Beaches, mountains and a sophisticated medieval capital city. Sounds idyllic, right?
It is – welcome to the Spanish island of Mallorca!
But here’s the thing.
There are so many delightful activities you can do in Mallorca – and the island is so diverse – that bedding down in one place limits what you can experience.
When planning where to stay in Mallorca, keep in mind that it’s a big island with four major areas, each with its own main attractions and vibe. What you experience in the south will be vastly different from what you can find in the north.
So you need to think about what you want to include in your Mallorca trip itinerary – beach lounging, adventure activities, historical sightseeing, mountain escapes and/or party time.
The island offers it all, but not all in every area.
We stayed at four hotels in Majorca in different areas on our first visit and five hotels on our most recent three-week trip.
Where to stay in Mallorca, Spain
Mallorca: Where to stay
Our recommendation for making the most of your Mallorca vacation
Ideally, we recommend that you stay in two or three different areas, especially if this is your first visit to the island.
So unless time is short, book two or three Mallorca hotels:
- A hotel by the beach and/or a hotel in the mountains (or countryside)
- A hotel in Mallorca’s capital, Palma
By splitting your time this way, you’ll experience the best of Mallorca.
We particularly like the combination of:
Santanyi (for beach exploring) Soller (for hiking and staying in a finca, a farm-style estate) and Palma de Mallorca (for cultural attractions and city delights).
If you’re looking for a beach-focused vacay, you could swap out Santanyi and Soller, and replace them with either Port Soller or Puerto Pollensa.
(By the way, don’t get confused by the spelling. Mallorca is often spelled “Majorca” by the British. But it’s the same beautiful island, and we spell it both ways here.)
Main areas of Mallorca
The Balearic island of Mallorca is about 1,405 sq. miles (3,640 sq. km) in size, making it the largest island in Spain.
Its white sandy beaches are a big draw for many visitors.
But as mentioned, there are four main regions with a whole lot to explore! Let’s look at each of them more closely…
South Coast
If you’re familiar with only some parts of Mallorca, chances are they’re located on the southern coast.
That’s because this is where the most-visited tourist spots are, including the capital city of Palma de Mallorca and Mallorca’s most popular beaches.
You’ll also find quaint fishing villages, along with historical gems scattered inland.
Top spots to stay on the south coast are:
- Palma de Mallorca (often just called “Palma”)
- Playa de Palma (and Arenal) – really an extension of Palma
- Cala Major (Cala Mayor) – also a neighborhood of Palma
- Magaluf
- Palma Nova
- Santa Ponsa
- Puerto Portals
- Colonia Sant Jordi
The south coast is also home to the greatest number and variety of accommodations in Mallorca.
In the capital, there are several different areas to stay in Palma de Mallorca – from the Old Town (its historic heart) to the seaside resort areas of Portixol and Cala Major.
Unless you’re into all-night partying and disco bars, we’d suggest you stay away from Magaluf.
With a reputation as a crazy fun beach spot, it’s the most crowded area of Mallorca, with theme parks, beach clubs, lots of shops and all-inclusive resorts.
East Coast
This is the best area to stay in Majorca for families, as most of the island’s family-friendly resorts are located here.
Lapped by turquoise waters, the beaches are beautiful and likely to be surrounded by pine trees (compared to the sandier terrain of the south coast).
The east coast is a great choice if you’re looking for a relaxing holiday mixed with some nightlife.
Popular places on the east coast are:
- Cala Millor
- Cala Ratjada
- Cala d’Or
Santanyi
Another town on the southeast coast we just have to tell you about is Santanyi. It’s been “discovered” in recent years.
With the opening of a terrific new boutique hotel, Can Ferrereta (covered below under “Where to stay for a splurge”), Santanyi is sought-after by couples seeking an authentic village (with sophisticated restaurants) as a base for exploring the surrounding coastline.
We stayed in Santanyi on our most recent visit – and adored it!
From Santanyi, we were able to easily explore Mondrago Natural Park, Calo des Moro (one of Mallorca’s most beautiful beaches) and the impossibly pretty fishing harbor of Cala Figuera.
Indeed, Santanyi and Soller on the west coast (discussed below) are two of our favorite towns in Mallorca.
With a good range of excellent accommodations and restaurants, they make great bases for exploring nearby attractions.
North Coast
Mallorca’s north coast is a less touristy part of the island.
The shallow waters and quiet beaches make it a great area for families traveling with kids and for couples in search of a peaceful getaway.
But you also find mountains. If you like the idea of more rugged and rural adventure travel (hiking!) – as dictated by the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range – then the north and west coasts are a must-see.
Some of the best resort areas, beaches and towns on the north coast are:
- Puerto Pollensa (or Port de Pollenca) and the nearby village of Pollenca
- Playa de Muro
- Port Alcudia (Port d’Alcudia)
- Can Picafort
Port Pollensa
We found the town of Pollensa (Pollenca), in particular, to be a great place for exploring charming arts-and-crafts shops and lingering in delightful cafés and bars.
You can also go on some stunningly scenic boat trips from Port Pollensa to Cap Formentor (a peninsula with soaring rugged cliffs).
West Coast
Like the north coast, the west coast is also less touristy than the south coast.
Dominated by the Tramuntana mountains (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the west coast is the best place to stay in Mallorca for a more secluded away-from-the-crowds vacation. Mind you, the entire island is firmly on the tourist radar, so don’t expect it to be tourist-free!
In our view, this area is home to some of Mallorca’s most scenic spots and villages.
You can relax in seaside digs on the cliffs. But if you want to soak up Mallorca culture, we highly recommend you stay in a finca (farmhouse-cum-inn) nestled in the mountains.
The west coast’s highlights are:
- The teeny town of Deia
- Valldemossa
- The mountain towns of Soller and Bunyola
- The picturesque coastal villages of Port de Soller and Banyalbufar
Soller
We especially love the town of Soller. Surrounded by citrus groves, it’s nestled in the Soller Valley within the Tramuntana mountains.
There’s lots you can do in Soller. In particular, it’s a great base for hiking.
We spent most of our days in Soller hiking through pine forests to quaint villages (like Fornalutx) and to beautiful beach coves (like Cala Tuent).
A fun vintage tram also connects Soller with the beaches and buzz of Port Soller (Port de Soller), just over a couple of miles away on the coast. So you can get your beach fix too by staying in Soller.
Best places to stay in Mallorca (which town or beach area?)
Below, we share our curated picks for different Mallorca accommodations, depending on the type of holiday you’re looking for. See our separate guide on the best hotels in Mallorca for details of the following hotels.
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Best places in Mallorca for couples
Soller and Palma de Mallorca are the best towns to stay in Mallorca for couples looking to ignite some romance.
In Soller, you can cozy up in a finca and enjoy a peaceful rural holiday for two.
Mix it up with an adults-only luxury hotel in Palma de Mallorca, and pamper yourselves with five-star spa treatments and private balconies with city or sea views.
Recommended Mallorca hotels for couples
- Petit Palace Hotel Tres – One of the coolest boutique hotels in Palma de Mallorca (we stayed here at the beginning of our first trip to Mallorca)
- Can Bordoy – Sophisticated 5-star boutique hotel in Palma de Mallorca Old Town (we stayed here on our second visit)
- Can Cera – 17th-Century palace hotel in Palma’s famed Gothic quarter
- Finca Can Coll – Renovated adults-only rural finca near Soller (our Soller hotel on our first visit)
- Finca Ca’s Curial – Lovely family-owned farm estate in Soller, with a large outdoor pool surrounded by orange and lemon trees (our most recent base in Soller)
- Hotel Es Moli – Great 4-star resort in Deia, with a fabulous private beach cove just for guests (we couldn’t get enough of this beach cove!)
- Fontsanta Hotel – Boutique adults-only Mallorca hotel and spa sanctuary, near the resort town of Colonia Sant Jordi
- Pleta de Mar – Adults-only luxury suites, close to the quaint seaside town of Canyamel
- Finca Serena – Luxury 18th-century farmhouse and adults-only retreat in the agricultural heartland of Es Pla
Where to stay in Mallorca for nightlife
If you’re chasing the ultimate party scene, head to Playa de Palma (specifically Arenal) or Magaluf. They’re infamous for being every young foreigner’s top choices for hot party spots.
For a more mature crowd, but still lively and vibrant, Palma de Mallorca is your best bet.
As the island’s capital, Palma has an after-dark club and lounge scene with an added touch of class and charm.
Best places to stay in Palma de Mallorca for nightlife
- El Llorenc Parc de la Mar – Boutique design hotel in Palma de Mallorca, with a cool rooftop beach club
Where to stay in Mallorca for families
Santa Ponsa
For families traveling with small children, Santa Ponsa on the southwest coast is very family-friendly.
It’s located in a protected bay – which translates into a wide shallow beach that offers the safest beach conditions for young kids.
Puerto Pollensa
Puerto Pollensa (or Port de Pollensa) in northeast Mallorca is another great option for families.
It offers a safe quiet atmosphere that’s well-suited for families with children seeking an easy-going upscale vacation.
Port Alcudia
Another one of the best areas to stay in Mallorca for families is Port Alcudia (Port d’Alcudia) and the Bay of Alcudia (on the northeast coast).
There’s lots to do in the Alcudia area, from windsurfing, sailing and go karting to wandering the narrow streets of Alcudia Old Town.
You’ll find many family-friendly resorts in Port d’Alcudia.
Recommended luxury Mallorca family resorts and hotels
- Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa – Family-friendly luxury Mallorca resort, set atop dramatic cliffs above Port de Soller
- Zafiro Palace Alcudia – One of the best Mallorca all-inclusive resorts near the beach, located in Port Alcudia
Best places to stay in Mallorca for the beach
There are so many amazing beaches to choose from on the island – much of it depends on exactly what you’re after.
Cala Millor
One of the top beach towns in Mallorca in terms of offering a bit of everything is Cala Millor.
It has a gorgeous beach, plenty of bars and restaurants, and just the right amount of nightlife to make it lively but still feel relaxed.
Puerto Pollensa
Puerto Pollensa is another excellent choice.
Located in north Mallorca, Puerto Pollensa offers a friendly low-key atmosphere with beautiful beaches, cute souvenir shops and restaurants.
After soaking up five days of sun here on our most recent Mallorca visit, we put together a separate travel guide on Puerto Pollensa. It covers all you need to know about this chic beach hotspot, from activities and hotels to restaurants.
Cala D’Or
Oh, and we should mention the resort area of Cala d’Or too. It means “the Golden Bay” – and that’s a fitting description for this great place.
Cala d’Or boasts no less than seven great beaches. The longest beach is Cala Gran – about 130 feet long – with fine sand and water sports like pedalo rentals.
Just keep in mind that these beaches are busy in high season. But you can usually always find a patch of sand to claim as your own.
Recommended Majorca beach resorts
- Grupotel Parc Natural & Spa – Expansive luxury beach resort on the Bay of Alcudia, suitable for families
- Hipocampo Palace – One of the best resorts in Majorca for a beach holiday near Cala Millor
- Hotel Illa D’Or – Elegant seafront hotel in the beach town of Puerto Pollensa (where we stayed)
Where to stay on Mallorca for a splurge
The best part of Mallorca to stay to see and be seen is Puerto Portals.
As a favorite Mallorca destination for celebrities and public figures, complete with a private marina, Puerto Portals is filled with luxurious hotels and posh nightlife spots.
You also have plenty of chances to splurge in Port Andratx.
It’s best known for having perhaps the most beautiful harbor in the Mediterranean Sea and attracting a high-end yachting clientele with its first-class yacht club.
Palma de Mallorca also has some very high-end boutique hotels.
Recommended uber-luxury Mallorca hotels
- Castillo Hotel Son Vida – Grand historic resort close to Palma de Mallorca (the hotel is so luxurious we didn’t leave it the two days we splashed out here!)
- Belmond La Residencia – 5-Star Mallorca luxury resort in Deia (our Deia hotel the first time we visited Mallorca)
- Can Ferrereta – Elegant adults-only escape in a former 17th century mansion estate, located in less-touristy Santanyi (we enjoyed a perfect stay here!)
- Hotel Son Brull – Luxury boutique Mallorca hotel near Pollenca and its lovely nearby beaches
- Portals Hills Boutique Hotel – Glam boutique hotel set on a lush hillside near Puerto Portals
So are you excited about visiting Mallorca?
We hope this guide on where to stay in Majorca helps you with your travel planning.
The island truly is seductive. We can’t wait to return for our third visit!
And we have no doubt you too will enjoy every minute of your time here.
More Mallorca travel information
In case you missed them, check out our other Mallorca travel guides:
Love this guide on the best areas and places to stay on Mallorca? Then share the love, and pin this to Pinterest!
Craving more Spain inspiration?
A lovely hotel in Roses: On the Costa Brava, the beachfront Hotel Vistabella is right on the Camino de Ronda. Go for beautiful coastal walks, then swim in the glorious sea.
Cadaques: After you see these beautiful photos of Cadaques, you’ll want to visit this town (where Salvador Dali lived).
A grand hotel on the Costa Brava: With museum-worthy antiques and a killer perch above the chi-chi resort town of S’Agaro, Hostal de la Gavina is one of the best places to stay in Spain.
Our top travel tips and resources
Hotels: Booking.com is great for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. We especially like Booking’s flexible cancellation policy!
Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
Flights: To book the cheapest flights, search on Google Flights or Expedia. (Just be aware Expedia tickets may be non-refundable.)
Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!
Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
Car rental: Renting a car is often one of the best ways to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the best rates.
Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.
Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.
If you make a booking or purchase through our site, we may earn a small commission (at no cost to you). Thanks!
Photo credits: 4, 9, 14, 15, 20 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase | 10 Hotel Son Brull | 17 Can Bordoy
About the authors
Luxury travel journalists and SATW, NATJA and TMAC “Best Travel Blog” award winners, Janice and George Mucalov are the publishers of Sand In My Suitcase. Between them, they’ve traveled to all 7 continents. See About.
Find destination guides, global food-and-wine stories, luxury hotel reviews, articles on cultural explorations and soft adventure trips, cruise reviews, insanely useful travel tips and more!
Alexis Bell
Friday 3rd of May 2024
For a last minute trip at the end of May for my husband and me, would 4 nights be enough to split between 2 areas and would you recommend a car?
I'm thinking Soller and one more place. We love great food, wine and cobblestone villages, we're thinking Soller would be great for that and then mixing in a beach area.
Janice and George
Friday 3rd of May 2024
Hi Alexis,
With travel time on either side, 4 nights is really 3 full days.
The easiest 4-night trip would be just 4 nights in Soller. You could go to the beach in Port Soller by tram and take the bus to Deia. You wouldn't need to rent a car for the whole time. If you felt like exploring on your own, maybe just rent a car for one day from Soller.
You could book a private transfer (or taxi) from the airport to Soller and back.
But if you've never been to Palma de Mallorca, consider spending your first night in the Old Town of Palma. It's packed with lots of great restaurants, and the Cathedral and Almudaina Palace are must-see attractions. Then you could spend 3 nights in Soller -- taking the vintage train from Palma to Soller (a very scenic way of getting there).
Have a wonderful time!
Alina V.
Friday 15th of September 2023
Greetings!
This article is super helpful and great - I really like the idea of booking multiple places in Mallorca, so we will do that.
We are going there for a week at the end of November. Any tips for that particular season? We're really looking forward to our first holiday in Mallorca!
Janice and George
Monday 23rd of October 2023
Much of Mallorca is a seasonal vacation destination - spring to fall. Outside of Palma de Mallorca, many of the resorts and restaurants (certainly in beach towns) close down at the end of October.
For an end of November vacay, we suggest you stay in Palma de Mallorca for the week.
There'll be more going on there for you to enjoy - visiting the Cathedral, bicycling along the seafront promenade, shopping. And lots of restaurants will still be open in the island's capital. You can do day trips, depending on what's open.
Enjoy!
Mitch
Wednesday 31st of May 2023
I'm planning a trip to Mallorca in early July with my girlfriend.
I really like your idea of booking 3 different hotels/areas to totally experience the island.
If you had to pick 2 areas to go with Palma today, where would you pick? (Ideally without the need for a car, as I haven't driven for a while and she doesn't trust me, haha.)
Janice and George
Thursday 8th of June 2023
Hi Mitch,
Definitely add Soller to your Mallorca itinerary. Orange groves, cable car to Port de Soller and its beaches, lovely fincas with swimming pools, hiking and walking trails, good restaurants, etc. (Or you could stay in Port de Soller.)
It will be hot in July. If you'd like a beachy type of vacay, maybe add Port de Pollensa? Or you could stay somewhere on the east coast like Port d'Alcudia (also a beach town) which might have some better nightlife.
We're planning another trip to Mallorca - and this time, we won't rent a car. We'll take private transfers between the various towns (Port de Pollensa, Santanyi, Deia, Soller and Palma) and do some tours from these places. The private transfers are the same cost as renting a car for the duration of our stay.
Have a fabulous trip!
Jamie B.
Saturday 25th of March 2023
I'm planning a trip to Mallorca in early June with my 19-yr-old daughter.
We are thinking of a a few days in Palma and a few days at the beach. We're not interested in the party scene/touristy areas - and the adult-only hotels sound great. El Llorenc Parc de la Mar looks lovely, as does Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa.
Are there good beaches in/near Soller? Will it be good beach weather in early June? Do the beaches typically have umbrella and chair rentals?
Thanks for the tips!
Janice and George
Saturday 25th of March 2023
You've picked a good combo of hotels in Palma and Soller!
Yes, it will be beach weather in June, with an average daily high of about 80 F (26 C). So you should get lots of nice sunshine :-).
Port de Soller has two town beaches. They're narrowish strips of coarse sand lapped by calm waters, backed by a pedestrian boardwalk plus restaurants and bars. In high season (June to September), there are beach chairs and umbrellas for rent.
If you have a car, you'll want to also explore some beautiful beach coves nearby, like Cala Deia and Torrent de Pareis for a change of scene.
Have a great vacay!
Nikesh Desai
Friday 4th of February 2022
Great details...thanks! We are there for 2 weeks with kids doing the Nadal Camp. Better to stay in Felantix, Ariany or Son Carrio?
Cati
Wednesday 14th of December 2022
@Nikesh Desai,
The area of Porto Cristo – Cala Mendia is a quiet area close to beautiful small beaches where you can find restaurants, shops, etc. Close enough to Nadal's camp and close to the beach.
You can rent a holiday home close to the beach or a country finca which provides you lots of privacy.
Janice and George
Monday 14th of February 2022
How exciting for the kids! And the parents who get to enjoy Mallorca too :-)
Felantix is a small 13th century town and a bit of a treasure, with restaurants and nearby vineyards. It's not too far from the beaches of Portocolom and Cala d'Or – maybe a 20-minute drive? There's probably more going on in Felantix than in Ariany and Son Carrio (below).
Ariany is a teeny hilltop town (population under 1,000). Son Carrio is also a quiet peaceful village.
But we may not have told you anything that you don't already know?
Let us know what town you decide to stay in, and why!