This is my review of the top 10 resorts in Mallorca in 2024 in no particular order.  I’ll explain why I like them and why you may like them too.

This article has been updated in November 2023.

One of the main reasons I moved to Mallorca was to be able to “go” on holiday every single weekend, even for a few hours.  Of course, this is without the added expense of leaving the island.

I never take living on such a beautiful island for granted, and we try to enjoy the very best the island has to offer too.  So often I like to experience a mini-break whether it’s just for a few hours or a few days so I have taken my time over the years to explore everything Mallorca’s wonderful resorts have to offer.

I’ve visited all the major resorts on the island, and of course, you can see my videos here but these mini Mallorca travel guides are my favourite Mallorca holiday resorts on the island.

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1. Top 10 Resorts in Mallorca: Puerto Pollensa, Mallorca

When talking about my favourite top 10 resorts in Mallorca, I’m talking about Puerto Pollensa. This resort oozes charm as a traditional Majorca holiday resort, which also offers dramatic views of the mountains behind and along the coast.

Puerto Pollensa features some of the oldest hotels on the island, such as the Ses Pins Hotel.  Also, the Hotel Miramar (which is over 100 years old) and the Ila D’Or which was built in 1929, allegedly welcomed the famous author Agatha Christie.

What makes many of these waterfront hotels unique is the location of their swimming pools across the walkway on the sea’s edge.

The views from a relaxing afternoon by the pool are some of the best you can get from any hotel pool in Mallorca.

Everyone loves the famous “Pine Walk” which offers the most wonderful views of the bay and provides the perfect place for an early morning or after-dinner walk.

There is a large main beach and smaller more shaded patches of sand just off the Pine Walk to spend your day.  Many of the restaurants also have sea views.

Puerto Pollensa caters for those looking for a relaxing holiday in a stunning location.

The resort is flat and easy to get around and doesn’t have the same lively nightlife found in some other resorts.

It’s also the perfect place for families. Puerto Pollensa has more of a relaxed nightlife here. It’s the perfect resort for multigenerational families.

There is a main beach sweeping around Puerto Pollensa, and also several mini-beaches just off the Pine Walk.

The water in Puerto Pollensa is shallow, calm and clear which makes this resort perfect for visiting families.

There are plenty of small independent tasteful beach shops running along the front and plenty of opportunities for children to spend their pocket money.

There is also a fabulous market on Wednesday held between 8:30am and 1:30pm.

One of the most popular excursions you can do from Puerto Pollensa, check out this tour up to Playa Formentor.

To read more about Puerto Pollensa, check out this mini-guide here.

Find great Puerto Pollensa hotels here.

2. Top 10 Resorts in Mallorca, Alcudia, Mallorca

Alcudia beach is at the top of my top 10 beach resorts in Mallorca to visit during peak season. 

The 13km of beautiful white sands and turquoise blue seas stretch from bustling Alcudia Port all the way to C’an Picafort.

This is our preferred beach in peak season because it’s always possible to find an empty spot on the sand regardless of how busy the beach is. And in my opinion, it’s just like going to the Caribbean without leaving Europe.

During July and August, there is often a cooling breeze that you do not always find in other resorts on the island.

The water is shallow, warm and clear which makes it perfect for families with children. 

There are some fantastic water sports to try on Alcudia beach including renting paddle boards and pedalos.  We love the pedalos as they are slide-inclusive!

Rentals aren’t cheap though and in 2022 cost 20€ for an hour (the usual price around the island is 15-16€)

There are various places along the beach where you can rent equipment for other watersports including windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing and jet skiing.

You can also get tickets for the sightseeing catamarans from the ticket office in Alcudia Port and from the main pier on Alcudia beach.  Both the port and the main pier on Alcudia beach are also departure points for many excursions.

There is a huge selection of Alcudia tickets, excursions and activities. Browse some and book some of the best here:

I absolutely love the great restaurants on Alcudia beach so you needn’t go far for a nice paella or some tapas.

There are many cheap places to eat in the Alcudia Port too and it’s a great place to grab an ice cream and watch the sunset.

And don’t forget you are just a short walk or bus ride from Alcudia Old Town. Read when the evening is a great time to visit the old town here.

Look out for live events being held over the summer months too.

To read more about Alcudia, check out many great reasons to book to this resort here.

Search for fantastic hotels and package holidays with my holiday parter Expedia here.

Also close to Alcudia are Playa de Muro beach resort which you can read about here and Can Picafort which you can find out more about here.

3. Top 10 resorts in Mallorca: Cala d’Or, Mallorca

Cala d’Or has such a different feel from the other resorts across the island.  With Ibiza-style white low-rise hotels and private accommodations, visitors love the pretty coves around Cala d’Or.

My favourite cove is Cala Egos. The water is so blue, shallow and clear here.  Cala Es Pou, which is just a couple hundred metres walk from Cala Egos is also another lovely cove which is popular with locals.

Also, Cala Gran has the most gorgeous beach with a lovely walkway around its clear turquoise bay.  It’s lined with places to eat and is just a few hundred metres from the resort centre.

I also like Cala Ferrera and Cala Esmeralda. However all these beaches do get very busy during the summer months, so make sure you book a hotel with a swimming pool.

Also bear in mind that the beaches in Cala d’Or are narrow but go deep into the resort, so getting a space on the front of the shoreline means getting there early.

Cala d’Or Marina is a bustling area lined with yachts, lovely restaurants and bars, and is another fabulous area to explore. 

The atmosphere at night was buzzing and the atmosphere is brilliant. It’s a very different scene to the nightlife you would find in Magaluf (read about it here) or Arenal which you can read about here. It’s just a lot calmer with people out for food and drinks.  

Cala d’Or also features the best excursion on the island. We loved the dolphin tour which you can see here.

And for a full selection of tours, excursions and tickets, check out these suggestions here:

For more information about things to do Cala d’Or, check out my guide here.

Search for a huge variety of hotel accommodations or package holidays here.

To find out about the pros and cons of staying in Cala d’Or, check out this article here.

4. Top 10 Resorts in Mallorca: Palmanova, Majorca

There is a reason why Palmanova gets more views on my Youtube channel than any other resort in Mallorca.   

It’s one of the most popular resorts in Mallorca, especially for British visitors!

We go to Palmanova all the time because as residents, it makes a great escape, even for a few hours.

Palmanova is most famous for its three beaches and golden sands.  The promenade which runs behind the beaches is accessible and perfect for an evening stroll. There is also a great walkway with great views linking the beaches together.  It caters for families, retired visitors and also those looking for a bar with a great atmosphere.

You can read more about things to do with kids in Palmanova right here.

For those seeking a livelier night out, Magaluf is just a few minutes walk from Son Matias beach – check out this live stream to see how the resorts are interconnected.

This is our escape from our normal day-to-day, whether to come down for a swim on the beach or to feel like we are on holiday.

If you want to see what Palmanova is like at night, then check out this video!

5. Top 10 Resorts in Mallorca: Magaluf, Majorca

There are many reasons why Magaluf has been so popular over the years not least for its reputation as one of the most infamous party destinations in Europe.

But the reason I visit Magaluf is that it’s also home to one of Mallorca’s best-kept secrets – the beach. Magaluf beach is one of the best and the prettiest on the island.

Turquoise waters lap the one-kilometre powder-white sands on Magaluf beach. What’s more the beachfront is lined with great value-for-money restaurants.

The global pandemic hasn’t been kind to Magaluf and for this reason, the resort has been emptier than normal over the past couple of summers. Plus locals rarely flock to this beach purely because of the resort’s reputation as a party town.

However, Magaluf is back bigger and better than ever for 2023.

If you’re looking for some great things to do in Magaluf, check out this article here.

The Strip is still the “iconic night out” to be had in Magaluf, and little can stop those wanting to party there.

You can read more about what Magaluf will be like in 2023 here.

And the absolute benefit of visiting Magaluf is that it neighbours Palmnova so you can easily get the best of both resorts.

If you want to see what the Magaluf was like during Summer 2022, check out this video here.

6. Top 10 Resorts in Mallorca: S’Illot and Sa Coma, Mallorca

S’Illot and Sa Coma link together in a similar way as Magaluf and Palmanova in that both areas are flat and are perfect for those with access issues. Also, resorts have plenty of sunbeds and umbrella rentals.

Shallow, turquoise waters lap the white sands of S’Illot beach and because it’s so calm, it’s perfect for families. 

If the beach is busy in the summer, walk further into the resort and to the rocky areas. Just remember your water shoes, your mask and snorkel!

S’Illot isn’t just home to some great hotels, it’s home to Bronze age ruins too.  Just follow the signs to the Poblat Talaiotic just off the waterfront in S’Illot.  It’s free to wander around and learn about the history of the ruins.

There are many things to do here in the resort, including scuba diving, Segway tours, bike and scooter rentals.  You can also travel between resorts by getting a ticket on the Trenet – the tourist train that connects Cala Millor with Sa Coma and S’Illot.

Sa Coma neighbours S’Illot and a nearby nature reserve, and the beach here is a picture postcard.

Several huge hotels line the beach which offers the similar white sands and turquoise seas of S’Illot.  And because of this, restaurants are limited. 

It’s also possible to buy tickets for the catamaran cruises at the ticket offices by the pier, where the cruises depart.

However, you can book them here with the knowledge that if the weather turns, you can get your money back 24 hours before the trip takes place.

Finally, the resorts are located on the East coast of Mallorca, and you can enjoy amazing sunrises making this the perfect way to start your day.

Check out this video to find out more about S’Illot and Sa Coma here.

7. Top 10 Resorts in Mallorca: Cala Bona and Cala Millor, Mallorca

Regular holidaymakers to book their trip to Puerto Pollensa may wish to try Cala Bona as a great alternative.  This charming resort is so similar to the feel of Puerto Pollensa with its stunning views and waterside restaurants.

There is a lovely walk alongside a neighbouring bike path all the way to Cala Millor.

I love Cala Bona and I first visited after many years in Summer of 2021.  I really enjoyed seeing how absolutely picturesque and relaxed it was when compared to some of the other more lively resorts on the island.

Cala Millor is its busier neighbour. It is really tourism central here, but the main draw is the lovely beach which stretches for kilometres.

Evenings here are lively and there is plenty of choice of restaurants to dine from.

There are plenty of things to do in Cala Millor (and Cala Bona) so here are some ideas.

If you would like to find out what else to see and do in Cala Millor and Cala Bona, you can find out more here.

You can also see what Cala Bona is like at night here, and what Cala Millor at night is like here.

8. Top 10 Resorts in Mallorca: Playa de Palma, Mallorca

The number one reason I love Playa de Palma is for wonderful sunsets you can enjoy here at any time of year.

Playa de Palma is the area between Cala Estancia and El Arenal just on the other side of the airport.

Its main feature is a 6km beach which is perfect for walks in the cooler months or to promenade after dinner on a hot summer’s evening. 

There is also a cycle path here, which runs all the way from Arenal, through to C’an Pastilla, Cala Estancia, Cala Gamba, Ciudad Jardin, Portixol and into Palma city.

Each area has restaurants and cafes where you can stop for a swim.  Plus there are plenty of shops to rent bikes all over the resort.

There are also some boat trips to book here:

This area is extremely popular with German tourists, but as with everywhere in Mallorca, there is a great mix of restaurants and bars serving Spanish and international food.

There are so many reasonably priced hotels to stay too in Playa de Palma.  It’s fantastically located – just 5 minutes from Palma airport, making this a great place to come for a short break.

The nightlife in the Playa de Palma area is just one reason why so many people visit. To find out what the nightlife in El Arenal is like, check out this article here.

9. Top 10 resorts in Mallorca: Santa Ponsa and Costa de la Calma, Mallorca

Santa Ponsa stands out for me because of the long, wide golden sandy beach which enjoys natural shade from the pine trees. Along one side of the beach is a lovely waterside walkway. The other side of the beach is lined by restaurants which offer wonderful sea views. 

Continue walking further to other hidden rocky areas which are great for snorkelling and the hidden beach of Es Caló d’en Pelicer.

Watch the sunset from the main beach bar or head into the main resort for a more lively experience.  Santa Ponsa Square also has some great Irish pubs.

For a little history, take the 30-minute walk down to the Cruz del Descubrimiento (or Cross of Discovery) which is near the marina.  With fantastic views over the port and across to Santa Ponsa, learn a little about the history of this area as this marks the arrival point of King James I some 800 years ago.

On the other side of the bay, walk to one of the best locations in Mallorca to watch the sunset, El Chiringuito in Costa de la Calma.

Serving drinks and light snacks right through the summer and right into the Autumn.  This is also a great area to swim in the sea and snorkel from the rocks. 

If you would like some inspiration for some great things to do in Santa Ponsa, check out these ideas.

To read everything you need to know about Santa Ponsa, check out this guide here.

Book great hotels and holidays here.

And to find out why Santa Ponsa is home to one of the best nights out, check out this article here.

10. Top 10 Resorts in Mallorca: Peguera, Calvia.

Peguera, like Palmanova, is a lovely 3-beach resort and can be enjoyed during Summer and Winter. 

Popular with German visitors, the resort has so much to offer from a great mix of restaurants serving both German, Spanish and international food.

We love taking long walks along the beaches in the winter months as much as visiting during the summer. 

It’s also a popular spot for surfers in stormy weather.

The beach-side restaurant on Romana beach offers the best place to watch the sunset during the summer months. You can watch a live stream I did here starting here and walking through the resort one evening in September.

Check out what Peguera in September was like in this Youtube video here.

Find great hotels in Peguera here.

Finally let me know where your favourite resort in Mallorca is, or if you’re going to try somewhere new this year in the comments below!

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