Boat & Ferry
Mallorca is connected by ferry to the Spanish mainland and the neighboring islands. There are also numerous excursion boats exploring the coast and offshore islands.
Ferries from the Mainland
Two major shipping companies connect Palma with Barcelona and Valencia:
| Route | Shipping Company | Duration | Price (Person, from) | Price (Car, from) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona → Palma | Trasmediterranea | 7–8h (Night) | 45€ | 95€ | daily |
| Barcelona → Palma | Balearia | 5.5–6h (Fast Ferry) | 55€ | 110€ | 1–2× daily |
| Valencia → Palma | Trasmediterranea | 7–8h (Night) | 40€ | 90€ | 3–5× weekly |
| Valencia → Palma | Balearia | 6–7h | 50€ | 100€ | daily |
| Denia → Palma | Balearia | 5h (Fast Ferry) | 55€ | 115€ | 3–5× weekly |
Tip: The night ferry from Barcelona is particularly popular — you save a hotel night and wake up in the port of Palma. Book a cabin (from 75 euros), the seat area is noisy. Book via directferries.de or the shipping companies' websites.
Ferries between the Balearic Islands
| Route | Duration | Price (from) | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palma → Ibiza | 2–4h | 35€ Person / 80€ Car | Balearia, Trasmediterranea |
| Palma → Menorca (Mahon) | 5–6h | 35€ Person / 85€ Car | Trasmediterranea |
| Palma → Menorca (Ciutadella) | 3.5h | 40€ Person | Balearia (Fast Ferry) |
| Alcudia → Ciutadella (Menorca) | 1.5–2h | 25€ Person / 55€ Car | Balearia |
Highlight: The connection Alcudia → Ciutadella is perfect for a day trip or short trip to Menorca — only 1.5 hours crossing!
Boat Trips around Mallorca
- Cabrera National Park: Day trips from Colonia de Sant Jordi (45–65 euros, 8h). Snorkeling, hiking, blue cave. Limited spots — book early! Providers: Excursions a Cabrera, Marcabrera.
- Coastal Boat Tours: From Soller/Port de Soller along the Tramuntana coast to Sa Calobra and Cala Tuent (20–35 euros). Spectacular cliffs from the water.
- Catamaran Tours: From Palma, Alcudia, and Cala Ratjada. Half-day tours with swimming stops, lunch, and music (40–70 euros). Popular with families and groups.
- Dolphin Watching: From Alcudia and Cala Ratjada. No guarantee, but high sighting rate of bottlenose and striped dolphins (approx. 50–65 euros).
- Sailing/Yacht Charter: Mallorca is a top sailing area. Bareboat charter from approx. 200 euros/day (off-season) for a 10-m yacht. Skippered charter from 350 euros/day. Ports: Palma, Port d'Andratx, Soller, Alcudia, Porto Colom, Cala d'Or.
With Your Own Boat
Mallorca has over 40 marinas and ports. The most important for guest berths: Real Club Nautico de Palma (prestigious, expensive), Marina Port de Mallorca (modern, central), Port Adriano (design port by Philippe Starck), Club de Vela Port d'Andratx and Reial Club Nautic Port de Pollença. Berth prices in summer: 50–200 euros/night depending on boat size and port.
💡 Tipp
The ferry Alcudia → Ciutadella (Menorca) is a brilliant day trip: 1.5 hours crossing, spend the day in Ciutadella's enchanting old town, and return in the evening. Or add 2–3 nights on Menorca — the tranquil sister island is a dream.