Playa de Palma: Palma’s Vibrant Beachfront Playground

5 min readJun 10, 2023

Playa de Palma: Where Urban Energy Meets Seaside Serenity

Playa de Palma, aptly named after the city itself, is a lively 6km-long resort that stretches from Can Pastilla, just south of Palma’s city centre, to S’Arenal further southeast. Experience the vibrant café culture, leisurely promenades, and stunning beach views, all starting from the shadow of Palma’s iconic cathedral.

Diving into Playa de Palma

As the name suggests, this is Palma’s very own beach — its centre being a mere 10km away from the city’s cultural hub, but its eastern edge within a leisurely stroll from La Seu, Palma’s majestic cathedral. Given its proximity to the airport, it’s a magnet for tourists with a plethora of bars, clubs, restaurants, and hotels scattered along the 6km stretch, making it one of Mallorca’s largest holiday resorts.

This also means it’s incredibly well-organised: there are lifeguards stationed all along the beach, plenty of free-to-use bathrooms, and numerous spots to rent a lounger or a parasol.

Playa de Palma is also an excellent base for the rest of your holiday: easy access to the city centre via public transport, proximity to the airport’s car hire services, and a wealth of nearby attractions make it a top choice for those seeking a more active or lively holiday.

Retail Therapy in Playa de Palma

Playa de Palma is home to FAN, Mallorca’s premier shopping centre, which boasts a number of high-street shops such as H & M, Primark, and other brand stores, as well as a Carrefour for your grocery needs. Given that there are four urban centres (El Molinar, Coll D’en Rabassa, Can Pastilla and Las Meravelles) in the vicinity, you’ll also find plenty of smaller shops for any immediate needs.

Related: Shopping in Palma

Major Attractions Near Playa de Palma

Being a tourist hub means there are plenty of attractions in Playa de Palma. Chief among these is Palma Aquarium, just south of Can Pastilla. This is not a tranquil beach, rather buzzing with activity and people all throughout the day and even more so at night.

If waves and the sun are what you’re looking for, you should probably check out the 4.5 km stretch of golden sand that starts in Can Pastilla and ends in S’Arenal. There’s also Cala Estancia, a quieter 200m-wide beach with Blue Flag rating and fully accessible for people with disabilities, and Ciudad Jardín connecting El Molinar with Coll D’en Rabassa.

Things to do Near Playa de Palma

Playa de Palma is not for quiet holidays — it’s for a younger crowd who wants to go out at night and just relax or have fun during the day. Having said that, there’s plenty to do along the beach, though be aware the place is very popular with tourists (mainly Germans) and the activities are not always family-friendly. Expect lots of loud music, clubs and bars: not exactly a quiet retreat! For children, something like the Waterpark Aquapark in nearby S’Arenal might be a good option.

Playa de Palma is also a short bus ride away from the centre of Palma, where cultural activities abound. The majority of it is accessible to people with disabilities with the promenade coasting the beach often having access ramps. Further inland the street pavement can sometimes be a little tight, though there are generally access ramps to get on it.

Restaurants Near Playa de Palma

Thisentry could be a lengthy one if we listed every restaurant in Playa de Palma! Suffice to say, the choice is vast and caters to all tastes. For more upmarket restaurants by the sea in Palma, you’ll need to venture into the city.

Hotels Near Playa de Palma

From luxury hotels in Playa de Palma to more affordable options, there’s a wide range of accommodation choices here. Starting from the five-star impressive Hotel Llaut Palace at the higher end of luxury, you’ll certainly find plenty of choices here to suit all budgets and tastes.

Events Near Playa de Palma

There’s always something happening in Playa de Palma every night, and even if you’re not staying there, it’s quite easy to get to. There are at least four bus lines which run until late in the evening, connecting the centre of Palma, and parking is often quite easy to find on the street (though don’t expect to find designated parking areas).

Living in Playa de Palma

Playa de Palma is primarily a tourist resort. In the winter months, it loses much of its charm as bars and shops remain closed or reduce their opening hours. There are houses to be found here, but at the moment this is not considered the “hip” part of town. Nearby, Portixol, sandwiched between Playa de Palma and Palma, is considered to be one of the best addresses on the island and indeed the price per square meter reflects its popularity particularly with Scandinavian buyers.

Nearby Playa de Palma

Playa de Palma could easily be a self-sufficient community for party-goers, but it’s actually worth exploring some other places too. Nearby Portixol is one of the trendiest places in town and takes you even closer to the cultural centre of Palma, a mere 15-minute bus ride away. There are many fun things to do and see in Palma, as well as shopping, rooftop bars for drinks, and some cool beach clubs in the city.

With a hire car and easy access to the highway, you can explore pretty much the whole island. Head southeast to find the Cuevas del Drach or explore Porto Cristo, or north to see the UNESCO-protected Sierra de Tramuntana.

We hope you have found this article about Playa de Palma useful and that you have many memorable stays in Mallorca as a result of our recommendations. We are always pleased to hear from you, so do send us your feedback here. Enjoy Mallorca!