This plan mixes Mallorca’s famous caves with beach time, Palma’s old town and the island’s rugged north—good for a family with a 16-year-old and an adult sister. A rental car makes the cave and mountain days much easier, while the Palma days are best explored on foot.
Budget
About €250–€400 per person for the listed activities and meals, excluding accommodation, transport and some lunches. A rental car, fuel and parking would add to the total.
Best time to visit
May–June or September–October for warm days, fewer crowds and comfortable walking. Waterfalls are most likely to be flowing after rainy periods, so check conditions close to your visit.
Palma Old Town
Get your bearings among Palma’s landmark architecture, shady streets and waterfront, with everything close enough to explore on foot.
Morning
Visit Palma Cathedral
Start at La Seu, the city’s striking Gothic cathedral beside the sea. Allow about 2–3 hours including a visit to the terraces when available; from the nearby Plaça d’Espanya, it is about a 20-minute walk.
About €10Afternoon
Explore the Almudaina and Parc de la Mar
The Royal Palace of La Almudaina is right beside the cathedral, about a 3-minute walk away; afterward, relax in Parc de la Mar just below the walls. Check palace opening days before you go.
About €7Evening
Wander the old town and eat near
Walk about 15 minutes through the old town to , then choose a nearby restaurant for a relaxed first-night dinner. The surrounding lanes are lively without needing a taxi.
About €20–€35
Porto Cristo and the eastern caves
Spend the day around , pairing an impressive cave visit with a harbour stroll and an easy swim if the weather is right.
Morning
Tour the Caves of Drach
Take the guided route through dramatic chambers and finish with the underground lake and a short classical music performance. Reserve timed tickets ahead; from Palma, allow roughly 1 hour by car.
About €18Afternoon
Lunch and a harbour walk in
Drive about 10 minutes from the caves to ’s harbour for lunch and a gentle waterfront wander. It is an easy place to take a break after the cave tour.
About €15–€25Evening
Swim or unwind at
Drive about 10 minutes to this sheltered sandy cove for a swim and sunset by the water. Conditions and facilities vary by season, so bring water and check the sea before swimming.
Free
North coast and Alcúdia
Combine a second, very different cave experience with the walled town of Alcúdia and a relaxed evening beside the bay.
Morning
Explore the Caves of Artà
Visit the vast chambers and formations overlooking the coast at Capdepera. From Palma, the drive is about 1 hour 10 minutes; check tour times before setting out.
About €16Afternoon
Walk Alcúdia’s old walls and lanes
Drive about 35 minutes to Alcúdia and explore the old town inside its medieval walls. Leave time for a leisurely lunch in the centre.
About €15–€25Evening
Relax on Port d'Alcúdia beach
Drive around 10 minutes from the old town to the long sandy beach for a swim or a sunset stroll. Choose a nearby seafront spot for dinner.
Free
Sóller, mountain villages and waterfalls
Head into the Tramuntana mountains for a scenic village day and a waterfall walk, keeping the outing flexible because water flow and trail conditions depend on the season.
Morning
Explore Sóller’s central square
Enjoy the town’s stone streets and café-lined Plaça de la Constitució. From Palma, allow about 35 minutes by car, or take the scenic vintage train and tram if you prefer a slower journey.
About €5–€15Afternoon
Walk to waterfall
Drive about 35 minutes to the Orient area, then follow the marked route toward the waterfall; allow roughly 1.5–2 hours for the walk there and back. The falls can be seasonal, so wear proper shoes and check recent conditions before going.
FreeEvening
Dinner in
Drive about 30 minutes to for a meal and a gentle evening stroll through its hillside lanes. From here, return to Palma in about 25 minutes.
About €20–€35
Palma waterfront and Bellver
Finish with a breezy waterfront morning, a hilltop castle visit and a final Palma meal, all close to the city centre.
Morning
Stroll the waterfront at
Walk or cycle the seafront path and stop for breakfast by the water. From central Palma, is about 10 minutes by car or 25 minutes on foot.
About €10–€20Afternoon
Visit Bellver Castle
Drive about 15 minutes from to this circular hilltop castle for city and bay views. Allow around 1–2 hours, and check opening hours as they vary by day.
About €4Evening
Have a final dinner in Santa Catalina
Head about 10 minutes by car, or around 25 minutes on foot, to this lively dining neighbourhood. It is a welcoming place to choose a restaurant and toast the end of the trip.
About €20–€35
Good to know
Getting around
A rental car is the most practical option for the east-coast caves, and village stops. If you would rather not drive, consider a guided excursion for the cave days and use buses or the Sóller train for the Palma-area outings.
Caves
Book timed cave tickets in advance, especially in summer. The cave interiors are cool and can be damp, so a light layer and shoes with grip are useful.
Waterfall walk
is seasonal rather than a guaranteed year-round waterfall. Check recent trail and water conditions, bring water, and skip the walk if the path is slippery or conditions are poor.
Teen-friendly pacing
Build in swim breaks and keep the mountain walk flexible. Bring sun protection, water and snacks, particularly on the longer driving days.