Mallorca’s 9 most beautiful sandy beaches
Fine sand, clear water and somewhere to spend a whole day by the sea.
Long stretches of sand, dunes backed by pine trees and gently shelving water: Mallorca’s big beaches offer quite a different day out from the rocky coves of the south-east.
These are the nine that have stayed with me over the years. Find out where there is shade, where the afternoon breeze can pick up and when to set off.
Which sandy beach suits your holiday?
Mallorca has a beach for almost every kind of day. Some have shallow water that suits families. Others catch the afternoon wind and attract windsurfers or kite surfers. A few have no sunbeds, bar or shade, but offer a quieter setting if you bring what you need.
For this selection, I have followed the coast from Camp de Mar in the south-west to the Formentor peninsula in the north. These are not simply the nine biggest beaches on the island. They are the ones where I most enjoy spending a whole day.
For each beach, you will find practical information on access, sand, shade and wind, so you can choose somewhere that suits you before setting off.
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1. Camp de Mar
A small sandy bay between steep pine-covered slopes, with a wooden walkway leading out to a restaurant on a rock in the water. Once you have been to Camp de Mar, that is the picture you remember.
The surrounding hills have limited the resort’s spread. It remains a small, relatively quiet place, but the beach is small too and fills quickly in high summer. Arrive early and you can enjoy a lovely morning in this corner of the south-west.
- Access
- A level promenade and wooden walkway, with uphill streets behind
- Underfoot
- Fine, pale sand in a small bay
- Best for
- A relaxed half-day with a meal by the water
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2. Es Trenc
Around two kilometres of sand backed by dunes rather than a line of hotels: Es Trenc is one of Mallorca’s best-known undeveloped beaches. Behind the dunes lie the Campos salt pans; in front, the water is pale, shallow and wonderfully clear. The area became a natural park in 2017.
In May or October, this is one of my favourite Mediterranean beaches. August is a different experience: parking is paid, the walk can take up to twenty minutes depending on where you leave the car, and there is no natural shade by the water. Bring a parasol and, if you can, visit outside peak season.
- Access
- Sandy paths through the dunes; allow up to twenty minutes from parking
- Underfoot
- Very pale, fine sand and gently shelving water
- Best for
- Long walks and beach days outside peak season
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3. Platja des Carbó
A strip of white sand south of Colònia de Sant Jordi, reached on foot along the shore. Allow roughly half an hour for the walk. That extra effort usually makes it quieter than the beaches beside the resort, although boats and other walkers do come here in summer.
The water is clear enough to see the seabed well out from shore, with Cabrera on the horizon. There is no bar, sunbed hire or shower. Pine trees stand behind the beach, but do not count on finding shade where you settle down. Pack water, sun protection and sturdy shoes.
- Access
- Roughly thirty minutes on foot from Colònia de Sant Jordi
- Underfoot
- Fine white sand and clear, shallow water
- Best for
- Swimmers and anyone happy to walk for a quieter beach
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4. Canyamel
A broad sandy bay with pines and wooded hills around it. Canyamel is one of the quieter beach resorts in the north-east, with a handful of hotels and a golf course nearby rather than a busy strip of nightlife.
The pale sand and gently shelving sections make it a good family option when the sea is calm. Above the northern end of the bay are the Coves d’Artà, among the island’s most impressive show caves. Allow around half an hour to walk there or a short drive. A visit to the caves makes an easy addition to a beach day.
- Access
- Level approaches to the edge of the beach, then sand
- Underfoot
- Fine, pale sand with a sandy entry into the water
- Best for
- Families and a quieter beach day combined with the caves
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5. Cala Agulla
A broad crescent of pale sand, around five hundred metres long, backed by dunes and pine woods. The protected surroundings are a large part of Cala Agulla’s appeal.
Parking can be difficult once the summer morning is under way. Walking from Cala Ratjada is another option; allow a good half-hour, depending on your starting point. Low rock shelves frame the edges of the bay, with clear shallow water that is lovely to explore with a mask. Do not assume there will be space left on a busy July day, though.
- Access
- A firm path from the car park to the beach edge
- Underfoot
- Fine, pale sand with low rock shelves at the edges
- Best for
- Families, snorkelling and a full beach day
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6. Cala Mesquida
Around three hundred metres of almost white sand, with an extensive dune system behind it. A wooden boardwalk crosses the vegetation, keeping visitors off the fragile dunes and opening up views towards the sea.
A northerly wind can bring powerful surf here. Watching the waves is part of the appeal, but rough conditions are not an invitation to swim. Pay attention to the lifeguards and beach flags, particularly with children, and choose a more sheltered beach if conditions are unsuitable.
- Access
- A wooden boardwalk across the protected dunes towards the beach
- Underfoot
- Fine, almost white sand
- Best for
- Dune scenery and watching the waves in rough weather
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7. Son Serra de Marina
Son Serra de Marina has straight streets and low houses rather than a high-rise hotel frontage. Beyond the village, a long, largely natural shoreline stretches towards Colònia de Sant Pere, with protected dunes and plenty of space for a walk.
Do not expect the usual resort beach facilities: bring your own shade and supplies, and check locally for any lifeguard cover rather than relying on it. There are places to eat by the village. The open coast catches the wind, which is one reason kite surfers are drawn here. Conditions can change considerably over the day.
- Access
- Surfaced village streets to the beach edge, then sand
- Underfoot
- Pale sand, firmer near the water
- Best for
- Long walks, open space and wind sports in suitable conditions
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8. Platja de Muro
Platja de Muro runs for several kilometres around the Bay of Alcúdia. Some sections have hotels and beach facilities; the quieter Es Comú stretch is backed by dunes and pine trees, with S’Albufera Natural Park inland.
Much of the beach shelves gently into the water, which makes it particularly popular with families with young children. Pines provide patches of shade at the back of the natural section, though it is sensible to bring your own. Wooden walkways cross the dunes: stay on these to protect the vegetation.
- Access
- Wooden walkways across the dunes, followed by sand
- Underfoot
- Fine, very pale sand
- Best for
- Families with young children and long beach days
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9. Platja de Formentor
Old Aleppo pines reach almost to the water, with the mountains of the Formentor peninsula behind and the bay in shades of blue. This famous northern beach really is as beautiful as the photographs suggest.
It is also narrow, and very popular in summer. A seasonal boat from Port de Pollença is an enjoyable alternative to driving, with views of the coast along the way. Check the current timetable and fares, as well as the seasonal road restrictions if you plan to come by car or bus.
- Access
- Road access subject to seasonal restrictions; seasonal boats from Port de Pollença
- Underfoot
- Fine, pale sand with shade beneath old pines
- Best for
- Families and anyone who appreciates some shade by the sea
Questions about Mallorca’s sandy beaches
Which is Mallorca’s best sandy beach?
I would choose Es Trenc for its open landscape, Platja des Carbó for clear water and Platja de Formentor for shade. Platja de Muro is a particularly good family option. These are all beaches I have kept coming back to since 2013.
Which beach is best for children?
Platja de Muro has fine sand, gently shelving water and lifeguarded sections in season. Platja de Formentor and Canyamel are also good options when conditions are calm. Always check the flags and supervise children closely, even in shallow water.
Where can I find shade on the beach?
At Platja de Formentor, old Aleppo pines reach almost to the water. Pines also stand behind parts of Platja de Muro and Cala Agulla. Es Trenc, Cala Mesquida and Son Serra de Marina have little or no natural beach shade, so bring a parasol.
When are Mallorca’s beaches quieter?
May, June, September and October are usually less crowded than July and August. The sea can still feel cool in May; September and October generally hold more summer warmth. In peak season, arriving early gives you a better choice of parking and space on the sand.
Which beaches can I reach without a car?
Platja de Muro has bus stops close to the beach. Formentor has seasonal public transport and boat connections from Port de Pollença. Cala Agulla is walkable from Cala Ratjada, and bus services can help with other beaches in the north-east. Check the current TIB route and stop before travelling, especially for seasonal services and Son Serra de Marina.
Find the beach for your holiday
It might be the open shore at Es Trenc, the shade of Formentor’s pines or the walk to Platja des Carbó. The best beach is the one where you want to stay all day.
Every recommendation on this page comes from a personal visit. Words and photographs are by Friedhelm Fischer, who has been exploring Mallorca on foot, by bike and with his camera since 2013.