Arenal / Playa de Palma

Arenal/Playa de Palma is located to the southeast of Palma on the opposite side of Palma Bay from Magaluf. One of Majorca’s first main stream beach resorts and also one of the largest, Arenal is popular with German tourists and singletons, who are attracted by its great nightlife and gorgeous beach.

Up until recently, Arenal/Playa de Palma was regarded as an unattractive resort, largely due to the disadvantages associated with mass tourism. However, recent council spending has improved the resort with the construction of a waterfront promenade, although overcrowding still seems to be a problem.

Arenal enjoys a long, sweeping beach backed by a wide, tree lined promenade on Palma Bay, with all manner of water sports available in the daytime. Cafés and bars line the opposite side of the road from the promenade, while traditional Spanish tapas bars are in the minority; the norm being typical German beer gardens.

Apart from opportunities for lazing on the beach and partaking in water sports, Arenal boasts Aqua City Arenal water park, with its numerous swimming pools and themed slides, as well as a vibrant night scene owing to the profusion of bars along the waterfront and lively hotel based entertainment. If you look carefully, you will find the odd marble clad cocktail bar offering respite from the noise.

The nearest substantial resort to Arenal/Playa de Palma is the laid back Ca’n Pastilla, while Palma is worth a look for its numerous attractions and sophisticated nightlife. The imposing Gothic cathedral is the main attraction in Palma and shoppers will revel in the quality and variety of goods on offer.

Getting to Arenal/Playa de Palma is simple as the airport is five and a half miles away, with a journey time of about 10 minutes by car. If you are driving, head south from the airport towards the PM19 (southeast), from where you exit onto the PM602 for Arenal.