Mallorca has a beach for every day of the year. White sandy shores, pebbly bays, protected dunes, family beaches and secluded coves. I am always excited to visit a place I haven’t been to before. But then there’s also a number of sandy beaches that I love to return to every now and then. These are the best beaches on Mallorca, my personal Top 10 Playas, going counterclockwise around the island.
Well-known for its relaxed Caribbean flair, this long stretch of fine white sand and clear green-blue water is popular with young people as well as families. The natural beach of Es Trenc never loses its magic. It is part of a unique ecosystem with dune landscape, pine forest and flat wetlands. With no shadow whatsoever the light at Es Trenc seems to be particularly bright, so make sure to bring a parasol to get some shade.
Colonia de Sant Jordi used to be a small fishing village when families from the island turned it into their summer resort. Actually, this is where I spend my first holidays on Mallorca. And where I fell in love with the small town and its marvelous beaches right away. Starting at the harbor the bays line up one after another. Walking barefoot in the clear shallow water you’ll find the one you like best. The further you go, the quieter they get.
Cala Llombards is one of those picture postcard bays on the island. A wide sheltered cove with a sandy beach between rocky cliffs at the end of a long inlet. A couple of small fishermen’s cottages and boat houses perfect the scene. And the narrow path along the cliffs offers amazing views of both the bay and the open sea. Close your eyes and sail away. Or stay until the sun sets.
For many years, S’Amarador was my secret hideaway. The cove with its calm turquoise water and white sand in the Parc Natural de Mondragó embodies the perfect beach. Today, it is popular with locals and tourists alike – just for the same reason. Have a snack at the chiringuito, or a dorada a la plancha at the restaurant of Caló de sa Font de n’Alis, the second beach of Cala Mondragó.
Cala Agulla is all about crystal-clear water, fine white sand, pine forest and dunes. The perfect holiday beach with lounge chairs and umbrellas, water sports amenities and beach volleyball. Located right next to the popular resort of Cala Rajada it can get pretty busy in the summer. But just a few steps further you reach Cala Moltó and Platja de Ses Cavasses. Two cozy beaches where things are a little quieter.
From Cala Agulla you could actually hike to Cala Mesquida. A tourist destination on the one hand, and a piece of paradise on the other. You wouldn’t expect such a spectacular dune landscape on Mallorca. Water and beach look like something out of a rum commercial. And the sea often resembles a mirror. But with a stronger breeze you even get real waves here. That make swimming all the more exciting.
If you’re actually after waves and a somewhat wild, completely unspoiled beach, you will like Son Serra de Marina. The quiet summer resort next to Can Picafort equally attracts nature lovers and surfers. Set amidst dunes and the Serra de Levant the beach offers a great vista of the whole bay of Alcúdia. Due to the strong wind and currents the water is often pretty stirred. But don’t worry, it’s got the Blue Flag again this year.
Narrow paths through protected dune landscape lead to splendid Platja de Muro. The beach always captivates me with its countless shades of Mediterranean blue and green, depending on the time of day. Children run around the clear shallow water while their parents sit in the sand cooling their feet. But you can also get a sunbed with a parasol and enjoy a perfect holiday near Ponderosa and Can Gavella, the two popular beach clubs.
The two beaches of Port de Sóller, Es Repic and Es Traves, are actually the only sandy beaches on the northwestern coast. And the town embodies the midcentury dream vacation. A wide, perfectly rounded bay lined with small hotels, summer residences, cafés and restaurants. During the season families and couples from all over the world share the broad walkway with the historic train that connects the harbor with Sóller in the mountains. Take a SUP and set sail towards the lighthouse.
Portals Vells is a peaceful little cove sheltered by cliffs and surrounded by shading pine trees. The white sandy beach next to a chiringuito is particularly popular with local families. Children love the clear, calm waters while their elder siblings explore the nearby rocks and caves. Swimming and dining here are a nice way to end a hike to the lighthouse of Cala Figuera. You may also like the stunning, yet really tiny Cala des Mago and Caló dels Reis right around the corner.
For me it’s the great variety of beaches that is unique on the island. There is one for every mood and any kind of sports. A day on the beach can save your soul. Makes you enjoy the simplest of things like digging your feet in the sand or watching the waterline come and go. Recline on your fouta and feel the wind caress your body. Dive into the waves like a fish. Depending on the time of year, or even time of day, some can be pretty busy. But there are still those precious moments when you have a bay all for yourself. What are your best beaches on Mallorca? 
