With kids · Palma de Mallorca · Spain
Palma de Mallorca with kids
Family-tested sights, a calm base and the practical details that make travelling with children easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Palma is easy with children: sandy, shallow beaches at the Platja de Palma, a circular castle to explore, an aquarium with sharks, and a flat seafront path for bikes and scooters. Day trips to the Caves of Drach and the Sóller train are favourites. Top picks: Bellver Castle, Palma Aquarium and Platja de Palma. Families usually base themselves in Platja de Palma and Can Pastilla.
Key facts
- Family picks
- 5
- Best area for families
- Platja de Palma and Can Pastilla
- Rainy-day options
- 1
- Busiest months
- July–August
Best things to do with kids
Castle · El Terreno and Passeig Marítim
1.Bellver Castle
Built in the early 14th century for King James II of Mallorca, Bellver is one of the few circular castles in Europe, with a round courtyard, a moat and a free-standing keep. It sits in pine woods on a hill about 3 km west of the centre, houses the Museum of the History of Palma and has the best panoramic views over the city and the bay.
Walk up through the pine woods from El Terreno in the cooler morning, or take a taxi up and walk down.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Iconic
Aquarium · Platja de Palma and Can Pastilla
2.Palma Aquarium
Near the Platja de Palma, the aquarium recreates Mediterranean and tropical seas, with a large, deep shark tank, jellyfish and rooftop jungle gardens. It is one of the main family attractions in the Palma area.
Combine it with a beach afternoon at Can Pastilla, a short walk or bus ride away.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Rainy day
Beach · Platja de Palma and Can Pastilla
3.Platja de Palma
Palma's longest beach is about 5 km of fine sand and shallow water from Can Pastilla to S'Arenal, with lifeguards, sun loungers and beach restaurants. The Can Pastilla end is calmer and more family-oriented; the S'Arenal end draws party crowds in summer.
Stick to the Can Pastilla end with children and go early on summer weekends to find space.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
Park · Old Town
4.Parc de la Mar and the sea walls
A seafront park with a large saltwater lake laid out below the cathedral and the old sea walls, where La Seu reflects in the water. Paths lead along the top of the walls (Dalt Murada) and down to the seafront promenade and cycle path.
Photograph the cathedral reflected in the lake in the late afternoon light, then walk the walls towards Es Baluard.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Couples
Waterfront · Portixol and Es Molinar
5.Portixol and the seafront cycle path
A dedicated cycle and walking path follows the shore from the cathedral east past the fishing harbour of Portixol and the old houses of Es Molinar to Ciutat Jardí and the Platja de Palma. It is flat, with sea views all the way and cafés at Portixol.
Rent a bike in the centre and ride to Portixol for breakfast by the harbour, continuing to Ciutat Jardí for a swim.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
- Kids
Rainy-day ideas
- Palma Aquarium — Combine it with a beach afternoon at Can Pastilla, a short walk or bus ride away.
Where families should stay
$$ · Best for beach, families and budget
Platja de Palma and Can Pastilla
Palma's long city beach runs east from Can Pastilla towards S'Arenal, backed by a promenade of hotels, apartments and beach restaurants. The Can Pastilla end is the calmer, more family-friendly part, while S'Arenal at the far end is known for beer halls and party crowds. The Palma Aquarium is nearby and buses run to the centre in about 30 minutes.
- Good
- Long sandy beach with shallow water; Many family hotels; Ten minutes from the airport
- Watch out
- Resort feel far from the old town; S'Arenal end is rowdy in summer
- Nearby
- Platja de Palma, Palma Aquarium, Can Pastilla marina, Airport
Family travel tips
- The Can Pastilla end of the Platja de Palma is calmer and better for young children than S'Arenal.
- Book the Sóller train and the Caves of Drach ahead in summer; both are popular with families.
- Plan beach time for mornings and late afternoons in July and August to avoid the strongest sun.
- The old town's cobbled lanes are manageable with a stroller, but Bellver's hill is steep; take a taxi up.
- Many restaurants serve children's portions and eat earlier in tourist areas than on the mainland.
Day trips for families
- Sóller and Port de Sóller (About 1 hour by vintage train) — The wooden carriages of the Sóller railway, opened in 1912, climb through tunnels and orchards in the Serra de Tramuntana to Sóller, a town of orange groves and modernist façades.
- Caves of Drach (About 1 hour by car) — Near Porto Cristo on the east coast, these limestone caves contain one of the largest underground lakes in Europe, where visits end with a short classical music performance from boats on the water.
- Es Trenc (About 45 minutes by car) — A long, undeveloped beach of white sand and clear turquoise water backed by dunes and salt flats in the south of the island, one of Mallorca's most popular natural beaches.
- Alcúdia (About 1 hour by bus) — Alcúdia's old town is enclosed by medieval walls, with the Roman ruins of Pollentia just outside and a long, shallow family beach at the Port d'Alcúdia a short ride away.
When to go with children
The best months overall are May–June and September–October. July–August are the busiest, so book the big sights early. Weather by month.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Palma de Mallorca good for kids?
Palma is easy with children: sandy, shallow beaches at the Platja de Palma, a circular castle to explore, an aquarium with sharks, and a flat seafront path for bikes and scooters. Day trips to the Caves of Drach and the Sóller train are favourites.
+What can kids do in Palma de Mallorca?
Bellver Castle, Palma Aquarium, Platja de Palma, Parc de la Mar and the sea walls and Portixol and the seafront cycle path.
+Where should families stay in Palma de Mallorca?
Platja de Palma and Can Pastilla: Five kilometres of sandy beach and resort hotels near the airport.