Top Backpacking Destinations Ranking – 6.5/10

Mallorca may first strike you as as more of a family spot than a backpacking destination but don’t be deceived. Whilst it is strewn with huge resorts catering for the standard family getaway, there sits a gem hidden on the north coast which is both beautiful and intriguing and ideal fodder for a backpacker looking to get away from it all.

Soller is a small town set on a mountain backdrop that still oozes Spain unlike many areas of the Balearics, with gothic buildings and small cafes providing ample entertainment whilst the locals go about there everyday lives. You could fill one day just drinking coffee in the main square and watching the world go by. As well as seeing people wander around buying fresh bread and fruit that could have been picked from the orchards just a couple of streets away, you’ll also get a glimpse of the many trams that scythe straight across the square and carry Mallorcans from Port de Soller right along the coast – a ride that is certainly worth taking for the breathtaking views.

And the Port also provides a worthy escape to get a beer, soak up the sun and take in the stunning mountain scenery. It’s lined with restaurants and bars and if you hang around into the evening then you’ll catch a sunset that is hard to match anywhere around the world.

It’s no surprise that celebrities like Richard Branson and Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones own property just up the road in Deia as this is a beuatiful part of the world. But don’t let this make you think that it’s not suitable for a backpacker. There are plenty of hostels in the main town and it would be unfair if the rich kids thought they were keeping this stunner all to themselves. Don’t be fooled, Mallorca’s not just for families and celebrities, there’s plenty of room for the backpacker too.

Want more Europe? Other top backpacking destinations in Europe here.