Are you planning a beach trip in Spain and wondering if you should travel to Majorca or Mallorca? Maybe you’re wondering what the correct spelling is or how to pronounce the island’s name so you don’t appear like a tourist!
Caleb and I, Taylor, want to make sure you respect the culture and don’t feel stupid, so we’re here to answer any questions you have regarding the differences between Mallorca and Majorca!
We spent a week on the lovely island of Majorca, and I can confidently state that we left our hearts there and that it is well worth visiting! We had time to talk with the people about the culture and learned a lot.
Whether you’re a couple looking to relax on the beach, swim in the warm, blue Mediterranean Sea, or walk up the stunning Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca has something for everyone, no matter how long you stay!
Let’s get started and see if Mallorca is the same as Majorca, starting with a little pronunciation video I produced for you!
Too Long Didn’t Read: The Key Points
I know you’re busy and don’t have time to read 1000 pages on Majorca or Mallorca when all you want to know is which is accurate, so here’s the cliff notes version:
- Majorca and Mallorca are two variant spellings of the same location in Spain’s Balearic Islands.
- Mallorca is the actual Spanish spelling, whereas Majorca is the UK spelling.
- It’s critical to spell the name “Mallorca” correctly so you don’t look like a tourist (more on that below).
- The name derives from Rome’s conquest of the island in 123 BC.
Continue reading if you want to understand more about the variances in spelling as well as how to be respectful of the Mallorcan culture.
Is Mallorca and Majorca the same location?
Mallorca and Majorca are in the same location. The difference here is not in geography but in the spelling of the island’s name. British visitors commonly spell the island “Majorca” with a J, but American tourists spell it “Mallorca” with double ll’s.
It’s worth noting that the Spanish also refer to and spell the island with double ll’s as “Mallorca.”
Is Mallorca Or Majorca Correct?
Is it Mallorca or Majorca? Because we’re talking about a Spanish island, it stands to reason that the Spanish name is right. Regardless matter where you are traveling from, the correct spelling for the island is “Mallorca.”
What Do Spaniards Call Mallorca?
Many tourists believe that the distinction between the two spellings is simply that “Mallorca” is Catalan and “Majorca” is Spanish. This is not correct.
Mallorca is spelled with two’s whether you speak Catalan, Spanish, or the island’s dialect, Mallorquin. As a result, the Spanish refer to the island as “Mallorca.”
Why Is This Important – Do Not Be An Unattractive Tourist
You could be thinking, “Well, if it sounds the same then why does it matter if I call it Majorca or Mallorca.” To be honest, it doesn’t matter if you don’t care about respecting the culture you visit, which I don’t believe is the case. People will understand what you mean regardless of how you spell it.
Locals, on the other hand, believe that the island is already overwhelmed with visitors and want them to leave. We observed banners hanging from balconies around Palma that effectively stated “Tourists go home” (shown below).
Locals, on the other hand, believe that the island is already overwhelmed with visitors and want them to leave. We observed banners hanging from balconies around Palma that effectively stated “Tourists go home” (shown below).
When we traveled to Banyalbufar for a paella-making session, we spent the entire day with a native from Mallorca. She was telling us about how Mallorcans perceive visitors, and it was heartbreaking to hear their perspectives.
Locals believe that visitors only see Mallorca as a destination for sun, sand, and drinking in Spain. Locals want to consume their own culture’s food and grab whatever they can from the island, without regard for the people, culture, or land there. Continue spelling “Mallorca”
Locals believe that visitors only see Mallorca as a destination for sun, sand, and drinking in Spain. Locals want to consume their own culture’s food and grab whatever they can from the island, without regard for the people, culture, or land there. Continuing to spell “Mallorca” with a J reinforces the perception among locals that visitors are impolite and greedy. Not good.
So, please don’t be an unattractive tourist. Simply learn how to pronounce and spell a double l correctly. It’s the simplest way to avoid being a part of Mallorca’s unpleasant tourist problem.
Majorca and Mallorca Pronunciation
Mallorca is pronounced the same regardless of how it is spelled.
You should say it MAH-YOUR-KAH. A small video of the pronunciation and a picture of the lovely Mediterranean Sea at Llucmajor in Mallorca appears at the top of this page!
Where Did the Name Mallorca Originate?
We need to know where the name comes from now that you know it’s not just an issue of two distinct spellings in separate languages. Let’s go in a time machine and travel back to 123 BC.
During this time, the Romans moved across to the island, conquered it, and dubbed it “Insula Maior,” which is simply Latin for “larger Island.” Mallorca was given its name because it was the biggest of the Balearic islands.
As the island was contrasted to the tiny island of Menorca, the name eventually became “Maiorca,” which meant “larger one.” Catalan writers eventually fixed the spelling in the sequel.
However, early British visitors changed the name to “Majorca” because they couldn’t pronounce the double-l in “Mallorca,” even though it is merely a “y” sound. Since then, the spelling “Majorca” has been most frequent in the UK, however, this is changing and Mallorca is becoming more popular.
Some people in the United States use the letter J, however, it is less common than in the United Kingdom.
In Mallorca, what languages are spoken?
We were shocked by how many various languages we heard while visiting Mallorca. The island’s two official languages are Castilian Spanish (a variety of Spanish used in Central and Northern Spain) and Catalan Spanish, which is most widespread along the Costa Brava and is a blend of Castilian Spanish and a dialect of French spoken in Southen Farce. When driving or strolling through the airport, the signs will be in Catalan (together with English, don’t worry!)
Locals will also be speaking their native language, Mallorquin. Because of tourism, English is also extensively used among those employed in the tourism business, such as those working in restaurants and hotels.
We got by OK with English and did our best with traditional Spanish rather than Castilian Spanish! If everything else fails, there is always Google Translate.
Conclusion
So, should you say Majorca or Mallorca, and is the location the same? We’ve dug deep into the history of the island’s name, as well as why it’s crucial to respect the culture and spell Mallorca correctly when visiting this beautiful island!
We hope you’re ready to answer the question, “Is Mallorca the same as Majorca?” and are looking forward to your next Spanish journey!
