Spanish for Mallorca: Holiday Phrases + the Catalan Signs You'll See 🏝️

Off to Mallorca? 🏝️ Here are the Spanish phrases you'll actually use on the island, with easy pronunciation, plus the Catalan signs that catch most visitors out.

Everyone in Mallorca speaks Spanish, so Spanish will get you everywhere. But the island's own language is Catalan (the local version is called mallorquí), and you'll see it on road signs, menus and shop doors. A few words of both will make your trip easier, and locals really appreciate the effort. 😊

✈️ At the airport and hotel

  • Hola, buenos días (OH-la, BWEH-nos DEE-as): Hello, good morning
  • Tengo una reserva (TEN-go OO-na reh-SAIR-va): I've got a booking
  • ¿A qué hora es el desayuno? (ah keh OR-a es el deh-sah-YOO-no): What time is breakfast?
  • ¿Dónde está el autobús a Palma? (DON-deh es-TA el ow-to-BOOS ah PAL-ma): Where's the bus to Palma?
  • ¿Me puedes pedir un taxi, por favor? (meh PWEH-des peh-DEER oon TAK-see por fa-VOR): Could you call me a taxi, please?

🍤 In the bar and restaurant

  • ¿Me pones una caña, por favor? (meh PO-nes OO-na KA-nya): Can I have a small beer, please?
  • Un zumo de naranja (oon THOO-mo deh na-RAN-ha): An orange juice
  • Una mesa para cuatro (OO-na MEH-sa PA-ra KWA-tro): A table for four
  • ¿Qué me recomiendas? (keh meh reh-ko-mee-EN-das): What do you recommend?
  • La cuenta, por favor (la KWEN-ta): The bill, please

🥐 Try a local favourite: una ensaimada (a light, spiral pastry from Mallorca) or pa amb oli (bread with oil, tomato and toppings). That second one is Catalan!

🏖️ On the beach and in the shops

  • ¿Cuánto cuesta? (KWAN-to KWES-ta): How much is it?
  • ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? (PWEH-do pa-GAR kon tar-HEH-ta): Can I pay by card?
  • ¿Dónde está la playa? (DON-deh es-TA la PLA-ya): Where's the beach?
  • Dos tumbonas y una sombrilla (dos toom-BO-nas ee OO-na som-BREE-ya): Two sunbeds and a parasol

💊 Chemist and emergencies

  • ¿Hay una farmacia cerca? (eye OO-na far-MA-thee-a THAIR-ka): Is there a chemist nearby?
  • Me he quemado con el sol (meh eh keh-MA-do kon el sol): I've got sunburnt
  • Necesito ayuda (neh-theh-SEE-to a-YOO-da): I need help
  • In an emergency, call 112 (free, anywhere in Spain).

🟨🟥 Catalan signs you'll see in Mallorca

Catalan Spanish English
Sortida Salida Exit
Entrada Entrada Entrance
Platja Playa Beach
Obert Abierto Open
Tancat Cerrado Closed
Carrer Calle Street
Ajuntament Ayuntamiento Town hall
Bon dia Buenos días Good morning
Gràcies Gracias Thank you

Fancy learning a bit more? Our Catalan flashcard packs use the same everyday words as our Spanish packs, and Discovering Catalonia is a nice read before you go.

🎁 Take it with you

📱 Practise before you fly: save these phrases in the Fun Learning Spanish app and practise them with games, flashcards and a daily phrase. It's free to start! 👉 Try the Fun Learning Spanish app 🚀

👩‍🏫 Want to feel confident before your trip? Book a lesson, in person in Basildon or online. Your first lesson is free.

👉 Next steps