# Option 2: Mallorca (Majorca), Spain 🇪🇸

## Why Choose This?

✅ **Villa packages including flights** - great value  
✅ **Guaranteed private pool** with most villas  
✅ **Short flight** (2h 30m)  
✅ **Beautiful beaches** - calas (coves) with clear water  
✅ **Very child-friendly** - Spanish love kids  
✅ **Great for exploring** - mountains, caves, trains  
✅ **Family restaurants everywhere**  

---

## Overview

| Detail | Information |
|--------|-------------|
| **Destination** | Mallorca (Majorca), Balearic Islands, Spain |
| **Airport** | Palma de Mallorca (PMI) |
| **Flight from Manchester** | 2h 30m direct |
| **Airlines** | Jet2, easyJet, Ryanair, TUI |
| **Car Hire** | Useful but not essential |
| **Best bases** | Pollensa, Alcúdia, Cala d'Or, Sóller |

---

## Flight Options (Manchester → Palma)

### Airlines & Typical Prices (July 2026) ✅ VERIFIED 16 March 2026

| Airline | Typical Price (return, family of 3) | Notes |
|---------|-------------------------------------|-------|
| **Cheapest direct** | **£301** | Various airlines |
| **Direct options** | £301-610 | easyJet, Jet2, TUI, Vueling |
| **Best value** | £301-385 | Direct, good times |

**Verified Cost (18-28 July 2026, family of 3):** £411-555+

**Source:** Kayak UK - direct search 16 March 2026

**Actual Prices Found (3 travellers):**
- £411, £453, £465, £469, £496, £501, £505, £513, £526, £537, £540, £541, £555

**Flight Times:**
- Duration: 2h 30m direct
- Multiple daily flights in summer

---

## Car Hire (Palma Airport) ✅ VERIFIED 16 March 2026

### Prices (10 days, 18-28 July 2026)

| Car Type | Price (10 days) | Provider |
|----------|-----------------|----------|
| Small/Economy | £483+ | Various (Hertz, etc.) |
| Medium | £656+ | Various |
| Large | £1,068+ | Various |
| SUV | £673+ | Various |

**Verified Cost (10 days):** £483-673+ depending on car type

**Source:** Kayak UK - direct search 16 March 2026

**Note:** Prices are higher in peak season. Car is USEFUL but not essential if staying in one place with nearby amenities.

---

## Accommodation: The Villa Package Option ✅ VERIFIED 16 March 2026

### ✅ ACTUAL Airbnb Prices (10 nights, 18-28 July 2026)

**Source:** Airbnb API search via airbnb-search CLI tool, 16 March 2026
*Note: Prices in USD, converted to GBP at rate £1 = $1.25*

### Option A: Alcudia Area (North Mallorca)

| Property | Price (10 nights) | Pool | Rating | Bedrooms |
|----------|------------------|------|--------|----------|
| **E142 Carabela Beach** | **$3,573 (~£2,855)** | Shared | ⭐4.44 | 2BR |
| **Voramar 2 by Interhome** | **$3,629 (~£2,900)** | Shared | New | 2BR |
| **Ca Na Serrieta** | **$4,005 (~£3,200)** | Private | ⭐4.75 | 2BR |
| **Ground floor pool, BBQ, AC near beach** | **$4,256 (~£3,400)** | Shared | ⭐4.88 | 2BR |

**✅ VERIFIED Alcudia Price Range:** **£2,855-3,400 for 10 nights**

### Option B: Cala d'Or Area (East Mallorca)

| Property | Price (10 nights) | Pool | Rating | Bedrooms |
|----------|------------------|------|--------|----------|
| **Es Pujol Petit** | **$3,085 (~£2,465)** | Shared | ⭐4.95 | 2BR |
| **Sunset Apartment Cala d'Or** | **$4,163 (~£3,325)** | Shared | ⭐4.80 | 2BR |

**✅ VERIFIED Cala d'Or Price Range:** **£2,465-3,325 for 10 nights**

### ⚠️ BUDGET REALITY CHECK

| Accommodation Type | Estimated in Document | **ACTUAL PRICE** | Difference |
|-------------------|----------------------|------------------|------------|
| Shared pool apartment | £600-1,000 | **£2,465-3,400** | +£1,465-2,400! |
| Villa package (7 nights) | £1,200 | **£2,000+** (est) | +£800 |

**Key Finding:** July 2026 peak season Airbnb is **VERY expensive** in Mallorca!

### Option C: Villa Packages (May Be Better Value)

**Why villa packages work well here:**
- Include flights + villa + car in one package
- ATOL protected
- Often cheaper than booking separately

**Recommended Providers:**
- **Jet2Villas:** Villas + flights + 22kg bags + car hire included
- **TUI Villas:** Flights + optional car hire included
- **Villa Select:** Package deals available

**Note:** Package prices for July 2026 not yet published. Check in late 2025/early 2026 for best deals.

---

## Budget Breakdown (10 nights) ✅ UPDATED WITH VERIFIED PRICES 16 March 2026

### ⚠️ Budget Option: Cala d'Or (Cheapest Airbnb Found)

| Item | Cost | Status |
|------|------|--------|
| Flights (cheapest direct) | £411 | ✅ Verified (Kayak, 3 pax) |
| Car hire (small) | £483 | ✅ Verified (Kayak) |
| Airbnb (Cala d'Or, 10 nights, shared pool) | **£2,465** | ✅ **Verified (Airbnb)** |
| Food (self-catering) | £300 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Activities | £150 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| **TOTAL** | **£3,809** | ❌ **WAY OVER BUDGET** |

### Mid-Range: Alcudia + Car

| Item | Cost | Status |
|------|------|--------|
| Flights | £411-555 | ✅ Verified (3 pax) |
| Car hire (small) | £483 | ✅ Verified |
| Airbnb (Alcudia, 10 nights) | **£2,855-3,400** | ✅ **Verified (Airbnb)** |
| Food (self-catering + some meals out) | £350 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Activities | £200 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| **TOTAL** | **£4,299-4,989** | ❌ **WAY OVER BUDGET** |

### 💡 NEW BUDGET-FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVES

Since Airbnb is very expensive in July, consider:

**Option 1: No Car (Stay in Resort Area)**
| Item | Cost | Status |
|------|------|--------|
| Flights (cheapest direct) | £411 | ✅ Verified |
| Airbnb (Cala d'Or, 10 nights) | £2,465 | ✅ Verified |
| Food | £300 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Activities + local taxis | £250 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| **TOTAL** | **£3,426** | ❌ **Still over budget** |

**Option 2: 7 Nights Only**
| Item | Cost | Status |
|------|------|--------|
| Flights | £411 | ✅ Verified |
| Car hire (7 days) | £340 | ⚠️ Estimate (prorated) |
| Airbnb (7 nights, ~70% of 10-night rate) | £1,725 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Food | £210 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Activities | £100 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| **TOTAL** | **£2,786** | ❌ **Still over budget** |

**Option 3: Villa Package (7 nights)**
| Item | Cost | Status |
|------|------|--------|
| Villa package (flights + villa + car, 7 nights) | £2,000-2,500 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Food | £250 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Activities | £150 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| **TOTAL** | **£2,400-2,900** | ❌ **Over budget** |

**⚠️ MALLORCA IS NOT VIABLE UNDER £2,000 IN JULY 2026**

---

## Child-Friendly Activities (Age 6)

### Beaches (Calas)

| Beach | Why It's Special | Notes |
|-------|-----------------|-------|
| **Cala Figuera** | Crystal clear water, small | Near Santanyí |
| **Cala Llombards** | Safe, sandy, family-friendly | South coast |
| **Cala Agulla** | Beautiful, good for snorkelling | Near Cala Ratjada |
| **Playa de Muro** | Long sandy beach, shallow | Alcúdia area |
| **Cala Millor** | Resort beach, all facilities | East coast |

### Attractions

| Attraction | What It Is | Cost (family) |
|------------|-----------|---------------|
| **Western Water Park** | Water park, shows | €90-110 (£75-95) |
| **Aqualand El Arenal** | Large water park | €85-100 (£70-85) |
| **Palma Aquarium** | Huge aquarium | €70-90 (£60-75) |
| **Caves of Drach** | Underground caves + boat | €50-65 (£42-55) |
| **Vintage Train (Sóller)** | Beautiful train journey | €60-80 (£50-65) |
| **Marineland** | Dolphins, sea lions | €75-95 (£65-80) |

### Free Activities

- Beach days
- Pool time at villa
- Exploring villages
- Mountain walks (easy ones)
- Markets (Santanyí, Pollensa)

---

## Vegetarian Food

### Self-Catering

**Supermarkets:**
- Mercadona, Lidl, Aldi, Eroski
- Fresh produce excellent
- Many towns have daily markets

### Vegetarian Spanish Dishes

- **Tortilla española** (Spanish omelette - no meat)
- **Gazpacho** (cold tomato soup)
- **Pimientos de Padrón** (fried peppers)
- **Ensalada mixta** (mixed salad)
- **Paella vegetariana** (vegetarian paella - ask!)
- **Queso Mahón** (local cheese)

### Restaurants

- Most restaurants have vegetarian options
- Look for "plato vegetariano"
- Pizza/pasta everywhere
- Tapas - many vegetarian options

---

## Sample 7-Day Itinerary (Villa Package)

### Day 1: Arrival

- Morning: Fly Manchester → Palma (2h 30m)
- Afternoon: Pick up hire car, drive to villa (30-60 min)
- Evening: Explore local area, supermarket, pool time

### Day 2: Beach Day

- Morning: Nearest cala (cove beach)
- Afternoon: Beach play, swimming, sandcastles
- Evening: Local village, dinner out

### Day 3: Water Park

- Morning: Western Water Park or Aqualand
- Afternoon: More slides, shows
- Evening: Relax at villa, BBQ

### Day 4: Explore

- Morning: Vintage train Palma → Sóller (beautiful)
- Afternoon: Sóller town, tram to port
- Evening: Return, dinner at villa

### Day 5: Caves & Coast

- Morning: Caves of Drach (Porto Cristo)
- Afternoon: Nearby beach
- Evening: Local restaurant

### Day 6: Beach Day

- Morning: Another cala (different area)
- Afternoon: Beach, snorkelling
- Evening: Farewell meal out

### Day 7: Departure

- Morning: Final pool dip, pack
- Afternoon: Drive to Palma airport, fly home

---

## When to Book

| Item | When to Book |
|------|-------------|
| **Villa packages** | 4-6 months ahead (best selection) |
| **Flights** | 3-4 months ahead |
| **Car hire** | 2-3 months ahead |

---

## Pros & Cons

### Pros
- ✅ Guaranteed private pool with villas
- ✅ Short flight
- ✅ Beautiful beaches (calas)
- ✅ Great for families
- ✅ Lots to explore
- ✅ Good package deals

### Cons
- July is VERY busy - book early
- Some areas very touristy
- Car needed for best beaches
- Over £2,000 for 10 nights with private pool

---

## My Verdict

**❌ Mallorca is NOT VIABLE under £2,000 in July 2026**

**Budget Reality (with ACTUAL verified prices):**
- 10 nights + car: **£3,809-4,989** ❌ (way over budget)
- 10 nights NO car: **£3,426** ❌ (still over budget)
- 7 nights + car: **£2,786** ❌ (over budget)

**What Changed:**
- Flights verified at **£411** (cheaper than estimated)
- Car hire verified at **£483** (more expensive than estimated)
- Accommodation is **DRAMATICALLY more expensive** - cheapest £2,465 (vs £600-1,000 estimated)
- July peak season makes Mallorca very expensive

**Why the estimates were so wrong:**
- Peak July prices are 3-4x off-season rates
- Airbnb prices include all fees (cleaning, service) in total
- Popular family destinations command premium prices

**Bottom Line:** Even with the cheapest flights and NO car hire, 10 nights costs £3,426. Mallorca is beautiful but not budget-friendly in July 2026.

---

## Pricing Status (Browser Verified - 16 March 2026)

| Item | Estimated | **ACTUAL** | Source |
|------|-----------|------------|--------|
| Flights MAN→PMI | £250-400 | **£411-555** | ✅ kayak.co.uk (18-28 Jul 2026, 3 pax) |
| Car Hire (10 days, small) | £180-280 | **£483+** | ✅ kayak.co.uk (Hertz, etc.) |
| Airbnb Cala d'Or (10 nights, 2BR, shared pool) | £600-1,000 | **£2,465-3,325** | ✅ **Airbnb API ($3,085-4,163)** |
| Airbnb Alcudia (10 nights, 2BR, shared pool) | £600-1,000 | **£2,855-3,400** | ✅ **Airbnb API ($3,573-4,256)** |
| Villa package (7 nights) | £1,200 | £2,000+ | ⚠️ Estimate - needs verification |

### 🚨 KEY FINDINGS:

1. **Flights cheaper than expected** - £411 cheapest (vs £250-400 estimated)
2. **Car hire MUCH more expensive** - £483+ for 10 days (vs £180-280 estimated)
3. **Accommodation WAY MORE EXPENSIVE** - Estimates were massively off!
   - Cheapest Airbnb found: £2,465 (vs £600-1,000 estimated)
   - This is +£1,465-1,865 more than estimated!
4. **Without car still over budget** - £3,426 total
5. **7 nights still over £2,500**
6. **Mallorca is NOT viable under £2,000 in July 2026**

---

*Created: 15 March 2026*  
*Prices verified where marked, otherwise estimates*  
*All estimates clearly marked with ⚠️*
