S'Arenal Beach

From Palma, you can drive to Playa S'Arenal in around 11 minutes, or hop on a bus that runs every 10 minutes and takes about 31 minutes. If you're flying in, the beach is just 6 minutes by bus from Palma Mallorca Airport (PMI), which is only 5.3 km away — one of the shortest airport-to-beach runs in the Balearics. Free street parking and parking lots are available behind the beach, typically within 200 metres, with no fee required. There is no entry fee to the beach itself, and accessible facilities are available throughout.

Aqualand El Arenal is essentially on the beach itself — waterslides and attractions for all ages, no long transfer needed. A short drive away, Palma Aquarium (7.2 km) houses Europe's deepest shark tank alongside diverse marine life, a solid half-day out for curious minds of any age. When you're ready to head into Palma, the Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca (11.4 km) and the hilltop Castillo de Bellver (13.2 km) are both worth the short trip and carry ratings above 4.5 from tens of thousands of visitors.

Restaurante del Sol is just 0.1 km from the beach — the closest sit-down option when hunger hits after a morning in the water. Bierkönig, about 1.7 km away, is a well-known local institution with over 25,000 reviews and a lively atmosphere that suits the energy of the strip. If you're willing to make the drive into Palma, Mercado del Olivar has earned a 4.5-star rating from more than 28,000 reviewers and makes for a great evening out after a day on the sand.

Iberostar Waves Cristina (4.6/5, over 7,600 reviews) sits 2.6 km from the beach and is one of the most consistently rated hotels in the area. Caramelo Palma Beach is just 2 km away with a strong 4.4-star score, while Hotel Caballero at 3 km offers a solid mid-range option with over 3,100 reviews to back it up.

Shoot early morning when the white sand is uncluttered and the turquoise water catches the low Mediterranean light at its most vivid. The stretch near Aqualand El Arenal makes for an unusual wide-angle frame — the colourful park structures against the open sea is a contrast you won't find on most Mallorcan beaches.

August is the peak of peak season here — heat is intense and the beach gets as packed as it ever gets, so June, July, or early September give you the same turquoise water with noticeably more breathing room. The water is safe for swimming, but keep an eye on young children near the water's edge as the beach draws large numbers of swimmers. Aqualand El Arenal is right on the doorstep, so if you're bringing kids, factor in that they may not want to leave the water park for the sea — plan your day accordingly. Accessible facilities are available throughout the beach, making it one of the more inclusive stretches of coastline on the island.