My first visit to Mallorca showed me something important I hadn’t known before. This Balearic island is, in reality, much larger than most visitors realize. After exploring every corner for nearly two months, I’ve gained valuable insights. This guide, as a result, breaks down the best areas to stay in Mallorca. You’ll learn how to maximize your experience without wasting time on unnecessary driving.
When choosing your accommodation locations, strategy matters enormously. The best areas to stay in Mallorca offer dramatically different landscapes across the island. From rugged mountains to pristine beaches, your choice of base, by all means, shapes your experience. I’ve tested numerous spots to discover ideal combinations of convenience and charm. These areas, at the same time, provide excellent access to key attractions.
Let’s explore the most strategic places to stay! These recommendations suit both short breaks and extended holidays. I consider factors like proximity to sights and local amenities. The overall atmosphere of each area also, without question, influences my choices. This approach has, over time, helped many visitors identify the best areas to stay in Mallorca without making costly location mistakes.
Best Areas to Stay in Mallorca: Quick Picks for First-Time Visitors
If time is limited but you still want to experience Mallorca’s diversity, split your stay. I recommend, specifically, dividing your time between two strategic locations. This approach, above all, gives access to spectacular sights without excessive travel time.
For exploring the northwest part of Mallorca, stay in either Deiá or Valldemossa. These charming mountain towns provide, no doubt, easy access to the Serra de Tramuntana. You’ll enjoy breathtaking landscapes while, at the same time, experiencing delightful village life. Deiá captivates with its artistic heritage and, equally important, stunning sea views. Its accommodations tend to be, naturally, pricier than those in Valldemossa.
On the eastern side, consider Santanyà or Ses Salines as your base. These locations put you, in effect, near Mallorca’s most spectacular beaches and calas. During my time in Ses Salines, I discovered it was an ideal base for seeing the east coast. It offers, beyond that, a more authentic experience than larger resort towns.
Travel tip: Renting a car is essential for exploring the best areas to stay in Mallorca. Public transport is, by comparison, limited on the island. Having your own vehicle gives, undoubtedly, freedom to discover hidden gems. Based on multiple trips, I’ve found Sixt and Europcar offer reliable service. Book in advance, on top of that, for the best rates.
Northwest Mallorca: Mountain Villages and Dramatic Coastlines
Deiá stands out as my top recommendation for the northwestern region. This picturesque mountain village has, throughout history, captured artists’ hearts for decades. Perched on a hillside with Mediterranean views, Deiá combines, in essence, rustic charm with sophisticated dining.
During my stay at Belmond La Residencia, I discovered why this property ranks among Mallorca’s finest. Its stunning gardens and, equally impressive, exceptional service justify the splurge. For moderate budgets, Es Moli offers, alternatively, similar views with less opulence. Hotel d’Es Puig provides, in contrast, comfortable accommodation at a more accessible price.
Valldemossa presents another excellent option just a short drive from Deiá. This historic village hosted, as the story goes, Chopin and George Sand during their Mallorcan sojourn. It exudes old-world charm with honey-coloured buildings and, what’s more, flower-filled streets. I found Hotel Valldemossa particularly charming with, needless to say, its countryside setting.
What makes these locations ideal is their proximity to key attractions. From either base, you can, without difficulty, reach Sa Calobra’s dramatic winding road. Port de Sóller’s beautiful horseshoe bay lies nearby. The Serra de Tramuntana has many paths for hiking that are ready for you to discover. After adventure-filled days, you’ll appreciate, without doubt, returning to peaceful villages. Quality restaurants await, in addition, within walking distance of your accommodation.
I recommend spending 2-4 nights in this region. Your stay length depends, logically, on your interest in hiking and mountain landscapes. The winding roads mean driving takes, in practice, longer than distances suggest. Factor this into, accordingly, your planning.
Southeast Mallorca: Beaches, Calas, and Coastal Charm
The eastern coastline of Mallorca boasts postcard-perfect beaches. Crystal-clear turquoise waters likely, in fact, inspired your trip. After extensive exploration, I’ve found Santanyà and Ses Salines offer, in particular, ideal bases for beach-hopping.
Santanyà draws people in with its buildings made of golden stone and market that happens twice each week. The market turns the middle of town into a busy, lively place. My time at Can Ferrereta proved delightful, a beautifully restored 17th-century building. This nice hotel mixes old-style charm with modern comforts, by design.
For people looking for a more peaceful option, Ses Salines is only 10 minutes from SantanyÃ. It feels, remarkably, worlds away from tourist crowds. Six weeks in this charming town revealed, in truth, its laid-back rhythm and authentic character. Sa Carrotja offers an adults-only retreat in, to my mind, a converted farmhouse. Villa Station by Cassai provides, correspondingly, apartment-style accommodations ideal for longer stays.
Both locations put you within reach of Mallorca’s most spectacular beaches. Es Trenc is just 15 minutes from Ses Salines. This 2km beach has white sand and bright blue-green waters. The well-known small beaches of Mondragó, des Moro, and Llombards are all within a 20-minute drive from SantanyÃ. My top tip: arrive before 10am during summer. This ensures, as a bonus, parking and beach space.
I suggest spending 2-4 nights in this region. Allow plenty of time for beach exploration and, of course, coastal walks. The pace here feels more relaxed than, by comparison, in the mountains. It creates, as a result, the perfect counterpoint to the northwestern experience.
Other Excellent Best Areas to Stay in Mallorca
While my core recommendations focus on specific regions, several other areas deserve consideration. Your interests and travel style might make these, in many cases, perfect for you.
Alcúdia and the North
This northern region offers a blend of historic charm and beach access. The walled town of Alcúdia dates back to, historically speaking, the 14th century. It provides a fascinating glimpse into, without a doubt, Mallorca’s past. A short drive away, Port d’Alcúdia features, on the other hand, a long sandy beach. Families find this area particularly, in my view, suitable.
During my visit to this area, I stayed at Hotel Can Mostatxins. This beautifully restored boutique hotel sits within, precisely, the old town walls. From this base, exploring the spectacular beaches of Platja de Muro became easy. The dramatic landscapes of Cap de Formentor peninsula were also, worth noting, readily accessible. Its lighthouse offers panoramic Mediterranean views.
Porto Cristo and the East
This fishing village keeps much of its real, traditional feel. It serves as a gateway to some of, interestingly enough, Mallorca’s most famous attractions. The nearby Coves del Drac draw visitors from across the island. Few stay long enough to, unfortunately, appreciate Porto Cristo itself.
A three-night stay at Hotel Felip offered multiple advantages. The caves could be explored without, certainly, rush. The pearl factory at Manacor became a leisurely excursion. Several beautiful beaches including Cala Romantica were easily, moreover, accessible. Best of all, the crowds from tour buses during peak hours could be avoided entirely.
Artà and the Northeast
This charming town in northeastern Mallorca often flies under the tourism radar. It’s ideal for people looking for genuine, real-life experiences. The hilltop sanctuary of Sant Salvador offers spectacular views. The Tuesday market also fills the streets with local food and handmade items.
The wellness-focused retreat Es Racó d’Artà perfectly complements the area’s peaceful atmosphere. From Artà , you can easily visit less crowded beaches like Cala Torta. The natural park of Llevant Peninsula offers, in the same vein, hiking trails and untouched landscapes.
Staying in Palma de Mallorca: When City Life Calls
While I generally recommend focusing on coastal and mountain areas, Palma deserves attention. The capital combines impressive historical monuments with, equally impressive, excellent shopping and dining.
The magnificent cathedral dominates Palma’s skyline. The nearby Arab Baths and Almudaina Palace show the island’s mixed cultural history. For accommodation, Sant Francesc Hotel Singular proved ideally located. It puts major attractions within, conveniently, walking distance.
Palma works particularly well as either your first or last stop. This is especially true if, in all likelihood, you’re arriving by air. Spending one or two nights here allows adjustment to the island’s rhythm. You can enjoy urban sophistication before, eventually, heading to rural areas or departing.
Practical Tips for Choosing the Best Areas to Stay in Mallorca
Consider your travel timing carefully. Summer months in July and August bring very hot weather and many tourists to the beach areas. But late May to early June or September to October give you nice weather with fewer people. Tourist numbers drop significantly during these shoulder seasons.
Think about accommodation types that match your travel style. Mallorca offers everything from luxury hotels to, alternatively, rural fincas. These traditional farmhouses convert beautifully into boutique accommodations. The most memorable stays feature swimming pools amid, impressively, olive groves and vineyards.
Factor in driving times when planning your itinerary. Mountain roads can be winding and slow. Allow extra time between, obviously, regions. The journey from Deiá to Santanyà takes approximately 1.5 hours. This seems long for, surprisingly, just 70km.
For beach lovers, the best areas to stay in Mallorca include the southeast and east regions. Those seeking dramatic landscapes should prioritize, conversely, the northwest. History enthusiasts will appreciate Alcúdia and Palma. Travellers seeking authentic culture might prefer, meanwhile, inland towns like Petra or Sineu.
After multiple visits to Mallorca, location clearly shapes your experience. Choose your bases strategically. Allow sufficient time in, ideally, each area. You’ll discover the Mallorca that countless travellers adore. This island offers extraordinary natural beauty. Its rich cultural heritage and unforgettable hospitality will, without question, captivate you.
