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Where to Stay in Mallorca: North, South, East, West & Palma
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Short answerThe best area to stay in Mallorca depends on your trip: Palma for city culture and nightlife, the north (Alcúdia, Port de Pollença) for families and calm beaches, the west (Sóller, Valldemossa) for mountain scenery and hiking, the east (Cala d'Or, Cala Millor) for quieter coves, and the south (Magaluf, Palma Nova) for nightlife and resorts. With a rental car, the island is small enough that you can base anywhere and explore: travellers report you can be pretty much anywhere in 90 minutes maximum.
Palma: Best for city breaks, food and nightlife
Palma is the capital and the island's transport hub, with the airport 8 km east of the city. Travellers report Palma is one of the best things about the island and definitely worth spending a day there. It has a fine Old Town centred on Palma Cathedral, plus Bellver Castle and Castell de Sant Carles. For nightlife, Club Tunnel is near Maritimo, with other nearby places including Tramontana, La forja, Atomic garden and Hard Rock Cafe.
Staying in Palma suits people who want walkable restaurants and shops without a car, and it's very safe. But it's also a cruise ship port and therefore very busy, and the city centre near the big Cathedral has limited traffic areas where entering without authorization can result in fines. If you stay in Palma and rent a car, use underground parking in the centre, which travellers report is easy and cheap at around 2 EURO per hour (confirm locally).
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North: Alcúdia, Port de Pollença and families
The north covers Alcúdia, Pollença and Port de Pollença. Alcúdia has a well-preserved walled old town and a long sandy beach strip, and is described as a relaxing place popular with young families and with pensioners. Alcúdia is recommended for a honeymoon stay by travellers. The beach at Alcúdia is a sandy bay 14 km long stretching to Can Picafort, with Platja de Muro midway. Nearby you have Cala Bóquer and Cala en Gossalba.
Port de Pollença is a common base for families with babies, prioritising walkability and avoiding long car drives. The east of the island is less resorty than Alcúdia, which is very much a family destination. If you want scenery, Cap de Formentor is a cliff around 230m above sea level, well worth a visit for the view of the drop. Buses from Palma include the TIB 302 to Alcúdia and the 301 to Pollença, both roughly hourly and taking about an hour (confirm locally).
Local tipDon't bother staying in two different places on Mallorca; with a car you can reach anywhere quickly, and the island isn't that big. Travellers report you can be pretty much anywhere in 90 minutes maximum.
West: Sóller, Valldemossa and the Tramuntana
The west is the Serra de Tramuntana, from Andratx to Pollença and Cap Formentor. Sóller is best known for its heritage train and tram, and travellers report staying in Sóller was amazing, with a full house in the mountains above the town used as a base to visit main towns including Palma. Sóller is a bit touristy but worth a visit. Port de Sóller is often recommended as a base for swimming, hiking and food, with hikes from Valldemossa to Cala Deia and the Barranc de Biniaraix. Beaches in the area include Cala Tuent and the jardí botànic is nearby.
Valldemossa is a village in the hills with the 14th-century Charterhouse, where Chopin and George Sand stayed. It's on the GR 221 long-distance hiking trail. Esporles has a nice hostel and some nice hiking. The small roads in the Tramuntana can be tricky because they are narrow, and travellers warn about being stuck behind cyclists or buses on windy roads. A car is recommended for exploring, but park at the edge of Sóller or Valldemossa and continue on foot, as central streets are narrow and traffic-restricted.
East: Cala d'Or, Cala Millor and quiet coves
The east coast includes Cala d'Or, Cala Millor and the area around Manacor. Travellers report Cala d'Or has wonderful coves, pine trees, and turquoise water, with a great mix of little bars and tapas restaurants with really nice beaches. Nearby beaches include S'Amarador, Ses Fonts de n'Alis, Cala Esmeralda, Cala Ferrera, Cala sa Nau, Caló de ses Dones and Caló D'es Pou Es Forti. Parc natural de Mondragó is wonderful. The east of the island is less resorty than Alcúdia.
Cala Millor is the main resort on the southeast coast. Inland, Manacor is a typical inland town and hosts the Nadal tennis academy. Attractions in the east include Coves d'Artà, Castell de Capdepera, Coves dels Hams and Drach (Dragon's) Cave. For a quieter base with public transport, travellers consider Cala d'Or as an option, though it's less connected than Palma. The TIB A42 bus goes from Palma to Cala Millor and Cala Bona (confirm locally).
What travellers report
Cala Varques is a beautiful little beach; get there early.
Having a rental car is recommended for exploring the island.
South: Magaluf, Palma Nova and beach resorts
The south covers the municipality of Calvià, including Magaluf, Palma Nova and Portals Nous, plus the long beach strip east of Palma past the airport to S'Arenal. Travellers report staying close to Palma, e.g., the city or Palma Nova, for beauty nearby. Magaluf is described as terrible but fascinating in an anthropological kind of way, and it's an option for a last year of college trip with friends. For a honeymoon, one traveller considered splitting between Magaluf (Meliá South Beach) and Port de Sóller (Bikini Island & Mountain Hotel) and planned to rent a car.
Beaches in the south include Platja de s'Arenal de Llucmajor, Platja de Santa Ponça, Caló d'en Pellicer, Platja del Toro, El Mago and Caló des Grells. The south is well connected to Palma by bus, and the TIB A11 goes west to Portals Nous, Palmanova, Magaluf, Santa Ponça and Peguera. If you stay here without a car, you'll rely on buses or taxis; travellers note buses accept regular credit or debit card, no cash needed.
Questions people ask
Do I need a car to explore Mallorca?
Having a rental car is recommended for exploring the island. Travellers report the island isn't that big; with a car you can be pretty much anywhere in 90 minutes maximum. However, if you stay in Palma or a resort with good bus links, you can manage without one.
Which area is best for a family trip?
The north, especially Alcúdia and Port de Pollença, is popular with young families. Alcúdia has a long sandy beach and a well-preserved old town, and is described as a relaxing place popular with young families and with pensioners.
Where should I stay for hiking in Mallorca?
The west, particularly Sóller, Valldemossa or Esporles, is ideal for hiking. Travellers report staying in Sóller was amazing, with hikes from Valldemossa to Cala Deia and the Barranc de Biniaraix. Use the free AllTrails app to find trails.
Is Palma a good base for a holiday?
Yes, Palma suits city breaks, food and nightlife, and is one of the best things about the island. It's very safe, but it's also a cruise ship port and therefore very busy. The city centre near the big Cathedral has limited traffic areas where entering without authorization can result in fines.
What is the best time to visit Mallorca?
A good time to visit is September, when the hottest days and peak of overcrowding are past, but the sea is warm and calm. Travellers suggest avoiding the congested summer period and considering quiet months such as November or February, though winters can be wet, windy and cold.
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