Ibiza
Discover Ibiza with your family: a UNESCO old town, ancient caves, flamingo-filled salt flats, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean.
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🇪🇸Mallorca
Mallorca combines 262 beaches, the dramatic Tramuntana mountains, Gothic Palma, and the spectacular Cuevas del Drach into one brilliant family destination.
Your family guide
Mallorca with kids: beaches, underground lakes and mountain trains
“Watch sunset behind limestone peaks, explore a Gothic cathedral by afternoon, swim in turquoise coves by morning. Mallorca actually delivers that variety.”
— San & Jo
Mallorca delivers variety at scale. Families can explore turquoise coves in the morning, tour a Gothic cathedral by afternoon, and watch sunset behind limestone peaks by evening. With around 262 beaches dotting the coastline and landscapes that shift from rugged mountains to sleepy fishing villages, the island covers most family holiday bases.
The island's capital, Palma de Mallorca, is a vibrant, walkable city packed with history: think a soaring Gothic cathedral, a circular 14th-century castle, and a buzzing promenade lined with cafes. Beyond the city, the UNESCO-listed Sierra de Tramuntana mountains offer winding roads to picturesque villages, while the east coast hides the spectacular Cuevas del Drach, home to the largest underground lake in Europe.
What makes Mallorca work so well for families is the sheer variety. You are never locked into just one type of holiday. Beach days, mountain hikes, cave adventures, train rides through the mountains, and lazy lunches on a harbour terrace: it all fits into one trip, and it all feels genuinely easy to pull off with kids in tow.
262 beachesBeaches, mountains and caves
UNESCO mountainsSierra de Tramuntana
May to OctoberBest time to visit
Best things to do
Best things to do in Mallorca
Formentor Beach and the lighthouse
Cap de Formentor is Mallorca at its most dramatic. The Blue Flag-certified beach offers crystalline water and golden sand, while the 1863 lighthouse perches 1,260 feet above the sea on towering limestone cliffs. The drive up is an adventure in itself, and the views from the top are genuinely jaw-dropping for kids and adults alike.
Book the shuttle bus in peak season to avoid the road closure for private cars
Half day
Cuevas del Drach
Four interconnected caves stretching over 4 kilometres, ending at Lake Martel: the largest underground lake in Europe. The visit includes a live classical music concert performed on boats floating across the lake. It sounds quirky, and it absolutely is. Kids are usually completely spellbound.
Book tickets in advance online, especially in summer: queues can be very long
2-3 hours
The Sóller train through the mountains
The historic Ferrocarril de Sóller winds from Palma through the Tramuntana mountains to the charming village of Sóller. The wooden carriages date back to 1912 and the views through the mountain passes are spectacular. This is one of those travel experiences that feels like stepping into a different era entirely.
Combine with a tram ride down to the Port de Sóller for a full day out
Half day
La Seu Cathedral and Palma's Old Town
The Cathedral of Santa Maria (La Seu) is one of Europe's largest Gothic structures, built on the site of a former Moorish mosque right on the waterfront. The surrounding Old Town is one of the best-preserved Gothic quarters in Spain, with narrow streets, shaded squares, and the 14th-century Royal Palace of La Almudaina next door.
Visit early morning to beat the crowds and catch the light streaming through the rose window
2-3 hours
Castell de Bellver
The only circular castle in Spain and one of the oldest of its kind in Europe, built in the 14th century in Gothic style. Set on a wooded hill above Palma, it offers panoramic views over the city and bay. Kids love the unusual round shape and the moat, and the walk up through the pine forest is pleasant and easy.
The castle grounds are free to explore even if you skip the museum inside
1-2 hours
Pristine coves: Cala Mondragó and Cala Mesquida
Away from the busiest resort beaches, Mallorca's quieter coves are some of the Mediterranean's finest. Cala Mondragó sits within a natural park and has calm, shallow water perfect for snorkelling. Cala Mesquida in the northeast offers wilder scenery with dunes and fewer crowds. Both are worth the extra effort to reach.
Arrive before 10am in July and August to secure a good spot and parking
Half day
Valldemossa and the Tramuntana villages
The Carthusian Monastery of Valldemossa, built in the 15th century, is one of Mallorca's most visited landmarks and the centrepiece of one of the island's prettiest villages. The nearby village of Deia, tucked into the mountains and long popular with artists and writers, is quieter and equally beautiful. Both make for a lovely half-day drive.
Deia has a small pebbly beach (Cala Deia) that is well worth the steep walk down
Half day
Our verdict
How Mallorca scores for families
Kids
Caves, trains, castles, and endless beaches: Mallorca keeps children genuinely engaged well beyond the sun lounger.
Culture
Gothic cathedrals, a UNESCO mountain range, ancient talayot monuments, and a well-preserved old town in Palma give real cultural depth.
Food
Fresh seafood, simple tapas, and iconic local pastries make eating out with kids easy and enjoyable across the island.
Nature
The Tramuntana mountains, protected coves, and 262 beaches offer tremendous natural variety for an island of this size.
Budget
Peak season prices at popular resorts can be steep, but quieter villages and local restaurants keep costs manageable if you plan ahead.
Planning your visit
How long should you stay in Mallorca?
4
4 days
Short break
Palma, one beach, and the Cuevas del Drach: a solid taster of the island's best.
sweet spot
7
7 days
Sweet spot
Enough time to explore Palma, drive the Tramuntana, visit the caves, and settle into a favourite beach cove.
10
10 days
Deep dive
Slow down, explore the quieter villages, take the Sóller train, and find the hidden coves the day-trippers miss.
Fun facts
Things to know about Mallorca
Europe's biggest underground lake
The Cuevas del Drach contain Lake Martel, the largest underground lake in Europe. It sits inside a cave system stretching over 4 kilometres, and visitors watch a classical music concert performed on boats floating across the water. Yes, really.
Spain's only round castle
Castell de Bellver in Palma is the only circular castle in all of Spain and one of the oldest circular castles in Europe. It was built in the 14th century, and nobody is entirely sure why they chose such an unusual shape.
Humans have lived here for 9,000 years
Mallorca has been home to people since around 7000 BC. The ancient Talayot people built huge rectangular stone monuments called talaiots that still dot the island today. The Romans arrived in 123 BC and decided it was too good to pass up.
Taste Mallorca
What to eat with your family in Mallorca
Pa amb oli
Kids love itBar Flexas, Palma
Bread rubbed with ripe tomato and drizzled with local extra virgin olive oil, usually served with cured meats or Mahón cheese. It is the island's most beloved dish and the simplest: kids almost always take to it immediately.
Ensaïmada
Daily treatForn des Teatre, Palma
A light, spiral-shaped pastry made with flour, eggs, sugar, and pork lard, giving it an impossibly soft and airy texture. It is the most iconic food on the island and the perfect breakfast treat for the whole family.
Arròs brut
Local favouriteCeller Sa Premsa, Palma
Mallorca's answer to paella: a rich, slightly brothy rice dish cooked with chicken, pork, rabbit, and vegetables. The name means 'dirty rice' because of its deep colour. Hearty, warming, and full of flavour.
Tumbet
Safe choiceRestaurant Sa Teulera, Palma
Layers of fried potato, aubergine, red pepper, and courgette covered in tomato and garlic sauce, served in a clay pot. It is Mallorca's great vegetarian dish and a genuinely comforting option for kids who prefer vegetables to meat.
Sobrasada on toast
Must tryMercat de l'Olivar, Palma
Mallorca's most famous product: a soft, spreadable cured sausage made from pork, paprika, and salt with a bright orange colour and smoky flavour. Spread on warm bread with a drizzle of honey, it is one of those combinations that sounds odd and tastes wonderful.
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