The Best Beaches in Mallorca: An Honest Guide

This is the postcard shot everyone wants, with pine trees literally growing into the sand and mountains rising behind you. The water is that impossible turquoise color that looks fake in photos. Parking costs EUR 6 and fills up by 9:30 AM in summer, so set your alarm. The beach bar is overpriced (EUR 8 for a basic sandwich) but the location is worth it. Sandy bottom, great for kids, but watch out for the occasional jellyfish in August. No snorkeling to speak of, but the swimming is excellent. Gets absolutely mobbed July through September, but lovely in May and October.

Not the fishing village, but the tiny cove on the Formentor peninsula that requires a 15-minute walk down a rocky path. No facilities, no parking fees because there's nowhere to charge you, just a small pebble beach surrounded by pine trees. The water is crystal clear and perfect for snorkeling around the rocks on either side. Bring water shoes, the entry is all stones. This place stays relatively empty even in August because most tourists can't be bothered to walk. Pack everything you need, including shade.

Seven kilometers of fine white sand and shallow water that stays warm all summer. This is where Spanish families come for beach holidays, which tells you everything you need to know about the water quality and facilities. Parking is free if you walk 10 minutes, or EUR 4-8 closer to the action. Dozens of beach bars, rental shops, and playgrounds. The water is shallow for about 50 meters out, perfect for small children. Gets very busy in July and August but never feels overcrowded because it's so long. Skip the tourist restaurants right on the beach, walk back to the town for better food.

The best beach on the east coast, hands down. Fine white sand backed by dunes and pine forest, with surprisingly good facilities including clean bathrooms and a decent beach bar. Parking costs EUR 5 and you need to arrive before 10 AM in summer or you'll be walking 20 minutes from overflow lots. The water is clean and clear, perfect for swimming. Good snorkeling around the rocky areas at both ends. Gets packed with German tourists in summer but the beach is big enough to handle it. The walk down from the parking area takes about 5 minutes through pine forest.

The holy grail of Mallorca beaches, and also the biggest pain to reach. You park on a dirt road (free, if you can find space) and walk 20 minutes through scrubland. No facilities, no beach bar, no umbrellas for rent. Just white sand, turquoise water, and limestone cliffs. The snorkeling is incredible, especially around the rocks on the right side. Bring everything: water, food, shade, snorkel gear. The locals keep this place relatively quiet, but it's gotten more popular since Instagram discovered it. Best in shoulder season when the water is still warm but the crowds have thinned.

Two connected coves in a natural park, which means the development is controlled and the water stays clean. Fine white sand, clear blue water, and enough facilities to keep you comfortable without ruining the natural feel. Parking costs EUR 4 and the lot fills up early in summer. Good snorkeling around the rocky separations between the two coves. The beach bar serves decent food at reasonable prices (EUR 12 for a proper lunch). Very family-friendly, with calm water and gradual depth. Can get busy but never feels chaotic.

A tiny white sand beach squeezed between dramatic limestone cliffs, with water so clear you can see fish swimming from the cliff tops. The beach itself is only about 30 meters wide, so it feels full with 50 people. Parking is EUR 3 in a small lot that fills by 10 AM. No facilities except a small chiringuito that serves cold drinks. The swimming is excellent, and there's decent snorkeling around the rocks, but bring water shoes for the entry. Gets overwhelmed in peak season, but magical in May, September, and October.

This isn't really a beach, it's a narrow inlet with a tiny strip of pebbles and rocks, but the water is an impossible shade of blue and the swimming is incredible. No facilities, no parking fees because there's no official parking, just space for a few cars on the roadside. You'll share this spot with cliff jumpers and Instagram photographers. Bring water shoes, the bottom is all rocks and sea grass. The snorkeling is good if you don't mind swimming over rocks. Not suitable for children or anyone who needs actual sand to lie on.

The most photographed beach in Mallorca, which should tell you everything about how crowded it gets. A small white sand cove with turquoise water surrounded by pine-covered cliffs. You park on a dirt road (free) and walk down a steep path for 10 minutes. No facilities, so bring water and snacks. The beach is tiny, maybe 40 meters long, so 30 people make it feel packed. Beautiful for photos, decent for swimming, but there are better beaches with half the crowds. Go early or late in the day, or skip it entirely if you don't need the Instagram shot.

Three kilometers of white sand and turquoise water with no hotels or high-rise buildings in sight. This is what Mallorca beaches looked like 50 years ago. Parking costs EUR 6-8 depending on which lot you use, and you'll walk 5-15 minutes to the beach. The sand is fine and white, the water is clean and clear, and there's enough space that it never feels truly crowded even in August. Several beach bars serve decent food at reasonable prices. Good for families, naturists (on the eastern section), and anyone who wants a proper beach day without the resort atmosphere.

A narrow cove cutting deep into the coastline, surrounded by pine trees and limestone cliffs. The beach is small but the setting is dramatic. Parking costs EUR 4 and the lot is tiny, so arrive early. The water is calm and clear, perfect for swimming and decent for snorkeling around the rocks. There's a small beach bar, but bring your own food if you want anything substantial. The walk down to the beach takes about 8 minutes on a paved path. Gets busy but the narrow access keeps the crowds manageable.

Pebble beach with a mountain backdrop that looks like a movie set. The beach itself is small and rocky, but the setting is incredible and there's a good beach bar that serves fresh fish (EUR 18-24 for grilled sea bream). Parking is EUR 5 if you can find a spot, otherwise you're walking 15 minutes from the village. Bring water shoes, the entry is all stones and the bottom stays rocky. The snorkeling is surprisingly good around the rocky areas. This place gets packed with day-trippers who come for the scenery, but the difficult access keeps numbers manageable.

A wide bay with imported sand (the original beach was all pebbles) and calm water protected by the mountains. The beach is nothing special, but the setting with the tramvia running along the waterfront and the Belle Époque hotels is lovely. Free parking if you arrive early, otherwise EUR 2-4 per hour in town. Lots of facilities, beach bars, and restaurants. The water is usually calm and good for swimming, though not particularly clear. Very family-friendly, with playgrounds and easy access. Better for the atmosphere than the actual beach experience.

Two kilometers of sand packed with British tourists, chain hotels, and overpriced beach clubs. The water is clean enough and the facilities are good, but this is spring break for 40-year-olds. Parking costs EUR 8-12, drinks are EUR 6 for a beer, and the atmosphere is pure package holiday chaos. If this is what you want, fine, but don't pretend you're experiencing Mallorca.

Too close to Palma, too developed, and the water quality suffers from boat traffic and urban runoff. The beach is fine, the facilities are adequate, but there's nothing here you can't get better somewhere else. The only reason to come is convenience if you're staying in Palma, but even then, take the bus to Illetas instead.

Three connected sandy bays that are perfectly serviceable and completely forgettable. Clean water, good facilities, reasonable prices, and absolutely no character. This is the beach equivalent of a chain restaurant. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing right with it either. You're in Mallorca, do better.

A small development beach near the airport that locals use for quick evening swims. Sandy bottom, clean water, small beach bar run by the same family for 30 years. Parking is free and there's almost always space. The planes fly overhead every few minutes, which either ruins it or makes it entertaining, depending on your perspective. Good for families, never crowded, completely unpretentious.

Tiny pebble cove near Colònia de Sant Jordi that requires a 10-minute walk through salt flats. No facilities, no crowds, just clear water and the sound of waves. The bottom is rocky but the snorkeling is excellent. Bring everything you need, including shade. This is where locals go when they want to escape the tourists, including the tourists at Es Trenc 15 minutes away.

Small sandy cove surrounded by rocks and pine trees, popular with Spanish families from the mainland. The beach is tiny but the water is clean and calm. Small beach bar serves decent bocadillos for EUR 4-5. Parking costs EUR 3 and fills up by 11 AM in summer. Good snorkeling around the rocks on both sides. The kind of place where kids play football in the sand while parents drink cerveza in the shade.