- Holiday ideas
Beach scene© InfoMallorca.net
Girls playing on a beach © InfoMallorca.net
Marineworld© InfoMallorca.net
Family cycling © InfoMallorca.net
City bus tour of Palma© InfoMallorca.net
Sollér Train© InfoMallorca.net Served by frequent flights, and with dozens of safe sandy beaches plus amazing scenery, Mallorca can be a terrific destination for family holidays with children of all ages. Most visitors confine themselves to rowdy Malaguf, leaving the rest of the island to the more discerning traveller.
The largest of the four Balearics, Mallorca is small in size (taking less than 2 hours to drive across) but big on charm and beauty, with plenty of family-friendly modern hotels and resorts, many with separate children’s pools and entertainment programs to keep little ones amused. And as just about everywhere else in Spain, the locals are extremely friendly to children.
| Flying Time | 2.25 hours |
|---|---|
| Carbon Footprint | 1.2 tonnes CO2 |
| Timezone | GMT +1 |
| Local Currency | Euro |
Make the beaches your first port of call, from Es Trenc in the south to Formentor in the north. If you’re averse to getting wet, glass-bottomed boats will take you out for a closer look at what’s lurking beneath the waves. There’s plenty to do by, on or above the beach, including sailing, paragliding, water-skiing, body-surfing and good old-fashioned sailing. The Bay of Palma hosts many prestigious regattas, including the Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofía and the Copa del Rey, which make for a great family day out.
At Puerto Pollensa (one of our favourite beaches), while away the hours watching sandcastle-building take on epic proportions as the pros come down to the sands and practise their art. Incredible castles as tall as a man, with drawbridge and turrets, crocodiles, and half-submerged cars all appear and disappear within a matter of days, or sometimes hours. It’s great fun to watch and may also get your kids' competitive streak going.
Head away from the high-rises and the beaches to explore Palma, Mallorca’s vibrant and beautiful capital with its largely pedestrianised winding lanes and alleyways. From Palma you can ride the rickety old Sóller Train to Sóller itself.
Take a trip to Rancho Grande in Son Serra – a working ranch where children (and adults) of all abilities can get in the saddle or in a wagon that follows the trek behind at an easy pace.
Book a hot-air balloon flight from a launch site near Manacor – a great way to see the island.
Enjoy some of the shows designed for tourists. Pirates offers jaw-dropping, gravity-defying gymnastic feats in a magical setting.
Head for one of the many waterparks: Western Water Park and Aqualand are two of the best. If you’re not squeamish about dolphin shows, head to Marineworld.
Browse at a market – those are Santa Maria and Pollensa are great.
Sit in a square until late into the night watching the world and the people go by – go on, it’s a holiday, and the Spanish are used to bringing their kids out late to eat with them.
See also our Insiders' Guide to Mallorca.
Sadly, it's quite hard to find Spanish food in or near any of the resorts – what you will find is an array of British food (fish and chips, steaks, pies, and so on) along with German food and a smattering of other cuisines. Hence, feeding your children on family holidays here shouldn’t be any more of a problem than it is at home as they'll recognise everything that turns up on their plate.
If you do manage to hunt down an authentic Spanish restaurant, the food will tend to consist of rice, vegetables, seafood and tapas.
By Rachelle Keyes
Mallorca can be very busy in August, so try to schedule family holidays for just outside of the high season, when everything will still be open but the crowds will be halved. The chance of decent weather between May and October is high, with the sea warmer in September and October than in May and June.
There are several flights a day from most UK airports to Palma de Mallorca: low-cost, charters and direct scheduled flights by British Airways and others. Flights from London take 2hrs.
Although packages usually include transfers to and from your accommodation, we recommend hiring a car so you can explore other beaches and mountains and visit Palma.
One-week family holidays for four in Mallorca start at less than £1,000, depending on season, flights and accommodation.
Hotels, apartments and villas suitable for family holidays are in abundance on Mallorca, from intimate to bustling, from budget to luxury, with settings by the beach or in the mountains. For villas, check out our partners Meon Villas and James Villas.
All-inclusive family holiday resort on Mallorca, with kids clubs, splash park, football academy and evening entertainment.
With Majorca’s longest beach on the doorstep and Alcudia just a bus ride away, the Continental Park makes a great holiday base.
In a great location for family holidays in Mallorca, with kitchenettes in each room and supermarkets within a short walk.
With a jam-packed entertainment programme and a fantastic pool scene, this place goes all out to impress when it comes to family getaways.
In a beachside spot just along the coast from Magaluf, the Hotel Tropico Playa is peaceful without being isolated.
Dotted with palm trees and two freeform pools, it’s got a bit of a paradise-like feel.
A great choice for families who want to be in the heart of the action.
The Haiti is a fun, lively family hotel with friendly staff who know how to help families have a great holiday.
With its beachfront setting and the action of Ca’n Picafort nearby, this hotel is a great choice for a family holiday.
Boasting no less than four pools, a lazy river and tons of kids’ activities, it’s a big player in the family fun stakes in Mallorca.
Perfect for families wanting plenty for the kids with its First Choice Kids' Club, it's also great for adults wanting a laid-back holiday.
With a beachside setting and a buzzing entertainment scene, this place is a big hit with families.
Free, unlimited entry to a waterpark on your doorstep.
With a huge pool and plenty of entertainment, the Delfin Azul is well set up for an action-packed family holiday.
Centrally located in Magaluf, the Fiesta Sahara is in a great position with the beach and main shopping areas close by.
Largest, most central of Sa Coma resort, comfort and activities for ALL the family.
This hotel is perfect for families with young or older children.
With round the clock entertainment and friendly staff, you’ll be sure to have the family holiday of a lifetime.
A family-oriented resort in Mallorca with kids clubs, pool and activities for parents; with plenty going on day and night.
A child-focused aparthotel with entertainment and kids clubs just a short walk from the beach.
Close to the Mallorca beach this hotel adds a touch of luxury to your holiday.
This large hotel just a few steps from sandy beaches is a haven for a family holiday.
A modern hotel complex with a seafront spot and a special focus on activities for younger family members.
Near to the town of Pollensa, Ca’n Durai is secluded and quiet making your family holiday or break nice and relaxing.
A small, well-run and friendly resort that has it all for families.
A relaxing spot in Mallorca for family holidays and breaks with all ages, with excellent kids club and pools.
Quiet location and spacious gardens a great place for families to escape.
Full of family-friendly activities with a beach on the doorstep and walking distance to the near-by town in Mallorca.
Great food and excellent service at an all-inclusive resort in Mallorca that aims to impress families.
Spacious and modern villa close to the beach in Mallorca, sleeping 8 people, with private pool and BBQ kitchen.
Luxurious villa in Mallorca, mixing contemporary and antique, sleeping 6 people and with an outdoor pool.
Located in the north of Mallorca, this villa sleeps 4 people and is a short walk from the resort centre and not far from a beach.
4 star family holiday resort next to the marvellous Cala Mesquida beach.
A luxury villa on Mallorca sleeping 6 people with a private pool and just a short drive to the beach.
Loctaed in Mallorca and within walking distance to the main resort centre, this family villa with a private pool sleeps 8 people.
Large complex made up of 4 blocks with lots of activities for the family and close to the beach.
A popular complex close to the beach, with lots of activities for the whole family, plus splash park for the children.
Set in a residential area, the apartments are comfortable and the complex has much to offer the family.
Well-equipped apartments with a great location close to the beach.
Sandy beaches, blue sea and beautiful villages make Mallorca a perfect escape for families and couples alike.
A modern & minimalistic resort that is on one of the best beaches in Mallorca.
Set by a lake only 900m from Alcudia Beach, a self-contained complex with many facilities for the family.
A five star hotel with mature gardens and two 18 - hole golf courses nearby.
An escorted holiday for single parent families who want a fun-filled holiday in the company of similar families in Mallorca, with prices including flights, transfers and all-inclusive hotel.
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