Mallorca - an ideal family beach holiday

Why

Mallorca is the largest of the four Balearic Island Islands and is very beautiful and a great beach and sun holiday family choice. It has fine beaches, lively night life and is a well-established family favourite. It has more to offer than beaches and wild nights out however and you are sure to find an option to suit all ages from tots to teens. Accommodation ranges from busy resorts to farm houses and villas and children will find no shortage of activities both on and off the beach and lots to see and do with the family.

Most visitors go to Magaluf and the neighbouring areas however we would suggest some of the smaller resorts such as Puerto Pollensa or Cala D’or which are which are smaller more manageable for families and very family friendly. They have sandy beaches, lots of cafes and restaurants and also good quality villas in the area and accommodation near the beaches.

When and how

Mallorca can be very busy in August and if it is possible to travel out of high season you should try to do that. May and September are also good options. There are several flights a day from most Irish and UK airports with options ranging from the budget airlines through to scheduled flights. Tour operator packages are available with companies including Sunway and Panorama. You can check flights here.

If you have booked with tour operator your holiday is likely to include transfers to and from your accommodation. Even if it does we would recommend you rent a car so that you can explore the numerous beaches and the beautiful mountains. The island is very manageable and you are generally no more than two hours from anywhere on the island. Book car hire here for the best deals

Family Friendly Accommodation in Mallorca

There are numerous family friendly accommodation options in Mallorca ranging from five star hotels to apartments and villas. Many have childcare facilities and kids clubs and you can choose whichever option suits you and your family holiday needs. For a good choice and special offers and deals you can bookaccommodation here with booking.com.

If you are going the independent route recommended five star options include the Arrabella Sheraton which has great kids and adult facilities including a kids club which is open all year round with its own swimming pool and playground. Activities range from pirate treasure hunts to dressing up, craft and teen games. Children can also enjoy lunch at the club. You can good value accommodation at this hotel his here with booking.com.

We have been at a wedding which accommodated four very young babies (one aged just 12 days old!) at the Gran Hotel Son Julia which is a stunning boutique hotel. It is quiet though and best forcouples who have a very young baby and have not quite given up on the boutique hotel dream. There are no special facilities for older children or toddlers.There is a cool ipod by the pool which is practically Olympic sized, super food and prices that are suitably high as you would expect.

The Viva Mallorca Aparthotel is a four star property in beautiful landscaped grounds close to the beach of C’an Picafort modern and comfortable facilities, aspa,gardens, a magnificent swimming pools and a children's playground. You can book this here for special offers and deals with booking.com.

Another option would be the three star Viva Sunrise Aparthotel which has a wide range of facilities and an entertainment programme for all the family. Facilities include a children's section of the pool playground and a hotel run kids club. This was recently on the Trip Advisor top family beach hotels list and you can also book this directly for good value family accommodation with booking.com.

The four star Pollentia Club Resort set in the beautiful bay of Pollensa is another good option. It has both a baby club for children between one and four and a mini club for children aged between four and twelve, a daytime and evening programme for children, teenagers and adults, a spa with a fitness centre, two large outdoor swimming pools, a separate children's pool and many other sporting activities. Families can be accommodated in twin rooms, superior rooms or suites.

If you prefer to book with a tour operator look at packages to Mallorca including the Viva Mallorca Aparthotel, the Pollentia Club Resortor the Viva Sunrise Aparthotel.

If you prefer to rent a family villa and Meon Villas have a number of family friendly villas in great locations many of which have private pools and good access to beaches. If you have a baby or a toddler you might like to consider having your supplies such as nappies sent to your destination by tinytotsaway.

What to do with the kids in Mallorca - Top tips

You can have a look at things to do and see with the kids before you go and book them online with isango. They include a visit to a working farm, an island sightseeing tour, a visit to the Drach caves, a trip to the La Reserva nature reserve, boat tips and lots more.

The beaches are a huge attraction in Mallorca and families will enjoy the gently shelving sandy beaches in Puerto Pollensa. Parents will equally enjoy the pavement restaurants and cafes lining the pedestrian pine walk where they can relax and watch the kids. Cala san Vicente has a number of sandy coves and is another attractive option.

The inland town of Pollensa has an attractive weekly market if you want a change from the beach or you can organise family activities such as cycling and horse riding from Puerto Pollensa.

Palma, Mallorca's beautiful capital is easily accessible for a day trip and you can have a great family day out there whatever the weather. The La Seu Cathedral will fascinate children who may be particularly impressed with the more recent additions by Gaudi. The old town of Palma is full of alleyways and winding lanes much of which is pedestrianised and will be fun to wander with your children.

Another idea for a day trip is a trip on the vintage electric train from Palma to Soller which cuts through tunnels. It chugs through the countryside for a fun but leisurely experience.One of the carraiges has soft leather sofas instead of wodden seats. Soller is encircled by green hills and has been largely bypassed by the tourisim boom on the island. It has old world Mallorquin ambiene and a port with silver white sand that you can catch an open sided tram to. The beach at Platja d'en Repic is quieter and where the locals go later in the day.

The Rancho Grande is a working horse ranch and children as young as four can horse ride and trek accompanied by their parents.

You could take a walking or cycling to in the Sierra de Tramuntana Mountains for fantastic views and a great outdoor experience with the family.

Aqualand and the Western Water Park are great for parents and children alike and there is even a jacuzzi for tired mums and dads.

Take atrip to Deiato visit the house ofRobert Graves and have a look at the arty small village.

The giant wooden labyrinth Amez’n Laberintos is Europe's largest maze and will help your children develop their skills in terms of strategy and direction. It is likely of course that they would be better than you and you will need to be prepared with this.

The Mallorca Aquarium in Porto Cristo is another great attraction with over 115 displays of fish from all over the world and an area of 2000 square metres.

Take a trip to the Caves of Drach in Mallorca and explore a series of mysterious caverns with stalagmites jutting out from the rock’s surface. This natural phenomenon looks fascinating because of the play of shadow and light, creating abstract images. At the end of the caves, a natural amphitheatre adds a haunting touch to the classical music played by the musicians rowing across Lake Martel, one of the world’s largest underground lakes. Dr. Buigas’ special lighting gives these spectacular caves a surreal feel. Experience a fascinating interplay of music and light as you sail on a boat through the bizarre limestone formations of the Caves of Drach which all the family will love.

Take a boat ride from Puerto de Pollensa to Formentor and enjoy the splendid scenery, sandy beaches and an old world charm. Take pictures of its horseshoe shaped bay set against the backdrop of the rugged Tramuntana mountain range. At Mallorca’s northern-most point, Formentor, you will see a tall vertical rock which is more than 200 metres high. Look out for the lighthouse on the cape that marks Mallorca’s northernmost tip.

You will find lots of family friendly travel tips and advice in our research and advice section to help you book the right family holiday. Check out also the experiences of other parents and travellers in our parents forum and add your own experiences as we are a great believer in real parent's experiences as the best measure of whether somewhere will suit you for your family holiday. 

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