Beaches in Mallorca — 10 of Our Favourites

The beach is 130m long by 30m deep and is divided into two areas. The more popular and thankfully larger beach has soft white sand, popular for sun worshippers in the summer months when there are parasols and sun loungers and pedaloes for hire. For the keen swimmers there is the little island of Es Pantaleu to swim out to and explore, bring your snorkels along too. There are usually lots of yachts in the bay in the summer, day-trippers to the area coming for a swim in the crystalline sea.

If you walk around the corner to the left of the beach, you’ll walk over the sunbathing platform for the hotel and through to another little cove that is equally as nice. If walking is your thing then head to the other end of Sant Elm, walking right past the beach and at the end of the promenade you can catch a ferry across to Sa Dragonera. This island looks like a dragon rising up out of the sea majestically, it is a nature reserve that is cross crossed with walking paths and it is uninhabited, except for its indigenous lizards.

The beach is well serviced with toilets and access for the disabled, and is supervised by life guards. It's very child friendly, with shallow waters gently easing in depth and an adventure playground on the sand. Across the road from the beach, and further into the village you'll find a number of good quality restaurants (specialising in fish) with sea views. Car parking is available in two car parks - the one closest to the beach is a pay car-park, or you can park further away for free.

Sant Elm town isn’t very big and you can easily walk from one side of the village to the other in 10-15 minutes, ambling along the high street with its shops, bars and restaurants. Some bars have a trendy, bohemian feel, while the shops offer lots of crafty bits, artisanal products and more.

If you are looking to stay away from the large scale tourist resorts, but craving a holiday vibe then Sant Elm is the perfect place to stay and offers a handful of hotels, apart-hotels and villas in the town and the surrounding area.

You will find many locals come here, especially on weekends throughout the year, and certainly show how it's done when it comes to putting on a family beach picnic spread. No sun loungers are available to hire, so bring extra towels or a deck chair for comfort, but there are showers to wash off the salt and sand. Note the beach does get busy in July and August, especially on the weekends, so get down there early if you are planning a trip. Free street parking is available behind the promenade, although you might have to endure a couple of laps of the one-way system to find a space if arriving from late-morning onwards.

Restaurants
Here you will find a choice of fine dining and international favourites through to authentic eateries, most of which have a casual but bustling atmosphere, from lunchtime until late into the night.

Nightlife
If you find yourself looking for somewhere to go after dinner, a Spanish style taverna or a couple of hotel bars can be found within the vicinity of this area. Those looking for a more vibrant party atmosphere, Palma and S'Arenal are both within easy reach (5-10 minutes by taxi) and offer a good selection of late night bars and nightclubs.

Hotels
Portixol is very much a residential area, however there's a good selection of hotels from trendy boutiques through to world-famous names within walking distance of the beach. Palma's city centre is just a few kilometres away where you are spoilt for choice when it comes to hotels, the old-town boutique hotels are a firm favourite for a city-break.

During the high season, Cala Fornells becomes regularly occupied with both residents and tourists thereby naturally becoming a little more crowded in the summer months. However, its warm and relaxed atmosphere within a semi-urban district, means you’ll be easily entertained for the entire day here… if not more.

Restaurants
This lovely cala sports its own wonderful little beach bar on one side of the sand, playing relaxed and feel-good tunes for the regularly, casual dining holidaymakers. For those preferring a quieter ambience, the opposite side of the beach offers just that. 

Nightlife
There’s not much happening during the beach’s later hours, but the nearby town of Peguera is less than a kilometre away offering a selection of lively entertainment for both tourists and locals alike.

Hotels
Holiday accommodation, residential homes and various restaurants surround this beautiful beach occupying the front line of the coast. With several hotels near the resort, a wonderful upscale family run hotel with an artificial solarium overlooks the picturesque bay itself on a relaxed street of bars and restaurants behind.

Playa Carregador is at the eastern end of the resort and is 600 metres long by 60 metres deep.This beach is famous for its (artificially enhanced) fine white sand and clear blue sea.

Also enjoying artificially enhanced silky soft sand is Playa de Palmanova beach. In the heart of the resort, it is enormous at one kilometre long and 60 metres deep. With heaps of space for families, there are several small playgrounds and shaded grassy areas at the rear.

The largest and farthest west beach is Son Matias, offering several trendy bars and a great spot to spectate with a drink. It rolls on for 1200 metres and is 100 metres deep.

Facilities are excellent in all areas with sun loungers and parasols for rent, showers and toilets, good disabled access and a high level of lifeguarding services.

Free car parking is available and access is also possible by public bus.

Restaurants

There are many International and Mediterranean restaurants and bars located on the promenade behind the beach with several waterfront establishments looking out to sea. The area caters to differing tastes and budgets with a friendly and vibrant holiday vibe and you’ll easily find something to suit your preferences.

Nightlife

Palma Nova has enough animated bars and beach clubs to keep you entertained for weeks. With everything from chill-out lounges to sports bars, British style pubs, karaoke bars and beachfront parties, tourists will easily find their home comforts here amidst fellow families on holiday or younger groups of travellers.

Full of bars, clubs and restaurants with live music and resident DJs, new bars are always opening in the area ensuring Palma Nova’s facilities continue to improve. Palma Nova’s clubs will keep you dancing with themed nights, live DJs and a great mix of local and international music. There’s usually also some promenade entertainment in the form of street performers, artists and souvenir vendors.

Hotels

Palma Nova is particularly popular with British and European tourists thereby benefiting from a wide range of hotels, apartments, and resorts to accommodate its visitors. The peak tourist season typically falls between May and September when the weather is warmest and sunny.

Being designed for tourists, Camp de Mar is fully equipped, featuring public showers and toilets, ramps for the disabled, and lifeguards on duty. Sun beds and parasols are available for hire, along with the seasonal and well-loved pedalos.

Lacking in soulless hotel blocks and lively beach bars, Camp de Mar resort offers numerous independent accommodation options, for ‘bougie’ tourists looking to relax. For those in need of livelier evening entertainment, Port Andratx is just around the corner.

Portals Nous Beach or Playa Oratori, as it is known to the locals, is a relatively large, handsome beach featuring Mallorca's picture-perfect turquoise waters, fine golden sand and an excellent choice of facilities.

The location of the beach is second to none, thanks to the world-class restaurants and bars in Puerto Portals on its doorstep, and the more modest amenities of Portals Nous, just a few minutes walk away. This part of the island offers some of the island's most prestigious hotels, the best beach clubs and gastronomy along with a whole host of activities from family-friendly waterparks through to topnotch golf courses.

The main high street of Portals Nous focused along Carretera d'Andratx, is a short walk from the beach, where you’ll find an array of independent shops, bookshops, a supermarket, quaint newsagents and a good selection of restaurants. Although Portals Nous dates back to the 1950’s, investment in this area has been substantial, so the amenities are both modern and exciting.

From Portals Nous village, you can access the beach by walking down a small lane (that leads to the church) and then down some steps. Alternatively, park in Puerto Portals and walk through the small shipyard to the beach. Sundowners at one of the beach bars along the beach are the perfect way to watch the sun go down. For those who want a cosmopolitan and elegant night out, dressing up and sipping cocktails or champagne before or after dinner , the ritzy bars and restaurants within Puerto Portals will provide. A more casual affair awaits in the village of Portals Nous directly behind the beach, with traditional Spanish tavernas, international pubs, and other establishments to choose from.

As a destination popular with tourists, there are plenty of clean and contemporary hotels near the beach. These include the 5-star resort style hotels and glamorous boutique hotels through to more affordable but chic options. For those seeking a more exclusive feel of a private villa, close to the villages, there's a good selection of villas of varying sizes and budgets available.

In August, Portal Nous and surrounding areas come together for their August festivities, these include crafts, sports competitions, and open air concerts.

Find out more about the marina of Puerto Portals in our Guide to Puerto Portals.

The resort of Illetas claims Illetas Beach (Playa de Illetes) and the smaller coves of Cala Oli and Cala Comtessa. The main beach of Illetas is Illetas Beach, it is surrounded by leafy picturesque trees and urban buildings, built in a semi circle around the cove. The beach has been very well looked after, buildings were built on the rocks to ensure plenty room for sunbathing. Sun beds and parasols are available to hire, and there are toilets, ramps for the disabled and lifeguards on duty. In the summer, the turquoise waters here are filled with yachts, bringing an upmarket feel to the place.

Restaurants
There are a few restaurants along the beach, including elegant terraces that offer mediterranean seafood. For a more casual vibe, there are snack restaurants and ice cream bars available. A few restaurants can be found within Illetas, serving traditional Mediterranean fair, and head to the 5-star hotels for fine dining options. Down the road in Cas Catala and Cala Major you will find further options available, from international restaurants, pizzeria's, Thai cuisine and much more. Cala Nova Port is also within easy walking distance and provides a wonderful setting for some food and cocktails.

Nightlife
Nightlife here tends to be sophisticated and mostly based in the surrounding hotels and beach clubs. However, the late-night bars, parties and restaurants in Palma and Puerto Portals are only a short taxi ride away. In the peak of summer Cala Nova Port also provides some live entertainment and exceptional parties on the weekends.

Hotels
There's a range of hotels nearby Illetas beach, boutique, 5-star and resort options to cater for different types of holidaymakers from family-friendly to adult-only options. Puerto Portals, Portals Nous and Bendinat are also very close by and also offer some great hotel choices. Or if you are looking for a bit more buzz, there's also some wonderful hotels within the city of Palma.

The summer holidays make the beach here crowded, but in the off season you’ll often have the entire beach to yourself and the privacy to enjoy the golden sand, rocky cliffs and shimmering turquoise water.

Restaurants
Despite being a smaller beach with limited amenities, there are a few restaurants to choose from closeby. Most of them offer local seafood and paella focused menus with wonderful views of the water.

Nightlife 
Party hubs Puerto Portals, Magaluf, Santa Ponsa and Palma are all just a short taxi ride from the beach, and several festivals and events are held in the surrounding area.

Hotels
The beach sits between Calvia’s residential streets and so there aren’t many hotels directly on the beach, but once you head toward Portals Nous, you’ll be spoilt for choice on Mallorca’s south west coast. 

Santa Ponsa beach is a relatively large resort style beach featuring sun-loungers and parasols, toilet and shower facilities in the summer months. At the edge of the beach, there is a is path that winds around pine trees through a small area of parkland, perfect for escaping the peak heat of the day. Some chiringuito style beach bar restaurants can be found on the beach, perfect for breaking up a day of sun worshipping on the sand.

Behind the promenade you'll find shops with beach toys and inflatables, and further bars, cafes and restaurants, many of which are geared towards families, with soft play facilities inside.

Every year, within the first two weeks of September, the beach plays host to one of the areas biggest festivals the Rei en Jaume which celebrates the successful landing of King Jaime I in 1229 and his subsequent conquering of the Moors. On the eve of Sant Joan, on the 23rd July, the beach comes alive with beach parties, bonfires and devils.

Find out more about Santa Ponsa by looking at our Guide to Santa Ponsa.

The main stretch of Playa de Palma is a Blue Flag beach which starts just beyond Can Pastilla and finishes at the resort of S'Arenal with a length of over 4.5 km. It's a lovely, wide beach (average of around 30 metres) with golden white sand. The shallow, clear water is suitable for children and there is usually plenty of space for playing.

All the facilities are on your doorstep: sun loungers, parasols, toilets, showers, disabled access and lifeguards on duty. There are also, of course, plenty of beach bars and restaurants to grab refreshments or enjoy a spot of lunch.

On the eastern side of Playa de Palma, by the marina of San Antonio de la Playa, lies the little beach of Cala Estancia with 200 metres in length and 35 metres deep. It's very well protected from the wind and boasts golden sand and clear waters. As it's located right at the end of the airport runway bear in mind that, if you are noise-sensitive, this may not be the beach for you.

This area of Mallorca is popular with German tourists, and the built up resorts of Can Pastilla and S'Arenal make these beaches quite busy in the summer months.

Restaurants
Along the promenade, you'll find a myriad of beachfront restaurants offering fresh seafood and Mediterranean cuisine. From grilled octopus to paella and tapas, these restaurants provide a delightful dining experience with a view of Palma Bay. For more choice, head into the city.

Nightlife
Some chill-out bars provide cosy seating areas and ambient music along the promenade, creating the perfect setting for unwinding after a day of sunbathing. Or if you want some late night fun, head to Palma's city centre, with the Paseo Maritimo, Santa Catalina and the old town offering a range of options from bustling bars to vibrant clubs. 

Hotels
Several hotels are situated just behind Palma's beach, offering a diverse range of options from large corporate chains to upscale boutique establishments. With such variety, visitors have ample choice to suit their preferences and tastes.