Small tips, Big Savings : Travel to Mallorca on a Budget

After a contemplative and amusing holiday in the Catalonian capital, Barcelona, it was time for us to head to the slightly more expensive side of Spain – the Balearic island of Mallorca. Located in the Mediterranean Sea just off the eastern coast of Barcelona, Mallorca is a favourite holiday destination for Germans. Having spent a couple of months in Munich, we had gathered some intriguing comments from local Germans about Mallorca. “The ideal climate for living a blissful life,” “Most beautiful beaches in the world,” “Such a vast airport with direct connectivity from many German cities,” and “Everybody speaks German, so you can also find German beers and food dishes too” were just a few that had piqued our interest. In fact, I even had a German colleague who was busy constructing luxurious villas in Mallorca and earning twice than what he would in Germany – “Rich clients,” he’d proudly say.

We were left curious from all that we had heard and decided to discover Mallorca’s glorified charm by ourselves. However, being on a budget, we were committed to making the most of our experience without emptying our pockets. We set the relatively less-visited countryside of Mallorca in our sights, opting for a simple two-day itinerary, away from the crowded city of Palma. We landed in the medieval town of Montuïri. And as luck would have it, we were about to experience island life like never before!

Mallorca is extremely popular as a party destination and everything can get pretty hefty on the pocket if not planned well. But by no means should that stop you from exploring, right?

Mallorca’s true treasures lie in its pristine beaches, secluded coves, and enchanting caves, all natural wonders, each waiting to display its prowess. If you do plan to visit this island, you should make every effort to witness some of these beauties! And there is always a way to make the most of your visit and YET minimize your expenses… Here are some useful tips that we summarized from our experience:

1. Strategic Timing

Time your holidays well. It can get exceptionally crowded and pricey during peak summer months. We suggest opting for an off-season visit during the calmer spring or autumn months to avoid the bustling summer night-life and the over-crowded beaches. Also, try to secure accommodations in advance. Given the island’s limited size, lodging options tend to fill up quickly.

walking on the vast fields
Amid the expansive fields of Mallorca

2. Budget-Friendly Stays 

Traditional hotels and resorts can get very expensive. So seek out budget-friendly hostels or Airbnb options, especially outside of Palma, for a taste of Mallorca’s rural charm. For example, we stayed for two nights at the Embat Hostel in Montuïri and absolutely loved it! Staying at such relatively remote places which are run by locals themselves gives you a higher chance to observe their lifestyle up close. Also, it could also result in very meaningful conversations!

Also read: Mallorca : Beyond the parties, a home to island dwellers

3. Culinary Independence 

Exploring culinary delights is always an integral part of all our travels. Being vegans, it sometimes gets tricky to savour the local flavours. But even in such scenarios, what we always try to do is head to the local markets to get our own supplies. Mallorca’s local markets offer fresh and affordable produce. Choosing an Airbnb with facilities for self-catering lets you craft your own meals and explore the island’s native delicacies.

4. Public Transit 

Utilize Mallorca’s public transportation network.
-Although bus frequency varies, it efficiently connects key areas. The process of buying bus tickets here has its quirks, quite distinct from other places in Spain. Firstly, buying a ticket onboard is cheaper than an online purchase. Secondly, the ticket vending machine has an inbuilt tap in and tap out facility, calculating your fare electronically. It initially debits a flat €20 and later refunds the balance fare, upon summing up the entire day’s trips!
-Trams also link cities to coastal gems. The tram line from Palma to Bunyola to Sóller and back is a great option to consider. 

5. Scooter Mobility

For those who enjoy riding two-wheelers and being at ease, renting scooters can be highly fulfilling, especially for daily commutes to the beach. Some hostels offer rental bikes of their own, making the entire process seamless. It’s a very budget-friendly choice, starting as low as 35 euros per day. This cost usually includes helmets for your safety and the freedom to explore Mallorca at your own will.

Spectacular stalagmites and stalactites
Spectacular stalagmites and stalactites of Drach caves

6. Self-Guided Exploration

Discover Mallorca at your own pace with free walking tours. While Barcelona can be easily covered with Rick Steve’s Audio Guides for Europe like the city walk in Barcelona and Getting to know Spaniards, Guru walk’s guides offers a free guided tour of Palma’s history and mysteries. These waking tours are completely free, but you certainly choose to tip the guide if you are satisfied.

girl climbing up the stairs of a medieval church
Exploring the main square of Montuiri

7. Reasonable and Off-beat Attractions

Museums and other historical monuments can strain your budget. However, exploring the cultural heritage of Mallorca need not be a costly affair. Low cost attractions like Bronze Age talaiot structures located close to the town of Montuiri, lets you experience the island’s rich history. The Drach caves located on the eastern edge of the island offers spectacular natural formations of stalactites and stalagmites and a magical live musical performance at the end of the tour. Wandering through old villages of Mallorca like Valldemossa, Banyalbufar, Sóller, Deià and Montuïri, lets you soak in the local culture and its architecture at no cost. But remember to respect the local communities while visiting these villages. 

8. Eco-Conscious Essentials 

Let’s be real – All of us love travelling and wish to see the most unique destinations on earth. But more often than not, our choices as travellers impact these places in unimaginable ways.

Mallorca’s shores, for instance, are raided with plastic waste today. What’s heartwarming though, is witnessing the dedication of some locals picking up plastic waste during their swims and disposing it off in the trash cans nearby. In this light, it’s imperative that we embrace eco-friendly practices during our travels. Simple actions like carrying your own cutlery and reusable steel bottles could reduce waste and also lead to savings. 

What’s your favorite budget-friendly travel tip for exploring new destinations?

Hi ! We’re Forum and Shiva, two intrepid souls united by our shared love for TRAVEL and SUSTAINABILITY. We met as architectural colleagues and we both spent some years exploring sustainable and socially responsible architecture. Our mutual fascination for vernacular architecture, traditional communities, and the curiosity to witness the natural world.. all led us to build this little nest: Barriers and Borders. 

Our mission is simple – to bring you meaningful stories from the small or the big journeys that we make which could allow you to see the world differently. To let you join our journeys through our words.. to touch upon those little details that maybe get missed.. and above all to attempt to give back to the places we are privileged to visit in this lifetime.

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Barriers and borders

Barriers and borders

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Vegan Travellers | Eco-Conscious Architects | Love Envoys | Nature enthusiasts

We're e-biking atop Greece’s jaw-dropping 60-MILLION-YEAR-OLD rock formations …... and thinking to ourselves, “What a marvellous planet we live on!” 🥺🌎Guys, this is Meteora. A breathtaking geological wonder - a rock formation that began when tectonic movements around millions of years ago lifted an ancient seabed of what was once a lake, into a sculptural masterpiece. As mystical as these towering pillars are, what is more mysterious is the fact that ancient monks chose to live on top of them! 😳Meteora hosts not just one, but 24 monasteries, each resting on a high peak! ⛰️⛪As two travellers prioritising low-carbon adventures, we were determined NOT TO RENT a car ❌🚗 to explore this obviously hilly terrain. Naturally, most pages on the internet recommended that as the ultimate way to see it. But then, upon some online-digging, we found Vasilis & Jenny, founders of @meteoraebikeA former pro mountain biker & a certified mountain bike guide, Vasilis is now on a grand mission in his very grand hometown - To offer tourists a deeply immersive 360° experience that honours Meteora's unparalleled beauty. 💚💫He took us on an e-biking tour through this otherworldly landscape, completely changing what would’ve otherwise been a typical sightseeing trip into one that moved us on many dimensions. 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️As we cycled through winding roads, passing the village of Kalambaka, locals waved to Vasilis, chickens clucked in the background, and we ... almost forgot that we were pedalling, invigorated by the beauty of this place. ☺️☺️“You see that huge hole in the mountain?” Vasilis asked, as he gestured us to make a pitstop. “That used to be a monk’s prison! Back in the day, the Church had very strict rules. And the monks who broke them were sent to isolated caves like these to repent.” (See Photo 9) 😲That's just one of countless stories Vasilis shared with us - from geology, history, religion, culture as well as architecture! And it didn't take us long to realise that the only way to truly appreciate this magical place was a SLOWER PACE and a GENTLER GAZE. 🌱🚴‍♀️#collab ... See MoreSee Less
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Christmas-Market-Hopping in Munich🎄, sipping on warm glühwein 🍷, & keeping each other cosy through the cold days - is there anything more to wish for?☺️🤍One of the things about German Christmas Markets that we find pretty cool (obviously besides the mulled wine!) is the “Pfand” system. Pfand in German means 'deposit', and it’s a very simple (& efficient) way to say NO to single-use plastic. ♻️😎😎Most kiosks offer food and drinks in reusable cups, plates or mugs. And you are asked to pay a significant extra amount, which is only returned when you return your empty containers back at the counter. As simple as it is, attaching money to this system makes ALL the difference. In Germany, not just temporary markets work on this principle but all the supermarkets do as well. If you read “Pfand” on any bottle or can, you know you've paid more & this reminds you to return it so you can collect your refund! 💰♻️The christmas season is probably the most eagerly awaited annual festival & across the globe - This makes it all the more important that we celebrate mindfully: could be choosing to reuse your home decor, purchasing second-hand items, gifting experiences instead of flashy souvenirs, or even (if possible) growing your own X-mas tree rather than buying a plastic one or pulling down a baby tree just cuz everyone does it? 🌱🌿Got any more ideas for a sustainable Christmas? Tell us in comments..#GermanChristmasMarkets #ChristmasinGermany #Pfandsystem #Reuse #Reduce #SustainableChristmasMarket #ChristmasinMunich #TollwoodWeihnachtsmarkt #Weihnachtsmarkt #München #ChristmasinMunich #GiftExperiences #GreenLiving #SustainableTravelBlog #BarriersandBorders #LiveLikeaLocal #VisitMunich #VisitGermany @simplymunich @muenchen @placestobe_munich @munich_notes @tollwoodfestival @germanytourism @deutschland_de @germany.explores ... See MoreSee Less
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Barriers and Borders

Hi ! We’re Forum and Shiva, two intrepid souls united by our shared love for TRAVEL and SUSTAINABILITY. We met as architectural colleagues and we both spent some years exploring sustainable and socially responsible architecture. Our mutual fascination for vernacular architecture, traditional communities, and the curiosity to witness the natural world.. all led us to build this little nest: Barriers and Borders. 

Our mission is simple – to bring you meaningful stories from the small or the big journeys that we make which could allow you to see the world differently. To let you join our journeys through our words.. to touch upon those little details that maybe get missed.. and above all to attempt to give back to the places we are privileged to visit in this lifetime.

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