Palma is home to the island's only airport and you would not do badly to stay close by. Just 10 minutes outside the city is Illetes, a great place for families.
If you are looking for gentle countryside ending in miles of sandy beaches, the south eastern corner is popular.
Yachties head west from Palma to Port d'Andratx with its buzzy marina, excellent restaurants, hip beach boutiques and boat hire. A little further up the coast is Deia, home to the famous Residencia Hotel. Set in acres of gardens with a rocky descent down to a tiny sparkling bay. It is the place for romantic getaway rather than family holiday. Further up the west coast is the fishing village of Port Soller. The utterly charming inland village of Soller itself is linked to Palma by a beautiful old train. The ride takes about an hour and is well worth doing.
Palma itself is lovely with an historic seafront cathedral, a warren of pretty cobbled alleys and excellent shopping. Culture vultures should not miss the Miro Foundation where the artist lived and worked at the end of his life.
Stock up on the freshest fish, seasonal fruit and veg and delicious jamon at the Santa Catalina market, Palma's oldest. Make sure to try an ensemade, Mallorca's unique breakfast pastry.
Day trip
Do not miss Cabrera, the tiny Nature Reserve to the south of the island with excellent swimming and snorkelling.
Palma
What to do: go to Port de Pollenca (pretty town and really chilled, quiet beach)
From the airport
Bus. Line 1 links Son Juan Airport to central Palma from 6.10am to 2.15am. There are about four services an hour.
If the relentless August heat is draining the life out of you, why not visit air-conditioned shopping centre Porto Pi? You will find shops including Zara, Mango and Cortefiel, as well as a good selection of fast-food restaurants.
Superstore El Corte Ingles has two branches in Palma's city centre. Sshop for everything from clothes to household goods, electronics and perfumes.
Palma's impressive Parc de la Mar, in front of the cathedral, regularly hosts open-air movies in July and August, often with English subtitles. See local press for details. Shows usually start at 8pm.
Genova is a small village perched high in the hills behind Bellver Castle, with an excellent selection of traditional restaurants. Try the famous Restaurante Meson Ca'n Pedro for lamb and rabbit specialities.
Shrove Tuesday sees one of the island's most bizarre fiestas when the villagers of Son Carrio wheel a huge paper-mache sardine around the streets before cooking its smaller, real-life relatives on outdoor barbecues.
The whole place feels friendly and family orientated with swallow seas and long sandy beaches, perfect for sandcastles. The best time to go is from April through to October.
Majorca does have something for everyone, from pink-fringed coves and golden beaches to watersports and blissful pools. Cruise the coast or travel through the Tramuntana Mountains to Soller by train. Bike hire is available for those wishing to enjoy quiet roads and thrilling views, a cyclists's paradise!
Mallorcan cuisine, which is based on fresh fish and vegetables with generous dressings of garlic and olive oil. Locally produced sausages come in a variety of delicious flavours. Jamon Serrano (whole cured ham) can be found at good local bars and is not to be missed.
Portixol, a former fishing village, has undergone a renaissance in recent years, with trendy bars, cafes and restaurants now adorning the fantastic promenade.
Day trip
Pollensa. The name Pollensa originates from the Roman pollentia and this pretty town on Majorca's north-east coast remains relatively untouched by the tourist crowds. The main square is a hive of activity with lots of bars and cafes.
Puig de Santa Eugenia. Enjoy a bracing walk that starts from the village of Santa Eugenia (about 25 km from Palma) and takes you to Ses Coves. From here, a series of tracks takes you up to a pass and the cross on the summit of Puig de Santa Eugenia, offering breathtaking view.
