Beach Resorts in Mallorca

Colonia de Sant Jordi is a small, vibrant resort town located on the southeastern coast of Mallorca, near the famous Es Trenc beach.

There are still people who can remember when Palma Nova was just a village. Then, along came the tourist boom and the 'new Palma' was established as one of the first purpose-built tourist destinations on the island. Now we see Palma Nova moving towards high-quality tourism, becoming ‘the’ up-and-coming spot on the southwest coast. 

Sant Elm (also known as San Telmo in Spanish) is a charming coastal village in the far south-west corner of Mallorca. With the foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains behind it and the uninhabited island of Sa Dragonera in front, you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful spot.

Puerto Portals is widely known as the most glamorous marina on the island. It has become an attractive destination for the rich and famous to moor their yachts and now caters for more than 600 yachts up to 60 metres in length. Unlike many other ports in Mallorca, there is a year-round buzz here. It’s the place to visit for designer shopping, people watching and first-class restaurants and bars.

Cala Ratjada is a resort that sits in the northeastern point of Mallorca. Extending around either side of the Punta de Capdepera peninsula, it boasts a scenic rocky coastline and, being the closest point in Mallorca to Menorca, it is possible to see Ciutadella on a clear day.

Cala Major (also known as Cala Mayor) and its neighbour Sant Agusti are holiday resort towns on the outskirts of Palma.

This fishing village, once the port for Felanitx, was named in honour of Christopher Columbus, who is said - without much evidence - to have been born here. Popular with Mallorcan and Spanish visitors and set inside a deep natural harbour, Portocolom still has the feel of a small fishing port, with boats around the quay and pastel-coloured houses lining the waterfront, each with its own landing-stage.

The good, the bad and the ugly sides of Mallorcas tourist development meet along a 25km stretch of coast. Tacky resorts sit next to exclusive retreats, it seems that everyone wants a slice of Palma Bay. One moment you can be in Portals Nous, with its chic marina crammed with millionaires' yachts, the next in seedy Magaluf, all British pubs and wet T-shirt contests.

Santa Ponsa, also known as Santa Ponça, is a holiday resort situated in a beautiful sheltered cove in the south-west of Mallorca. Despite being a favourite among British visitors for over 40 years, it’s remarkably avoided too many of the high-rise developments seen in some of Mallorca’s neighbouring coastal resorts. Santa Ponsa bay sits against a gorgeous mountain backdrop, dotted with well-designed villas and apartment buildings that blend in nicely with the scenery.

A purpose-built holiday resort, Cala Millor is a major family holiday destination on Mallorca’s east coast. Its main attraction is the fine sandy beaches met by turquoise shallow waters, behind which you will find a promenade lined with hotels.

Portals Nous is a small town 10km to the west of Palma. This is the place to stay if you want to spend time at the swanky marina of Puerto Portals.

Cala d'Or or ‘Golden Bay’ in English is the name given to a widely popular, family-friendly tourist resort in the east of the island. Its name could be related to the fact that you are guaranteed the greatest number of sunshine hours on this eastern coastline, being furthest away from the disruptive Serra de Tramuntana mountains, and its proximity to some of the island's best beaches.

Puerto Pollensa, also known as Port de Pollença, is an established, family-friendly tourist resort in the north of Mallorca. Like many Mallorcan coastal towns, the resort was formerly a fishing village servicing the local area. It still features a large marina which nowadays harbours leisure boats more than fishing boats, but you can still see many traditional ‘llaüts’ used by the Mallorcans for catching fish.

Ses Covetes is on the south east coast of Mallorca, and is a purpose built little resort with just a couple of cafes and some holiday accommodation.

Known in Castillian Spanish as Cala San Vincente and in Mallorquin as Cala Sant Vicenc, this is one of the smallest resorts on Mallorca.

The former fishing villages Portixol and Molinar, like many neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Palma, have experienced a bit of a renaissance in recent years. They have transformed from quiet fishing villages into some of the trendiest areas in the south-west of Mallorca. Their main attractions include a long stretch of beach, a beautiful promenade and a boho vibe. That’s before we even get started on the great selection of restaurants, bars and hotels servicing the area!

On the north coast of Mallorca lies the Bay of Alcudia, a gorgeous coastline comprising of turquoise shallow waters and long, soft golden sandy beaches. It is therefore not much of a surprise to find Majorca's biggest beach resort here. From Port d'Alcudia, in the west, to Can Picafort 10km down the coast, you will find a strip of apartment blocks and resort style hotels that offer everything from budget self-catering to luxurious five-star accommodation.

Illetas (also known as Ses Illetes) is a small, stylish resort tucked into the southwest coast of Mallorca just a few kilometres from Palma. In summer, it draws in visitors with its soft sandy beaches, calm turquoise waters, and laid-back upscale vibe. It’s one of the most attractive spots along the Bay of Palma, known for its whitewashed villas, leafy streets, and a mix of classic and modern hotels that blend into the hillside. The views are stunning, the atmosphere relaxed, and everything feels just a little more refined than your average beach resort.