A day on the beach can save your soul. Makes you enjoy the simplest of things like digging your feet in the sand or watching the waterline come and go. Recline on your fouta and feel the wind caress your body. Dive into the waves like a fish. Mallorca has a beach for every day of the year. White sandy shores, pebbly bays, protected dunes, family beaches and secluded coves. I am always excited to go to a place I haven’t been to before. But then there’s also a number of beaches that I love to return to every now and then. These are my personal Top 10 beaches on Mallorca, going counterclockwise around the island:
Es Trenc never loses its magic. Well-known for its relaxed Caribean flair, the long stretch of fine white sand and clear green-blue water is popular with young people as well as families. The natural beach is part of a unique ecosystem with dune landscape, pine forest and flat wetlands. With no shadow whatsoever the light at Es Trenc seems to be particularly bright, so make sure to bring a parasol to get some shade.
Colonia de Sant Jordi used to be a small fishing village when families from the island turned it into their summer resort. Actually, this is where I spend my first holidays on Mallorca, and fell in love with the small town and its marvelous beaches right away. Starting from the port one bay follows the next. Walking barefoot in the clear shallow water you’ll find the one you like best. The further you go, the quieter they get.
For many years, Caló de sa Font de n’Alis has been my secret hideaway. Set amidst the spectacular landscape of Natural Parc Mondragó the cove with its calm turquoise water and white sand embodies the perfect beach. Today, it is popular with locals and tourists alike – just for the same reason. If you come early in the morning, you may still have it all for yourself. But I also love it when it’s busy, have a coffee at the chiringuito and a dorada a la plancha at the restaurant on the beach later on.
If you go for waves and a somewhat wild, completely unspoiled beach, you will like Son Serra de Marina. The quiet summer resort next to Can Picafort equally attracts nature lovers and surfers. Set against dunes and the Serra de Llevant, the beach offers a great vista of the bay of Alcúdia. Due to the strong wind and currents the water is often pretty stirred but don’t worry, it’s got the Blue Flag again, this year.
Narrow paths through protected dune landscape lead to splendid Playa de Muro. I’m always captivated by its countless shades of Mediterranean blue and green, depending on the time of day. Children run around the clear shallow water while their parents sit in the sand cooling their feet. But you can also get a sunbed with a parasol and enjoy a perfect holiday near Ponderosa Beach and Can Gavella, the two popular beach clubs.
The Torrent de Pareis is the supreme discipline for every hiker, about five hours of jumping, twisting and scrambling over huge rocks. At the end you’ll be rewarded with a dive into the cool greenish-blue water at one of the most spectacular bays of Mallorca. Framed by steep rocks, the pebble beach offers limited space but you’ll surely enjoy the time to dry off among the other sunbathers. Ice-cream and coffee are only a few steps away in the bay of Sa Calobra where you can take the boat to Port de Sóller.
Port de Sóller embodies the picture postcard midcentury vacation. A wide, perfectly rounded bay lined with small hotels, summer residences, cafés and restaurants. During the season families, couples and youngsters from all over the world share the broad walkway with the historic train that connects the port with Sóller in the mountains. There are two beaches on either side of the bay, Es Repic and Es Traves. Take a SUP and set sail towards the lighthouse.
Cala Deià is one of the most picturesque bays at the foot of the Tramuntana, just outside the popular mountain village. The small shingle beach is surrounded by cliffs and pine forest. A cluster of tiny houses and a jetty tell about former fishermen. The calm turquoise waters are always worth a swim. But I rather come here to spend a relaxed afternoon on the terrace of one of the two restaurants, enjoy a plate of seafood and the Mediterranean lightness of being.
The narrow pebble beach of Port des Canonge is set against a row of boathouses overlooking the open sea. A scenic car ride with impressive hairpin turns leads all the way down to the small seaside resort. But I prefer to walk from Banyalbufar, following the scent of pine trees, sun and salt on the shady trail along the coast. Looking forward to dipping into the crystal-clear water. And having lunch at one of the few restaurants in the village.
Portals Vells is a peaceful little cove sheltered by cliffs and surrounded by shading pine trees. The white sandy beach next to a chiringuito is particularly popular with local families. Children love the clear, calm waters while their elder siblings explore the nearby rocks and caves. Going for a swim and having lunch here are a nice way to end a hike to the lighthouse of Cala Figuera. You may also like the stunning, yet really tiny Cala del Mago and Caló dels Reis right around the corner.
For me it’s the great variety of beaches that is unique on the island. There is one for every mood and any kind of sports. Depending on the time of year, or even time of day, some can be pretty busy. But there are still those precious moments when you have a cove all for yourself. What are your best beaches on Mallorca? 
