Published 5 February 2026. Last reviewed 21 February 2026
Playa de Palma, the Platja de Palma, is the vast golden strand that runs for roughly six kilometres along the bay just east of the city, from Can Pastilla to S'Arenal. The sand is wide and the water shelves so gently that it stays shallow and warm a long way out, which is why families and sun seekers have filled it for generations. A line of numbered beach bars called balnearios marks out the length, each one a landmark for meeting and a place for a drink.
This is a beach built for volume and convenience. A palm lined promenade runs the whole way with cafes, bike hire, sunbeds and watersports, and a bus from Palma drops you at the sand in around fifteen minutes. The middle stretch around balneario six is the famous party zone, loud and German leaning in summer, while the Can Pastilla and S'Arenal ends are calmer and more suited to families with children.
The honest caveat is that Playa de Palma is mass tourism at full volume, and anyone picturing a chic or quiet Mallorca should set expectations. It sits under the airport flight path, the party stretch can be rowdy, and the resort behind it is functional rather than pretty. The sand and the shallow water are genuinely excellent, so pick your end of the beach to match your mood.
Who it suits: families wanting shallow water and full facilities, value seekers and anyone who enjoys a lively social beach close to the city.
Who should skip it: travellers after a quiet, scenic or upmarket cove should head for the calas of the west and north instead.
Beach clubs near Playa de Palma
Playa de Palma is lined with numbered balneario beach bars rather than one signature daybed club, and the island's most famous beach clubs sit a short way along the coast toward Palma. For beach clubs across the island and to send an enquiry, use our Mallorca beach club directory.
Playa de Palma, Mallorca
Playa de Palma stretches along the bay just east of the city between Can Pastilla and S'Arenal, reached by bus or car in around fifteen minutes from central Palma and sitting right beside the airport. The promenade behind the sand has cafes, bike hire, sunbeds and watersports the whole way along. Pick the Can Pastilla or S'Arenal ends for a calmer family stretch.
- Take a bus or drive about fifteen minutes from central Palma to the sand.
- Choose the quieter Can Pastilla or S'Arenal ends for a calmer family day.
- The promenade has cafes, sunbeds, bike hire and watersports the whole way.
Photo: Peter Pan via GoogleBook a Beach Club
Tell us your dates and party size and we will match you to a club near Playa de Palma and pass on your enquiry.
Playa de Palma questions
Is Playa de Palma good for families?
Yes, at the right end. The water shelves very gently and stays shallow and warm, which suits children, and the promenade has every facility. Choose the Can Pastilla or S'Arenal ends rather than the lively party stretch in the middle.
Is Playa de Palma a party beach?
The middle section around balneario six is a well known party zone, loud and busy through summer. The beach is long enough, though, that the Can Pastilla and S'Arenal ends stay much calmer and more family minded.
Does Playa de Palma have beach clubs?
The beach itself is lined with numbered balneario bars rather than one signature club, and the island's most famous daybed clubs sit a short way along the coast toward Palma. Our Mallorca beach club directory covers them.
How do you get to Playa de Palma?
It runs along the bay just east of the city, reached by bus or car in around fifteen minutes from central Palma and right beside the airport. Frequent buses make it one of the easiest beaches on the island to reach without a car.
Is Playa de Palma worth visiting?
For the sand and the shallow water, yes, and it is hard to beat for convenience and value. Set expectations, though: this is mass tourism at full volume under the flight path, not the quiet scenic Mallorca of the western calas.