Best areas to stay in Majorca

Palma is a city with a long history, as the Gothic cathedral towering above the city walls indicates as you approach from the airport. It’s smart and urbane, with designer boutiques, smart restaurants and chic art galleries hidden in narrow alleys. Come sundown, it’s a lively city that stays awake long into the night too.

The old quarter surrounding the cathedral, known as ‘Centre Historic’ as indicated on direction signs, sits atop a small hill overlooking the bay in Palma. Its narrow, atmospheric streets are a labyrinth of pleasant surprises, featuring some of the best things to do in Palma. This area is often considered the best neighbourhood to stay in while visiting Majorca, offering easy access to a variety of charming experiences and attractions that define the essence of the city.

To the east of the centre is the Platja de Palma, a long line of excellent sandy beaches. To the west is the seaside promenade of modern Palma, where luxury hotels look out over a forest of masts in the yacht harbour. Crowning the wooded slopes above the city, where the Spanish royal family have a summer home, are the stone towers of the Bellver Castle.

When tourism hit Majorca, the Bay of Palma, with two magnificent sweeps of white sand almost 30km (18 miles) long, was irresistible, and the resorts that mushroomed along here in the 1960s and 1970s gave the island a name for cheap and cheerful holidays. Palma Nova makes a perfect stay to explore the area.

To the west of the bay, find Camp de Mar, where the coast road winds through forest to Port d’Andratx. After a detour to Sant Elm, at the island’s southwestern tip, there is a beautiful winding coast road to the village of Banyalbufar.

Then head inland via the La Granja estate and Reserva Park (La Reserva Puig de Galatzó), after which you can complete the circle back to Palma, or carry on up the picturesque west coast.

The West Coast of Majorca, known for its dramatic and beautiful scenery, is an ideal spot for hiking in Majorca. With its stunning sea views and rugged landscape, it offers a variety of trails suitable for all levels of hikers seeking to explore the natural beauty of the island.

It’s hard to pick a highlight as there are so many, from Valldemossa, where George Sand and Frédéric Chopin once stayed, to the lovely hilltop village of Deià, once home to poet Robert Graves, the cliff-top mansion of the Habsburg Archduke Ludwig, and the agreeable town of Sóller.

Passing through groves of olives and almonds, your first stop in the area will be at Valldemossa. As you approach, the incline becomes steeper and the village and monastery suddenly appears, like something out of a fairy tale. In this area of the island, we highly recommend a stay in Puerto de Sóller (or Port de Sóller in catalan), you'll get plenty of options for a nice dinner out and easy access to one of the most beautiful bays in the island.

The north of Majorca is a region of great variety. It encompasses the rugged Cap de Formentor, the sandy coves of Sant Vicenç, two attractive towns - Pollença and Alcúdia - the resort of Port de Pollença and the huge Port d’Alcúdia, lined with resorts and facilities.

Parallel to the bay is a complete contrast in the wetlands of the Parc Natural de S’Albufera. There are plenty of comfortable hotels in the area. Our top pick would be Port de Pollença, it's a bit more quiet than the neihbouring resort area but closer to the mountains, adding an extra beauty to your stay.

The bays and beaches along the east coast of Majorca, though slightly overdeveloped and crowded, still offer some delightful spots that make them some of the best areas to stay in Majorca. The resorts here are more appealing and less excessive than those around the Bay of Palma. Harbours such as Porto Colom and Cala Figuera stand out for their charm, and they are near some of the most picturesque beaches in Majorca, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and local culture.

In addition to the coastal allure, the northeast corner of Majorca boasts two fortified towns, Artà and Capdepera, adding historical depth to your visit. The region is also home to several amazing caves and significant Bronze Age sites like Ses Païsses (near Artà) and Capocorp Vell, near the south coast. This combination of beautiful beaches, historical towns, and ancient sites provides a comprehensive and enriching experience of Majorca's diverse attractions.