If you think Spain’s best summer escape is in Madrid or Barcelona, you’re looking in the wrong place.
This year, the crown goes somewhere completely different—an island that’s quietly trading its sleepy Mediterranean reputation for serious momentum among American travelers.
Welcome to Mallorca.
With pristine calas, storybook medieval villages, and a glamorous coast, it's officially the only place you need to be this season. And we couldn't agree more.
The best part?
You don't even need a layover to get there
This Is Spain's Top-Ranked Destination This Summer
The largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, Mallorca measures about 60 miles east to west and 45 miles north to south, and despite its relatively modest size, it’s basically Mediterranean bliss personified.
In case Mallorca doesn’t ring a bell, or you’ve only vaguely heard of it while scrolling past yet another viral TikTok of a turquoise bay somewhere in Spain, this is why CN Traveler Spain voters kicked Barcelona to the curb and picked it this time:
You can practically find it all here, from medieval towns frozen in time, golden-sand beaches hugged by teal waters, dramatic mountains dotted with rolling vineyards, and—if that’s your main draw for a European summer vacay—a glamorous resort-lined coast.
Regardless of the reason why you’re visiting Mallorca, chances are your trip will start in Palma, the beautiful, compact capital.
That’s where you’ll find the island’s iconic fortress-like Gothic cathedral, with its gorgeous honey-colored stone exterior, and palm tree-lined streets that look like a Mediterranean postcard come to life.
Gorgeous as Palma may be, it's outside the city where the real magic happens.
A Quick Intermission
Do NOT Fly To Europe Without Doing This First
If you're flying to Europe this season, you should know travel rules have changed for U.S. passport holders. You are now required to get fingerprinted upon arrival, and soon enough, you won't even be able to board that United flight without applying for a travel permit in advance.
Luckily, you can still travel with your passport-only this summer, but not for long.
Stay up to date with Europe's ever-changing travel regulations on the Entry Requirements Checker.
Discover Mallorca's True Charm Outside The Capital
Mallorca’s best experienced by car, as public transportation can feel limited compared to mainland Spain, and those picture-perfect, tucked-away villages you see on travel brochures are often a real pain to reach by local buses.
Still, if there’s one thing you absolutely shouldn’t skip, it’s taking the cutest little wooden, vintage train from Palma to the valley town of Sóller, where you’ll find more flower-filled shaded plazas, a grand cathedral with a dramatic main portal that borders on whimsical, and lively cafés galore.
The journey itself takes around an hour, and it passes stunning views of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, olive groves, and citrus orchards along the way.
Once you do pick up the car, the first stop you should check out is Valldemossa:
Perched up in the Tramuntana mountains, this is one of Mallorca’s many storybook, medieval villages that feel completely untouched. Think cobbled streets, flower pots, and stone houses surrounded by green hills.
Whatever you do, do not leave without trying Forn i Pastisseria Ca’n Molinas in Valldemossa, the town’s legendary bakery serving coca de patata fresh out of the oven. Best brioche you'll have in your life.
Is Mallorca, Spain Safe For Tourists This Summer?
Wondering how safe Mallorca is to visit right now?
It currently scores 85 out of 100 on the Traveler Safety Index, based on reports from travelers who've been to the island recently:
More serious issues that often plague mainland Europe, like urban violence, knife attacks, and other forms of extremism, aren’t really a concern in Mallorca.
On the other hand, pickpocketing and scamming incidents can happen on occasion, particularly in tourist-heavy areas like Palma or Magaluf.
Your best bet is to keep an attentive eye on your surroundings and never leave items unattended when you’re out on a beach.
Mallorca's Prettiest Medieval Town
For more slow wandering and scenic coffee stops, head next to Deià, a hip artist hilltop town known for its steep streets that lead to viewpoints with insane sea views and award-winning restaurants.
One of those is Restaurant Es Racó d’es Teix, known for its refined Mallorcan tasting menus and excellent local wines, popular with visitors for its creative cuisine and Balearic wine pairings.
To all my fellow water babies out there, the hidden slice of Mediterranean heaven that is the white-pebbled, turquoise cove of Cala Deià is a short 10-minute drive from the village, and one of the last-remaining swimming spots in Mallorca that still feel unspoiled and local-frequented.
Perhaps our favorite find in Mallorca, Alcúdia is not to be missed.
Arguably the prettiest medieval town on the island, it has huge, well-preserved city walls, winding lanes that twist and turn with seemingly no end, and a Gothic church right at its center.
It’s also within walking distance of Playa de Muro, one of Mallorca’s largest stretches of Caribbean-like, soft white sands.
This Is Mallorca's Top Resort Area
We normally wouldn’t advise you to come to Mallorca strictly for partying, when there’s all these stunning villages to explore and amazing culture to soak in, and Ibiza is literally part of the same island chain, but we don’t judge here.
If that’s the vibe you’re going for, then you should be happy enough to stay in or around Magaluf, the main resort strip.
It is by far and away the biggest nightlife hub on the island, perhaps only rivaled by the up-and-coming Playa de Palma in the Ballermann area, and it’s packed with bars, mega-clubs (like BCM-style), and beach clubs.
Here’s the Mallorca breakdown for you:
- For a laid-back cultural city break: Palma de Mallorca
- For village-hopping and wine tasting: Serra de Tramuntana
- For a mix of Old World charm and Caribbean-like beaches: Alcúdia
- For full-on partying and cheap drinks: Magaluf
Fly Nonstop To Mallorca From The U.S.
Since 2022, Americans have been able to fly to Mallorca every summer thanks to United Airlines’ Transatlantic service, now a fully established seasonal route linking Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), which serves New Jersey and the wider New York metro area, to Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI).
This is only the fifth year the route’s been in operation, but since launch it’s proven a resounding success, with around 50,000 seats available each year and growing appetite Stateside for Mallorca vacations.
You know how it goes: if there’s a nonstop Transatlantic option and a choice between that and avoiding one of those unnecessarily long layovers to get to your destination, that’s the option most travelers go for.
Route Overview (EWR → PMI)
- Airline: United Airlines
- Frequency: 4 flights per week (Mon., Tue., Thur., Sat.)
- Aircraft: Boeing 767-400 (wide-body long-haul jet)
- Departure times: around 4:10 p.m. from Newark
- Arrival: around 6:00 a.m. the next day in Palma de Mallorca
As those who've already flown on this route in previous years will be able to attest, there is no true First Class on this route, but faithful United customers can still book Business Class seats with their points, whereas more casual budget travelers can snag tickets from as low as $685 roundtrip at times.
That's usually off-season, though. In peak summer, you're looking at roundtrip fares of around $900–$1,200.
