Palma Guide – What to do with children on Mallorca

Travelling with children changes the way you experience a destination.

You slow down a little. You start noticing places you might have walked straight past before. And suddenly, the best days aren’t necessarily the busiest ones, they’re the ones filled with small adventures, ice cream stops and swims in impossibly clear water.

The good news? Mallorca happens to be one of the easiest places in Europe to travel with kids.

The island is compact enough to explore without spending hours in the car, the weather is on your side for most of the year and there are plenty of experiences that both children and adults genuinely enjoy.

At Nakar Hotel, we’re all about discovering Mallorca beyond the obvious. So rather than giving you an endless list of attractions, we’ve picked five family-friendly experiences we’d happily recommend to our own friends.

Because travelling with children doesn’t mean compromising on beautiful places, good food or memorable experiences. Ready?

The best things to do with children on Mallorca

1. Spend the day at one of Mallorca’s family-friendly beaches

Let’s start with the obvious. A beach day. But not just any beach.

While Mallorca is famous for hidden coves reached by steep hiking trails, those aren’t always the best option when you’re carrying towels, beach toys, snacks and approximately seventeen things your children suddenly “can’t live without.”

Instead, choose beaches that combine shallow water, soft sand and plenty of space to play.

Playa de Muro is one of our favourites. The water stays shallow for a long distance, making it ideal for younger children, while parents can actually relax knowing there’s plenty of room to paddle safely.

Cala Mondragó is another excellent choice. Located inside a protected natural park, it combines beautiful scenery with calm, clear water and easy access.

If you’re staying in Palma, Illetas is also perfect for a shorter beach day. Close to the city yet surrounded by turquoise water, it’s proof that you don’t always have to drive across the island to find paradise.

Our advice? Arrive early, pack a picnic and don’t plan too much afterwards. Beach days have a habit of lasting longer than expected and that’s usually a good sign.

We’ve also written a blog post about this topic in the past, so click here and find the best family-friendly beaches on the island.

2. Ride the historic train to Sóller

Some experiences never lose their charm. The wooden train connecting Palma and Sóller has been running since 1912, and more than a century later it’s still one of Mallorca’s most magical journeys. Children love it because, well… it’s a train.

Adults love it because it passes through orange groves, mountain tunnels and some of the most beautiful landscapes on the island. It’s one of those rare activities where everyone wins.

Once you arrive in Sóller, take your time wandering through the town centre before hopping on the vintage tram to Port de Sóller.

Order an ice cream, sit by the sea and let the afternoon unfold naturally.

Sometimes the simplest days become the ones you remember most.

3. Discover Palma Aquarium

If you’re looking for an activity that works whatever the weather, Palma Aquarium is always a great idea. It’s home to hundreds of marine species from around the world, interactive exhibits and one of Europe’s deepest shark tanks.

Children will happily spend hours moving from one aquarium to the next, while adults usually end up just as fascinated.

There are outdoor play areas, splash zones during the warmer months and enough space to spend half a day without anyone getting bored.

It’s educational without ever feeling like school. Exactly the kind of balance we like.

4. Turn the Tramuntana into an adventure

The Serra de Tramuntana isn’t just for experienced hikers. In fact, some of our favourite family days happen here.

Drive through villages like Valldemossa, Deià or Fornalutx, stop whenever a viewpoint catches your eye and let curiosity guide the day instead of a timetable.

Children love exploring tiny streets, climbing old stone staircases and discovering hidden corners that don’t appear on maps.

Parents, meanwhile, get to enjoy mountain scenery, local cafés and some of Mallorca’s prettiest villages.

Pick up pastries from a local bakery, find a quiet square and turn lunch into an impromptu picnic. Not every adventure needs an itinerary.

5. Get out on the water

If there’s one experience that makes children feel like real explorers, it’s getting out to sea.

Mallorca offers plenty of family-friendly boat trips, whether you’re sailing along the coastline, visiting sea caves or dropping anchor for a swim in crystal-clear water. Port de Sóller, Port d’Alcúdia and Cala Ratjada all offer fantastic options during the warmer months. Many excursions are only a few hours long, making them ideal for younger travellers.

Keep an eye out for dolphins, bring your snorkelling gear and don’t be surprised if this ends up being the highlight of the holiday.

Because everything feels a little more exciting from a boat.

A few family travel tips for Mallorca

Travelling with children on Mallorca is refreshingly easy, but a few local tips can make the experience even better.

During summer, plan outdoor activities in the morning and leave museums, aquariums or long lunches for the hottest part of the day.

Always keep water, sunscreen and a few snacks in the car: trust us, they’ll disappear faster than you expect. If you’re exploring the island, don’t try to see everything in one trip.

Mallorca rewards slow travel.

Choose one area each day, leave room for spontaneous stops and don’t worry if your carefully planned itinerary changes halfway through. It probably will.

And those unexpected moments often become the best memories.

Why Palma is the perfect base for families

One of the biggest advantages of staying in Palma is flexibility.

You can spend the morning building sandcastles on a beach, the afternoon exploring a mountain village and still be back in the city in time for dinner.

There’s no need to pack and unpack every couple of days or move from one hotel to another. Everything is within easy reach.

Palma itself is also wonderfully family-friendly. Walk through the old town, stop for an ice cream by the Cathedral, explore Parc de la Mar or simply enjoy wandering the pedestrian streets. It’s a city that’s easy to explore at your own pace.

Stay at Nakar Hotel and discover Mallorca together

Family holidays don’t have to mean choosing between adventure and relaxation.

At Nakar Hotel, you’re perfectly placed to discover every corner of Mallorca while enjoying everything Palma has to offer. Spend the day exploring beaches, villages or hidden corners of the island, then come back for rooftop views, a relaxing evening and the perfect base for tomorrow’s adventure.

Because the best family holidays aren’t about ticking attractions off a list.

They’re about discovering places you’ll want to come back to together.