A beach break with a cathedral view
Palma is one of those rare cities where you can spend the morning in a Gothic cathedral and be floating in the sea before lunch. A long seafront promenade runs east from the old town, shared by walkers, joggers and cyclists, and it links a string of urban beaches that are perfect for a short break or a city holiday with some swimming built in.
These are not the secluded coves of Mallorca's postcards. They are lively, practical beaches with showers, lifeguards in season and cafés close by. That is exactly their appeal when you only have a few hours or are travelling without a car.
Can Pere Antoni and Portixol
The first beach east of the centre is Can Pere Antoni, a wide strip of sand with the cathedral rising behind it. It is the easiest swim in the city, a short walk from the old town, and it gets busy with locals on summer evenings.
Keep walking or cycling and you reach Portixol, a former fishermen's quarter that has turned into one of Palma's most pleasant seaside neighbourhoods. A small harbour full of traditional boats sits beside a compact beach, and the waterfront is lined with restaurants serving grilled fish and rice dishes. Neighbouring Es Molinar keeps more of its old village feel, with low houses and a relaxed atmosphere.
Ciudad Jardín and beyond
Further along, Ciudad Jardín has a sandy beach with shallow water that works well for families, and a handful of casual places to eat. Beyond that, the coast continues towards the long resort beaches of the bay, which are easily reached by city bus.
West of the centre, Cala Major is a small, sandy bay below the hillside, with clear water and easy bus links. It is busier and more built-up, but it gives you a different angle on the bay and is close to some of Palma's art museums.
Making a day of it
A good plan is to rent a bike in the old town and ride the seafront path east, stopping for a swim at whichever beach looks best, then lunch in Portixol before rolling back in the late afternoon. The path is flat and mostly separated from traffic.
If you are on a short break with just a personal item on a Lite fare, these beaches are ideal: a towel, swimsuit and sunscreen bought locally are all you need.
Good to know
- Swim early or late in summer when the city beaches are quieter.
- Bike-share and rental shops are easy to find around the old town.
- Portixol's restaurants fill up at sunset, so book ahead on weekends.