Short family break in Palma
What makes Palma the ideal summer short break?
Convenience of travel, short transfer times, sunshine, great food, attractive architecture, culture, an abundance of different accommodation options in a location where English is widely spoken - make Palma THE destination for a short break.
Numerous airlines fly from 15 UK airports in 2.5 hours. The temperatures stay reliably in the 20’s from May until September. We’d recommend 4 nights to fit in enough time to see the slights and relax. Palma is busiest Friday-Sunday evenings, flights accommodation and late check outs are more expensive.
Day 1 - Arrive
Book early for a morning flight from the UK, to arrive in Palma mid-afternoon. Whilst the official taxi line can look long, it moves quickly and is the best option for up to 4 guests with 3 larger suitcases. For larger groups or more luggage, it can be more cost effective to re-book a minibus transfer. Ubers are few and far between on the island, although the pre-booking option can be useful for day trips on the island.
Our favourite hotels in the Palma area include the Bonsol and the Son Caliu, but there are abundant options at all budgets. It’s worth noting that the hotels in Palma centre are more suited to couples.
Spend the afternoon lazing by the pool.
Day 2 - Water
The sea temperatures in Palma from July - September hover around the 25deg mark, perfect for some ocean activity. From the small beach in Son Calui you can rent insured licensed SUPs by the hour. The father and son team also provide tuition to individuals and small groups.
Palmanova beach watersports centre hosts pedalos with slides, paragliding and banana boat rides and wakeboarding tuition.
Alternatively spend an afternoon at a teen- friendly beach club. We like Balneario Illetes, the beach here also has pedalos with slides for hourly hire.
Day 3 - A bit of boating
Whilst the super yachts moored at Palma Marina are out of reach for most of us, plenty of skippered boats are available for hire on a daily or half daily basis. Aboard, you can visit dramatic caves, snorkel in small coves (with a surprising number of fish) our preferred boat also has an SUP. Drinks are often included and we can source a Mallorcan picnic lunch for you.
The waters tend to be very calm in the morning and early afternoon, if you have younger children it’s recommended to book the first trip of the day.
Day 4 - A trip to Palma
After a relaxing morning at the hotel, head over to Palma town in the mid-afternoon, after the heat of the midday sun has passed. The capital’s Gothic, Modernist and Art Nouveau architecture is stunningly preserved (we had a competition to see who could spot the best balcony last time). Simply wandering the streets for a hour is the best way to digest it’s beauty before a quick look at the cathedral.
There’s plenty of good shopping here, head down the tree-lined Passeig des Born for a huge Zara, interesting street sellers and the opportunity to have a caricature. If your teens are interested in a instagrammable view, the contemporary art museum - Es Baluard gets mixed reviews, but the view from their top floor is fabulous. (Shut Mondays, early close Sunday)
Once you’ve soaked up the atmosphere, the food becomes key. Tapas here is as fabulous as you thought it would be. Many places are counter service and you need to queue, so if travelling with a larger family booking a table is essential.