Think you’ve already seen everything Mallorca has to offer?
Sunrise at the Cathedral of Palma? Done.
Browsing local markets? Done.
Es Baluard Museum? Done.
Tapas and a long vino lunch? Done.
A vineyard visit in the countryside? Done.
If you feel like you’ve ticked off all the classic things to do in Mallorca, think again.
The island is full of surprising places, quiet corners and curious stories that many visitors (and even people who have lived here for years) overlook. From unfinished architecture and cactus landscapes to village traditions and ingenious mountain roads, there are still plenty of special places in Mallorca waiting to be discovered.
Here are six unusual things to do in Mallorca when you want to explore beyond the obvious.
6 Unusual Things to Do in Mallorca
(Beyond the Obvious)
1. Visit the Roofless Church in Son Servera
Església Nova, Son Servera
An unfinished church that simply… stops.
Construction of Església Nova began in 1905 and was envisioned as a grand architectural landmark for the town of Son Servera. But by 1929, financial difficulties brought the project to an abrupt halt – leaving the church without its roof and never fully completed.
Today, the structure stands as a striking skeleton of stone arches open to the sky. What might have been an abandoned ruin has instead become one of the most atmospheric cultural spaces in Mallorca. Concerts, exhibitions and summer events are often held here, transforming the unfinished church into a stage beneath the stars.
Visit in the late afternoon when the sunlight filters through the arches – a quiet and magical moment many travellers miss as they drive past on their way to Cala Millor.
📌 Carrer Creus, 1 · Son Servera
🕐 Mon–Fri 9:30–13:30 | Sat & Sun 10:30-17:00
(Hours may vary during events & summer – always double check!)
💶 Free entry
2. Stand Exactly Where Chopin Lost His Patience in Valldemossa
Cartoixa de Valldemossa
Everyone knows that Frédéric Chopin once lived in Valldemossa.
What fewer people realise is that he absolutely hated the Mallorcan winter.
In the winter of 1838–1839, Chopin arrived in Valldemossa with the famous French writer George Sand, hoping the Mediterranean climate would improve his fragile health. Instead, the experience quickly turned miserable. Damp rooms, cold weather and the lack of basic comforts made life in the monastery far from idyllic.
Despite the difficult conditions, Chopin composed some of his most important works here, including parts of his Preludes Op. 28.
Today, visitors can step inside the small monastery cell where he lived and worked at the Cartoixa de Valldemossa. It’s a surprisingly modest space — and you can almost imagine the rain, the humidity and the frustration that shaped this brief but fascinating chapter in music history.
3. Discover a Desert Landscape in Mallorca
Botanicactus, Ses Salines
Mallorca… or Mexico?
In the south of the island near Ses Salines lies one of the most surprising botanical gardens in Europe. Botanicactus is a biodiversity sanctuary where the desert meets the Mediterranean, featuring thousands of species of cacti, succulents and tropical plants from around the world.
Walking through the park feels almost surreal — towering cacti, unusual plant shapes and wide open landscapes create the impression of stepping into another continent while still being in Mallorca.
The gardens are open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, with entrance at €11 for adults and €5 for children, making it an easy and unexpected stop if you’re exploring the south of the island.
From desert plants to Mediterranean vegetation and scenic walking paths, Botanicactus offers one of the most unique landscapes to discover in Mallorca – a place where nature feels both wild and wonderfully unexpected.
4. Go to a Village Festa… for the Pa amb Oli
across Mallorca
Not for the headline concert.
Not for the fireworks.
But for the food.
One of Mallorca’s most beloved dishes is Pa amb oli – a deceptively simple combination of rustic bread, olive oil and ramallet tomatoes.
More than just a meal, pa amb oli is a symbol of the island’s agricultural traditions and everyday culture. It’s the kind of food that brings people together.
The best place to experience it? A traditional Mallorca village festa.
Head to a smaller inland town like Sencelles, Montuïri or Costitx during their local celebrations. Long communal tables fill the village squares, plastic chairs appear out of nowhere, and locals gather to eat, chat and celebrate late into the night.
Expect crusty pan moreno, generous olive oil, laughter and neighbours who have known each other since childhood.
This is authentic Mallorca at its best.
5. Sa Calobra’s Secret: The Road Is the Attraction
Sa Calobra Road, Tramuntana
Most visitors travel to Sa Calobra to see the famous gorge.
But the real highlight often happens before you even arrive.
The winding mountain road that leads down to Sa Calobra was designed in 1932 by Mallorcan engineer Antoni Parietti. Rather than cutting tunnels through the mountains, Parietti designed a series of dramatic curves that follow the natural landscape.
The most famous section is a spectacular 270° loop where the road actually passes underneath itself — an engineering solution as elegant as it is breathtaking.
Today, the road is considered one of the most scenic drives in Mallorca and frequently appears in car advertisements and cycling challenges. Yet the brilliant mind behind it remains relatively unknown.
Driving this road is more than just a journey to a destination – it’s a masterpiece of design set within the dramatic scenery of the Serra de Tramuntana.
6. Walk Through a Bronze Age Village Almost Nobody Visits
Ses Païsses, Artà
Somewhere on the outskirts of Artà, hidden behind a gate and a few cork oak trees, there’s a Bronze Age settlement that has been sitting quietly for over 3,000 years.
Ses Païsses is one of the best-preserved prehistoric sites in the Balearic Islands – a talaiotic village with a monumental entrance gateway made from stones so large you’ll wonder how they got there. Archaeologists have been asking the same question since the 1960s.
What makes it special isn’t just the history. It’s the atmosphere. Visit on a weekday morning and you may well have the whole place to yourself – just you, the ancient walls and the sound of the wind through the oaks.
It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you actually discovered something. And in Mallorca, that feeling is increasingly rare.
📌 Ses Païsses, Artà — signposted from the town centre
🕐 Mon–Sat 10:00–17:00 (closed Sundays)
💶 Adults €3.50 / Children free
✨ Mallorca always has more to discover.
Even if you think you’ve already seen the island, there are still hidden corners, curious stories and unusual experiences waiting around the next bend.
Sometimes all it takes is looking a little closer.
