local team's honest recommendations for children of all ages. (15 May 2026)
Best Sunset Spots in Mallorca: 12 Spectacular Viewpoints for 2026: From clifftop restaurants to hidden coves, discover Mallorca's most breathtaking sunset locations. Our curated guide to golden hour on the island, with insider tips for each spot. (1 May 2026)
Mallorca Villa Week Itinerary: Three 7-Day Plans: Choose a Mallorca villa base that makes the week feel simple. These three seven-day plans pair town-centre drive estimates with market days, coastal stops and practical booking decisions. (12 October 2026)
Things to Do in Mallorca: Villa Guest Experiences: A practical guide to things to do in Mallorca from the villa areas: the Tramuntana, Sóller train, Palma culture, wine country, caves, golf, cycling and markets. (9 October 2026)
Serra de Tramuntana Hiking Guide: Best Routes for Villa Guests: The best hiking routes in Mallorca's Serra de Tramuntana mountains. Difficulty levels, timings, and practical tips for luxury villa guests. (15 May 2026)
Yacht Charter Mallorca: A Villa Guest’s Guide: A practical guide to planning a yacht charter in Mallorca alongside a villa stay, from choosing a charter format and marina to protecting Posidonia and visiting Cabrera. (9 October 2026)
Mallorca by Superyacht: Combining Villa & Yacht for the Ultimate Holiday: How to combine a luxury villa stay with a superyacht charter in Mallorca. Itineraries, costs, logistics, and why the villa-yacht combination is the ultimate Balearic experience. (16 May 2026)
The Ultimate Yacht & Villa Experience in the Balearic Islands: Combining a luxury villa with a private yacht charter creates the definitive Balearic holiday — mornings exploring hidden coves by sea, evenings returning to your private estate on shore. Here is how to orchestrate the perfect sea-and-shore experience. (13 May 2026)
Golf in the Balearic Islands: Championship Courses and Luxury Villa Stays: From the legendary fairways of Son Vida overlooking Palma to the clifftop holes of Alcanada with views to the lighthouse — a comprehensive guide to combining world-class golf with a luxury villa holiday in Mallorca. (13 May 2026)
Wellness & Spa Retreats in Mallorca and Ibiza: The Complete Guide: From in-villa spa treatments and sunrise yoga on clifftop terraces to world-class hotel spas and holistic healing retreats — discover how the Balearic Islands have become Europe's most compelling wellness destination. (13 May 2026)

Living in Mallorca

Relocating to the island, moving from the UK, the cost of living and international schools.

Relocating to Mallorca: The Complete Guide for High-Net-Worth Individuals: From the Beckham Law's tax advantages to the finest international schools, from Son Vida's gated estates to Palma's cultural renaissance — everything you need to know about making Mallorca your primary or secondary residence. (6 October 2026)
Moving to Mallorca from UK — Complete Relocation Guide 2026: Discover the ultimate guide to moving to Mallorca from the UK. Navigate visas, taxes, healthcare, and property with our expert relocation advice for British expats. (6 October 2026)
Cost of Living in Mallorca: A Complete Luxury Lifestyle Guide: Discover the true cost of living in Mallorca for high-net-worth individuals. From luxury real estate and private schools to yacht berths and fine dining, explore our comprehensive expat guide. (13 May 2026)
International Schools Mallorca — Complete Parent's Guide 2026: Discover the top international schools in Mallorca for expat families. A complete guide to British, German, French, and IB curriculums, fees, and admissions. (13 May 2026)

Property, tax and residency

Buying a villa, investing in property, Spain's Beckham Law and residency options now that the golden visa has ended.

Buying a Luxury Villa in Mallorca: Investment & Rental Yield Guide 2026: Complete guide to buying a luxury villa in Mallorca as an investment. Rental yields, purchase costs, tax implications, and areas with the best returns. (6 October 2026)
Property Investment in Mallorca 2026: The Complete Buyer's Guide: Everything you need to know about buying luxury property in Mallorca. Market trends, legal process, tax implications, rental yields, and the best areas for investment in 2026. (6 October 2026)
Beckham Law Spain: The Complete 2026 Guide for HNWI Relocation: Discover the ultimate guide to the Beckham Law in Spain. Learn about the 24% flat tax rate, eligibility criteria, and benefits for HNWI relocating to Mallorca. (6 October 2026)
Spain Investor Visa After Abolition: What Property Buyers Should Know in 2026: Spain closed its property-linked investor visa to new applications on 3 April 2025. This updated guide separates the former programme from property purchase, current immigration routes, tax residence, and citizenship. (13 May 2026)