Mallorca: Hype or Heaven?
Together with our partners, my good friend Rik de Voogd and I stayed in Mallorca for a full month in early 2023. Since we're all freelancers, we planned to combine working remotely with enjoying the typically better climate of the Balearic Islands and finding out if the island's popularity is worth the hype.
I've always had a strong preference for traveling by car. You can bring all your own things, you have a greater sense of freedom, and I also enjoy the journey itself. It forces you to slow down because there's not much else you can do but be in the present moment while on the road. Rik and I share this belief, so the two of us traveled by car and ferry to Mallorca, and our partners would arrive later by plane.
Mallorca is, of course, an island, so the last part of the journey had to be by ferry. That was an interesting experience. We sailed overnight for more than seven hours, and we didn’t feel the need to book a cabin, as we thought we could easily manage with a mat and survive without the easy comfort. This was a bit rough, to say the least, especially with the company of a full class of overly excited teenagers. But I kind of enjoy these challenging situations. Still, I don't know if I would fancy an overnight sail without a proper sleeping spot, roaming around the deck of the boat to find a few minutes of sleep every now and then, again.
After a restless night, we nevertheless immediately felt blessed by the sunny island life. Thanks to this newfound energy, despite the lack of sleep, we got on our bikes right after settling into the house we had booked, for a delightful ride through the rolling countryside. This is a big advantage of Mallorca, as the inland is relatively flat compared to, for example, the Canary Islands.
Unfortunately, we discovered on the second day, also the day we picked up our partners Leonie and Kimberly, that there’s no guaranty whatsoever that it’s always nice and warm in the beginning of the year on Mallorca. Eventually, combined with really enjoyable rides with sunny circumstances, we really had a lot of cold moments on and off the bike. Especially if you’re mindset is set on escaping winter of northern Europe, you’re not expecting to be cold. So be aware, and make sure to prepare properly in terms of prepping your bag with cycling kits.
In the days and weeks that followed, we had plenty of time to discover every highlight of the island. And that’s also my biggest takeaway. The big and very important advantage that Mallorca has for me is its variety. From the mountains in the Serra de Tramuntana and the beautiful coastline to the villages in the island’s center, there are plenty of opportunities. Of course, Sa Calobra, Cap de Formentor, and other famous highlights are nice, but individually they're not a reason for me to return to Mallorca per se. However, the endless possibilities are a reason for me to return to Mallorca in the future.
During our time on Mallorca, we discovered plenty of places to pause our ride for a coffee and bocadillos. Here are my current top three:
Cafeteria Café del Rosario, Inca
This is not the most touristic place in Mallorca, but that's what I like about it. The people here are great, the coffee is sublime, and there's plenty of choice for breakfast or lunch.
Sa Mola 13, Sineu
A popular cycling café that’s worth the hype, if you ask me. It’s a nice and cozy place with great quality food and a well-thought-out menu. The location is very central, making it perfect to include in a route from any place on the island.
Forn i Pastisseria Ca’n Molinas, Valldemossa
A very authentic bakery with lovely locals. It’s a great place to stop for lunch if you’re exploring the Serra de Tramuntana region, before or after riding the beautiful coastal road passing the town of Deià.
To sum things up, I highly recommend visiting Mallorca and experiencing the island's diversity for yourself. I really like the island vibe and would love to return to Mallorca in the future.
