Hiking - Tramuntana and GR 221
The Serra de Tramuntana is a mountain range in the north-west of Mallorca and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. It is one of the most impressive hiking areas in Europe, with dramatic landscapes, rock faces and views of the sea.
The GR 221 is a 112-kilometre long-distance trail running from Port de Soller (north) to Estellencs (west). It crosses all the peaks of the Tramuntana and takes around 7 to 10 days in stages. Popular stages:
- Soller to Fornalutx: 12 km, 4 hours, easy to moderate
- Deia to Estellencs: 15 km, 6 hours, challenging (lots of ascent and descent)
- Pollenca to Escorca: 18 km, 7 hours, challenging
If you don't want to do the whole route, many stages work well as day trips. The GR 221 is well marked (red and white bars), but bring a map.
Other popular hiking trails:
- Penyagolosa: Summit hike with 360-degree views
- Cuber reservoir: Easy, scenic walk
- Mondiago Natural Park: Easy coastal paths
- Cliffs of Formentor: Spectacular coastal walks
Best time to hike: October to April. In summer it is 35°C+ and too hot. Winter is mild (15 to 20°C) and perfect.
Equipment: Good hiking boots (it is mountainous!), water (at least 2 litres), sunscreen (strong!), map or GPS, and poles if useful for your knees.
Hazards: Some paths are steep and exposed. Not all are clearly marked. In summer, wildfires can be a problem. Check locally before you set off.
Cycling
Mallorca is a paradise for cyclists. The island has over 1,000 km of cycle routes, most of them very well developed. From flat coastal paths to alpine climbs, there is something for everyone.
For beginners:
- Coastal routes: From Palma to Llucmajor (flat, 20 km)
- Playa de Palma: Cycle path along the beach (flat, family-friendly)
- Binissalem to Inca: Wine region, gentle hills, vineyards along the way
For experienced cyclists:
- Tramuntana roads: Port de Soller to Pollenca (gradients up to 12%), spectacular
- Col de Sa Calobra: 10 km uphill, one of the hardest climbs on Mallorca
- Manacor to Felanitx: Hill country, less touristy, good road
Bike rental: Bike hire is available all over Mallorca (15 to 30 EUR per day for trekking bikes, 40 to 80 EUR for carbon road bikes). Many hotels also offer bikes free of charge.
Safety: Traffic on Mallorca is manageable, but care is needed. Many cars drive fast. Use bike lights and a helmet. The best routes are dedicated cycle roads without cars.
Cycling events: Mallorca is a training destination for cyclists from January to April. If you train seriously, you will find plenty of like-minded people.
Water Sports - Sailing, Diving, Surfing
Sailing: Mallorca is one of the best sailing areas in Europe. The water is crystal clear, the islands (Cabrera, Dragonera) are close, and the wind is consistent. You can:
- Take sailing courses (ASA certificate, 500 to 1,000 EUR)
- Charter a boat (from 2,000 EUR per week)
- Join organised sailing trips (500 to 2,000 EUR per week)
- Join sailing clubs (Club Maritimo, 100 to 500 EUR per year)
The best season is May to October.
Diving: The water is wonderfully clear (visibility up to 40 m). There are wrecks, caves and rock formations. You can:
- Get an Open Water certificate (PADI, 400 to 500 EUR, 3 to 4 days)
- Book individual dives (60 to 80 EUR)
- Dive with friends (hire equipment, 30 to 50 EUR)
Well-known dive sites: Dragonera, Illa Murada, Punta Prima.
Surfing and windsurfing: The best spots are in the north (Pollenca, Alcudia). Windsurfing is more popular than surfing (more wind). Schools offer courses (100 to 200 EUR per day).
Swimming: The water is warm from June to October (22 to 28°C). In winter (12 to 16°C) you need a wetsuit. There are many beautiful beaches: Cala Mondrago, Cala Formentor, Cala d'Or.
Golf
Mallorca has 26 golf courses, some at championship level. The golf climate is playable year-round (except the hottest weeks in August).
Well-known golf courses:
- Golf Son Terme: 18 holes, championship course, challenging
- Golf Santa Ponca: Resort with several courses
- Golf Alcanada: Beautiful seaside setting, expensive
- Golf de Pollenca: Easier, family-friendly
Costs:
- Green fee: 50 to 150 EUR (depending on course and season)
- Membership: 1,000 to 3,000 EUR per year
- Golf lessons: 50 to 100 EUR per hour
Many golf courses have restaurants and serve as social meeting points. If you play golf, Mallorca is a great place to be.
Fitness and Yoga
Gyms are widespread. Membership costs: 40 to 70 EUR per month. Popular chains:
- Gold's Gym: Internationally known, well-equipped
- Klasse Fitness: Spanish chain, good value for money
- BodyMine: Smaller gyms, often more local
- CrossFit boxes: More and more CrossFit studios, 60 to 100 EUR per month
Yoga and Pilates: Many studios offer classes (10 to 15 EUR per class). There are also dedicated yoga studios, especially in tourist areas. Price: 40 to 100 EUR per month for yoga memberships.
Running: Many Germans are keen runners. The weather is ideal (except in summer). There are running clubs in larger towns that train together. Through the German community you will quickly find like-minded people.
Indoor Activities
Mallorca also has rainy days (autumn, winter).
Indoor pools: Polideportivos (sports centres) with indoor pools and indoor courts Cinema: There are cinemas in Palma (mostly Spanish and English-language films, not German) Theatre: Teatre Principal in Palma, concerts and performances Museums: Museu de Mallorca, Museum of Contemporary Art (Fundacio Pilar i Joan Miro) Books: Spanish-German libraries in larger towns Language courses: Many people take Spanish courses (useful when emigrating)
Summary
Mallorca is a leisure paradise. Hiking, cycling, sailing, diving - everything is possible and affordable. You will find more excursion tips in our article on things to do on Mallorca. The best time is autumn and spring, when the weather is perfect. Make the most of your new home and the natural surroundings to stay fit and well. Your body will thank you.