Beach Resorts in Mallorca

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.

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.

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.

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.

Port de Sóller is a picturesque little village situated in a large horseshoe bay on the west coast of Mallorca. The seaside retreat was, until recently, one of the island's best-kept secrets.

A small beach resort in the south west of the island, Peguera – also known as Paguera – sits on the coast near Andratx. It offers idyllic blue flag beaches, along with a good selection of hotels and restaurants catering for a full range of budgets.

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

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.

On the southwestern tip of Mallorca is where you will find Port d'Andratx, a picturesque fishing village as well as one of Mallorca's classiest holiday destinations. Popular with the yachting fraternity and film stars whose Italian-style villas can be seen climbing up the hillsides, it also has a working fishing industry that supplies many of the port's restaurants.

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.

Magaluf is arguably one of Europe’s most well-known beach resorts. Over the past couple of decades, significant investment and revitalisation efforts have been made to transform its image from a budget-friendly party hotspot to a more upscale and refined destination.

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.

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.

Ciudad Jardin lies to the east of Palma, just along the bay from Portixol and Molinar and close to the airport. It's pretty much at the centre of Palma Bay and, after the transformation of neighbouring areas Portixol and Molinar, it has been heralded as the next 'up and coming' place for the cool and trendy set of Mallorca.

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.

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