Decision guide · Family
Excursions on Mallorca with children
Which excursions really work with children – sorted by nature, city, rainy day, beach, train and caves.
Short distances and a destination by the water work better with children than long circular tours.
In brief
Which excursions are worthwhile on Mallorca with children?
With children, what works best on Mallorca are short excursions with a clear goal: the caves near Porto Cristo, a ride on the historic train to Sóller, a morning in Palma’s old town and shallow family beaches in the Bay of Alcúdia. When it rains, museums and caves are the reliable solution. As a rule of thumb, plan one bigger excursion per week of your holiday and stay near the beach the rest of the time.
Excursions with children – key facts
- Rule of thumb
- One bigger excursion per week, otherwise stay near the beach
- Best time of day
- Set off in the morning, spend the midday heat in the shade
- Rainy day
- Caves and museums – both weatherproof
- Without a hire car
- Palma, the train to Sóller, beach promenades
- Travel time
- With small children, 45–60 minutes each way at most
- Costs
- Caves and train charge admission; beaches and old town are free
Nature and coast
Short distances, a destination by the water and shade along the way – that’s how nature excursions work with children.
Nature excursions with children succeed when the route itself is the experience: a coastal path with a view of the bay, a walk through pine forest to the beach, a short loop through a wetland with observation hides. Long mountain hikes in the Serra de Tramuntana, on the other hand, are more for families with older children.
The s'Albufera nature park near Alcúdia is flat, well signposted and can also be explored on children’s bikes; birdwatching does take patience, though. The coastal path in the Mondragó nature park links two swimming coves and takes about ten minutes to walk – the combination of a short walk and a swim almost always works with children.
Palma with children
A morning in the city is enough – then back to the water.
Palma works best with children as a half-day trip: the cathedral from outside or inside, a stroll through the old-town lanes, a stop at the market hall and an ice cream on the Passeig del Born. The Parc de la Mar below the cathedral offers space to run around, and in spring and autumn also shade.
If you come by car, park in one of the car parks on the Paseo Marítimo or under Plaça Major – the old town itself is largely car-free. Buses run from the north and east directly to the Estació Intermodal bus station.
Rainy days
It rarely rains for long on Mallorca – but when it does, it pours.
For rainy days there are three reliable categories: caves, museums and market halls. All three are weatherproof and easy to do with children. Hikes in the Tramuntana are off when there is heavy rain, because the dry stream beds fill up very quickly.
Indoor pools and indoor play facilities are mainly found in Palma and in the larger hotel resorts; in the countryside, the choice is thin.
Beach days
The most important excursion is still the beach – what matters is getting into the water.
For children, what counts is gently shelving water, fine sand and shade behind the beach. Coves with steps and rocks look better but are hard work with toddlers.
The train to Sóller
For many children, the excursion of the week: wooden carriages, tunnels and a tram.
The historic train from Palma to Sóller takes just over an hour through the Serra de Tramuntana, with tunnels and a scenic stop. In Sóller, the old tram continues to the port – the combination of train, tram and swimming cove fills a whole day without a car.
The train is a tourist attraction and priced accordingly; if you just want to get to Sóller, the regular bus is cheaper. Tickets and timetables change seasonally and are booked directly with the operator.
Caves
The classic excursion in the heat and in the rain.
The caves near Porto Cristo are the best-known excursion in the east of the island. Guided tours last around an hour, there are lots of steps, and it is noticeably cooler inside the cave than outside – a light jacket is a good idea. Pushchairs are not possible, but baby carriers for toddlers are.
Time slots are limited and book up early in summer; tickets are booked directly with the operator. We neither sell tickets nor arrange tours.
What we deliberately don’t link to here
We only list theme and water parks, zoos and boat trips as a category until we have our own checked page on them. Better a note in the text than a link that explains nothing.
Planning with small children
Journeys of more than an hour each way take their toll. If you are staying in the north, plan excursions in the north; from Alcúdia, the east coast takes a whole day.
Frequently asked questions
Which excursion is most worthwhile with small children?
The ride on the historic train to Sóller followed by the tram to the port: short stages, lots to see and a swim at the end.
What can you do on Mallorca with children when it rains?
The caves near Porto Cristo, museums and market halls in Palma, and the indoor facilities of the larger hotels. Mountain hikes are off in heavy rain.
Are the caves suitable for toddlers?
To a limited extent. There are lots of steps, pushchairs are not possible and it is cool. With a baby carrier and a light jacket, it works from toddler age.
How many excursions should you plan in a week?
With children, one bigger excursion per week plus one or two half-days is enough. The rest of the time belongs to the beach and the immediate surroundings of your resort.
Can you do all this without a hire car?
Partly. Palma, the train to Sóller and the beaches in your own resort work by bus and train. For caves, nature parks and remote coves, a car is practically essential.
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