Planning a Mallorca holiday with a baby or toddler? I’m not going to sit here and tell you that taking your tiny human to Mallorca will be some Instagram-perfect dreamy relaxing holiday. It won’t be. But it is a fantastic destination for travelling with a baby or toddler.
Roman’s racked up four trips to the island so far, starting with his very first holiday at 3 months old, right through to our most recent adventure at 16 months. We’ve done the baby phase, survived the crawling chaos, and lived through early toddlerhood – and now we’re sharing all our hard-earned wisdom. So here’s your no-BS guide to making Mallorca magic with your mini travellers!
Why Mallorca Is Perfect for Baby and Toddler Holidays
Short flight times: The flight is short enough (2-3 hours from most of Europe).
Baby-friendly beaches: It’s warm but not uncomfortably hot. The beaches are shallow and calm, which means less panic about your toddler getting swept off their feet!
Family-friendly Spanish culture: Spanish culture is genuinely child-friendly. Kids are welcome everywhere, and dinner at 9pm with a baby is totally normal.
Which Area to Stay in Mallorca with a Baby or Toddler
Forget the adults-only boutique hotel fantasy. That life is over. Accept it. Grieve it. Move on!
Andratx is gorgeous, Spanish, not touristy, and has a lovely Wednesday market. It’s quieter with a more real life vibe. Great if you want to feel less like a tourist and more like you’re just… existing in Spain with a baby. It’s my favourite destination. The town is walkable and there’s a decent beach nearby at Camp de Mar. Trespais restaurant is outstanding.
Best for: Avoiding crowds, local markets, authentic Spanish experience
Palma itself? Don’t write it off. Yes, it’s a city, but the old town is pushchair-friendly (mostly), there are parks with shade, and the cathedral area is stunning for a walk. Plus, if your little one is unsettled, you can disappear into a side street and nobody notices because it’s busy enough. The Parc de la Mar is perfect for toddlers – shallow water features they can splash in. Mercat d’olivar and Mercet de Santa Catalina are also well worth a visit,
Best for: Cultural sights, shopping, markets, baby change facilities, rainy day options
Puerto Portals is where the yachts live and sometimes feels a bit “look at all this money you don’t have.” BUT the marina walk is beautiful, flat, and there are upscale restaurants with decent baby facilities. If you want one fancy lunch where you pretend you’re still sophisticated people, this is your spot. Just prepare for the bill to hurt.
Best for: Fancy lunch, flat marina walks, feeling fancy for an hour
Port de Sóller is gorgeous but hillier. If you’re still in the baby-wearing stage it’s fine. If you’ve got a runner toddler? Maybe not!
Best for: Beautiful scenery, the vintage train ride, baby carriers
Skip Magaluf. Unless you want your baby’s first words to be something horrifying they heard from a drunk stag do.
Hotels I recommend: Location Is EVERYTHING
This is the single most important decision you’ll make, and it depends entirely on what kind of holiday you’re after.
Zafiro Palace Andratx: The Resort Option
Zafiro Palace Andratx is a great resort set up for kids. We went when Roman was 3 months old.
What makes it brilliant:
- You can book a room with pool access for peak nap time relaxation
- Multiple pools, including separate kids’ pools so your toddler isn’t getting splashed by teenagers and an indoor family pool for when it rains in August (yes it did for us)
- Kids’ clubs that are actually good (not just a room with some broken toys)
- The staff understand that children exist and need things at weird times
- The rooms are huge
- All-inclusive option
- The breakfast buffet has everything from croissants to beans, so everyone’s happy
The location: Andratx is quieter than the Palma/Portals area. It’s more residential, more Spanish, less “British tourists in matching football shirts.” The beaches nearby are smaller and less manic. You’re about 30 minutes from Palma, which is far enough that you feel like you’re somewhere different, but close enough for a day trip.
Best for: Families with kids under 10, anyone who wants to switch off, people who don’t want to think about where to eat every meal.
Hotel Almudaina, Palma: The City Break Option
We’ve stayed at Hotel Almudaina in Palma, and it’s brilliant for affordable city life. You’re right in the heart of things – the cathedral is walkable, the shopping is on your doorstep, and you feel like you’re actually in Mallorca rather than in a resort bubble.
What makes it brilliant:
- Location, location, location – everything’s walkable
- The cathedral at sunrise (if your kids wake you at 6am anyway, might as well use it)
- Authentic Spanish city vibes
- Good breakfast (continental, nothing fancy, but solid)
- Roof top bar has a great view
- The old town is RIGHT there for wandering
Best for: short breaks (2-3 nights max) if you’re breaking up a resort holiday with a visit to Palma, or if you’re the kind of parent who thrives on stimulation and doesn’t mind eating dinner at 9pm with overtired children. It’s genuinely wonderful for soaking up proper Spanish culture, but it’s not relaxing.
Hotel Bendinat: The Luxury Option
If Almudaina is too city and Zafiro is too resort, Hotel Bendinat is your middle ground – and it’s incredible.
This is the grown-up choice. You get hotel comfort and local experience. You can have lazy pool days or adventurous exploration days. It’s flexible, it’s peaceful, and you actually feel like you’re in Mallorca, not just a resort that could be anywhere.
Where even is Bendinat? Bendinat is this smart residential area between Palma and Portals Nous. It’s about 10 minutes from Palma, 5 minutes from Portals, positioned perfectly for accessing both city and beaches without living in either chaos.
What makes it brilliant:
- Feels like a proper hotel, not a mega-resort
- Beautiful grounds with gardens (actual space to breathe)
- Decent-sized pool – not Zafiro massive, but big enough
- Rooms are comfortable and well-equipped
- More boutique feel, less conveyor belt
- Staff ratio is better – they actually remember your name
The location:
- 10 minutes to Palma
- 5 minutes to Portals Nous beaches
- 10 minutes to Illetas (gorgeous beach)
- Walking distance to a few local restaurants
- Quiet enough for proper sleep
- Close enough to everything that you’re not spending your life in the car
What’s nearby:
- Bendinat beach (literally called Playa Bendinat) – small, rocky, but swimmable
- Several small coves within walking distance
- Marivent Palace gardens (free, beautiful, kids can run around)
- Local supermarket for essentials
- A handful of decent restaurants in the area
The vibe:
It’s not all-inclusive chaos, and it’s not city hotel intensity. You have hotel amenities (pool, breakfast, comfortable rooms) but you’re staying in a proper neighborhood. You see Spanish families, not just tourists. It feels more real without being stressful.
Who it’s for:
- Families who want luxury and flexibility
- People who like having a base but exploring
- Mixed-age kids (works for toddlers and teens)
- Anyone who wants resort amenities without resort vibes
- People who plan to eat out but don’t want to figure out every single meal
What’s not perfect:
- Not all-inclusive (you’re figuring out most meals)
- Smaller pool (but less crowded)
- You’ll want a car for proper beach days
- Fewer on-site activities than big resorts
- If it rains, you’re driving somewhere (no massive indoor facilities)
Beaches in Mallorca
Andratx and the Southwest Coast
This is our go-to area, and here’s why it’s brilliant:
Camp de Mar: Shallow water (perfect for little kids who are still wobbly), small beach so you can actually keep an eye on everyone, one tree that provides actual shade (get there early), and there’s a restaurant literally ON the beach where you can order wine and watch your kids simultaneously. Gets busy but not insane. Parking can be tricky in peak season – arrive before 10am.
Sant Elm: Bit further out (20 minutes from Andratx) but absolutely worth it. The water is that ridiculous turquoise you see on postcards and don’t believe is real. Less crowded because tourists can’t be bothered to drive the extra 15 minutes. More Spanish families, which means it’s authentically family-friendly. The beach has a proper promenade for evening walks. Decent restaurants. You can see Sa Dragonera island and watch the boat trips. Just lovely.
Port d’Andratx: Not a swimming beach – it’s a working port and marina. But it’s gorgeous for evening walks, ice cream missions, and watching boats. Dozens of restaurants along the waterfront. More upmarket vibe. Good for when you need a break from sand but want water views.
The southwest in general: Less developed than the Palma bay side. Smaller hotels, more villas, fewer mega-resorts. You’re not fighting for a 2-meter square of sand. The water is genuinely crystal clear. Beaches feel more intimate. It’s the Mallorca people imagine when they book the holiday.
Near Palma
Cala Major: Walking distance from Palma center if you’re feeling ambitious (20-25 minutes), decent beach, very convenient. Also very busy in summer. Locals use it, which is always a good sign. Mix of tourists and Spanish families. Gets the job done but not spectacular.
Portals Nous/Illetas: Gorgeous beaches but BUSY. July/August is sardine tin territory. The water is stunning – clear, calm, turquoise. But you’re fighting for space. Go early (genuinely 9am) or late (after 5pm when everyone else leaves). There’s a reason it’s crowded – it’s beautiful. Beach clubs if you want to splash cash. Parking is a nightmare.
Honest tip: If you’re staying in Palma, you’re driving or getting taxis to beaches anyway. There’s no close option. Factor this into your day – you need travel time, parking stress, carrying beach equipment. It’s doable with kids, it’s just not seamless.
If you’re at Zafiro, you’re perfectly positioned for the southwest beaches – all 10-15 minutes away.
If you’re at Bendinat, you’ve got Portals/Illetas nearby, but also easy access to the southwest if you want less crowds.
Other Things To Do in Mallorca with Babies and Toddlers
Palma Aquarium: Air-conditioned, toddler-friendly, genuinely interesting. Roman loved the jellyfish. I really recommend this place!
Andratx market (Wednesdays): If you’re staying nearby, it’s worth a browse. Fresh produce, some tourist tat, and a genuinely local vibe. Just go early!
Puerto Portals marina walk: Flat, pram-friendly, and you can look at boats that cost more than your house while your baby has a snack. There’s gelato. Sometimes that’s enough.
The train from Palma to Sóller: Scenic, old-school, and your toddler will lose their mind over the tunnel. Pack snacks. Pack more snacks than that. Now double it.
Don’t bother with: The caves (dark + echoey + a sensory nightmare), most of the mountain villages (stairs, cobblestones, nowhere to change a nappy), pretending you’ll do a coastal hike (you won’t).
Essential Tips for Visiting Mallorca with a Baby
Navigating meal times: Spaniards eat late. Lunch is 2-3pm. Dinner starts at 9pm. Restaurants don’t even open until 7:30/8pm for dinner. Your kids need food at 6pm or someone (possibly everyone) is losing their mind.
Your options:
- Embrace late lunch (big meal at 2-3pm, snacks at 6pm, everyone sleeps better)
- Find tourist restaurants that open earlier (not always great, but sometimes necessary)
- All-inclusive (this is genuinely why Zafiro makes sense)
- Picnic dinners from supermarkets (zero judgment)
Best time to visit: May, June, September, or early October. You’ll avoid the July/August crowds and heat, and the sea is still warm enough. Autumn has fewer families but everything’s still open.
Skip July and August with a baby. It’s scorching, packed, and pretty miserable when you’re dealing with naps and sun protection. Unless you have no choice (school holidays), aim for shoulder season.
If you’re into renting. Companies like Babyquip will deliver a cot, high chair, steriliser, and literally whatever else to your accommodation.
Supermarket intel: Eroski has the best selection of baby stuff—formula, pouches, snacks. Müller is also brilliant for organic baby brands. Dodot is the Spanish version of Pampers if you run out of nappies.
Pharmacies are EVERYWHERE and brilliant. Teething gel, Calpol equivalent (it’s called Apiretal), nappy rash cream—The pharmacist will help if your Spanish is terrible (mine is). Look for the green cross signs.
Shopping centers have baby rooms. Fan Shopping Center in Palma, Porto Pi—they all have proper breastfeeding rooms with changing tables, comfy chairs, and microwaves for bottles. The airport has family rooms too.
The beaches are pebbly in some spots. Bring or buy cheap water shoes for your baby. Those little feet are soft and the stones are not.
Breastfeeding in public: Totally accepted. Also, topless sunbathing is standard here for all ages and sizes. It’s genuinely body-positive and nobody’s weird about it. Do what makes you comfortable.
Formula feeding? Ready-made formula is widely available. TSA liquid rules still apply on flights but Spanish pharmacies stock everything you need.
Most restaurants will do plain pasta or chicken. Don’t be scared about asking. They get it!
Shops close 2-5pm for siesta time. Plan accordingly!
Money Reality:
- Mallorca is NOT cheap
- Kids menus: €12-15 where they exist
- Adult mains: €18-30+
- Budget more than you think
- Cash still useful in smaller places
Final Thoughts: Is Mallorca Worth It With a Baby?
Yes. Mallorca delivers. Just know what you’re signing up for, pick the right base, and embrace the chaos.
You’ll come home with sand in places you didn’t know existed, probably having spent more than you meant to, definitely more exhausted than when you left. But you’ll also come home with your camera roll full of your kids being genuinely, unfiltered happy. And that’s worth every grain of sand in your suitcase.
Because despite everything – when your little one runs into the Mediterranean squealing with joy at 8am on a Tuesday, you’ll get it.
Now go book that trip. Or don’t. Both are valid choices and I support you either way 🤪
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