Majorca Mallorca

On Wednesday 12 August 2026, Mallorca will experience one of the most remarkable natural events of our lifetime: a total solar eclipse.
However, seeing it will not be as simple as walking outside and looking up.
The eclipse will reach totality shortly before sunset, when the Sun is extremely low in the west-north-western sky. Across much of Mallorca, the Serra de Tramuntana, local hills, buildings and vegetation could completely block the view.
In this episode, Oliver is joined by Majorca Mallorca group contributor Nick Brown, who has studied the island’s geography, viewing angles and official eclipse planning in impressive detail.
They discuss:
• Why the eclipse will be difficult to see from parts of Mallorca
• Which areas may offer a clearer view
• Why Palma city centre and much of northern Mallorca could be problematic
• The official traffic restrictions affecting the Serra de Tramuntana
• Why driving across the island could be a serious mistake
• The additional risks posed by August heat and forest fires
• What boat owners and charter guests need to consider
• How to check whether the eclipse will be visible from your location
• How to protect your eyes while watching it
The eclipse begins in Palma at approximately 19:38, with the maximum occurring at around 20:32, shortly before sunset. The official advice is to plan early, remain close to your accommodation where possible and avoid unnecessary journeys.
Since recording this conversation, we have checked the official eclipse safety guidance. Do not point a phone camera, photographic camera, binoculars or a telescope directly at the Sun unless the equipment has a suitable professional solar filter. The safest options are certified eclipse glasses used according to their instructions or an indirect projection method.
Please remember that looking directly at the Sun can cause permanent and irreversible damage to your eyesight. Use properly certified eclipse glasses or a safe indirect projection method.
You can also read the detailed blog which is updated with the latest information here https://majorca-mallorca.es/events/mallorca-solar-eclipse-2026-where-to-watch-and-how-to-prepare/

Official Balearic Government eclipse information
https://eclipsisegur.caib.es
Horizonte Eclipse 2026 visibility tool
https://www.horitzo2026.com
Spanish National Geographic Institute eclipse information
https://eclipses.ign.es
IGN eclipse viewing and eye-safety guidance
https://eclipses.ign.es/como-observar-eclipses.html
..and here is how to make an eclipse viewer from a Pringles tube, it works best with sour cream and onion.
https://youtube.com/shorts/5DBjU573gm4?si=beQxwE9JAOZJoviC
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Where should you eat in Mallorca when you want something better than the familiar tourist favourites?
Food journalist Mia Naprta joins Vicki McLeod and Oliver Neilson to share some of her latest discoveries, from excellent-value menús del día and properly prepared Valencian-style paella to brunch, Japanese pancakes and an extraordinary three-and-a-half-hour Michelin-starred tasting experience.
The conversation takes us from Palmanova to Selva and Palma’s old town, revealing why some of Mallorca’s most interesting restaurants are found beyond the island’s usual expat dining circuit.
Mia also explains what it is really like to review restaurants and bars for a living, including the unexpected confession that she is not particularly keen on alcohol, despite being paid to write about it.
Listen for plenty of recommendations, strong opinions and a lively debate about whether paella is a Spanish masterpiece or simply a glorified risotto.

Mia Naprta is a food journalist who writes in English for the Mallorca Bulletin. Her work takes her into restaurants, hotels and bars across the island, searching for interesting new openings, excellent-value menús del día and dining experiences worth recommending.
Show notes
In this episode:
Mia explains what a gastrojournalist actually does
The joys of discovering an excellent menú del día
Why affordable lunches can reveal more about Mallorca than expensive tourist restaurants
Exploring places outside Palma and the familiar expat areas
Beach dining in Palmanova
What makes an authentic Valencian-style paella
The case against paella, including Oliver’s “glorified risotto” verdict
Brunch culture and Japanese pancakes
Eating at Selvaj in Selva
Special-occasion dining at Zaranda in Palma
The theatre and attention to detail behind a Michelin-starred tasting menu
What it is like to spend three and a half hours over dinner
Why Mia drinks for work, despite not being a great fan of alcohol

Restaurants and places mentioned
Casa Chiringo, Palmanova
A relaxed beachside restaurant recommended for paella. Mia explains that the team learned from Valencian chefs and prepares its paella in the Valencian tradition.
The paellas discussed were priced at approximately €22 to €26, depending on the variety. Mia tried a mixed-style paella containing chicken, seafood and green beans.
Selvaj, Selva
One of the episode’s examples of the interesting restaurants that can be discovered by travelling beyond Palma and the island’s better-known international dining areas.
Zaranda, Palma
The Michelin-starred restaurant led by chef Fernando Pérez Arellano, located within the Es Princep hotel in Palma.
Mia describes an intricate, theatrical tasting experience lasting around three and a half hours, with show cooking, highly detailed presentation and a concept influenced by leather and the history of the building.

Vicki and Ollie discuss the Omega Loop heatwave gripping Spain and Europe, their neighbour's house catching fire from a short-circuiting electrical cable, the total solar eclipse coming to Mallorca on August 12 (where to watch, traffic chaos, boat safety, and why not to trust ChatGPT for viewing locations), fire safety warnings, Port Andratx fiestas including the boat procession of the Virgin Mary, Mallorca's fiesta culture, viral bars in Deya, a listener question about honeymoon spots (recommending Fornalutx and the Soller Valley), and a reminder for visitors to slow down.
Key takeaways
The August 12 eclipse requires a clear west-facing sea view, meaning only the Tramuntana coast, parts of Calvia (El Toro/Malgrat), and the south-east coast from Arenal to Campos will work. More info to come in a forthcoming episode with Nick Brown.
Roads will be closed or gridlocked; boat charters are selling at extreme premiums and many lack after-dark licences.
Mallorca is in maximum forest fire alert: no barbecues, no glass, no smoking in natural areas.
Port Andratx fiestas (Demonis, Nit de Cavalls, and the Virgin Mary boat procession) are a highlight of mid-July and showcase authentic Mallorcan culture tourists rarely see.
Deya is booming on social media (Barraco Bar, Nama restaurant, Korean tourist wave) but remains logistically tricky to access, especially at night.

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After a bit of a break, Vicki and Oliver are back behind the microphones.
In this episode they discuss the latest developments in Mallorca, including new direct flights from Canada and Abu Dhabi, why cycling tourism continues to be so important to the island, the evolution of Mallorca Live Festival, the upcoming San Juan celebrations, and the tragic fire at the Trianon 2 apartment block in Magaluf.
It's a relaxed catch-up covering life, tourism, events and current affairs on the island.
Topics covered include:
New direct flights to Mallorca
New routes from Montreal and Abu Dhabi
Growing long-haul connections to the island
How global events are influencing travel patterns
Why Mallorca continues to attract visitors from around the world

Cycling tourism
Why Mallorca remains one of the world's most popular cycling destinations
The economic impact of cycling tourism
How shoulder-season visitors help local businesses
The benefits and frustrations cyclists bring to the island

How Mallorca has changed over the last 20 years
A more international visitor profile
The rise of luxury tourism
New food and dining options
Why Mallorca now attracts some of the world's wealthiest visitors

The Trianon 2 fire in Magaluf
What happened at the apartment block in Torrenova
The impact on residents and families
Questions around building safety and fire prevention
Why the tragedy may prompt wider discussions about older residential buildings on the island

Mallorca Live Festival
First impressions of this year's event
Improvements to transport and organisation
Food, drinks and facilities
Upcoming concerts and summer events

San Juan
Mallorca's magical midsummer celebration
Night swimming, candles and traditions
Why it's one of the island's most unique nights of the year

Plus, a few celebrity sightings, a discussion about tourism trends, and a reminder of some of the fantastic guests already featured on the podcast.
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Gastro journalist Mia Naprta is back in studio (with a special guest appearance from Bert the dog) to tell us where she has been eating since we last saw her knee-deep in Restaurant Week. This episode covers the full spectrum of Mallorca's food scene: tapas at the two-Michelin-star Cap Vermell resort, a wine tasting at Richard Branson's Son Bunyola estate, Nikki Beach's season opening, and a data-driven marketing company that is changing how restaurants fill tables. But Mia's heart belongs to the village restaurants too: paella in Fornalutx for forty euros with mountain views, and lechona at a demon-themed spot in Algaida where they leave the bottle on the table. Plus: Palma Boat Show tips, what is coming up in May, and why Mia adopted herself out of corporate London.

Mia Naprta is a gastro journalist and food writer based in Mallorca. Originally from Croatia, she spent years in corporate London before moving to the island and building a career covering Mallorca's food and hospitality scene. She writes for local publications, is part of the Restaurant Week Mallorca team, and can be found on Instagram @mianaprta.

Restaurant Week Mallorca: 52 restaurants in 2026, plans for 40 next year, possible expansion to Ibiza and Barcelona
Anna Potus and Juan Fran: Restaurant Week co-organisers
Nelson (photographer) and Mars (social media): the RW team
DS Hospitality: Alex Czerveni and Alosha, data-driven restaurant marketing, 8-12x ROI
Cap Vermell Grand Hotel, Capdepera: Bravo tapas restaurant, Woro (2 Michelin stars)
Son Bunyola (Richard Branson): recovered Malvasia wine, 700 bottles first vintage
Castillo San Vida: new restaurant Esbalco opening
Nikki Beach Mallorca: chef Alex, pistachio cheesecake, Tattinger, Tricyclium bread, Trufad truffles
Esturo, Fornalutx: paella, fideua, trampo, flan, apple tart, 40 euros/person
Growing (Mesha) and Ritma by Marciano (Fricky Food) also in Fornalutx
Cal Dimoni, Algaida: lechona, gato de almendra, arros brut, Licor 43
Motorworld Palma, Cuber lakes drive
Palma Boat Show: Mark Fosh / Fosho Aces, Harlequin cocktails, Superyacht Charities fundraiser at Can Eduardo
Pura Beach Palma opening May 15
Jumeirah Soller event
Yala Magaluf: pistachio tiramisu
Europa restaurant Magaluf: cheap, cheerful, traditional
Steffi Schulz: Faces of Mallorca book


00:00 Intro / Where has Mia been?
01:15 Restaurant Week recap: 52 restaurants, what worked
03:25 Plans for next year: 40 restaurants, Ibiza, Barcelona
06:09 DS Hospitality: data-driven restaurant marketing
10:06 Cap Vermell / Bravo: elevated tapas at a Michelin resort
14:42 Son Bunyola: Branson, Malvasia, and a wish list interview
17:38 Castillo San Vida: Esbalco restaurant opening
21:50 Nikki Beach: oysters, truffles, and why the restaurant is the real draw
29:30 Esturo, Fornalutx: paella, views, and forty euros
35:57 Cal Dimoni, Algaida: demons, lechona, and a bottle left on the table
40:13 Palma Boat Show tips
47:23 What is coming up for Mia
48:23 Mia's story: London to Mallorca

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