Mallorca (Majorca) has much to offer families with its clear turquoise waters, golden sandy beaches and dramatic scenery. As the largest of the Balearic Islands, this Mediterranean gem has a rich heritage with picturesque towns and rugged mountain ranges. Not forgetting the friendly islanders and delicious food on offer. Discover what makes Mallorca an ideal destination for families and the easiest way to plan a holiday there.
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With over 300 days of sunshine and a short flight from the UK, it’s easy to see Mallorca’s appeal. What’s more this sun-soaked island is hugely diverse offering something for everyone whether it’s a beach holiday, a family travel adventure, or a villa stay. Our preference is a combination of the three – a quality self-catering base from which to explore, experiencing a destination at a local level and enjoying family adventures on and off the beaten track. We’ve been to Mallorca on several occasions, most recently this summer, where we had the best time with friends and explored some of the northeast. Discover what Mallorca (Majorca) has to offer families and the best way to plan a trip there.
Why Mallorca a dream destination
How to get from the UK to Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca airport is easily accessible from the UK with flights from London (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton), Manchester, Birmingham and the East Midlands. With an average flight time of only 2 hours and 25 minutes, it’s straightforward which is handy when you have kids in tow. Mallorca is ripe for exploration so we’d recommend hiring a car so you can discover more of this jewel in the Mediterranean.
What makes Mallorca ideal for families
Beaches and coves
The coastline is home to some of the prettiest beaches in the Mediterranean making Mallorca an ideal destination for families. With over 200 bays and calas, the island has a varied mix from blue flag sandy beaches to rugged coves and hidden bays. There are many beaches with long stretches of soft sand and shallow waters suitable for families with young children. Mallorca also has secluded coves and bays providing a different experience should you have older children seeking somewhere quieter to relax.
The northern coastline has many family-friendly beaches including Playa de Alcúdia (Mallorca’s longest beach), Playa de Muro in Alcúdia Bay, Port de Pollença, Cala Sant Vicenç and Cala Agulla. The west coast is well known for its family beaches including Palma Nova, Magaluf, Camp de Mar, Portals Nous and Port de Sóller. S’Aramador, Cala Mondrago, Cala d’Or and Cala Sa Nau beaches are in the south with Cala Mesquida and Canyamel Beach to the east. Beach activities vary depending on the region and location but typically span from swimming, snorkelling and sailing to a wide range of watersports including those suitable for children.
Culture and history
Mallorca has a rich history and diverse culture that dates back thousands of years. As such, there’s no shortage of historical and cultural places in Mallorca for families to visit. We enjoy exploring traditional towns and villages, there are plenty of those to discover, many with weekly markets. We visited the old town of Pollença on market day and it offered everything you can think of from clothing to jewellery and food – it’s fantastic. There was barely a soul around when we ventured back another day, so nice to see it from a different perspective and have a chat to the locals. With such cultural significance, there’s no shortage of fun things to see and do on the island from discovering castles, caves, and fortresses to admiring cathedrals, palaces, and monasteries. Mallorca has an abundance of art galleries, museums, and concerts, with festivals running throughout the year.
Attractions and activities
Mallorca has plenty to offer in the way of family attractions and activities, there’s no shortage of places to go. From waterparks (Hidropark Alcudia, Aqualand El Arenal, Western Water Park), aquariums (Palma Aquarium) and parks (Katmando Park, Marineland, Safari Zoo, Rancho Grande Park horse riding) to nature reserves (La Reserva Puig de Galatzo, S’Albufera), treetop adventures (Jungle Park) and go-karting (Karting Can Picafort). Alternatively, go for a walk, hire a cycle or charter a boat to see more of the island. Or take a ride on the Ferrocarril de Soller, a train that travels through the beautiful Serra de Tramuntana mountains.
Choice of accommodation
In addition to the beaches, sights and attractions, the choice of accommodation helps make Mallorca an ideal destination for families. The island has luxurious and affordable options with quality family-friendly villas across Mallorca. Founded in 2012, Villa Finder has over 650 Mallorcan villas, handpicked by their expert team, including in sought-after areas. Villas are selected carefully to ensure each is of high quality, well maintained and guarantees a comfortable stay – regardless of budget and with no hidden fees. Discover unique villas, which cater for families of all sizes, with amenities like private pools, panoramic views and lush gardens, situated by the beach or amid stunning scenery.
Best regions in Mallorca for families
With its rich history, beautiful beaches and breathtaking mountains, Mallorca has so much to offer families. Where you stay on the island depends on what kind of holiday you prefer and how much of Mallorca you want to discover. For example, if you have younger children, you might want to be close to an easily accessible beach with shallow waters. Families with older children may fancy hiking, trying a new experience or taking a tour. Here are some of the family-friendly regions in Mallorca and what’s on offer.
Alcúdia
The northeast of the island has stretches of coastline, caves and archaeological sites with Alcúdia, Formentor, Pollença and Port de Pollença popular holiday destinations for families. The northwest is defined by the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with some of the island’s most beautiful villages. Deià, Sóller and Valldemossa are located in the northwest.
Alcúdia is a fantastic destination for families. Playa d’Alcúdia is a vast blue flag beach that stretches over three kilometres and offers something for everyone including swimming, watersports and boat trips. The old town of Alcúdia is considered one of the most beautiful in Mallorca. Take a wander around the preserved medieval wall, see the smallest amphitheatre in Spain and visit the Roman town ruins. Catch the open-air market on Tuesdays and Sundays.
Cala D’Or
The southeast will appeal to those who enjoy a quieter area with less developed beaches, snorkelling and cycling. There you will find the regions of Cala d’Or, Cala Figuera, Es Trenc, Portopetro and Santanyí. Cala d’Or, known as Golden Bay, is a pretty marina town suited to families. It has five golden sandy beaches with clear turquoise water, the largest being Cala Gran, Cala Ferrera or Cala Esmeralda which offer views, facilities and boat trips. Places to see near Cala D’Or include the Mondragó Nature Reserve, the monastery at Alquerίa Blanca or a little further away, Drach Caves.
Deià
Set in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains on the northwest coast is Deià. A favourite among artists, musicians and writers, it is recognised as one of Mallorca’s prettiest villages. Deià has plenty to offer active families who love being surrounded by nature and enjoy a mix of culture, hiking and cycling. Interesting museums include the Archaeological Museum, the Robert Graves House Museum and the Son Marroig Museum, the estate of the Archduke Luis Salvador. The Cala Deià natural cove is only 70 metres long but beautiful with crystal-clear waters suitable for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Pollença
Pollença (Pollensa) is a pretty ancient town with narrow streets and an impressive square. Climb the 365 steps to the 18th-century El Calvari church, visit the Pont Roma (Roman bridge), and browse the impressive Sunday market. It’s open from 8:30am to 1:30pm with parking just outside the centre. It’s well worth heading to the market as it’s vast and spans much of the town. You can expect to see everything from clothing and footwear to arts, crafts, jewellery and food including some enormous pastries! Market day is busy but you can head back another day to enjoy a quiet lunch in Plaça Mayor. The adventurous among you can hike from Pollença up to the 14th-century Puig de Pollença with views across the Pollença and Alcùdia bays.
The Pollença region is an ideal family-friendly destination. Port de Pollença (Puerto Pollensa) is a horseshoe-shaped bay with the Tramuntana mountains as the backdrop. Relax at the main beach, indulge in seasonal watersports or hire a boat to explore hidden coves. We chartered a yacht (11 of us!) and had the best time exploring the bay, jumping off the wooden plank and cooling off in the sea! We also gave some of those fun watersports a go – doughnut ride or banana boat anyone? Away from the water, there’s the Pine Walk along the promenade by the natural D’Albercuix beach and hiking and cycling routes.
Port de Sóller
Situated on the west coast of Mallorca, offering views of the coast and the Tramuntana mountains, is the remote Port de Sóller. This picturesque town has become popular as it has two sandy beaches (including Platja d’en Repic beach which spans 200 metres), a street tram and a protected working harbour. Port de Sóller offers beach activities, excursions and watersports with further attractions in Sóller town. To get there you could take the wooden tram that offers scenic views as it passes across viaducts and bridges.
Santa Ponsa
Santa Ponsa provides a traditional family holiday with a stunning mountain backdrop. There are two sandy beaches, the large but shallow Playa de Santa Ponsa, which has an array of watersports on offer, and the smaller Caló d’en Pallisser cove. Several excursions are on offer including the islands of Dragonera or Malgrats. Providing easy access to the Tramuntana mountain range, the region is popular with hikers and cyclists. Nearby attractions include Jungle Parc (ziplining and rope climbing) and the Sa Morisca nature park.
Choosing the perfect family villa
Staying in a villa is an obvious choice for many as it provides flexibility, privacy and personal space based on the needs of your family. The three of us lean towards self-catering accommodation as it provides an excellent base, especially after a day of exploring. Whether it’s time spent in the pool, enjoying a family BBQ or a bit of both, it always enhances the holiday and makes for a great night’s sleep. Everyone enjoys different kinds of holidays so we’ve pulled together a few top tips when choosing a family villa in Mallorca.
Location
The most important consideration when finding accommodation is where a villa is situated. Each of Mallorca’s regions offers something different so doing a bit of research to understand which area is the best for your family will help. Consider what activities are available locally including beaches, cultural sites and places of interest (supermarkets, restaurants, shops). If you’re not hiring a car, think about how you will get to/from the villa.
Size and style
What size villa you opt for will depend on how many people are travelling and what you’ll be doing there. Everyone wants a comfortable stay so think about the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, how big the kitchen is and how much floor space you have. Villas that suit your property preferences can make such a difference whether you like authentic villas with character or a more contemporary feel.
Amenities
Consider what amenities your villa needs to have so you can make the most of your holiday. You want everything to be effortless. Mallorca has a warm climate (35+ degrees in summer), so a private pool and air conditioning are often crucial. Other considerations might be indoor amenities such as WiFi, entertainment, and cooking equipment with outdoor needs a BBQ, furniture, and games/toys. Families with younger children need a safe environment to keep everyone as relaxed as possible.
Reviews and recommendations
Reviews and recommendations are essential to get an understanding of how customers have rated a villa and what their experience was like. These insights can help determine if a villa will suit your family’s needs and with the tips above will help speed up the decision-making process. Everyone wants the reviews of a villa to match the expectations.
Planning a family villa holiday to Mallorca
Once you’ve decided what type of holiday you want to have comes the exciting part – planning your family villa holiday to Mallorca. It’s good to book in advance if possible as prices can fluctuate and the best villas get booked up quicker during peak periods. With a handpicked selection of Mallorcan villas to choose from, Villa Finder specialises in providing unique travel experiences and one-of-a-kind holidays. Founded in 2012, villas are carefully selected to ensure each is of high quality, well-maintained and guarantees a comfortable stay, regardless of any budget constraints – with no hidden fees. The dedicated team of experts have local knowledge and provide a personalised service for each booking. The concierge team can assist with any additional requests such as car rental, babysitters or fun days out.
We will certainly be flying back to this diverse island as Mallorca is an ideal destination for families with so much to offer. We hope this post has provided a taste of what’s on offer, the breadth of things to do and how you can plan your perfect family getaway. If you’d like to know more about the Pollença region, look out for further posts detailing things to do from beach activities and old towns to chartering a boat around the bay.
