Where to stay in Mallorca (2022) – 15 Best Areas

Where to stay in Mallorca in 2022? - Quick answers & Map

If you don't want to read the entire article describing all the best areas to stay in Mallorca, below are my simple answers, based on what you could be looking for.
In the rest of the article, I detail each location, with accommodation options and numbering for easy reference.

Note that this is only my selection. There are so many beautiful places around Mallorca for everyone's taste...

Let's start with a map to help you get oriented.

Where to stay in Mallorca - Map

Where to stay in Mallorca for beaches?

Mallorca has beaches almost all around the island. So you will never be far away from one.
However, some of the top destinations are:

• Alcudia Bay (#1) for long sandy beaches - with activities for all ages (see best rated accommodations) 
• Cala d'Or (#3) for access to the most beautiful calas in Mallorca (see best rated accommodations) 
• Colonia Sant Jordi (#2) for charming sandy beaches (see best rated accommodations) 

Romantic places to stay in Mallorca for couples, honeymoon or not?

In depends what kind of couple you are and why type of activities you are looking for, but some of the places with the most charm, are, in my opinion:

• Portocolom (#7) - peaceful, beautiful bay (see best rated accommodations) 
• Port de Soller (#5) - vibrant place where mountains meet the sea (see best rated accommodations) 
• Canyamel (#15) - peaceful beach with views (see best rated accommodations) 

Where to stay in Mallorca for families?

Some of the best coastal towns for families in Mallorca offer a safe beach and great activities for all ages. They include:

• Alcudia Bay (#1) with beach, water park, fun water activities (see best rated accommodations) 
• Cala Millor (#6) with safe beach, play area, karting, arcades (see best rated accommodations) 
• Colonia Sant Jordi (#2) with family friendly beaches, relax vibe, aquarium (see best rated accommodations) 

Best areas to stay in Mallorca to explore the island?

Mallorca is not huge, but it is not small either. Therefore, if you don't want to drive too much every day to explore every corner, you should not stay at a tip of the island. The main road is between Alcudia and Palma de Mallorca, so those are really practical to reduce travel time.

• Palma de Mallorca (#4) - the capital city (see best rated accommodations) 
• Alcudia Bay (#1) for the best of both world beach + access (see best rated accommodations) 
• Alcudia (#9) - for history, good food and access to the island (see best rated accommodations) 

If you have more than a week I recommend staying in 2 different area to reduce driving time - for example Alcudia Bay and Colonia Sant Jordi.

Where to stay in Mallorca for Nature

I think the most beautiful areas in Mallorca are:

• The North-East end towards Formentor Lighthouse with impressive cliffs  - 
• The Tramuntana mountains (UNESCO Protected Area), especially between Pollença and Soller - 
• The many smaller coves South of the East Coast with Mondrago Natural Park, Calo des Moro and many more
• The region of Capdepera with a good mix of hills, history, beaches, caves...

So the best places to stay are:

• Stay in Alcudia Bay (#1) or Port de Pollença (#10) or Cala Sant Vicenc (#11) for the first 2 
• Stay in Valldemossa (#12) to stay directly in the mountains 
• Stay in Cala d'Or (#3) or Portocolom (#7) for the calas
• Stay in Canyamel (#15) for the Capdepera region 

Best places to stay in Mallorca for nightlife?

There are 2 main areas famous for their busy nightlife:

• Magaluf (#13) - most famous party area (see best rated accommodations) 
• El Arenal (#8) with long sandy beach and many german bars (see best rated accommodations) 

Where to stay in Mallorca for cycling?

The most famous cycling routes are in the Tramuntana mountains. Therefore, to be as close as possible to those with an easy flat warm-up, your best options are:

• Alcudia Bay (#1) with the beach to relax at the end of the day (see best rated accommodations)  - by far the best option to access the Tramuntana easily, Formentor and the Arta region.
• Port de Pollença (#10) also with the beach to relax at the end of the day (see best rated accommodations) 
• Port de Soller (#5) - but departure each day will be more brutal (see best rated accommodations) 

The prettiest resort towns in Mallorca

I think in terms of scenery and ambiance, the prettiest resort towns in Mallorca are:

• Port de Pollença (#10) with a long beach and Formentor, but quieter (see best rated accommodations) 
• Port de Soller (#5) - where the mountains meet the sea (see best rated accommodations) 
• Colonia Sant Jordi (#2) - with open coves (see best rated accommodations) 

How long to stay in Mallorca

It depends on what type of vacation you are looking for.

• If you want to be able to experience a little of everything (beaches, calas, cliffs, mountains, caves, fincas...) then 10 days to 2 weeks would be great
• If you want to be able to explore most of the island, then 3 to 4 weeks weeks are required
  

All my favorite locations are included (with GPS coordinates, maps and tips) in my travel Guide eBook that helps you easily plan your Mallorca road trip:

Need to rent a car in Mallorca?
My tips:

• Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com - one of the best rated comparison sites!
• Choose your car and company (prefer a smaller car for the narrow roads)
• Consider their full coverage option (I recommend it because of the narrow roads)
• Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

See my 36 tips about renting a car in Mallorca

Best places to stay in Mallorca - accommodation tips

You could also choose where to stay in Mallorca based on your hotel preferences.
Therefore, I am listing some of the best hotels and resorts on the entire island. 

About the selection:
I have created this guide totally independently. None of the hotels has paid to be included. The suggestions are my own selection, based on my experience and my research. But to be transparent, I am informing you that, of course, I have not stayed at all the hotels listed.

What to check when choosing your accommodation in Mallorca - tips

• Distance to the beach if you want to go for a short swim whenever 
• Check out comments to see how noisy the area is - you can easily have a loud bar nearby
• Check out comments for ease of parking, if there is no dedicated carpark. Especially if you are staying near a beach, parking can become a nightmare, with people visiting for the day.

Best Luxury hotels in Mallorca

• Hotel Gloria de Sant Jaume - in the old town of Palma de Mallorca with charm and stunning pool - check out photos and availability
• Finca Serena - a small luxury hotel for a peaceful holiday inland - check out photos and availability
• Pleta de Mar for a peaceful experience in Canyamel, adults only - check out photos and availability
• Son Brull Hotel and Spa for a mountain retreat in Pollença - check out photos and availability
• Hotel El Coto in Colonia Sant Jordi close to the beach - check out photos and availability

The best resorts in Mallorca

If you are looking for a place to stay that can offer you all you could need during your stay, check out some for the best resorts to be found on the island:

• Can Sull with stunning gardens and beautiful interior design (inland) - check out photos and availability
• Hotel Bon Sol Resort & Spa in Illetas, bay of Palma, palm trees and secluded beach - check out photos and availability
• The St. Regis Mardavall Resort in Portals Nous between mountains and sea - check out photos and availability
• The Palace Bonanza Paya Resort in Illetas (bay of Palma) with a pool surrounded by the sea - check out photos and availability
• Pula Suites Boutique Resort near a golf course - check out photos and availability
• Iberostar Playa de Muro - where white and blue contrast beautifully, and right by the beach - check out photos and availability

Boutique Hotels

• AH Art Hotel in the old town of Palma - check out photos and availability
• Hotel Can Mostatxins in Alcudia in restored buildings from the 15th and 19th centuries - check out photos and availability
• Finca Cas Sant in Soller, surrounded by mountains - check out photos and availability
• Casa Ceiba Maria in Cala d'Or, close to beaches and coves - check out photos and availability
• Hotel Apartment Sa Tanqueta De Fornalutx for mountain village life - check out photos and availability

Hostels

• The Boc Palma Hostel in Palma de Mallorca - check out photos and availability
• Palma Port Hostel - check out photos and availability
• Sa Fita Backpackers in Esporles in the mountains - check out photos and availability
• Hostel Floridita in Magaluf to party - check out photos and availability

Best Fincas in Mallorca

Fincas are country houses, often offering agrotourism.
They can be found inland on farming lands.

• Finca Can Carro in Campos surrounded by olive trees - check out photos and availability
• Sa Estada in Sineu right in the middle of the island - check out photos and availability
• Finca Son Brondo in the mountains of Valldemossa - check out photos and availability
• Finca Son Pieras in Llucmajor - check out photos and availability

Sustainable accommodations in Mallorca (ecofriendly)

You can't find totally "green" accommodations, but some are making a significant effort to reduce their impact on Nature.
Below are suggestions:

• Mar Calma Hotel in Port de Pollenca - check out photos and availability
• Ecocirer Hotel with vegan and vegetarian food and eco-design, in Soller - check out photos and availability
• Monnaber nou Finca Hotel with solar panels, in Campanet - check out photos and availability

Where to stay in the Alcudia Bay - Hotels and Accommodation Suggestions

• RESORT - Iberostar Playa de Muro - where white and blue contrast beautifully, and right by the beach - check out photos and availability
• HOTEL - Astoria Playa Adults only - check out photos and availability
• HOLIDAY HOME - Chalet Falco with private pool - check out photos and availability
• APARTMENT - The Albers Apartment in Playa de Muro - check out pictures and availability
• or see best rated accommodations
• Just be aware that accommodations closest to the lagoon will have even more mosquitoes

Need to rent a car in Mallorca?
My tips:

• Compare car rental prices on Discovercars.com - one of the best customer-rated comparison sites!
• Prefer a smaller car for the narrow roads
• Choose the company you prefer
• Consider their full coverage option - I always take it for peace of mind! 
• Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

5 extras - best areas to stay in Mallorca

Area 11 - Cala Sant Vicenc

• LOCATION -
  North-East tip of Mallorca (Formentor peninsula)
  Palma Airport to Cala Sant Vicen = 50min
• WHY STAY THERE - 
  Beautiful coves with impressive cliffs
  Away from the main crowd but easy access to the most scenic spots in Mallorca
• BEACHES - 
  Small sandy coves
• ACCOMMODATIONS -
  Check out the best rated accommodations in Cala Sant Vicenc

Area 12 - Valldemossa

• LOCATION -
  West Coast, not far from Port de Soller
  Palma Airport to Valldemossa = 30min
• WHY STAY THERE - 
  To be surrounded by the beautiful mountains of the Tramuntana.
  The charm of a small village.
• BEACHES - 
  In Port de Valldemossa (20min drive, narrow and sinuous road)
  Can be windy
• ACCOMMODATIONS -
  Check out the best rated accommodations in Valldemossa

Area 13 - Magaluf

• LOCATION -
  West of Palma de Mallorca
  Palma Airport to Magaluf = 30min
• WHY STAY THERE - 
  If you are looking for pubs and an active nightlife.
• BEACHES - 
  2 sandy beaches around a headland - medium size
• ACCOMMODATIONS -
  Check out the best rated accommodations in Magaluf

Area 14 - Inland Agrotourism - rural accommodations in Mallorca

• LOCATION -
  Everywhere in the countryside
• WHY STAY THERE - 
  If you rare looking for charm and peace, avoid the resort town and choose to stay in rural accommodation.
  Many fincas have been transformed into accommodations with views over the farmlands.
  They are often identified with the logo Agrotourism.
• BEACHES - 
  They are inland, so no beach.
  But many have pools and a beach is never far away in Mallorca...
• ACCOMMODATIONS -
  Check out the best rated fincas in Mallorca

Area 15 - Canyamel

• LOCATION -
  Northeast tip of Mallorca, not far from Capdepera
  Palma Airport to Canyamel = 1h drive
• WHY STAY THERE - 
  If you are looking for a peaceful environement, with beautiful natures and a variety of things to do (historical buildings, beaches, caves, archaeological sites...) - this area is great. But you will need to car to explore! (compare prices)
• BEACHES - 
  Beautiful beach with nice scenery.
• ACCOMMODATIONS -
  Check out the best rated accommodations in Canyamel

Places to avoid in Mallorca

If you are looking for a quiet holiday, avoid:

• Magaluf
• Palma Nova
• S'Arenal

As they are famous for their pubs and nightlife. 

If you are looking to explore the entire island, avoid:

• the mountain villages
• the area West of Andratx (North West tip of Mallorca)
• The Capdepera area

staying there would mean a lot of driving to reach many places around the island

Want to see more of Mallorca?

• 40 most beautiful landscapes in Mallorca (with pictures) - read article
• 7 Best Mallorca caves - read article
• 10 best calas in Mallorca (coves) - read article
• 12 Mallorca hidden gems, off the beaten path - read article
• 21 most beautiful views in Mallorca - read article

Planning a trip to Mallorca?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

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