If you are looking for a family vacation mecca in the middle of the Med, look no farther than Mallorca. We would go every single year if we could. With stunning scenery, a dramatic coastline, secret coves and shallow, clear water, Mallorca is the perfect family vacation, particularly if you have young children. And, we're going to give you 10 places to go on Mallorca with kids - extra special spots and things that you absolutely don't want to miss.
Family vacation on Mallorca, aka paradise!
The best piece of advice I can give you about Mallorca? Well, actually two pieces of advice.
A. Take your time. Don't go for a long weekend. Stay for a week, or two. Give yourself time to explore this kid-friendly European island gem. You will be completely relaxed by the end of your long stay. You surely won't want to go back to where you came from. I might have cried . . . a little . . . when we had to leave.
B. Rent a car. There is A LOT of exploring to do in Mallorca, and you can cover most of it if you have the time (see point A) and a car. Mallorca is about exploring. I cannot stress this enough. How else are you going to find that perfect beach for kids to build sandcastles, collect shells, and swim while you sit back and enjoy tapas? Seriously. Get a car (and make sure when renting that you have a European driver's license with you).
And when you have heeded my advice and booked two weeks on Mallorca with a rental car, here are the things you absolutely must do:
Port Pollensa Beach - one of our favorites on the island of Mallorca!
10 Places To Go on Mallorca With Kids
1. Make a beeline for Port de Pollensa Beach
Undoubtedly our favorite beach on Mallorca (and a favorite among families with young children). Port de Pollensa delivers a stunning mountainous coastline with the perfect width and length of white sand for kids. The water is calm and shallow. It is classy without being pretentious. A playground and several open-air eateries sit right on the beach. Across the street, the small town of Port de Pollensa offers a number of cafes and shops. Stay Restaurant, located over the water at the harbor, is a wonderful spot for afternoon tapas.
Sandcastles and Formentor . . . a great combination!
2. Make the drive to Playa de Formentor
Formentor. Oh, Formentor. The drive to Playa de Formentor alone will have you in awe of this spectacular island. Formentor is at the northeastern tip of the island and you have to drive above, along, and down the other side of the Tramuntana Mountains to get there. As the road winds, you will encounter enthusiastic road bikers, stubborn mountain goats, and stunning views. Stopping mid-way at the viewpoint (height of the range) and you will be rewarded with some breathtaking scenery. Hold on to little hands tight, though, as these cliffs are no joke.
Once you make it down to the beach, park in the designated pine-tree covered areas (should cost you around 15 euro). Playa de Formentor is long and narrow, and provides plenty of shade under the pine trees to set up camp for the day.
Rent a paddle boat for 15 euro from Hotel Formentor, one of Mallorca’s most luxurious hotels and the only accommodations on this stretch of beach, and take in the dramatic mountainous coastline from the bay. The whole experience is truly spectacular.
3. Go off the beaten path: Cala Molins
Cala Molins is the most stunning beach I have ever visited in my life. Tucked into the Tramuntana Mountains, Cala Molins is surrounded by impressive rocky cliffs. It is a great beach for swimming and snorkeling. Older children can rent kayaks to explore the cliffs. Or, they can jump from the rocks to the crystal-clear water below. If you go exactly one place on Mallorca, go to this spot.
4. Visit Soller
Soller . . . the cutest little town with a massive amount of personality there ever was. If there was a place in which I wish we had spent more time on Mallorca, it was Soller.
The drive to Soller is unlike any other because you drive through the Tramuntana mountain range via tunnel to immediately find the picturesque town of Soller. The kids will be fascinated by the drive alone. The town is vibrant and cobble-stoned; where age-old Spanish architecture meets a bohemian hipster vibe (tip: finding parking in Soller will not be the easiest part of your day). You'll find some of the island's best ice cream, art galleries (that feature Picasso and Muro), vegetarian cafes, rooftop bistros, and unique boutiques in Soller. A wooden tram - in operation since 1913 -takes you from the town right down to the beaches in Port Soller; a fun adventure for the kids, no doubt.
Splashing in the beautiful waters of Port Soller
5. Don't miss the bay of Port Soller
The bay of Port Soller has a Cannes-esque feel to it. An obscene number of private luxury yachts anchor in the pristine blue-green water. Two beaches side-by-side along the bay allow kids to run, swim, and play. You can easily rent bright red double-decker paddle boats with slides, as we did below (we surely know how to class up a joint). Port Soller has a number of restaurants, cafes, and seaside shops with everything you need.
With older kids, you might want to hire a boat in the bay to visit the unspoiled beaches of Cala Tuent and Sa Calobra, which lie up the coast.
Exploring the ancient walls of Old Town Alcudia - a great non-beach day activity!
6. Walk the ancient walls of Old Town Alcudia
Okay, let's take a break from the beach for a minute. When your gang needs a respite from the sun, sand, and sea, find your way to Old Town Alcudia. Alcudia is a small city surrounded by magnificent restored city walls. Inside the walls you will find a maze of narrow streets, wonderful restaurants, boutiques, and gelaterias. Walking around the town is an experience in itself; but walking up on the walls (which is permitted and planned for) is just as cool. On one side, you see the inside of the lively town from above; on the other, you will see the countryside and sea, as well as remains of Roman houses, an amphitheater, and a bullfighting ring.
Double scoops are the way to go in Pollensa!
7. Relax in Pollensa
This old town, surrounded by mountains, is all charm. Wander through it's narrow streets, enter its ancient churches, window-shop in its inviting boutiques, and take in the liveliness of its beautiful main square . Pollensa is my favorite town in Mallorca. It is relaxed and beautiful. It's natural surroundings are stunning. And you are only 5 miles from some of the island's best beaches.
Taking in the view over tea and cake at the Hotel Llenaire
8. Have a gin and tonic and enjoy the view at Hotel Llenaire
Guests return to this boutique hotel, located on 370 acres of countryside - and only 1.5 miles from Port Pollensa Beach - year after year because of its fantastic location, beautiful views, and its personable owner and manager, Alex, who is easygoing and perpetually kind (the world needs more Alexs'). The extensive grounds of the hotel include sheep, donkeys, chickens and pigs; almond, fig, lemon, orange and olive trees; and a vegetable garden. But you came for view - and the gin and tonic, obviously. And the kids - they came for the tea and cake. So sit on the patio, which is located on a hill with a beautiful view across the countryside to the Mediterranean, have a chat with Alex, and enjoy your drink - and the surrounds!
9. Rent bikes and ride along the coast or among the groves
One thing I very quickly learned is that Mallorca is a triathalete's paradise. This place was set up for swimming, biking, and running. Many professional cycling teams train here. You see fit bikers EVERYWHERE. I'm not going to lie, it's a bit intimidating . . . but at the same time, it's also motivating. You can find bike rental shops in every town. Take advantage of the weather, good road conditions, and great rental gear, and rent yourself a cruiser - or if you are crazy like me - a road bike - and treat yourself to a bike tour of this beautiful island. You won't regret it.
Spending the day on lengthy and calm Playa Muro
10. Lounge on Playa Muro
Just go back to the beach already! Playa de Muro is a wide 6-kilometer swath of fine golden sand with shallow water on Mallorca’s east coast. My husband and I also felt right at home, as there is a solid showing of mom and dad bods on this beach — evidence that this is, indeed, a family spot. Kids can frolic far into the sea before it becomes deep, so Muro is a good option for families with young children. All kinds of water sports are offered here, including water-skiing, jet skiing, scuba diving and paragliding. There is also an option to take a ride on a glass-bottom boat.
If you are planning a trip to Mallorca, visit our Mallorca itinerary to find recommendations on the best beaches, country houses, and more.
Do you have family-friendly activities on Mallorca to recommend? Or beaches that you absolutely adored? If so, share below. We love hearing new ideas!
