Six kilometres of sand east of Palma, from Ca'n Pastilla to S'Arenal, with Son Verí Nou beyond — Mallorca's most developed holiday coast. The Palma end has been refreshed; further east lies the German party scene often called “Ballermann”.
Platja de Palma & S'Arenal
Platja de Palma & S'Arenal in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A longer stay
- Best for
- Sandy beach, promenade and holiday facilities
- Best months
- June–July, September
- Time to allow
- A day if you want the full resort experience; an hour on the broad beach for a brief stop.
- Without a car
- Easy enough
- Parking
- Street parking near the promenade is very limited in season.
- Highlight
- A long sandy beach with a promenade
- Keep in mind
- Seclusion and undeveloped coastline
- Access
- Seasonal assisted bathing at Balneari 7 and 15 in Palma municipality
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
In the morning, before the beach fills.
Shops, bars and signs in several languages line the promenade.
A lifeguard tower on the broad, gently shelving beach.
Drive from the airport
12 minutes
5 km
Bus connections
EMT routes 23 and 25
Region
Palma
Nearest beach
Can Pastilla
3 km
Elevation
2 m
above sea level
Season guide for Platja de Palma & S'Arenal
November Less suitable
Very quiet Mostly closed
Worth visiting in June, July and September. Less suitable in January, February, October, November and December. Mostly closed in January, February, November and December.
Location
Location of Platja de Palma & S'Arenal
- Region
- Palma
- Municipality
- Palma / Llucmajor
- Elevation
- 2 m above sea level
- Airport
- 5 km , around 12 minutes
- Hire car
- not essential
- Worth visiting for
- a longer stay
- Coordinates
- 39.5203,2.7400
What is Platja de Palma?
Around six kilometres of almost continuous sand east of Palma, starting at Ca’n Pastilla and ending at S’Arenal, with Son Verí Nou immediately beyond. The promenade runs for roughly five kilometres and is level throughout.
The municipal boundary crosses the beach: the western section belongs to Palma, the eastern to Llucmajor, whose town centre lies well inland. This split responsibility helps explain some local differences.
Towards Palma, it is a well-kept urban beach. Further east, the party-focused areas are closer to the familiar reputation.
The balnearios: finding your way by number
There are fifteen numbered balnearios along the beach — beach kiosks associated with bars, showers and toilets. Until 1993, there were ten, numbered 0 to 9; redevelopment expanded the number to fifteen.
The numbers are a practical way to give directions. “Near Balneario 8” makes sense to bus drivers, taxi drivers and lifeguards. If you are staying here, remember your nearest number.
One became a German nickname. Balneario 6 was conveniently placed for German tour operators’ hotels in the seventies. Visitors turned “Balneario” into “Ballermann”, and the surrounding bars developed the party reputation still associated with the area. The kiosk itself has officially been called Beach Club Six since 2017.
What the beach offers
Fine pale sand, a broad shore, a gentle slope into the water and daily cleaning in season. Sections of pine woodland stand behind the promenade, adding natural shade beyond the sand.
The airport is only minutes away, which makes short breaks easy and explains the planes over the bay. Several city buses connect with Palma; journey times depend on where you start and traffic.
For the beach without the crowds, come before nine in the morning or between November and March.
Why I still include this place
Because its reputation once cost me years of enjoying Mallorca.
For decades I stayed away because of what television showed: German party bars, buckets of alcohol and drinking crowds. It was difficult to see another side of the island, so I dismissed it all. Yet twenty minutes by car can take you somewhere entirely different.
Eventually I came to look. My honest opinion is that one day and one night is perfect. Experience it once and you will quickly know whether you love it or it isn’t for you. Either answer is fine.
I couldn’t keep up the drinking-and-partying routine every evening.
If the same reputation has put you off Mallorca, remember that the party scene is real but does not represent the island. Come and see it, then carry on exploring.
Who it suits
Anyone who wants a broad beach outside their accommodation, short distances, lively evenings and service readily available in English or German. If that is your holiday, the area is well set up for it. The facilities along this coast exist to make that sort of stay easy.
Photographs
Platja de Palma & S'Arenal in Mallorca
Practical details
- Parking
- Street parking near the promenade is very limited in season.
- Public transport
- EMT services connect the resort with central Palma and the airport.
- Time to allow
- A day if you want the full resort experience; an hour on the broad beach for a brief stop.
- Good to know
- The coastal names change from Ca'n Pastilla to Platja de Palma and S'Arenal, with little obvious break. The beach crosses the Palma–Llucmajor municipal boundary.
- Bus
- EMT routes 23 and 25, plus A2 airport bus
- Coordinates
- 39.5203,2.7400 Google Maps Apple Maps
Dates that change the town
When a race comes to town
Trofeo Princesa Sofía Sailing · 27 March–4 April 2026
The participating harbours are busy. Race courses are often well offshore, so views from the beach are limited.
The season guide describes whole months. A race weekend can transform a normally quiet town for a couple of days. Find the dates in our guide to Sporting events.
Within reach
Places to visit
Nearby
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Palma’s cathedral was begun in 1230 and built over several centuries. Its Gothic buttresses rise above the water …
Sant Pere bastion, built in the late 16th century on the western edge of Palma’s old town, became home to a …
The royal palace beside Palma cathedral began as a Moorish alcázar, later converted into a residence for …
The March family's city palace between the cathedral and the Almudaina: a terrace filled with 20th-century …
The Balearics' largest harbour sits in the city, in front of the old town. Cargo quays, cruise terminals, marinas …
Palma's grand promenade between Plaça de la Reina and Plaça del Rei Joan Carles I. It follows the bed of a torrent …
Distances without a driving time are measured in a straight line. The road journey can be much longer; known driving times are shown alongside.
Where to swim nearby
Beaches and swimming nearby
Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Platja de Palma & S'Arenal
Where is Mallorca's “Ballermann” area?
The name comes from Balneario 6, one of Platja de Palma's numbered beach bars. German visitors turned “Balneario” into “Ballermann”, and the surrounding party scene adopted the name. It is on Platja de Palma, towards S'Arenal; the wider beach runs across Palma and Llucmajor municipalities.
How long is Playa de Palma?
Around six kilometres of almost continuous sand, from Ca'n Pastilla in the west to S'Arenal in the east. It crosses two municipalities, Palma and Llucmajor.
Is Playa de Palma suitable for families?
The western end around Ca'n Pastilla generally is, with broad, gently shelving sand and a quieter setting. The party-focused sections towards S'Arenal are less suitable. The numbered balnearios help you identify where you are staying.
How do I get from the airport to Playa de Palma?
The EMT A2 bus runs directly from Palma airport. Depending on your stop, allow around 15–25 minutes. The airport is close to both the city and beach.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Platja de Palma & S'Arenal?
Recommended months: June, July, September. Access and opening are limited in January, February, November, December. See the visiting advice on this page. From early June, the resort runs at full pace — ideal if that is what you came for.
Is Platja de Palma & S'Arenal worth visiting in July and August?
July: worth a visit. Usually very crowded. High season in every sense — loud, crowded and lively. August: worth considering with some reservations. Usually very crowded. The busiest and most expensive month, even by this resort's standards.
How far is Platja de Palma & S'Arenal from Palma airport?
About 5 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 12 minutes by car.
Do I need a hire car for Platja de Palma & S'Arenal?
Easy to manage without a car EMT routes 23 and 25, plus A2 airport bus
Where can I park in Platja de Palma & S'Arenal?
Street parking near the promenade is very limited in season.
Platja de Palma & S'Arenal features in our Mallorca highlights
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.