A Romantic Couple’s Guide to Mallorca, Spain

Dinner in a low-lit courtyard is certainly a good place to start a romantic evening, and Mallorca – particularly Palma – has plenty to offer in the way of alfresco walled patios. The restaurant at upscale boutique hotel Can Cera has an extensive and fairly traditional menu and is in one of Palma’s prettiest courtyards, which looks even more magical in the candlelight. Just around the corner is Quadrat with its stunning garden and a mouth-watering menu – it also has an impressive and not too expensive tasting menu. If you are out to impress, Michelin-starred Simply Fosh at the Convent de la Missió Hotel also has a small patio garden and a deliciously creative menu. If romantic courtyards aren’t your thing and sea views are, then head to Soller’s Es Faro, which is perched on the cliffs above the port and offers beautifully cooked fresh fish to go with the incredible views from its terrace.

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Romance doesn’t always have to mean beautiful countryside or idyllic scenery; sometimes a seductive night out in the city is all that’s needed. Whether you’re after a quick romantic pit-stop on the way to somewhere else, or you want to linger for the evening, the bar at Hotel Cort in Palma’s old town is a great place to stop for oysters and champagne – although Cava seems more appropriate. A five-minute wander from there is the rooftop bar of the Can Alomar hotel – the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail after you’ve treated your love to a shopping spree in the many high-end boutiques on tree-lined Passeig del Born. For impressive – but pricey – cocktails in a spectacular and highly unusual environment, head to Abaco, with its decadent courtyard, filled with gilt birdcages, fountains, flowers, and mountains of exotic fruit.

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A trip to a vineyard is a great day out for wine lovers and there are numerous in Mallorca worth visiting. Whether you decide to take an organized tour or plan your own visit, there are many options available. Binissalem, located in the north east of the island, is a key area for wine production with vineyards such as Bodega Ribas – the oldest winery on the island – offering tours and tastings. For some additional romance, Bodega Santa Catarina in the west will arrange a picnic for you to have in the vineyard – a basket filled with Spanish cheese, meats and bread and a bottle of their wine – or champagne with the luxury picnic.

If you don’t happen to be staying in a hotel with an amazing spa, it’s good to know where to go to indulge for an hour or more. The Hammam Palma is a hidden gem, tucked away down a side street, walkable from the old town. The perfect romantic treat for a couple, these traditional-style but luxurious Arab baths are stunning – you can lounge in the candlelit aromatherapy pool and enjoy the steam bath and cold room before having one of a range of massage and exfoliation treatments. Top tip: book the earliest appointments in the day and you’re more likely to have the place to yourselves.

The dramatic cliffs and beautiful coastline mean that Mallorca has many beautiful spots for taking photos… or getting down on one knee. On the winding road to Cap Formentor in the far north-east, is the Mirador Des Colomer – a short walk up steps from the parking area leads to incredible views out to sea with steep cliffs and a dramatic coastline. A fantastic place for a smoochy selfie, but it is often crowded so perhaps not the best place for a romantic proposal – unless you don’t mind an audience. Son Marroig, the former home of Archduke Ludwig Salvador – who bought up lots of the northern coast to save it from development – is now primarily a museum, and in the grounds is a white marble rotunda, perched on the edge of the cliffs with stunning views; a truly idyllic spot and a popular wedding venue. On the same stretch of coastline, near Banyalbufar, is the Torre Del Verger – an ancient watchtower with spectacular panoramic views. Perched perilously on the edge of the cliff, if you can stomach the height, the views here are well worth the climb.