Majorca packs a lot into one island: a stylish capital, long family-friendly bays, mountain villages and quiet coves. Where you stay shapes the whole holiday, so it pays to pick the right area.
This guide explains the best areas to stay in Majorca for families, couples, nightlife, city breaks and walking holidays, with hotel picks and links to compare prices in each area.
We may earn a commission if you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It helps keep Compare My Travel free to use.
The best areas to stay in Majorca at a glance
| If you want… | Stay in | Why | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Families | Alcúdia | Shallow, sheltered bay and lots of family hotels | See hotels |
| Couples | Port de Pollença | Calm bay, seafront Pine Walk and good restaurants | See hotels |
| Luxury & boutique | Deià | Tiny mountain village with boutique hotels | See hotels |
| Nightlife | Magaluf | The island's liveliest bars and clubs | See hotels |
| A city break | Palma | Cathedral, old town, shopping and restaurants | See hotels |
| Mountains and walking | Port de Sóller | Bay ringed by the Tramuntana mountains | See hotels |
| Quiet beach and nature | Playa de Muro | Long beach beside the S'Albufera nature reserve | See hotels |
| Coves and a marina | Cala d'Or | Pretty coves and a marina in the south-east | See hotels |
| Golf and family beaches | Santa Ponsa | Sandy bay with golf courses nearby | See hotels |
Which part of Majorca?
The north, around Alcúdia, Playa de Muro and Port de Pollença, has the island's longest, shallowest sandy bays and is a favourite with families. The west is dominated by the Tramuntana mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with Port de Sóller, Deià and Valldemossa. The southwest, around Palma, Palmanova, Magaluf and Santa Ponsa, is closest to the airport and the busiest, while the east coast has quieter coves around Cala d'Or and long family beaches at Cala Millor and Sa Coma.
Where to stay in north Majorca
Alcúdia
A long, shallow bay of soft sand that's ideal for young children, backed by family hotels, with a medieval walled old town a short walk inland.
Compare prices
Playa de Muro
The quieter continuation of Alcúdia Bay, with beachfront hotels, pine-backed dunes and the S'Albufera wetland nature reserve next door.
Compare prices
Port de Pollença
A calm, sheltered bay with a seafront Pine Walk, good restaurants and boat trips to the Formentor peninsula.
Compare pricesWhere to stay in west Majorca and the mountains
Port de Sóller
A horseshoe bay ringed by the Tramuntana mountains, linked to Sóller town by a vintage tram and to Palma by a historic wooden train.
Compare prices
Deià
A tiny hillside village of honey-coloured stone houses, long loved by artists and writers, with a handful of boutique and luxury hotels and a rocky cove below.
Compare prices
Valldemossa
A pretty mountain village famous for its monastery, where Chopin spent the winter of 1838 to 1839. A peaceful base among cobbled streets and walking trails.
Compare pricesWhere to stay in Palma and the southwest
Palma
Majorca's capital, with the Gothic cathedral La Seu, a maze-like old town, the Santa Catalina food market and a lively marina. Great at any time of year, and only around 15 minutes from the airport.
Compare prices
Palmanova
A family-friendly resort with sheltered sandy beaches and a seafront promenade, with Katmandu Park and Western Water Park close by in Magaluf.
Compare prices
Magaluf
Majorca's party resort, with the Punta Ballena strip of bars and clubs, a long sandy beach and plenty of budget hotels.
Compare prices
Santa Ponsa
A sandy bay with a relaxed, family feel, a good choice of restaurants and golf courses close by.
Compare pricesWhere to stay in east and south-east Majorca
Cala d'Or
A low-rise resort on the south-east coast, built around several small sandy coves and a smart marina.
Compare prices
Cala Millor
A long sweep of golden sand on the east coast with a lively promenade, plenty of family hotels and calm, clear water.
Compare prices
Sa Coma
A purpose-built family resort with a sandy beach, a palm-lined promenade and easy access to the Caves of Drach at Porto Cristo.
Compare pricesHotels in Majorca worth a look
Zafiro Palace Palmanova
An award-winning family resort with splash pools, kids' clubs and spacious suites, close to Palmanova beach.
Check pricesProtur Sa Coma Playa Hotel & Spa
A four-star hotel set in large gardens a short walk from Sa Coma beach, with an outdoor pool, tennis courts and a large spa with jacuzzis and saunas.
Check pricesIberostar Waves Alcudia Park
Close to the sands of Alcúdia Bay, with kids' clubs and splash zones. Especially good for younger children.
Check pricesBlau Porto Petro Beach Resort & Spa
A quieter setting with sea views, family suites and dedicated children's facilities.
See hotelsGlobales Santa Ponsa Park
A short walk from Santa Ponsa beach, with a large outdoor pool, tennis courts and an entertainment team running daytime activities and evening shows.
Check pricesLa Residencia, A Belmond Hotel
A luxury hotel set in historic manor houses in the mountain village of Deià, surrounded by olive groves and the Tramuntana mountains.
Check pricesMajorca holiday packages
Booking your flight and hotel together can work out cheaper, especially in the school holidays, and flight-inclusive package holidays from UK travel companies are ATOL protected.
Arriving in Majorca and getting around
Flights from the UK to Palma de Mallorca airport (PMI) take around two to two and a half hours. The airport is about 15 minutes from Palma, around half an hour from Palmanova and Magaluf, and roughly 45 minutes to an hour from Alcúdia, Port de Pollença and Port de Sóller.
Palma has good buses, but a hire car is the easiest way to reach hidden coves and mountain villages such as Valldemossa and Deià. For a nostalgic day out, take the vintage wooden train from Palma to Sóller.
Car hire in Majorca
When to visit Majorca
May, June and September are the sweet spot, with temperatures of roughly 22 to 26°C and a warm sea. July and August regularly top 30°C and are the busiest months, while many coastal resorts quieten down from November to February, though Palma stays lively all year. For a season-by-season guide, see Family Holidays in Majorca.
Things to do in Majorca
- Caves of Drach: a boat across an underground lake, with a live classical concert.
- Catamaran cruise: sail Palma's coastline with time to swim and snorkel.
- Palma Cathedral: skip the queues at La Seu, the island's great Gothic cathedral.
- Valldemossa and Sóller tour: mountain villages and a ride on the historic tram.
- Palma hop-on hop-off bus: the capital's sights at your own pace.
- Dolphin watching: a boat trip to spot dolphins off the coast.
Travel insurance for Majorca
Book your cover as soon as you've paid for your trip, so you're protected if you need to cancel. Majorca is part of Spain, so take your GHIC too, but it isn't a substitute for travel insurance.
Majorca FAQs
Which is the best area to stay in Majorca?
Where should families stay in Majorca?
Is it better to stay in Palma or a beach resort?
How far is the airport from the main resorts?
When is the best time to visit Majorca?
Ready to find your Majorca hotel?
Compare hotels, apartments and resorts across the whole island on Booking.com.
Search all Majorca hotels
