City of the month: Mallorca

1

What is it about Mallorca that’s so attractive to tourists?

It’s still too inexpensive, which makes it primarily attractive to groups. On the other hand, there’s the infrastructure – all the places to stay, the golf clubs, the wineries offering tastings, and it’s quick and easy to get there from Germany. But there are some wonderful islands in northern Europe worth visiting, too. Ever heard of Vlieland in the Netherlands? Very nice indeed.

2

Is paella all there is to eat?

No, try tapas – but only in restaurants without white covers on the chairs. The Ca Nostra in Artà, maybe, or the L’Orient in Capdepera. My personal favorites are pata negra and sobrasada sausage – they only taste this good on Mallorca. For the best- tasting food generally, go in the low season.

3

Does the “untouched Mallorca” still exist?

Hardly in the monasteries or the artists’ village Deià, of course, which are lovely but feature in all the travel guides. But some parts of Mallorca are, in fact, unkown to outsiders, although I’m not prepared to divulge where they are. My advice: Take a walk in the Tramuntana Mountains or the Llevant nature reserve and enjoy what I consider the most gorgeous scenery on earth. Stay away from all “insider tips.”

4

Is tourism reaching saturation point?

If more people keep coming, it will. But attitudes are beginning to change, people are focusing more on quality and less on quantity. In my kayak, I can reach the Llevant nature reserve in just ten minutes – and will not see a soul – on land or water – for hours.

5

Germans out clubbing don’t even bother to order their drinks in Spanish. Are we really badly behaved?

My dad taught us kids to behave particularly well in a foreign country. Perhaps that concept needs to be revived… Germans are not always good at integrating themselves into other societies, as can be readily observed on Mallorca.

Has answered our questions: Alexander Gorkow

Editor of Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper’s Page 3 and author of the novel Hotel Laguna (2017), a declaration of love to Mallorca.