Being surrounded by the beautiful turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, it may come as no surprise that there are some spectacular beaches to be found on Mallorca. The great thing is that there is a beach for every taste: long stretches of white sand and shallow waters ideal for families with small children; Small coves with difficult access ideal for the adventurous and those looking to escape from the crowds; pebbly beaches set to a backdrop of towering cliffs, rocky beaches where there is no danger of sand getting into your sandwiches, beaches with bars and restaurants, beaches a few steps from the town centre and completely virgin beaches surrounded by pine trees and countryside. Below you will find information about some of the best beaches on the island, although there are many more that you can discover for yourselves.

Cala de Deia
Cala Deia is probably one of the most picturesque beaches on the island and often appears on postcards and guidebooks. Its pebble beach with beautiful clear water is relatively small and can get very crowded in the summer months. Amongst the traditional fishing huts there is a beach bar sitting on the rocks looking out to sea, but apart from that it is a completely unspoilt area and looks as if it has not been touched in centuries. Access is via a long winding road and a short walk from the car park.

Puerto Soller
The beach at Puerto Soller is a good spot for families, young or old. The warm, sheltered bay is good for swimming and the beach itself is sandy and wide – a rarity on the north coast. Numerous restaurants, bars and shops lining the promenade offer alternative entertainment for those not wanting to spend the whole day sunbathing. Access and parking is easy or if you prefer you can get the tram down from the town.

Torrent de Pareis
This beach on the north coast of Mallorca is one of the most spectacular beaches along this coastline, especially on a calm day. The name comes from the ‘Torrent’ which streams down a gorge from the mountains, opening up into the beach at sea level. The beach is nestled between two vast rock walls on either side and consists of pebbles and stones. The water is crystalline and deep and on stormy days will inundate the beach, crashing up through the gorge. Access is reasonably difficult: first a long winding road of 14-kilometres down to Port de Sa Calobra, then a walk through a tunnel to reach the beach. There are no amenities on the beach but bars and restaurants are to be found by the car park.

Formentor
The natural environment surrounding the beach of Formentor is one of the reasons not to miss out on this beach. The water is a beautiful turquoise colour and the beach itself is boarded by pine trees. In the centre of the bay is a small island which attracts many aspiring swimmers. On the beach the services are complete: sunbeds, umbrellas, bar and showers. There is also a popular windsurfing school which draws people from all over the island. The other popular attraction is the hotel of Formentor which is probably one of the most famous on the island.

Pollença
Pollença, until recently didn’t actually have a beach but now you can find a very nice beach of around 1 kilometre long with fine sand and shallow water running alongside the pine lined promenade. The beach has umbrellas, first aid, sun beds, and water sports. There are a few bars and restaurants, but mainly it is a quiet beach all year round.

Bahia de Alcudia
The beaches along the bay of Alcudia are amongst some of Mallorca’s best long stretches of sandy beach and shallow waters. Stretching along the coastline for kilometers, it is boarded by bars and restaurants at the Alcudia end and then by private residences and hotels along the rest until you get to the more populated areas of Playa de Muro and ‘Can Pastilla It has easy access and there are plenty of places to park. Most of the beach is watched over by lifeguards and there are lots of sunbeds and water sport attractions.

Cala Torta, Estreta, Mitjana
If you are looking to escape from it all and enjoy one of Mallorca’s more remote, untouched beaches, then one of these three beaches near to Arta are a good place to start. The scenery is spectacular as the back drop to the beaches is the impressive rugged mountain ranges of the Llevant. The drive to get there is reasonably long and passes through this mountain range: a far cry away from the tourists resorts of other areas. These are some of the most natural beaches on the island although if you do need some sort of civilization there´s a small beach bar on Cala Torta.

Calas de Mallorca
The coastline between Porto Cristo and Porto Colom is riddled with caves and coves many of which are only accessible by boat. The beaches are generally sandy although there are a couple of pebbly beaches along this stretch and the water is always clean and crystalline. They vary between small virgin coves that require a good half an hours’ walk to get to them, to good sized beaches surrounded by hotels and apartments with all of the facilities of a busy beach. Cala Anguila, Cala Mandia, Cala Murada and Cala Domingos are examples of this latter type, while Cala Barques and Cala Magraner are more remote unspoilt beaches.

Cala D’or
There are three very pretty beaches in Cala D’or : Cala D’Or, Cala Gran and Cala Esmerelda. The beach at Cala Gran is the largest in the town, but at 40m wide and 100m long it is not exactly large. Near here is Cala d´Or itself, from which the resort takes its name. This is a pine fringed cove with a small but crowded beach. Sun loungers, parasols and pedaloes can be hired at all three of these beaches. Nearby there are also the beaches of Cala Ferrer which are similar in style being small and sandy with beautiful water and low rise buildings set amongst pine trees.

Cala Mondrago
Cala Mondrago, near Santanyi is an area of great natural beauty which because of its ‘natural park’ status has been untouched by the developers. There are two coves with beautiful fine white sands and crystal clear waters backed by pine trees and sand dunes. On the larger of the two beaches there is a small bar for refreshments and on both you will find sunbeds, lifeguards and water sport facilities. There is even access for the handicapped although the car park is a good walk away.

Es Trenc
Es Trenc is probably the most famous beach in Mallorca and is consequently one of the most popular, especially amongst locals. Surprisingly, considering this, the area has been untouched by the developers and it remains one of the longest stretches of near virgin beaches on the island measuring 3.5 kilometres. Having said that, there are services at various points along the beach (restaurants, bars and first aid points) making it a great place for families. The sand is fine and white and the water is shallow until a long way out. Access is via either Colonia San Jordi, or Ses Covetes.

El Arenal
One of Mallorca’s finest beaches is to be found in the busy resort of El Arenal. With fantastic views across the bay of Palma to the Tramuntana mountains behind, it is a very nice place to pass the day and is perfect for people of all ages. The sand is very fine and the water is warm and shallow. There are numerous watersports available and needless to say, umbrellas, sunbeds and lifeguards along the whole stretch. A long promenade lines the beach and continues all along the coast to Palma offering a great place for a stroll.

Peguera
There are three very good sandy beaches in Peguera: Palmira beach is an excellent sandy spot which is 500m long and 40m wide. Behind the beach is a paved promenade, which is lined with palm trees, apartment blocks, bars and restaurants. Peguera Torà beach is a vast sandy beach of nearly 200m long and 65m wide and is also backed by a promenade with bars and restaurants. Peguera Romana beach, also known as Platja dels Morts (The Beach of the Dead) after the remains of prehistoric burial sites found near here, is slightly smaller and is lined by pine trees. All of the beaches have the full array of facilities and amenities and access is very easy.

Palmanova and Magalluf
The beaches at Plamanova and Magalluf are both sandy and long with water sport facilities, sunbeds, lifeguards and first aid posts. Both beaches are lined by promenades and there are plenty of bars and restaurants to suit all taste and needs. Access is very easy in both instances and free municipal car parks are within easy walking distance.

Illetas
There are three small beaches in Illetas, all with beautiful clean sand and clear water. They are a popular destination for the locals in the summer months, especially those from Palma who can hop on a bus which takes them to the very foot of the beach. On Illetas Playa, the main beach, there are restaurants and bars as well as a massage parlour and a dive centre. On Playa Comtesa there is only a small snack bar while on Cala Xinxell there is private bar and restaurant reserved for the military. All three beaches have sunbeds and umbrellas for hire. Access is very easy and parking is available nearby.

Portals Vells
Portals Vells has three very good beaches: Sa Caleta de Portals Vells, Sa Platgeta and el Mago. All three have fine sand and turquoise water, excellent for snorkeling. On the largest of the three beaches there is a restaurant offering food and drink. El Mago is a well know nudist beach but the other two are ideal for families. Curiously the name ‘El Mago’, meaning the magician gained its name from the film The Magician shot here in 1967 starring Anthony Quinn, Michael Caine and Candice Bergen. The remains of some of the buildings used for the filming are about 100 m to the left of the beach. Also of interest, are the caves found to the right of the beaches which have carvings cut into them made by 15th century sailors who were caught in a storm and managed to get to the safety of the small cove. They left a statue of the virgin there in recognition of the ‘miracle’ which nowadays is located in the Oratory of Portals Nous.

Camp De Mar
The beach at Camp de Mar is set in a natural bay surrounded by high cliffs. The beach itself is wide and sandy with easy access. There are sunbeds, umbrellas and pedaloes for hire and a life guard is always on watch. Numerous restaurants and bars surround the area and there is even one on an island in the middle of the sea. The water is transparent and not especially deep making it a good place for children. Access is very easy and there is plenty of parking.

Sant Elm
At the western tip of the island is the small picturesque village of Sant Elm where the beach is sandy and the water fantastically clear. It is a very good spot for those interested in snorkeling but is also a good place for beach lovers of all ages as the water is reasonably shallow and the beach has a first aid point. Access is very easy, it being right next to the village and there are numerous very good restaurants and bars in the vicinity. Boat trips to the island of La Dragonera are also available.

Eastlake Mallorca Properties

Posted on  31/10/2007

Category: Why to buy a property near the beaches of Mallorca