Best Places To Stay In Mallorca For Families
Taking the whole gang on holiday? These are the most family-friendly areas to stay on the island
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The largest of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca is a splendid place for a family vacation. Exciting adventures are waiting to be found beyond your sun lounger, some of which involve getting active in nature, visiting lively cities, delving into the island's history and setting off on fun day trips. We understand that planning a family trip (especially with little ones) can be stressful, which is why the professionals at Plum Guide are here to help. We know a thing or two about travelling with the family, so before you book the first stretch of sand you see, have a read of our guide to the best places in Mallorca for families.
Palma
Palma de Majorca city centre with view of the Cathedral
The lively capital of the Balearics, Palma is the perfect place to base yourself for a family holiday. With plenty of galleries, museums, historical buildings, theatres, shops, cafes and restaurants, you won’t ever hear the dreaded “I’m bored”. Should you need a break from sightseeing, make your way down to one of Palma’s several beaches for a relaxing stroll along the promenade, or bag yourself a prime sandcastle-building spot on the shore. You’ll be pleased to know that Palma also has a good selection of green spaces and parks for the kids to run around and let off some steam. For a day trip the whole family will love, take the Palma to Soller train, which takes you through scenic mountains in vintage carriages.
Alcúdia
The beach Platja de Muro in the village of Alcúdia, Mallorca
Alcúdia ticks all the boxes when it comes to the best places in Mallorca for families. This town in the north of Mallorca has endless activities to keep everyone entertained. You’ll no doubt want to spend most of your time at Playa de Alcúdia, a seven-kilometre stretch of beach with shallow, warm waters just right for small children to splash about in. If the kids happen to get bored of swimming, there are plenty of opportunities for watersports or boat trips to see whales and dolphins. In town, the weave of medieval streets and plazas offers many cafes, bars and restaurants, and if you’re visiting in the summer, it comes alive with fiestas and festivals. To get out into nature, hire bikes and take on cycling trails along the coastal paths or into the hills.
Colonia Sant Jordi
It’s hard to believe that this lively resort on the island’s south coast was once a small fishing village. Colonia Sant Jordi is an excellent choice for families who are looking for a beach destination with a chilled-out vibe, and its proximity to gorgeous beaches like Es Trenc, Es Dolç and Es Carbó means you’ll never get tired of the same patch of sand. The town’s old fishing harbour is a reminder of its past, and the little ones will love watching the fishermen come in with their catch. As well as attracting beach bums, Colonia Sant Jordi is popular with active crowds who come for various outdoor activities like watersports, exploring marine caves, horse riding, bird watching and hiking.
Port de Sóller
View of Port de Soller, Mallorca, Balearic Islands
The rather elegant town of Port de Sóller is a lovely place to stay. With sweeping views of the coast and the Tramuntana mountains, we can’t think of a better place to make memories with your loved ones. Most of the action takes place along the seafront, where a long promenade offers restaurants, bars and boutiques. Port de Sóller is home to two main sandy beaches. One of them runs alongside the harbour for 200 metres, shelving gently into the sea. The other is a little further around the bay, but both are well-equipped with everything you need. We’re certain that young ones won’t get bored, but if they do start getting itchy feet then the town’s small Sóller Marine Museum is a fun little distraction. With Port de Sóller’s position on the west coast, expect to see breathtaking sunsets, which make for the perfect backdrop for family photos.
Pollença
Pollença, old village on the island Palma Mallorca, Spain
When it comes to family-friendly destinations in Mallorca, the town of Pollença is hard to beat. Situated in a pretty bay with the Tramuntana mountains in the background, it’s easy to see why artists and writers have been coming here for years. The town doesn’t get as busy as Palma, but that’s not to say it doesn’t have anything to offer—in fact, you and the family can spend lazy days on the long stretch of white sand, swimming in the clear blue waters or having a go at kayaking and snorkelling. When you get peckish, the narrow cobbled streets of the old town are lined with restaurants and cafes. To explore further afield, hike or cycle your way along the many trails that wind through the mountains (the kids will sleep like a log after this).
Palma Nova
Filled with beautiful beaches, restaurants and things to do, Palma Nova is a fantastic place to stay with the family. Son Matias, Na Nadala and Es Carregador are the main beaches here, boasting fine sands (the best kind for sandcastles) and clear, shallow waters. You’ll also find playgrounds, watersports, pedalos and a wide range of amenities, so really, there’s no need to leave your sunbed. When you do fancy a break from the beach, there’s plenty of family fun to be had, like crazy golf, cycling down the promenade, fairground rides during the summer months, and boat trips out to explore the coves along the coastline. There isn’t too much nightlife in Palma Nova—instead, you’ll find a relaxed vibe and laid-back restaurants and dining options.
Deià
The coastal village of Deià in Mallorca
Families looking to escape the city should consider Deià, one of Mallorca’s prettiest villages. Perched on the Tramuntana mountains, Deià has long attracted artists and writers, most notably Robert Graves. As well as its charming honey-coloured cottages and picturesque streets, the village’s surrounding nature is one of its main appeals. It’s ideal for active families, where you can go snorkelling and scuba diving at Cala Deià, one of the most sought-after beaches on the island. Elsewhere on the west coast of Mallorca also has plenty of opportunities for coasteering, kayaking and canyoning. Inland, lace up your boots and take one of the many hiking trails up into the mountains, or rent some bicycles to explore on wheels.
Santa Ponsa
Aerial view of Santa Ponsa and the beach, Mallorca, Balearic islands
When searching for the best place in Mallorca for families, it doesn’t get any better than Santa Ponsa. Despite being just two kilometres away from Magaluf, the resort is (thankfully) much tamer than its neighbour. Families staying here can hang out on Santa Ponsa beach, where the bay’s calm and shallow waters are ideal for little ones—there are even water skis, jet skis, banana boats and pedalos to hire. If you want to escape the crowds, the two small coves of Pellicer Beach and Castellot Beach at either end offer a little quiet together time away from the busier main strip. One of Santa Ponsa’s most family-friendly attractions that you simply can’t miss is Jungle Parc, a huge tree-top adventure park with rope walks and ziplines set in nine hectares of pine forest.
Cala Millor
On Mallorca’s rugged northeast coast is Cala Millor, one of the largest resorts in the area. It translates to ‘the better bay’, and we think the name is rather fitting. The town’s superb two kilometres of golden sand have all the usual beachfront amenities and are backed by an esplanade packed with shops and restaurants, so don’t worry if you forgot to pack the sunscreen. At either end of the esplanade are small theme parks for the kids, complete with bouncy castles, roundabouts, swings, splash pools and even a small karting track. If you’re travelling with older kids, it’s worth taking a day to explore the Amer peninsula and its nature reserve, which is home to various lizard species and rare birds.
Can Picafort
Seaside of Can Picafort at Mallorca, Balearic islands
Situated along the Playa de Alcúdia, most people stay in Can Picafort for its white sands and azure waters. This resort is a firm favourite with families, and naturally, the beach will be the main focus of your holiday. Add some fun to your trip with activities like sailing, windsurfing, scuba diving and dolphin-watching. Stroll along the promenade in search of ice cream, watching the cyclists and rollerbladers whoosh past. If you’re itching to see more of the island, we highly recommend renting bicycles and cycling to the S’Albufera Nature Reserve, a wonderful place to spot migrating birds and walk in nature.