A week in Mallorca with children often means packing and unpacking every other day. Each move costs time and patience, so you need a plan with as few moves as possible.
This article gives you a clear day-by-day route, with the two places to stay, the beaches and trips to pick, and what to check before you book.
Two bases beat moving every day
Two bases beat a new hotel every day. Each move means packing, unpacking and finding parking again. Stay four nights in Playa de Muro or Port d’Alcúdia, then three in Palma.
Playa de Muro and Alcúdia Beach have fine sand and shallow water, which suits children who paddle near the shore. For beaches and sights in each area, see our Mallorca Ultimate Guide.
Ending the week in Palma cuts the drive to the airport. From Playa de Muro, the trip is about 62 km and takes about 53 minutes. From central Palma, it is about 11 km and takes about 20 minutes.
That leaves more time on the last morning.
Before you fix your dates, read about the best time of year to visit Palma for sightseeing and how to buy Palma cathedral tickets in advance.
The northern base: days one to four
Day one: collect the hire car and drive north. Keep the afternoon free for unpacking and a swim at Playa de Muro.
Day two: most of the day on the beach. Developed parts of Playa de Muro have little shade, so bring a parasol.
For pine shade, try Es Comú, which has no beach facilities. Then go to Alcúdia for a walk and a meal.
On day three, take a boat trip from Port d’Alcúdia, a few minutes from your base:
- Coll Baix snorkelling boat trip: four hours from 09:30, with a swimming and snorkelling stop at Coll Baix. Children of all ages can join, and life jackets are provided.
- Sunrise dolphin watching: about two hours, for children aged 3 and over.
- Blue Cave boat trip: a turquoise sea cave you can only reach by boat.
Check the minimum age for your exact trip before booking: some speedboat excursions only accept children from eight.
Day four: stay flexible, with either another beach day or a nature walk. Playa de Muro borders S’Albufera Natural Park.
Palma with children: days five to seven
On day five, drive to Palma and park outside the old town. Leave the car there and walk in, because the historic centre is easier to explore on foot.
Our Palma Old Town Walking Tour lasts 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. Plan the morning around that length, so you finish before young children get tired or hungry.
- Day 5: after the walk, visit the Cathedral with a skip-the-line ticket. From April to October, it is open 10:00 to 17:15 on weekdays and 10:00 to 14:15 on Saturdays, and closed to visits on Sundays. Check the hours for your dates.
- Day 6: Palma Aquarium is the main activity, and a good choice if the weather turns. Book ahead to skip the queue.
- Day 7: take the Sóller train, or combine it with a boat on this vintage train and boat tour. Departure times change by day, so check the timetable for your date.
Travelling in autumn? Read Mallorca in October: weather and things to do.
Getting around by car and parking in Palma
A car is useful for the drive between Playa de Muro and Palma, where you can stop at beaches and sights on your own time. Still choosing where to stay? Read the best areas to stay in Mallorca first.
The old town of Palma is different. Its streets are narrow and some areas do not allow cars, so park at the edge and walk in.
Check the access rules before you drive into the centre, because a sign can stop you at the entrance.
Palma’s parking rules depend on the road marking and the posted sign, and the sign decides. When you reserve your hire car, ask for child seats. With our partner Offugo, use the code MALLORCA10 for 10% off.
| Blue lines | White lines | Yellow lines | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it usually means | Paid parking | Parking allowed, often with a time limit | No parking, or loading only |
| Do you pay? | Yes, during the hours on the sign | No, unless a sign says otherwise | No |
| What to check | The sign for fee and hours | The sign for time limit | The sign for permitted times |
Eating with children, and when to book
Use the evening in Alcúdia or Palma to try local food. Restaurants there fill up quickly, so book a table ahead, especially with young children.
Before you go, ask the restaurant directly about children’s dishes and high chairs. If the answer is no, you can choose another place before you arrive with tired children.
For dinners out, keep these habits in mind:
- Choose our evening tapas tour in the old town, with soft drinks for the children. It lasts 2 hours 30 minutes, so you know when the evening ends.
- Order small plates to share, so young children can eat a little from several dishes.
- Plan a short walk back to the car after dinner, because tired children slow down quickly. Our parking and driving guide lists the car parks near the old town.
Check before you go
In October, a beach day depends on the weather. Swimming may still be possible, but beach weather is not assured. Check the local forecast before setting out.
If the forecast looks wet or cold, switch the day to a city visit or an indoor attraction. Make that choice in the morning, before you leave, so the children are not left waiting at the beach.
Before you book, check these key times for your travel dates:
- Palma Cathedral: tourist visits are closed on Sundays, so check its opening hours first.
- Sóller train: departure times differ by day, so check the timetable for your date.
- Cap de Formentor: check the access rules with the Consell de Mallorca before you drive there.
- Palma Aquarium: check the official calendar and ticket page for your visit date.
Keep the week to two bases: a few nights in the north, then the last nights in Palma. Fewer moves mean more time at the beach and less time packing.
Next, fix your dates and check the opening hours, parking signs and forecast for those days. Then book the car, the boat trip and the restaurant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are child seats required in hire cars in Spain?
Yes, Spain requires child restraints in cars, so plan for one before you collect the car. Check the current Spanish child-restraint rules and your child’s height before you choose a seat.
Can young children join the snorkelling boat trip?
Yes. The four-hour morning snorkelling trip from Port d’Alcúdia accepts children of all ages, and life jackets and flotation aids are provided. If your child is not a confident swimmer, keep them within arm’s reach in the water.
Is Palma Aquarium suitable for toddlers?
Whether a toddler can visit Palma Aquarium depends on the aquarium’s ticket rules for their age, so check those before you book.
Open the official visitor information and find the rule for your child’s exact age before you choose a date.
Do I need to book the Sóller train in advance?
Whether you need to book ahead depends on your travel date, so check the operator’s ticket page for that exact day before you travel.
The listed departures change from day to day, so a timetable you saw for another date may not apply.
Get our Mallorca Ultimate Guide, browse our best things to do in Mallorca, or ask your questions in our Mallorca Travel Community.
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