Where to stay in Mallorca
In which areas of Mallorca is accommodation the best value for money and cheapest? How much do holidays cost in summer and during the off-season? Read on in this chapter.
| If you want to... | Where to stay |
|---|---|
| The most beautiful beaches | |
| Near the airport | Can Pastilla |
| Nightlife | El Arenal |
| More luxurious holidays | Cala d'Or/ Cala Figuera |
| Hiking and mountains | Sóller |
| Car-free | Palma |
Where to stay in Mallorca
Given its size and diversity, Mallorca can be a bit overwhelming for first-time visitors – at least when it comes to finding the ideal place to live. Mallorca has many resorts and towns, so there’s something to suit everyone’s tastes.
As is the case throughout Europe and the rest of the world, you can search for all available accommodation on the island via the usual booking platforms:
Book your hotel in advance to get a discount
Take a look at this map showing the best areas for accommodation in Mallorca:
Large and lively beach resorts
If you prefer larger resorts with a full range of facilities and entertainment, head for the south-west coast of the island.
El Arenal and Can Pastilla
Two resorts close to the airport.
El Arenal– Located east of the capital’s city centre. A bustling resort that never sleeps, it is best suited to young people and party-goers. It offers countless bars and nightclubs that are open almost round the clock, a single long stretch of beach, and the added bonus of being close to Palma and the airport.
Accommodation prices here are low by Mallorcan standards, and El Arenal is one ofthe cheapest resorts on the island. Prices during the high season start at 74 eur for a double room.
Can Pastilla– Located just a few minutes from the airport and close to the capital, to which it is connected by a seafront promenade.
It effectively adjoins El Arenal on the other side. A pleasant resort with a long sandy beach and all the tourist amenities you could wish for, ideal for those looking for long, straight beaches, plenty of restaurants and bars, proximity to the airport and Palma, as well as lower prices than in the rest of the island.
A night in a double room here costs from 74 eur to 91 eur . Take a look at
Paguera
South-west of Palma lies this popular resort, which offers a vibrant nightlife, a renowned pedestrianised area lined with souvenir shops and restaurants, as well as beautiful beaches where you can enjoy a range of water sports. In the area south-west of Palma, which is known for its renowned resorts and town beaches, Paguera is also one of the most affordable resorts, with prices starting from 74 eur per night for two people.
Magaluf and Palmanova
To the west of Palma, there are also two other bustling resorts, separated by just a few dozen metres. Whilst Magaluf is a hub for nightlife, particularly popular with young people, Palmanova is one of the quieter resorts with well-maintained, urban-style beaches. You’ll also find the popular Marineland dolphinarium here.
Cala Major
This is actually a suburb of the capital, easily accessible by public transport buses, with a beautiful sandy beach and a gentle slope into the sea. You’ll find several souvenir shops, as well as bars and restaurants, and it certainly offers a quieter and more pleasant atmosphere, as well as a more picturesque, rugged coastline than, for example, the resorts of El Arenal or Can Pastilla on the other side of Palma.
Large and quieter beach resorts
The resorts on the east coast are particularly popular, offering the perfect blend of lively town centres and long, spacious beaches suitable for families with children as well as for a relaxing holiday. Yet the resorts still offer every conceivable form of entertainment.
Sa Coma, S’Ilot and Cala Millor
The east of the island is home to the popular trio of resorts – Sa Coma, S’Illot and Cala Millor – all of which lie in a single stretch roughly 3 km apart. Cala Millor is the liveliest, whilst Sa Coma is the quietest; however, it is true that all these towns are on the quieter side by Mallorcan standards and are ideal for families with children.
All three resorts boast beautiful, very clean, wide sandy beaches with gentle slopes into the water, but you’ll also find smaller, secluded beaches in little coves nearby. The resorts also offer a wide range of sporting activities – you can make use of several tennis courts, riding clubs and renowned cycle routes.
You’ll mostly find good-quality, medium-sized hotel resorts here, with prices ranging from 83 eur to 103 eur per night for a double room.
- Accommodation and hotels in Sa Coma
- Accommodation and hotels in S’Illot
- Accommodation and hotels in Cala Millor
Alcúdia, Can Picafort, Playa de Muro
On the north-eastern coast, you’ll find one of the most popular beaches, Playa de Muro, and Alcúdia’s town beach, which joins directly onto Muro. The stunning setting of this sandy beach, stretching over 6 km, features lively areas full of bars and sporting activities, as well as quieter, more natural sections. It particularly appeals to holidaymakers who want to enjoy some peace and quiet, whilst also going on the occasional excursion, such as to the nearby historic town of Alcúdia.
Hotels are generally cheaper in the quiet resort of Can Picafort, whilst Port d’Alcúdia offers a livelier atmosphere and hotel resorts.
Port de Pollença
The northernmost part of Mallorca is also one of the most beautiful. The foothills of the Tramuntana mountains provide a picturesque backdrop inland, whilst the breathtaking scenery of Cape Formentoroffers stunning coastal views. The area is also home to Cala Formentor beach, which regularly features in the top five most beautiful beaches in Mallorca in many rankings.
The centre of the area is the resort of Port de Pollença, where you’ll find most of the hotels and holiday apartments. It is one of the more expensive resorts, with prices starting from 103 eur per night for two people.
Santa Ponsa
A tranquil oasis amongst the bustling resorts on the south-west coast is Santa Ponsa, with its beautiful beach shaded by pine trees and its ever-relaxed atmosphere. It is also easily accessible from Palma and the airport, which is its greatest competitive advantage over the more distant eastern resorts.
Quiet little resorts
If you prefer divine tranquillity and the stunning scenery of small coves with turquoise, crystal-clear waters, then the south-eastern and eastern coasts of Mallorca are the places for you.
Cala d’Or, Cala Figuera, Cala Santanyí
The south-eastern part of Mallorca is dotted with beautiful little beaches in coves with crystal-clear water, excellent conditions for snorkelling and picturesque rocky surroundings. Mostly luxury, high-end resorts have sprung up around the best-known coves, amongst which the towns of Cala d’Or and Cala Figuera stand out, near which you’ll find the Mondrago Nature Reserveand Cala Santanyí, where you can visit the famous beaches of Cala Llombards and Es Calo des Moro.
Hotels in these resorts are expensive, and prices rarely fall below 124 eur per night for two people.
- Accommodation and hotels in Cala d’Or
- Accommodation and hotels in Cala Santanyí
- Accommodation and hotels in Cala Figuera
Cala Rajada
This small resort at the easternmost point of the island attracts visitors with its comprehensive facilities and two coastlines on either side of the peninsula on which it lies. The local cove, Cala Gat, is one of the best known in Mallorca and often features in travel agencies’ brochures.
Towns
Even lovers of city life and history will find plenty to enjoy in Mallorca. The most popular places to stay are as follows:
Palma de Mallorca
The island’s largest city and its centrepiece is the ideal base if you want to set off daily on trips around Mallorca in various directions and won’t be hiring a car. It is from Palma that most buses and trains depart for destinations across the island. What’s more, Palma itself certainly has enough to offer for a weekend break in its own right. You’ll find mainly smaller hotels here, but there are also larger and more expensive resorts along the beach.
Sóller
The popular historic town of Sóller, with the small seaside resort of Port de Sóller – linked by a historic tram – attracts travellers not only with the beauty of its historic centre, but above all by the breathtaking scenery of the north-western coast, dominated by the cliffs of the Tramuntana mountains and magnificent hiking trails.
However, Sóller’s popularity is also reflected in accommodation prices, which are among the highest in Mallorca. Standard hotels here start at 124 eur per night for two people.
Accommodation prices in Mallorca
Mallorca is certainly one of the more expensive Mediterranean destinations, but on the other hand, it is significantly cheaper than neighbouring islands such as Ibiza or Menorca. You’ll find all categories of accommodation here, from luxury 5* all-inclusive resorts to student guesthouses with shared rooms (mainly in Palma).
Prices naturally vary depending on the type of accommodation chosen. They are at their highest from mid-June to mid-September; during the rest of the year, prices can drop by as much as 50%, and some hotels in the resorts close completely for the winter.
View current prices and hotel availability
Take a look at the approximate prices per night in a double room during the peak season, broken down by category:
- 3* hotel without meals: from 74 eur to 124 eur
- 3* hotel with breakfast: from 91 eur to 145 eur
- 4* all-inclusive hotel: from 145 eur
- 5* all-inclusive hotel: from 248 eur
- Apartments and Airbnb: from 50 eur to 83 eur
- Guesthouse with shared room: from 37 eur
You’ll find significantly lower prices in the island’s interior – up to 20% cheaper than accommodation on the coast. If you’d rather explore the island than go swimming and you’ve hired a car, then staying in the centre of the island is a good way to save money.
A tourist tax is payable in Mallorca; this is not usually included in the price of accommodation and must be paid separately at reception. The amount of the tourist tax depends on the hotel category, but is generally a few euros per week.
How and where to book accommodation in Mallorca
If you’re travelling to Mallorca independently in the summer, we recommend searching for and booking your accommodation as early as possible. The ideal time is around3–4 months before your trip, but you can book even earlier. The thing is, during the summer season, rooms in mid-range and budget hotels sell out quickly, and if you book at the last minute, you’ll be left with only expensive hotels or accommodation in unattractive locations.
When booking accommodation in Mallorca, the popular websitebooking.com is still your best bet, as it features the vast majority of available options. If an accommodation is listed on booking.com, you usually won’t find it cheaper anywhere else.
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