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Latest update: 17 July 2023
Manacor is the second-largest city in Mallorca, but somehow, it doesn’t really appeal to me. But, I give it a chance, and guess what? There is quite a bit to do in Manacor. And! It’s Rafael Nadal’s hometown. So let’s explore Manacor in Mallorca for a bit.
The city of Manacor
Okay, I’ll admit right away that I don’t find the city of Manacor that exciting. It is really an industrial city where you mainly find the local population. It doesn’t have much charm, although it is nice to admire the church (the Nostra Senyora dels Dolors) and wander the streets around it. There are some nice furniture stores, and there is a market in Manacor on Mondays. In the Sa Bassa district, there is a Saturday market. This is where you will also find historic country houses and a monastery.
Get a snack and head to a bar in Manacor
If you get hungry, try the churros at El rincón del churro (Google Maps location). For a few euros, you get freshly baked churros. Nice and greasy. 😉 For tasty hams and a glass of wine, go to Señor Jamon (Google Maps location): a small family business with good service and lots of ham.
Or, if you’re up for a beer in the evening, head to Brusca (Google Maps location). Brusca is a brewery café in an old mill with a modern interior. The beer is brewed on-site, and they organize beer tastings too. Check the calendar.
The pearls of Manacor: visit the pearl factory
By pearls, I literally mean pearls – not hidden gems. The city is famous for them. As early as around 1890, pearl producer Majorica settled in Manacor. There are now competing pearl factories in the city, and you can also find them in other places on the island. You can visit the shop on spec, and they often offer you the opportunity to see the factory.
Get more tips for a perfect Mallorca holiday!
Horse racing in Manacor
Horse racing is quite popular in Mallorca, and in several places, you will find a racecourse, a Hipòdrom. There is one in Manacor. The schedule is a bit mysterious, but if there’s a race while you’re on the island, I’d definitely check it out. I personally think it’s the best thing to do in Manacor.
The horse races are free to visit, and you can park for free on the street. You can walk along the racecourse for a while, and you can even get to the stables. Although that feels a bit intrusive as an outsider. During my visit, a new race starts every half hour. The horses are extremely fast! Between the races, the track is cleaned, the horses stretch their legs, and you can get a drink at the bar. If you’re feeling lucky, you can bet on the horses.
Google Maps location Hipòdrom de Manacor
The Rafa Nadal Museum Experience
The famous tennis player Rafael Nadal was born and raised in Manacor. His family still lives there, and he returns to the island between important tournaments. He loves the island and wants to give the people of Mallorca the opportunity to do sports. That is why he has built an entire sports complex, and there is also a museum next door. Or actually, it’s more of an ‘experience’ because I learn very little about Rafa during my visit – I had secretly hoped for that. The Rafa Nadal Museum Experience is however one of the main things to do in Manacor.
For the Rafa Nadal Museum Experience, you have to book a time slot. Unfortunately, I can tell you from experience that you really should. I had no idea and just showed up: I could not enter for the first three hours. So, you understand that I came back another day – with a reservation. Buy your ticket.
The experience consists mainly of sports simulations. For example, you can race in a Formula 1 car, play tennis against Rafael, and go mountain biking through the mountains. In addition, there is an exhibition with rackets of famous tennis players, and you can admire all the cups that Rafa has won in his career. Other athletes’ outfits, shoes, and other objects are also on display.
Are you a real Rafael fan, or do you just want to do a lot of sports in Mallorca? Then you can sleep in the Rafa Nadal Residence. Book an overnight stay.
Caves of Drach near Manacor
The Caves of Drach are actually not in Manacor but very close by. And since you probably have a rental car (if not, arrange one at Sunny Cars or Easy Terra), you’ll get there in no time. The Cuevas Drach are a typical tourist attraction. It is a spectacle of stalagmites and stalactites formed over the centuries. The Caves of Drach are also a top activity when it rains in Mallorca.
The deepest point of the caves is 25 meters underground. Lake Martel is one of the largest underground lakes in the world (117 meters long, 30 meters wide). You go into the caves with a large group at the same time. It’s really, really big and quite impressive. They illuminated the stalactites beautifully.
We try to walk past the crowd to have a more open view, but it turns out that it’s a guide who determines the slow pace. That’s because there’s a concert on the lake at a specific time. Then everyone should be in their place. Illuminated boats appear on the water with a pianist, cellist, and violinist. Really nicely done. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to take pictures. After the concert, you have to leave the caves.
Because time slots are used, I would really book in advance. I reserved on the cave’s website, but you can also visit it with a complete program at Viator, GetYourGuide, or WithLocals. Then you also get to discover the area.
Tip! Didn’t find a convenient time slot at the Cuevas Drach? Nearby are the Cuevas dels Hams. Kind of the same idea, but without a concert.
More Mallorca inspiration?
Useful links for your Mallorca trip
- Accommodation. All-time favorite: Booking.com. Rather stay in a hostel? Try HostelWorld.
- Activities. You book the best tours and activities with GetYourGuide and Viator. You could also check out WithLocals. Book ‘free’ walking tours at Freetour.com or GuruWalk, and for bike tours, try Baja Bikes.
- Attractions and museums. Get a 5% discount on museums and attractions with the coupon code KIMOPREIS22 at Tiqets.
- Boat. You can get to Mallorca by boat from Barcelona and other places on the Spanish mainland. Book your boat trip at Balearia. Balearia also sails between the other Balearic islands. But be sure to compare prices at Direct Ferries!
- Car rental. My go-to car rental companies are EasyTerra and Sunny Cars as they have all-inclusive / worry-free offers. If you want to compare more prices, you can do so at Discover Cars.
- Flights. Be sure to check out Transavia and Vueling, but do compare all your options! Definitely check out Momondo, Skyscanner, and Kiwi.
- Money. Your debit and credit cards may not get accepted everywhere. You could opt for a Revolut card as an additional card when you travel.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? You have plenty of options. For the Dutch: ANWB vakanties or Tui, Sunweb, D-reizen, or maybe Corendon or Vakantie Discounter?
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high calling and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Travel gear. Buy your gear at Bever or Decathlon, or simply at Bol.com.
- Travel guides. I love the practical travel guides from Lonely Planet, buy them at Bol.com. And I love this guidebook: 111 Places in Mallorca that you shouldn’t miss. Buy it at Bol.com or Amazon.
- Yoga retreat. Or, what about a yoga retreat on the island?
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First published: June 2022. Updated since!
