What is the best area to stay in Palma de Mallorca?
By Alex Bird. January 17, 2024
Opulent and historic, the capital of the Balearic Islands is a 21st-century city with a lot of class. In the rush to get to the beach resorts, many tourists used to ignore Palma de Mallorca. This is less true today, as the joys of this city are well known. There’s a snazzy and lively waterfront loaded with superyachts, and a preserved Medieval heart, with monuments fitting for any capital. Blue Flag beaches sit within minutes of the city centre, so Palma offers real flexibility. The backdrop is also simply beautiful, with the mountains of the Serra de Tramuntana dominating the city to the north.
No doubt, the best area to stay in Palma de Mallorca is the Old Town, the historic centre of the city. This jumble of narrow lanes follows a plan going back to Moorish times. Unexpected discoveries await, like a cafe on a hidden square, or a nobleman’s townhouse from hundreds of years ago. Many of those old residences are now hotels and restaurants, all with beautiful interior courtyards. In the 21st century, Palma’s Old Town balances luxury retail and contemporary dining with a lineup of unmissable sights, starting with an awe-inspiring cathedral.On the map, which shows the most convenient area to stay in Palma de Mallorca, you can see a selection of some of the best located hotels.
If you were interested in finding out where to stay in Palma de Mallorca, you may also be interested in knowing where to stay in Valencia or where to stay in Madrid.
The Old Town, the best area to stay in Palma de Mallorca
Sightseeing / Dining / Shopping
Palma’s Old Town packs the history and sightseeing of a classic Mediterranean historic centre. This goes hand-in-hand with luxury shopping, on-trend dining, and a compelling art scene.
The joy of the Old Town comes from exploring the narrow streets and little squares, all blissfully cool in summer. On the way you’ll see Gothic monuments, 17th-century townhouses with interior courtyards, and dazzling examples of Catalan Modernisme.
There’s a spectrum of dining, from tapas bites to sleek cafes to Michelin-starred cuisine. In keeping with that upmarket ambience, boutiques and galleries are everywhere, especially around the affluent Paseo del Borne.
Sightseeing highlights include the iconic Palma Cathedral and the 15th-century Llotja de Palma, a maritime trade exchange. Both are Gothic masterpieces, along with the Moorish-influenced Royal Palace of La Almudaina. Mixing historic and new, Es Baluard is a contemporary art museum, partly housed in a 16th-century artillery fort.
Other places to stay in Palma de Mallorca
Palma Beach
Beachtime / Family Holidays / Watersports
The perfect place for families who want a comfortable beach holiday with plentiful activities and amenities.
Beginning south-east of the Old Town, Palma Beach is around six kilometres of sandy Blue Flag shorefront. This isn’t one continuous beach, but rather a string of locations, each with a different flavor.
Cala Estància for example is a little bay, like a lagoon, edged by eateries just moments from the airport. Cuidad Jardin meanwhile is more open, with a wide golden sandy beach, perfect for families. Further east, things become livelier as you approach El Arenal, party central.
If you want to be active there are tons of things to do in the area. You can try paddleboarding, go jet-skiing, charter a boat, or rent a bicycle to explore the long seafront path.
The area’s big visitor attraction is the Palma Aquarium, with more than 8,000 aquatic species from around the world.
Cala Major
Culture / Beachtime
For a hassle-free place to relax on the shore, Cala Major offers a Blue Flag beach just minutes from Palma’s Old Town. Culturally-minded visitors will love the Pilar and Joan Miró Foundation, and the gardens of the royal Palace of Marivent.
This area’s appeal lies in its gorgeous 300-metre sandy beach, and its closeness to the heart of Palma, just five minutes by taxi. Cala Major was developed as one of the first beach resorts on Mallorca in the mid-20th century.
High above the shore is the Palace of Marivent, built for the Spanish royal family in the 1920s. These formal gardens are open to the public, and feature sculpture by famed Modern artist Joan Miró.
The artist moved to Cala Major in the 1950s, and the site of his studio is now the Pilar and Joan Miró Foundation. You can visit his workspace, and admire a rich collection by Miró at the gallery.
El Arenal
Beachtime / Nightlife / Clubbing
Young people looking for an action-packed holiday flock to this resort. With bars, clubs and restaurants along its promenade, El Arenal has a party atmosphere all summer long.
El Arenal is minutes from the airport on the eastern side of the Bay of Palma. For decades this shorefront area has been the go-to for young German and Dutch tourists who want to cut loose.
The fun is focussed on Ballermann, a 4.5-kilometre drag packed with raucous nightclubs and bars. These are mixed in with eateries, shops, parks, and assorted seaside attractions. On the seafront is a long and wide beach, with inviting pale sand.
By day there’s space for everyone, whether you want to relax, bathe in the pristine water, or take part in watersports like windsurfing and parasailing.
The view at sunset is one of the special things about El Arenal, looking west across the bay, with the Serra de Tramuntana mountains behind.
Illetas
Beachtime / Relaxation
Illetas is an upmarket resort, perfect for couples and families who want beautiful beaches combined with plenty of bustle. There’s a cosmopolitan atmosphere in this area, with exclusive beach clubs, and spas at most hotels.
No more than ten minutes by taxi from Palma’s Old Town, Illetas is a little resort town that feels much further away. Modern hotels and holiday villas cling to the rugged coastline, dropping sharply to a series of coves.
The largest of these is Playa Illetas, with soft sand and sheltered turquoise water for swimming. This beach and the two smaller ones close by are always busy in summer. That feeling of conviviality is part of their appeal.
The beaches are complemented by seasonal amenities, including bars and restaurants perched on the slopes. There are also beach clubs for those who don’t want to fight for space on the sand.
Palma Port
Dining / Nightlife / Nautical Events
This glamorous waterfront area is right for those who want uplifting views from their hotel rooms. Stay here to make the most of Paseo Marítimo, a spectacular bayfront promenade, with restaurants, cocktail bars, and rows of luxury yachts.
Fronting the Old Town, Palma Port encompasses the central part of Palma de Mallorca’s bay, and the largest port in the Balearic Islands. The main thread is the Paseo Marítimo promenade, granting splendid views of the bay and Old Town sights like the cathedral.
With a broad, palm-shaded walkway, the promenade is a place to see and be seen, and relax at a bar or restaurant terrace. The food scene here is especially diverse, offering everything from Thai to Spanish rice.
Palma Port is home to upscale nautical businesses, and the prestigious Real Club Náutico de Palma sailing club. Every April, the Palma Superyacht Show is a showcase for innovation at the highest end of the luxury yacht industry.
Our recommended hotels in Palma de Mallorca
Use the interactive map to navigate through our recommended hotels in Palma de MallorcaNote: Hotel prices can change daily due to promotions, seasons, and demand. Our $ - $$$$ scale shows the overall cost range rather than exact prices.
