The Balearic Islands are one of the most popular beach holiday destinations in Europe, and many consider Palma to be the crown jewel of the Spanish seaside. If you haven’t been before, however, you might fall victim of the numerous holiday websites and agencies that are trying to sell you a holiday in Mallorca, only to find when you arrive that you are nowhere near Palma, and, in fact, you are on the other side of the island altogether. This could be an issue when arranging transport to and from the airport as transfers are costly and lengthy, and eat into your precious vacation time.
You might be planning to go and stay in Palma itself. It is a relatively big city of some 400,000 people, and it is lovely indeed. It has a castle, brilliant views, a number of attractions, restaurants of every variety, and shops and shopping centres for your every need. If you are looking to combine a beach holiday with a city break and a bit of sightseeing, staying in Palma might be the right decision for you. On the other hand, the city is very busy and has the potential to be noisy and crowded, and accommodation will be more expensive than some of the other options you have at your disposal.
The hidden gem of Mallorca is a small resort called Ca’n Pastilla. The place is a stone’s throw away from Palma de Mallorca airport and you can get there by taxi, which would cost you less than 20 euro, or you can take the line 25 bus, which takes 9 minutes and costs only 5 euro.
The best thing about Ca’n Pastilla is undoubtedly the fact that it is situated in a gulf with shallow and calm waters. You can expect brilliantly calm and clean water, which is also suitable for various water sports due to it being shielded from the elements.
Ca’n Pastilla is part of an 11-kilometer promenade which connects it to Palma, and also to other tourist resorts such as Las Maravillas and S’Arenal (with both of which it is completely linked without any empty stretches of land). The promenade can make for a nice long walk, a run (if you are that way inclined), or a ride on the tourist bus that takes you all the way to S’Arenal.
During the tourist season, the resort offers a variety of activities, such as markets on the beach, concerts and show programs, restaurants and bars, the hire of sports equipment and means of transport, and even an Aquarium which is the home of 11 dolphins. There are hotels and accommodation of every type, size, and price range, and the variety of activities and attractions will appeal to tourists of all age groups. If you would like to visit Palma, you could take one of the inexpensive buses, a taxi, or hire an electric scooter or a Segway.
One important tip is, before you book a hotel, have a look at Google maps and check if there are any bars or clubs in the immediate vicinity of the hotel. This shouldn’t be a major issue, but some bars and clubs may be open very late and have loud punters coming in and out of them and interfering with your rest and sleep. Also, if you are not too good with heat, make sure your hotel room has an aircon, as nights in Palma can be pretty warm.