The district of Playa de Palma, or Platja de Palma in Mallorcan, is one of the five areas into which the municipality of Palma, the capital of Mallorca, is divided. This district, in turn, is made up of several neighbourhoods, including Can Pastilla, Las Maravillas and El Arenal (which also depends on the municipality of Llucmajor for its management), all of which form one of the main tourist destinations on the island and in Europe.
Platja de Palma is located just 7 kilometres from the centre of Palma and 4 kilometres from Son Sant Joan Airport. It has a beautiful beach almost 5 kilometres long and a long promenade lined with restaurants, shops and entertainment venues.
Although it is not one of our favourite places to stay in Mallorca, as it is a heavily exploited, noisy and hectic area, it is certainly a very good choice for a holiday if you are looking for cheap prices, nightlife, fun and beach… and for all these reasons we understand that it is one of the favourite destinations for young people, especially Germans, who are looking for the liveliest Mallorca.
Do you want to know more? Read on or click on the section you are interested in reading in the table of contents! In this guide we give you all the information you need to know if you want to stay in Playa de Palma or El Arenal.
History of Playa de Palma and El Arenal
Even though I’m not much for talking about the history of places in our posts (I’ve just given you a trick so you’ll know who hides behind each of our texts!), I believe that it is worth considering this section, as it is important to know thatPlaya de Palma and El Arenal are the areas that gave birth to the history of modern-day Mallorca.
During the 1960s and 1970s a real urban revolution took place due to the deliberate policy to promote tourism, initiated by General Franco. Buildings were constructed all along the coastline in the most important areas, the latter being the most affected by the process known as balearisation.
Fortunately, since the transition, and increasingly so, social networks started to become more relevant, and awareness of the value of tourism and the conservation of the island began to grow, which continues to this day and which we want to promote at Yo soy Mallorca.
The weather in Playa de Palma and El Arenal
Playa de PalmaHow to get to Playa de Palma and El Arenal
Do you want to locate Playa de Palma and El Arenal, and the rest of the places on the island?
🎁 Download for free the map of Mallorca that we have created for the readers of the website. You will be able to carry it on your mobile phone and use it at any time to organise and enjoy your holiday on the island.
There are several ways to get to Playa de Palma and El Arenal, but before deciding on a means of transport you must be clear about the type of trip to Mallorca you want to make. If your intention is to stay in these beach areas and not moving around the island, it is easiest to use public transport or private transfer services to get to your accommodation.
If you want to stay in El Arenal or Playa de Palma, but with the intention of getting around and seeing the sights of Mallorca, then it is best to hire a car at Palma Airport.
Both areas are popular tourist resorts and are served by public transport to the airport and to the capital, Palma de Mallorca, but if you want to get away and get to know Mallorca in depth, we don’t think this is the best option, as although intercity transport connects the city with most of the towns, this is not the case with certain sights or with the beaches that are worth visiting.
Getting to Playa de Palma and El Arenal by public transport
As we were saying, if your idea is to get to Mallorca by plane, you should know that Palma Airport is located very close to the areas of Can Pastilla, Playa de Palma and El Arenal, so if you are planning to go to any of these places, you can easily do so using public transport.
You will find the bus stop in the “Arrivals” area, just outside the terminal. Take one of the blue buses, specifically the EMT line A2 towards S’Arenal, which costs €5.
You can find detailed information on how to get around Mallorca using the public transport network in these two articles:
🚌 Public transport in Mallorca: bus, metro and train in Mallorca: lines, timetables and fares.
🚕 Taxi service in Mallorca: taxi ranks, taxi companies’ telephone numbers and fares.
Private transfer to El Arenal
🚐 If you want to get to El Arenal from Palma Airport without any complications, you can also hire the services of a private transfer. Enter the dates you want to be picked up and get the cost of the service instantly.
What to do in Playa de Palma and in El Arenal
Playa de Palma is a tourist destination with a lot to offer for all types of public depending on the time of year.
For an older audience, the days outside the summer season are ideal, if you are looking for a relaxing holiday, or to enjoy beautiful beaches and coves.
On the other hand, if you feel like partying at night and having fun during the day, Playa de Palma will be an ideal place for you during the summer months.
Even so, if this is not a problem for you and you want to travel to the area during the summer season, you should know that in Playa de Palma you will find endless activities to do along the beach. This, together with the proximity to the capital and the airport, are the main reasons that attract many tourists throughout the year.
Take a dip in its 5 kilometres of beach
On the coast of Playa de Palma there is an immense sandy area of almost 5 kilometres that stretches from Can Pastilla to S’Arenal. It has fine white sand and clear, shallow and very safe waters, making it an ideal beach to enjoy with the family, even though it is quite crowded during the summer.
It has all kinds of services and activities both in and out of the water: sun loungers and parasols for hire, lifeguard service, toilets and changing rooms, litter bins, water sports companies, bars and beach bars.
Practice water sports
The areas of Playa de Palma and El Arenal are perfect for having a great time practising water sports and, for this reason, there is a wide range of leisure activities on offer at this level.
You will find many companies that will allow you to arrange sporting activities such as paddle surfing, water skiing, kite surfing, diving, kayaking or sailing on board a boat with or without a captain; but also purely entertainment activities such as aqua rocket sessions, banana boat or jet ski hire.
Cycling in El Arenal and Playa de Palma
Did you come to the island thinking about cycling in Mallorca? Take a look at our article where we tell you everything you need to know about this beautiful sport and learn the rules of cycling in Mallorca.
Are you considering renting a bicycle in Mallorca? Well, you can pick up your bike in Platja de Palma, otherwise they will take it to any part of the island you need. Have a good trip!
Travel insurance to Mallorca
Do you think you have everything ready to fully enjoy your trip? As you will have been able to read in the different articles, at Yo soy Mallorca we always recommend taking out a travel insurance policy in order to travel with the best guarantees, even for trips close to home.
You’ve probably already thought about buying your ferry or plane ticket and booking your hotel on the island, but have you thought about taking out a travel insurance to cover yourself for water sports and activities during your holiday?
The IATI travel insurance is specially designed for people who want to practise sports in the destination, covering the medical assistance, the cases of COVID19, road trips on four and two wheels and, of course, water activities such as kayaking, snorkelling and kitesurfing.
If you are coming with the idea of enjoying the fun that the beaches of Mallorca have to offer, don’t think twice and take out your IATI Escapadas insurance with a 5% discount for being a reader of Yo soy Mallorca.
Stroll along the promenade
The capital and El Arenal are linked by a promenade where the different hotel complexes are located. This promenade is very popular with people who simply want to stroll, but also with cyclists, skaters and skateboarders who take advantage of the bike lane, allowing them to enjoy their favourite sport in greater safety.
The promenade is an easy route from which to explore the coast or simply a place to see and be seen that is well worth a trip during your holiday.
Activities for the young (and old) at home
Are you traveling with children? The leisure activities on offer in Playa de Palma and El Arenal are endless, and this isn’t going to leave the kids out of the picture.
Palma Aquarium is located in the Can Pastilla area and stands out for having the largest shark tank in Europe, as well as 8,000 marine species. An experience that surprises and delights young and old alike!
Adrenaline junkies can also enjoy spending the day at Aqualand, the island’s largest water park, with slides, rapids and tubes up to 20 metres long. And for the little ones… Kidzworld will make sure they have a great time!
Go shopping and take home a souvenir
The areas of Playa de Palma and El Arenal de Llucmajor have many options for shopping. Along the promenade you’ll find plenty of clothing and souvenir shops. The FAN Mallorca shopping centre is just a few minutes’ drive away and has a wide variety of shops and restaurants.
There is also a street market held every Thursday in El Arenal; and between May and October, every day, there is the Les Meravelles night market where you will find crafts, souvenirs and local products. You can find all the information about markets and flea markets in Mallorca in this article.
Visit Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the island and of the archipelago
As we explained above, Playa de Palma is one of the five districts that form part of the capital, Palma. Getting to the city centre is easy by public transport or taxi, thanks to the proximity, so we suggest that you don’t miss the opportunity to get to know the city, especially the historic area, which is beautiful.
🆓 Do you have limited time to visit the capital of Mallorca? If so, you can book this free tour, one of the best free tours in Palma de Mallorca, and get to know the most important places in the old part of the city. We recommend you to book in advance, as there is no charge, and you may not be able to book in high season.
Enjoy the nightlife
All along the promenade, there are 15 beach bars serving snacks and drinks known as Balnearios. These are numbered from 1 to 15 and are used as a reference to be located in Playa de Palma, being Balneario 6, called Ballermann, one of the best known and the starting point for leisurely nights out. If you want to party, you’ll find a lot of noise and commotion in this area.
Restaurants in Playa de Palma and El Arenal
Whether you want to eat right on the beach without taking off your swimming suit or enjoy the cuisine of a more refined restaurant, in Playa de Palma you will be able to do so.
Along the beach you will find the 15 beach bars offering quick and easy food, as well as multiple restaurants serving everything from Italian, Chinese, Indian and hamburgers to local Mallorcan cuisine.
As is the case in most tourist areas, the price is often higher than usual and the quality is disappointing in some places.
Our favourite restaurants in Playa de Palma and El Arenal
As locals, we are going to recommend several restaurants where you can be sure to pay for quality:
- Restaurant La Payesita: if you are in the area of Playa de Palma and you want to try the delights of Mallorcan gastronomy, we recommend that you make a reservation at this restaurant located next to the Marine Club of Can Pastilla. The seafood paellas are delicious and, in general, everything on the menu is of good quality and at reasonable prices. A place frequented by Mallorcans when we are in this area.
- Restaurant Ca’n Torrat: in this ranch-style restaurant with patio and garden you can enjoy high quality charcoal-grilled meat. The facilities are huge and every day they serve many tables, which guarantees that the product is always fresh. A great place to go for dinner after a day at the beach.
- Il Colosseo Ristorante Pizzeria: a long-established Italian restaurant in Mallorca that has remained true to its quality. Their Neapolitan pizzas made in a wood-fired oven and their spaghetti frutti di mare are a delight and a sure bet if you are staying in Playa de Palma.
- Bon Vent Café & Bar: this place has a very special charm. Without being sublime, its surf and island décor, and its beachfront terrace with background music will make you spend a very pleasant time while you enjoy its delicious pa amb oli, llonguets, salads and some of its many cocktails. Be aware that they do not accept reservations.
Hotels in Playa de Palma and in El Arenal
In Playa de Palma and El Arenal you will find one of the largest hotel offers in Mallorca, with many different types of accommodation in a wide range of categories and prices, as well as being the closest hotels to Palma Airport.
Here is our selection of our favourite hotels, all of which can be booked on an all-inclusive basis, in case it makes it easier for you:
Map of hotels in Playa de Palma in Mallorca
Do you want to consider other options? On this map you can see all the hotels in Playa de Palma. If you already know when you want to visit this area, enter your dates and choose from aparthotels, all-inclusive hotels and other available accommodation.
If you move around the map and zoom in, you will also be able to see all the hotels in El Arenal and the hotels in Can Pastilla, in the same coastal area.
Booking.comAnd here is our guide of Playa de Palma and El Arenal. What do you think?, will you choose this area to stay in? Don’t hesitate to leave us a comment if you have any doubts or questions. We’ll do our best to clear them up for you!
