Decision guide · Region

Which part of Mallorca suits me?

Mallorca is decided – the region isn't. This page takes you from your holiday wishes to the right coast and a specific place.

In short

Where in Mallorca should I go on holiday?

Families with small children are best off in the north around the Bay of Alcúdia, couples and cove lovers in the east and south-east, those seeking peace in the Serra de Tramuntana or the centre of the island, culture and city fans in Palma and the south-west. If you are travelling without a hire car, you are best off in Palma, Port de Sóller or Port de Pollença.

Quick guide by type of holiday

Family: North: Alcúdia, Playa de Muro, Can Picafort
Couples: East & south-east: Cala d'Or, Santanyí, Porto Cristo
Peace: Tramuntana, centre of the island, Colònia de Sant Jordi
Nightlife: Palma, Playa de Palma, Magaluf
Nature & hiking: Serra de Tramuntana, Sóller, Valldemossa
Without a hire car: Palma, Port de Sóller, Port de Pollença

The six regions at a glance

Each region has its own overview with places, beaches and how to get there.

Region	Character	Suits	Transfer from PMI	Hire car
North	Wide sandy bays, shallow water	Families, water sports	approx. 55–70 min	helpful, not essential
East	Rocky coves, caves, small harbours	Couples, cove hopping	approx. 60–80 min	recommended
South	Natural beaches, salt pans, shallow	Beach holidays, peace	approx. 40–60 min	recommended
South-west	Marinas, hotel chains, close to Palma	Couples, luxury, nightlife	approx. 25–45 min	optional
Tramuntana	Mountains, terraces, mountain villages	Hiking, nature, culture	approx. 40–75 min	recommended
Centre of the island	Fincas, markets, country towns	Peace, food	approx. 30–50 min	essential

Journey times are rounded guide values from Palma airport based on map routing, without high-season traffic jams.

Region by holiday wish

Choose the point that applies most to your trip.

Beach wish Beach & shallow water Kilometres of sandy beaches with gentle entry into the water: the Bay of Alcúdia in the north. Read more → Beach wish Small coves to discover Turquoise calas among pine trees, ideal for snorkelling and cove hopping. Read more → Peace Peace & nature Mountain villages, olive groves and hiking trails instead of huge hotel blocks. Read more → Nightlife Nightlife & city Palma and the south-west combine going out, shopping and proximity to the beach. Read more → Beach holiday Natural beaches & salt pans Es Trenc, Colònia de Sant Jordi and the flat south coast. Read more → Peace · Food Finca & country life Weekly markets, wineries and country towns in Es Pla. Read more →

Suitable places, not just regions

Short profile and direct link – the full place texts are on the place pages.

City · without a hire car Palma Old town, culture, bus network and city beach – works all year round. Read more → Family Alcúdia Historic town centre plus a shallow bay with a long sandy beach. Read more → Couples · Coves Cala d'Or Whitewashed resort with several small coves. Read more → Without a hire car Port de Sóller Round bay with a tram, train to Palma and the Tramuntana behind. Read more → Peace · Culture Santanyí Sandstone town with a market, galleries and coves within reach. Read more → Peace · Beach Colònia de Sant Jordi Small harbour town at the gateway to Es Trenc and the salt pans. Read more →

Special cases that decide the region

Travelling without a hire car

Then it is not the scenery that decides, but the bus connections. Palma, Port de Sóller, Port de Pollença and Alcúdia work on foot and by scheduled bus.
Small budget

The highest density of beds, and therefore the cheapest package prices, are on the Playa de Palma, in Can Picafort and in the south-west. The off-season lowers the price more than any change of place.
Luxury & peace together

Deià, Port d'Andratx and the fincas in the centre of the island offer upmarket hotels without mass tourism – but you usually need a car.
Culture & museums

Palma brings together its cathedral, museums and galleries; Valldemossa and Pollença add to the programme on a smaller scale.

Frequently asked questions

Which region of Mallorca is best for a first visit?

For a first Mallorca holiday, the most suitable areas are the north around Alcúdia or the south-west near Palma. Both offer a beach, infrastructure and short distances to excursion destinations, without you having to drive a long way every day.

Which part of Mallorca is the quietest?

The quietest are the centre of the island, the mountain villages of the Serra de Tramuntana and small coastal places such as Colònia de Sant Jordi or Port d'Andratx outside the high season.

Where in Mallorca is it nicest with children?

The Bay of Alcúdia with Playa de Muro and Can Picafort is considered the most family-friendly stretch: very shallow water, wide sandy beaches and short distances between hotel and beach.

Do I need a hire car in every region?

No. In Palma, Port de Sóller, Port de Pollença and Alcúdia you can manage by bus, train and on foot. In the centre of the island and in many cove resorts in the east, on the other hand, a car is practically essential.

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