The best areas to stay in Mallorca

Are you going to Mallorca, the most famous of the Balearic Islands? Here is our guide to know in which city (or village) to sleep in Mallorca!!

Mallorca, the largest island in the Balearic Islands is located in the Mediterranean Sea off of Valencia and Barcelona. Mallorca is home to 875,277 inhabitants spread over 3625.75 km². A popular holiday destination for Germans and British, it is known as the “17th Länder” because 7% of the island’s permanent residents are Germans. With its ideal climate, history and culture, the island seduces lovers of dreamlike beaches, wilderness and mountains. We recommend going there in Spring and Autumn because in Summer, prices rise with the tourist influx and it can get quite warm.

From Palma – the capital -, to Pollença or Artà, the six regions – Serra de Tramuntana (mountains, North), Ponent (Southwest), Raiguer (agricultural and wine-growing land at the foot of the mountain), Pla (center), Migjorn (Southeast), Llevant (East) and the city of Palma – are sure to satisfy you.
Here are some suggestions on where to sleep on Mallorca during your stay.

Palma de Mallorca

Photo credit: Flickr – Laurent Bernier

The capital of the island , situated west, with a population of 406,492 – half the island – was founded in 123 BC by Quintus Caecilius Metellus and is home to many historic buildings of great interest. In the city center – nicknamed El Casco Antiguo – you will find everything that a tourist looking for a sunny holiday can expect: shops, beaches, bars and terraces, restaurants and a lively nightlife. As you wander through the city, pass through Le Seu Cathedral, Plaza España, Plaza Major, Palma Harbour, not to mention the Ramblas or the Sea Park. On the outskirts of the city centre, do not miss the Bellver Castle, a 14th century building with a beautiful panoramic view of the sea and the city. Sleeping in Mallorca and choosing Palma is a must for a Spanish style celebration!

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The Serra de Tramuntana

Photo credit: Flickr – Alexander Schimmeck

The picturesque municipalities

The Serra de Tramuntana is located all along the Western / Northwestern / Northern coast and is dotted with cobble or gravel beaches on the mountainside. The water is clear and the scenery magnificent, but access to beaches and coves can sometimes be difficult. It is the main mountainous massif of Mallorca. You will find picturesque small stone villages, terraced crops and a charm relatively sheltered from mass tourism: an authentic face of the Balearics and a delightful place to stay in Mallorca.

The municipalities of the Serra de Tramuntana are, in alphabetical order: Andratx, Banyalbufar, Bunyola, Calvià, Deià, Escorca, Esporles, Estellencs, Fornalutx, Pollença, Puigpunyent, Sóller, Valldemossa (pictured above).

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Magaluf

In the heart of Calvià and not far from Mallorca is the Pantheon of nightlife: Magaluf. Considered as a party capital, the city attracts tourists from all over the world every year who juggle drunken revelries, experiences and relaxation. There are many bars and nightclubs here, and for good reason: you can find them on every street corner! During the day, those who manage to get up enjoy the beaches or shopping sessions between Punta de Sa Porrasa and Cala Vinyes or venture into one of Magaluf’s many theme parks such as Marineland or Western Park Water Park.

Staying in Mallorca by choosing Magaluf also gives you access to a wide choice of top-of-the-range hotels and apartments which, to the great displeasure of the locals, make up the tourist face of the city. And for good reason, if Magaluf brings so many people back every year, it is above all for its prices: from the hotel offer to the activities, the prices remain very affordable.

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Santa Ponsa

Looking for a place to stay on Mallorca in a luxurious and luxurious setting? Direction Santa Ponsa where couples, families and golf enthusiasts like to make their home for the duration of their stay. Surrounded by the mountains of La Tramuntana and rich in superb surrounding landscapes, Santa Ponsa also has a few golf courses that attract enthusiasts. In Santa Ponsa, you will find a welcoming and eclectic living environment, close to the beautiful fine sandy beaches, all in a typical and calm setting, far from the hustle and bustle of Magaluf, depending on the top-of-the-range hotels and luxurious properties.

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Palma Nova

Just a few kilometres from Santa Ponsa, Palma Nova will delight all travellers looking for a beach and relaxation. Considered one of the largest seaside resorts on the island, it is none other than the neighbour of Magaluf! Much more family oriented, Palma Nova offers the same advantages as Magaluf, the excess – if you like – less. Staying in Mallorca by choosing Palma Nova therefore calls for beach sessions such as Na Nadala, Son Manties and Es Carragador. Options include: reading, sunbathing or even diving or water sports, something to delight young and old alike in a family atmosphere. For an afternoon with your family, why not opt for one of the city’s amusement parks such as Katmandu Park?

Rich in activities and good places to have a drink, eat and shop, Palma Nova has a hotel offer that remains very accessible even if it is not as low-cost as in Magaluf. Here again you will find a vast choice of hotels, houses and apartments. Palma Nova is very busy so despite the great housing options, remember to book in advance.

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Colonia de Sant Jordi

Photo credit: Wikimedia – Foto Fitti

An authentic fishing village in the south of the island, a small setting that is still rather unspoilt by the tourist masses, Colonia de Sant Jordi is undoubtedly the ideal destination for travellers seeking peace and adventure. Here, nature preserved this small cocoon surrounded by coves, beaches and other splendid landscapes such as the Cabrera Archipelago National Park, its salt ponds, Ses Roquetes or Es Cabarol. Sleeping in Mallorca in Colonia de Sant Jordi means hiking, excursions, strolling and relaxing in a place that is prized above all for its marine heritage.

While there has been no shortage of hotels since the 1950s, Colonia de Sant Jordi offers a rather diverse offer in terms of accommodation: from top-of-the-range to typical, everyone can find something to suit them at a reasonable price. Be careful, however, if you do not want to find yourself in the middle of tourists and excursion boats, choose the low or middle season: if Colonia de Sant Jordi remains less crowded than some destinations on the island, the village is nevertheless popular and can lose its quaint charm in high season

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The Llevant (East)

Photo credit: Flickr – Marco Verch Professional Photographer and Speaker

The East coast of Mallorca is full of paradisiacal natural settings and small traditional fishing ports, far from the mass tourism and hordes of tourists that flock to the streets of Palma. Don’t miss visiting Pollença and its old streets, walk the 365 steps leading to Calvari and enjoy the Sunday market (if you come on weekends). Drive from Alcudia Bay (pictured above) to the south-east and enjoy a stopover at Artà, which has many restaurants. If you are looking for a place to relax, let go and soak your feet in the warm waters, aim for the east coast to stay in Mallorca.

This is the part of the island where you can find most of the fine sandy beaches, but they are also very popular… Among the sites to visit are Porto Colom, Cala Magraner, Cala Pilota, Cala Figuera, Santanyi, Porto Cristo: these areas shine with the charm they offer while further south, there is a more lively seaside resort: Cala d’or (shops, restaurants, bars, hotels and clubs). There is a wide range of accommodation available to find housing, but it will be the large hotel complexes that will dominate the choices for accommodation on Mallorca.

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Now you know where to stay on Mallorca during your stay. What were your favourite places?