Welcome to Who What Wear Travels, a series of curated guides to destinations the fashion set loves. Consider this your download on everything from the chicest stays to the most memorable meals to the perfect travel wardrobe, all vetted by stylish locals and well-traveled fashion folks.
It feels like every time we open up Instagram from June through Labor Day, someone else is posting a carousel of images with the hashtag #Eurosummer. Low-lit wine bars, melting cones of gelato, dramatic cliff beaches, heaping plates of pasta, afternoons spent jumping off a boat. Like clockwork, we expect to see the same few destinations in the geotags on these posts (Positano! St. Tropez! Mykonos!).
Don’t get me wrong, the jet set certainly delivered on this front all the same, but this summer, there was one Mediterranean island where it seemed like every single person in our orbit (from close friends to runway models and A-list celebrities) was touching down—and no, it wasn’t on the usual circuit in Italy, France, or even Greece. I’m talking about Mallorca, the largest of Spain’s Balearic islands and the destination where it seemed like every cool person was vacationing.
And we do mean everyone. Emily Ratjkowski has gone every summer since she was 11 years old. The Jenner sisters documented a stylish family trip there this past June. And Italian model Vittoria Ceretti made headlines when she and rumored boyfriend Leonardo DiCaprio were spotted on a yacht just off its rocky shores. Mallorca has always been somewhat of a hot spot (for one, it happens to be the island in Love Island UK), but it seemed to jump to new heights this year with even more celebrity buzz.
With that, we’re taking the opportunity to curate our ultimate guide to the island, including everything from the fashion-person-adored boutique hotel that’s probably already on your Pinterest board to the stunning cove beaches where you’ll find the most intense turquoise-blue water.
To uncover the best places to stay, dine, drink, shop, and swim in Mallorca, we recruited a handful of insiders from the fashion and travel worlds who know the island best. Following annual pilgrimages to the Balearic Islands, Australian designer Lucy Folk is currently based in Mallorca where she’s taken on a residency at the buzzy boutique Hotel Corazón. The jewelry and clothing from her eponymous line will be on offer there throughout the summer.
Fora CEO and Co-Founder Henley Vazquez has been coming to the island for over 15 years, returning both for work and family trips, for its idyllic combination of mountains and beaches. In fact, she fittingly describes it as the “Santa Barbara of Europe.”
Alicia Gutiérrez, a model and journalist who was born and raised in the capital, Palma, has always called Mallorca home. Though she moved to Madrid for university and is currently based in NYC, she still spends every summer here.
Who What Wear UK’s very own Managing Editor Poppy Nash is also a wealth of Mallorcan knowledge as she has gone every year since she was a baby and has stayed all over the island.
WWW Travels Tip: The island isn’t small and there’s a lot to see all over the map. The move is to rent a car, but Fora advisor Claudia Riegelhaupt says to avoid renting from the airport and instead take a transfer to your hotel and have your rental car delivered to you there.
Where to Stay in Mallorca
(Image credit: Laura Prim; Alixe Lay; Kate Bellm)
“My top recommendation is undoubtedly Hotel Corazón,” Gutiérrez proclaims. And she’s not alone. The Vogue-recommended boutique hotel has been a buzzy destination since its inception by British fashion photographer Kate Bellm and artist Edgar Lopez in 2023. Nestled in the Tramuntana mountains halfway between the towns of Deià and Sollér, it attracts those looking to connect with nature and the island’s most bohemian side. Instead of modern-day features like in-room TV, here you’ll find amenities like artist workshops, sound healing, and guided hikes to explore the surrounding areas. The 15-room property may be intimate in size, but owners and artists themselves Bellm and Lopez have aimed to create a sense of community with Corazón as much as they have a hotel.
“I can personally attest that [Bellm’s] priority was to create a space where artists could both enjoy and feel inspired,” says Gutiérrez. “She has exceeded all expectations. Each of the 15 rooms at the hotel is custom-made by local artisans using materials from the island.” Indeed, Bellm explains that the rooms are designed and furnished so that guests feel as if they’re staying at a friend’s house, not just any hotel. The on-site boutique is equally as inspired, from hand-painted ashtrays and plates by Lopez to chic snorkels, the most luxurious intellect repellent, Bellm’s books, Corazon Farm tinctures, bikinis, and more, describes Folk.
(Image credit: Jean-Marie del Moral)
If you’re after some real downtime, Nash says that the hotel/wellness retreat Es Racó d’Artà in the northern part of the island is just a dream. “It’s only a short drive from the airport, but a world away from busy Palma. Situated on a farm, it’s rural but also incredibly luxurious, with a stunning spa, two beautiful pools surrounded by olive trees, and daily meditation and yoga classes.” Dotted with wildflowers and even donkeys, Folk insists that you don’t even have to leave the property which she describes as serene and enchanting. “I would recommend a villa with a pool for complete privacy and nudist swims. The meditation room itself is transcendent,” she adds.
WWW Travels Tip: Don’t be afraid to stay inland. Despite the island’s beachy draws, surprisingly few of the hotels are directly on the water—at least, the more unique and stylish ones aren’t, informs Riegelhaupt. “Be open to staying off the beach and visiting different beaches during your stay,” she suggests.
(Image credit: Grand Hotel Son Net)
Recently renovated and reopened by the team behind Andalucia’s Finca Cortesin, Vazquez gushes that Son Net is getting all the rave reviews these days. “It’s set down a small lane in a quiet part of the countryside, easy to explore that part of the island but also perfect for hiding away from the crowds,” she muses. “A must.”
WWW Travels Tip: Split your time between two different spots—one in the north and one further south— to get a feel for the whole island. If you prefer to stay put, it only takes about an hour to cross from one side to the other and explore from one home base.
Where to Dine in Mallorca
(Image credit: @anaastasija.at; @maggie_mccormack)
“La Residencia may be known as one of the island’s best hotels (and it is), but even if you’re not staying, come by for a dinner in the magical courtyard at El Olivo,” says Vazquez. “Not far from here is Ca’s Patro March, the waterfront lunch spot made famous by The Night Watchman. It may have popped in popularity a few years ago due to the show, but it’s a classic and one to reserve well ahead of time for long lunches of fresh seafood and chilled wine.”
WWW Travels Tip: Don’t worry about being late to have lunch or dinner. Gutierrez explains that in Spain, lunch can begin as late as 5 p.m. and dinner as late as 11 p.m., so if you go out to eat on the early end, you’ll find more tourists and if you go later, you’ll dine alongside the locals.
In the tiny village of Biniaraix, Folk raves about Bar Bodega which she notes has been gaining a cult following for its foodie pop-ups by local chefs, its olive leaf lattes, and its community spirit. “Set in the square, it’s full of locals and is great for the family,” she says. “Local chefs celebrate their skills throughout the season with alluring menus and it’s fast becoming booked out.”
Located within the oak forest and almost hidden among wild vegetation between Caimari and the Lluc Monastery is Es Guix, one of Gutiérrez’s favorite spots for a romantic dinner. Quality products, good service, and an extensive wine list are all of its highlights, she notes, offered in one of the most beautiful and captivating environments on the island. “Before or after eating you can take a swim in its natural pool with water that comes straight down from the mountain. A special and unforgettable place.”
WWW Travels Tip: Nearly everywhere will take card, Nash informs, but it doesn’t hurt to have cash for tips (or cans of beer on the beach!).
Where to Shop in Mallorca
As you might imagine for an island most often described as bohemian and rustic, the shopping options highlight its handcrafted traditions and slow-living ethos. One such destination in the town of Deià is the boutique Datura Studio Isla. The brand itself hails from New York and at their Mallorcan outpost you’ll find exclusively sustainable high-end and natural fabrics. “One can purchase beautiful garments, shoes, sunglasses, bags. All wonderfully curated and chic,” says Folk.
When in Mallorca, it would be a shame not to leave room in your suitcase for some handcrafted Spanish textiles. Each summer that Nash returns to the island, she makes a point to pop into this shop for charming and colorful ceramic souvenirs.
At Gres Gallery, you’ll find family-made ceramics by Dora Alzamara Good. According to Folk, these are the ultimate artifact souvenirs. She notes that luckily they ship everywhere, which is the ideal scenario for over-packers like her (felt). It’s not all ceramic pots and objects, though. Interesting jewelry and furniture sit alongside the ceramics, she says, and advises you to make sure you ring ahead before a visit.
Where to Swim in Mallorca
“One of my favorite beaches to visit in Mallorca is Sa Calobra,” Who What Wear assistant shopping editor Ana Escalante tells me. “It feels like another world, nestled in between two rocky cliffs on the north shore of the island. The best way to access it is by cycling or arriving by boat, meaning it’s not as congested as other scenic spots in peak summer. Whenever my family and I head to Mallorca, it’s one of the spots I look forward to visiting the most. Plus, it certainly helps that it’s Jenner sister–approved.”
WWW Travels Tip: If you’re staying in self-catered accommodation and want to do something like rent a boat, make friends with the local hotel and enquire there, advises Nash. If you can, it’s 100% worth renting a boat for the day to go swimming and travel between secret beaches, she insists.
Crystal-clear water isn’t hard to find here as most of the beaches boast some of the most intensely turquoise hues in all of the Mediterranean. Still, Nash adores Cala Llombards for its views. “Pretty but tiny” is how she describes the cove and suggests getting there early for a quiet swim.
Mallorca has no shortage of perfectly picturesque beaches to post up at for the day, although the majority of them are clustered on the southern end of the island, including the glimmering aquamarine cove at Cala d’Or.
What to Pack for Mallorca
Zara
3 Pack of Resin Bracelets
Jacques Marie Mage
Richard aviator-style acetate sunglasses
MATTEAU
Floral-Print Recycled Triangle Bikini
Diotima
Spice Crocheted Midi Skirt
Ancient Greek Sandals
Iro Pvc Ballet Flats
Lucy Folk
Blooming Hair Tie
Frankies Bikinis
Christabelle Ruffle Maxi Dress
Saint Laurent
Panier Small raffia basket bag
