Decision guide · Type of holiday
Mallorca without the Ballermann
Party tourism is concentrated on a few kilometres of coast. The rest of the island is a different trip altogether.
The cultural landscape of the Tramuntana has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011.
In brief
Where is Mallorca beautiful away from the Ballermann?
Party tourism is almost entirely confined to the Playa de Palma and Magaluf. If you want to avoid it, you will find a completely different island in the Serra de Tramuntana, in the south-east around Santanyí, in the south around Colònia de Sant Jordi and in the mountain villages of Sóller and Valldemossa – with hiking trails, markets, harbour towns and quiet coves.
Where the alternatives are
- Quiet regions
- Tramuntana, centre of the island, south, east
- Quiet coastal resorts
- Port de Sóller, Port d'Andratx, Colònia de Sant Jordi
- Culture & villages
- Valldemossa, Santanyí, Deià, Pollença
- Families without the hustle
- Port de Pollença, Alcúdia old town, western part of Peguera
- Without a hire car
- Port de Sóller and Palma can be done entirely without a car
- Party zones
- Playa de Palma and Magaluf – clearly defined areas
Which Mallorca resorts are particularly suitable without a party focus?
Six places with a beach or harbour, restaurants and an evening scene without a party focus.
More alternatives without a party focus
Also without a party focus – each with its own character.
Quiet regions as a base
Quiet coastal resorts
Every resort has a full profile with information on beaches, getting around and food.
Beach holidays without a party focus
What makes this kind of holiday
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Nature & hiking
The Tramuntana is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Waymarked trails start from Sóller, Deià and Valldemossa and can also be walked in spring and autumn.
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Culture instead of entertainment programmes
The cathedral, museums and galleries in Palma, plus monasteries and village festivals inland – see our Art & Culture section.
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Food as a reason to travel
Mallorcan cuisine, wineries and weekly markets replace the buffet. Our food section brings together restaurants by place and occasion.
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Couples & peace
Small hotels, fincas and aparthotels in Santanyí, Deià or Port d'Andratx are designed for relaxation rather than entertainment.
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Families without the hustle
Port de Pollença and Alcúdia old town offer a beach and facilities without stage shows in the evening.
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Without a hire car
Port de Sóller, Palma and Port de Pollença work with train, tram and bus – details on our Mallorca without a hire car page.
So where exactly is party tourism?
To put it honestly: the classic party zones are the Playa de Palma, with the stretch around the balnearios, and Magaluf in the south-west. Both zones are clearly limited in area and easy to avoid.
If you want to know what actually happens there – or want to plan an evening there on purpose – you will find the background in the existing resort profile and in the Party & Nightlife section. For all the other places on this page, the topic simply plays no role.
Where on Mallorca is there no Ballermann?
The area known as the “Ballermann” is a limited stretch of the Playa de Palma. The north, south-east, south and the Tramuntana have nothing to do with this kind of holiday – there, coves, harbours, villages and hiking trails set the scene.
So if you want to avoid the party area, you don’t have to do without a beach or facilities.
Which Mallorca resorts are quiet but not boring?
If you want something going on in the evening without clubs setting the tone, places with a promenade and good restaurants are a good fit: Port de Sóller, Cala d’Or, Peguera and Port de Pollença.
Where are there restaurants and a promenade without a strong party focus?
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Port de Sóller
Promenade around the bay, restaurants at the harbour, the tram as a bonus.
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Port de Pollença
Long pine-lined promenade, quiet evening scene.
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Cala d’Or
Marina with restaurants, swimming coves within walking distance.
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Colònia de Sant Jordi
Small harbour, manageable choice of restaurants, lots of nature.
Which resorts are suitable for couples?
For a holiday for two without the party crowds, Port de Sóller, Port d’Andratx, Cala d’Or and Santanyí are particularly interesting – they combine atmosphere, restaurants and evening strolls.
Which resorts are suitable for families?
Alcúdia / Port d’Alcúdia, Peguera and Colònia de Sant Jordi combine a beach with family-friendly facilities and an evening scene that is not dominated by nightlife. The location of the hotel within the resort is also decisive.
Is Playa de Palma the same as the Ballermann?
No. Playa de Palma is a stretch of coast several kilometres long between Can Pastilla and s’Arenal with very different areas. The well-known party area is concentrated on certain stretches; other parts are characterised by family hotels, the promenade and classic beach holidays.
When booking, what matters is therefore less the name of the resort than the specific stretch and the location of the hotel – the difference between the two ends of the bay is considerable.
Is Cala Ratjada a party resort?
Cala Ratjada is livelier than many other resorts in the north-east and popular with younger guests. But the resort is not just about nightlife: the harbour, coves, hiking trails and restaurants shape the day. Here too, the location of your accommodation largely decides how quiet your evening will be.
Where is Mallorca particularly quiet?
If peace and quiet is the most important criterion and not just “no partying”, it is worth taking a closer look at Colònia de Sant Jordi, Port de Pollença, Valldemossa and Sóller. If you want a quiet holiday resort with restaurants and facilities within walking distance, our comparison of quiet holiday resorts will help; if you want maximum peace and remote regions, see our dedicated page on peace and quiet.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is the Ballermann on Mallorca?
The term refers to the area around Balnearios 5 and 6 on the Playa de Palma between Can Pastilla and s'Arenal. It covers a few kilometres of coast on the eastern side of the Bay of Palma.
Which resort on Mallorca is quiet and yet easy to reach?
Port de Sóller can be reached without a car by train and tram and still stays quiet. Port de Pollença and Colònia de Sant Jordi also combine accessibility with a relaxed feel.
Is Peguera a party resort?
Peguera is a classic holiday resort with a long promenade and three beaches. There are bars, but no party zone in the style of Magaluf – the resort is considered quiet to family-oriented.
Is Playa de Palma party everywhere?
No. Playa de Palma stretches for several kilometres from Can Pastilla to s’Arenal. The well-known party area is only one section; other areas are characterised by family hotels and the promenade. The location of the hotel matters more than the name of the resort.
Is Cala d’Or a party resort?
No. Cala d’Or is a Mediterranean holiday resort with a marina and several swimming coves. There are restaurants and bars, but the resort is not geared towards club nights.
Is Alcúdia quiet?
Alcúdia has very different areas: the old town and outlying areas are quiet, while the central beachfront of Port d’Alcúdia is lively in high season.
Which resorts are suitable for couples who don’t want to party?
Port de Sóller, Port d’Andratx, Cala d’Or and Santanyí offer atmosphere, good restaurants and evening strolls without nightlife taking centre stage.
Next steps
- Where is Mallorca quietest? If maximum peace is the main criterion
- Quiet holiday resorts Quiet holiday resort with restaurants and facilities
- Which region suits me? All six regions by type of holiday
- Quiet, upmarket hotels Small hotels and fincas instead of large resorts
- Mallorca without a hire car Resorts with reliable bus connections
- Food & drink Restaurants by place, occasion and cuisine