Palma travel guide — where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Palma, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Palma.
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- urban and relaxed, a quick city swim beside the promenade
- Showers
- Sunbed and parasol hire in season
- Beach bars and restaurants
- Seafront promenade and cycle lane
- Lifeguard in season
Platja de Can Pere Antoni
The closest sand beach to the Cathedral, about 1.5 km east of La Seu along the Passeig Marítim, with a pedestrian and cycle promenade, showers and beach bars. Good for a quick swim between sightseeing.
Editor’s tip. Walk along the Passeig Marítim from the Cathedral (about 20 minutes) rather than looking for parking.
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- small local fishing-quarter beach with harbour restaurants
- Restaurants and cafes along the harbour front
- Showers
- Lifeguard in season
- Seafront cycle path
Platja del Portixol
A small urban beach beside the former fishing quarter of Es Portixol, about 3 km east of the Cathedral, known for its harbour restaurants and relaxed local atmosphere rather than for space.
Editor’s tip. Cycle along the seafront from the centre; street parking in Es Portixol is scarce.
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- locals' neighbourhood beach, calm and unhurried
- Promenade with cafes and restaurants
- Showers
- Sunbed hire in season
- Lifeguard in season
Platja de Ciutat Jardí
A long, narrow, locally popular sand beach about 6 km east of the centre, backed by a seafront promenade with cafes. Calmer and less touristy than the Playa de Palma resorts farther east.
Editor’s tip. Take EMT line 35 (about 25 to 30 minutes from the centre) to avoid scarce weekend parking.
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- family-friendly seaside town beach with a lively promenade
- Lifeguards in season
- Showers and toilets
- Sunbed and parasol hire
- Restaurants and beach bars
- Promenade and cycle path
Platja de Can Pastilla
The western end of the Playa de Palma strip: fine pale sand, shallow water and a long promenade with restaurants, about 10 km from the centre and 5 km from the airport. Suited to families and to a beach day with easy food and facilities.
Editor’s tip. Use EMT line 25, 35 or A2 rather than driving; peak-season parking is limited.
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- busy resort beach with numbered beach bars and full facilities
- Lifeguards in season
- Showers and toilets
- Sunbed and parasol hire
- Water sports hire
- Beach bars and restaurants
- Adapted access points at some stops
Platja de Palma (S'Arenal)
The main resort beach of the bay: about 4.5 km of wide, fine sand with numbered beach-bar stops (balnearios) running from Can Pastilla to S'Arenal, shallow water and full facilities. Busy in summer, particularly near the Balneario 6 to 10 area.
Editor’s tip. Choose the Can Pastilla end for a calmer stretch; Balneario 6 to 10 is the busiest in summer.
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- small, calm neighbourhood beach for young children
- Showers
- Lifeguard in season
- Cafes nearby
- Calm, shallow water
Cala Estància
A small, sheltered, quieter beach on the stretch between Ciutat Jardí and Can Pastilla, with calm water that suits young children, backed by a short promenade.
Editor’s tip. Take EMT line 35 and get off at the Cala Estància stop; parking is limited.
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- compact, convenient resort cove that fills quickly in summer
- Showers
- Sunbed and parasol hire in season
- Cafes and restaurants
- Lifeguard in season
Platja de Cala Major
A small sandy cove west of the centre, about 6 km from the Cathedral and close to the Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró. Compact and convenient by bus, with cafes and restaurants behind it; it fills quickly in July and August.
Editor’s tip. Take EMT line 4 from Plaça d'Espanya or Jaume III; parking nearby fills early.
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- small, quiet coves with clear water and limited facilities
- Showers
- Beach bar
- Calm clear water
- Paid parking nearby
Cala Comtessa (Illetes)
Two small sandy coves at Illetes, about 8 km west of Palma, with clear sheltered water that is good for snorkelling and for families. Facilities are limited, so visitors bring water and shade.
Editor’s tip. Bring a snorkel mask, water and shade, as facilities are limited.
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- wild, open natural beach with dunes and a few beach bars
- Beach bars (chiringuitos)
- Sunbed and parasol hire
- Paid car parks
- Naturist sections at the far ends
- Few trees, so no natural shade
Platja des Trenc (Es Trenc)
A long natural beach of white sand and turquoise water, backed by dunes and salt flats, about 50 km south-east of Palma. Largely undeveloped, with a small number of beach bars; many consider it the best beach reachable from Palma for a day trip.
Editor’s tip. Arrive early in July and August; paid car parks fill up.
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Palma memorable.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Palma’s coast.
How far is Can Pere Antoni beach from Palma Cathedral?
It is about 1.5 km east of the Cathedral, roughly a 20-minute walk along the Passeig Marítim.
From the Platja de Can Pere Antoni editorial.
Is the water calm enough for children?
The beach faces the sheltered Bay of Palma and the water is usually calm, with a gentle slope. Lifeguards are on duty in season.
From the Platja de Can Pere Antoni editorial.
How far is Platja del Portixol from the Cathedral?
It is about 3 km east of the Cathedral, reachable by EMT line 35 or by bicycle along the seafront in about 15 minutes.
From the Platja del Portixol editorial.
Is it a large beach?
No. It is a small urban beach, known more for its harbour restaurants and relaxed local atmosphere than for space.
From the Platja del Portixol editorial.
How far is Ciutat Jardí beach from central Palma?
It is about 6 km east of the Cathedral, roughly 25 to 30 minutes by EMT line 35.
From the Platja de Ciutat Jardí editorial.
Is it busy with tourists?
It is mainly used by locals and is calmer and less touristy than the Playa de Palma resorts farther east.
From the Platja de Ciutat Jardí editorial.
How far is Can Pastilla beach from the airport?
It is about 5 km from Palma airport and is linked by EMT line A2.
From the Platja de Can Pastilla editorial.
Is it suitable for families?
Yes. The sand is fine, the water is shallow and sheltered, and lifeguards, showers and toilets are provided in season.
From the Platja de Can Pastilla editorial.