January 23rd, 2024

5 unmissable family activities in Mallorca

From exploring underground lakes to a trip on a vintage train, here are five unmissable family activities in Mallorca, the largest Balearic island in the Mediterranean.

Learn the ancient art of pottery

The town of Marratxí, on the eastern outskirts of Mallorca’s capital, is known for its pottery. If you can’t make its annual pottery festival – La Fira del Fang – held in March, you can still enjoy a fun, educational family day out at its pottery museum, El Museu del Fang. Today, the former flour mill displays more than 900 pieces of both traditional and modern pottery– a collection of vases, pitchers, Arabic plates and kitchen utensils as well as ceramic toys and painted ornaments. Children can count the numerous siurells on display; once a popular children’s toy, these traditional clay characters have a whistle at their base. Peruse the tools used to produce them and learn about traditional pottery techniques before creating a unique piece to take home in an artisan’s studio nearby.

Visit a cacti garden

Established by a father and son team in the 1980s, the Botanicactus Botanical Garden near Ses Salines in the south of the island is an idyllic spot for budding botanists. The park is home to a vast worldwide collection of blooming cacti and giant succulents from the Balearic Islands, Arizona, California and South America, some of which are more than 100 years old.  As well as learning about desert plants, you can explore bamboo gardens, meet turkeys and chickens in an aviary and catch sight of turtles, herons and dragonflies around the lake.

Embark on an adventure by rail

Train rides are always a hit for both young and old, and the wooden carriages of the Soller Train and Tram Ride are the epitome of nostalgic charm.  Launched in 1912, today you can enjoy a leisurely two-hour excursion across the island.  Board the vintage train in the capital, Palma, and you’ll soon hear its rhythmic clitter-clatter as you wind past olive groves, citrus orchards and charming villages in the Tramuntana mountains before arriving in Soller in the north and transferring to a historic tram to continue to the Port de Soller.

Attend a subterranean concert

Imagine exploring a near 4,000ft long cavern that runs 82ft deep. Fortunately, when locals in Porto Cristo in the east of the island discovered the Caves of Drach in the 19th century, they didn’t keep the secret to themselves – and today they’re open to the public. Illuminated pathways guide visitors through the cave, with its unusual stalactite formations. It’s also home to Lake Martel, one of the world’s largest subterranean lakes. After boarding a boat, you’ll glide across the water, which remains a pleasant 70°F.  Time your trip to coincide with a short classical musical performance, courtesy of the floating musicians in the adjacent rowboat – it’s an ethereal experience reminiscent of a cathedral concert.

Go hiking and canyoning

Discover Mallorca’s natural beauty on a family-friendly hike through a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the north west of the island, The Torrent de Pareis takes four hours downhill or five hours uphill. It makes an ideal visit for older kids with its breathtaking views of the island’s rugged landscape. Meanwhile the scenic Archduke’s Path, starting in the village of Valldemossa just outside of Palma, is easier and suitable for all ages. Craving more of an offbeat adventure? Challenge yourselves to an adrenaline-pumping guided canyoning excursion in the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, where you can explore hidden ravines, navigate natural water slides and rappel down waterfalls.

Contact our team at Travel Leaders 365 for more inspiration on unmissable family activities in Mallorca.

Image Credits: Family pictured by Palma Cathedral by Image Source Trading Ltd © Shutterstock; Siurells on displays by Concept Island © Shutterstock; Botanicactus Botanical Gardens by Mark Green © Shutterstock; Tram journey by proslgn © Shutterstock; Caves of Drach by dimcha © Shutterstock; Hiking trail by Andywand © Shutterstock.