At the western end of Playa de Palma, ten minutes from the airport by car: a marina, a rocky waterfront promenade and the start of the long sandy beach towards s'Arenal.
Can Pastilla
Can Pastilla in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- A first or last night close to the airport
- Best months
- March–May, September–October
- Time to allow
- Several days as a base, or around two hours for a visit
- With children
- The sandy beach suits families; rocky swimming spots need close supervision
- Without a car
- Easy enough
- Parking
- Residential streets; spaces are scarce in the main season
- Getting into the water
- Very shallow at the sandy beach; steps and ladders at some rocky swimming spots
- Keep in mind
- Anyone particularly sensitive to aircraft noise
- Access
- Pushchairs: The promenade and harbour are straightforward with a pushchair · Wheelchairs: The promenade provides a continuous accessible route
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
Fishing boats and motor yachts share the harbour.
Behind the promenade are homes as well as holiday accommodation.
Hire a bike here and follow the waterfront route towards Palma.
Getting to know Can Pastilla
Does Can Pastilla suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- A first or last night close to the airport
- Cycling along the continuous seafront route to Palma
- Swimming from rocks as well as a sandy beach
- Staying at the quieter end of Playa de Palma
Things to bear in mind
- Anyone particularly sensitive to aircraft noise
- Exploring a traditional old town
- Peace and quiet in high summer
- Unspoilt countryside; this is a flat, built-up coastal area
Drive from the airport
10 minutes
4 km
Bus connections
Very good connections to Palma and s'Arenal
Region
Palma
Elevation
5 m
above sea level
Season guide for Can Pastilla
November Worth considering
Quiet Some places closed
Worth visiting in March, April, May, September and October. Less suitable in July and August.
Location
Location of Can Pastilla
- Region
- Palma
- Municipality
- Palma
- Population
- 5,000
- Elevation
- 5 m above sea level
- Airport
- 4 km , around 10 minutes
- Hire car
- not essential
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.5350,2.7167
What Can Pastilla is like
Can Pastilla is the western end of Playa de Palma, a district of Palma around four kilometres from the airport and eight from the old town.
There is a marina, with fishing boats beside motor yachts, and sections of promenade along low rocks, where you can swim without sitting on the sand. Behind the waterfront are streets where people live year-round.
How it differs from the rest of Playa de Palma
Playa de Palma is six kilometres long, and much of its reputation comes from the central stretch, where the large hotels and well-known bars are concentrated.
Can Pastilla has a different feel. For the busiest nightlife, you need to head further east.
The route to Palma
A continuous walking and cycling route follows the waterfront into the city, around eight kilometres away. By bike, allow a little over half an hour, depending on your pace and stops. It is a particularly pleasant way to reach Palma.
There are also frequent bus services in both directions. You gain little from hiring a car for a stay focused on this stretch of coast.
The drawback
The nearby airport brings noticeable aircraft noise. If you are a light sleeper, consider that when choosing your room.
On the other hand, the terminal is around ten minutes away by car, making Can Pastilla a practical choice for a first or last night.
When to visit
April and October are good choices. In September, the sea still holds its summer warmth and there is more room on the beach. March is a lovely time for the coastal cycle route to Palma.
In July and August, Playa de Palma is busy along its length, and evenings can be noisy.
Photographs
Can Pastilla in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Can Pastilla
Three hours
Walk around the harbour, follow the rocky promenade west and return via the start of the beach.
Half a day
Cycle the waterfront route to Palma, around eight kilometres along the coast.
A full day
Use Can Pastilla as a base for Palma and Playa de Palma. It is less convenient for exploring inland.
On a rainy day
Head into Palma by bus for more indoor options; allow for traffic when planning the journey.
The beach at a glance
- Underfoot
- Fine sand along Playa de Palma, low rocks beside parts of the promenade
- Getting into the water
- Very shallow at the sandy beach; steps and ladders at some rocky swimming spots
- Length
- The start of the six-kilometre Playa de Palma
- Shade
- Palms along the promenade; very little shade on the beach
- Wind
- Open to the south; conditions vary with the wind
- With children
- The sandy beach suits families; rocky swimming spots need close supervision
- Facilities
- Sunbeds and parasols in season · Beach bars along the seafront · Lifeguards in the main season · Continuous walking and cycling route to Palma
Practical details
- Parking
- Residential streets; spaces are scarce in the main season
- Public transport
- Very good connections to Palma and s'Arenal
- Time to allow
- Several days as a base, or around two hours for a visit
- Good to know
- Aircraft noise is noticeable. If you are a light sleeper, bear that in mind when choosing a room. The benefit is a journey of roughly ten minutes to the terminal.
- Bus
- Very good connections to Palma and s'Arenal
- Shops and services
- Supermarkets: Several in the resort · Pharmacy: Several · Medical care: Local medical services; hospitals in Palma · Cash machines: Widely available · Fuel: On the road out of the resort
- Access
- Level promenade, sand on the beach and steps at rocky swimming spots · Pushchairs: The promenade and harbour are straightforward with a pushchair · Wheelchairs: The promenade provides a continuous accessible route · Dogs: Check the beach's current dog restrictions before visiting
- What you will not find
- Escape from aircraft noise · A traditional old centre · Open countryside · A particularly convenient base for inland trips
- Coordinates
- 39.5350,2.7167 Google Maps Apple Maps
Within reach
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Distances without a driving time are measured in a straight line. The road journey can be much longer; known driving times are shown alongside.
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Your questions answered
Your questions about Can Pastilla
How far is Can Pastilla from the airport?
Around four kilometres, or about ten minutes by car. It is a convenient option for a first or last night, although aircraft noise is the trade-off.
Can I walk or cycle to Palma?
Yes. A continuous waterfront walking and cycling route leads into the city, around eight kilometres away. Allow a little over half an hour by bike, depending on your pace and stops.
How does Can Pastilla differ from the rest of Playa de Palma?
It is at the western end and generally quieter than the central stretch. Alongside the sandy beach are a marina and sections of rocky promenade, with residential streets behind. The busiest nightlife is further east.
Is aircraft noise a problem?
It is clearly audible. Light sleepers should consider that when choosing accommodation. If you have an early flight, the short trip to the terminal may make up for it.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Can Pastilla?
Recommended months: March, April, May, September, October. Cycling season; a lovely time for the coastal route to Palma.
Is Can Pastilla worth visiting in July and August?
July: another month may suit you better. Usually busy. Playa de Palma is busy along its length, and evenings can be noisy. August: another month may suit you better. Usually busy.
How far is Can Pastilla from Palma airport?
About 4 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 10 minutes by car. Around four kilometres from the airport and eight from Palma's old town. Frequent buses run in both directions, so a hire car offers little advantage for a stay here.
Do I need a hire car for Can Pastilla?
Easy to manage without a car Very good connections to Palma and s'Arenal
Where can I park in Can Pastilla?
Residential streets; spaces are scarce in the main season
Can you swim at Can Pastilla?
Yes. Fine sand along Playa de Palma, low rocks beside parts of the promenade Very shallow at the sandy beach; steps and ladders at some rocky swimming spots The start of the six-kilometre Playa de Palma Palms along the promenade; very little shade on the beach The sandy beach suits families; rocky swimming spots need close supervision
Can I visit Can Pastilla with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Level promenade, sand on the beach and steps at rocky swimming spots Pushchairs: The promenade and harbour are straightforward with a pushchair Wheelchairs: The promenade provides a continuous accessible route
Are dogs allowed at Can Pastilla?
Check the beach's current dog restrictions before visiting
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.