Playa de Palma beach, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Playa de Palma is a large urban beach located on the southern coast of the island of Mallorca in the Balearic Islands, Spain. It stretches for about 4.5 kilometers along the Bay of Palma between Can Pastilla, on the edge of the city of Palma de Mallorca, and the resort area of El Arenal. The beach lies about 10 km east of Palma’s historic center and only 5 km from Palma de Mallorca Airport, making it one of the most accessible beaches on the island. Its wide sandy shoreline and shallow waters make it a popular destination for both tourists and local residents.

The beach is known for its fine golden sand and calm Mediterranean waters, with an average width of around 50 meters. A long seaside promenade runs parallel to the beach and is lined with hotels, restaurants, cafés, and rental shops. The coastline is divided into numbered sections called “Balnearios” (B1–B15), which serve as beach bars and orientation points along the promenade. These sections help visitors navigate the long beach and are commonly used as meeting points.

Playa de Palma offers a wide range of recreational facilities and water sports. Visitors can rent sun loungers and umbrellas, participate in activities such as parasailing, jet skiing, paddleboarding, and windsurfing, or cycle along the dedicated bike paths that connect the beach with Palma’s waterfront. The beach is also known for its lively atmosphere, particularly around the Balneario areas closer to El Arenal, where beach bars and nightlife venues attract many international visitors.

Water temperature

Water conditions at Playa de Palma are generally favorable for swimming for much of the year. On average the sea is about 22–25 °C in June, 25–29 °C in July, 28–29 °C in August and 25–27 °C in September. In late spring (May) the water averages around 18–21 °C, while in October it often remains comfortable at 22–26 °C, allowing swimming even outside peak summer months.

Transport

The beach can be reached from Palma city center in about 15 minutes by car, taxi, or bus, with several public bus lines connecting the city and the airport directly to the coastal promenade. A cycling path also runs along the entire bay, allowing visitors to reach Playa de Palma by bike from Palma’s marina and cathedral area.

From the historic center of Palma de Mallorca, the beach can be reached by several EMT city bus routes. Line 15 (Plaça de la Reina – Platja de Palma) follows the coast and stops at many points along the beach, while line 25 is a faster express to Platja de Palma via the motorway; the journey takes about 20–30 minutes. Another option is bus line 23 (Plaça d’Espanya – s’Arenal), which also stops close to the beach areas. From Palma Intermodal Station at Plaça d’Espanya, buses run frequently throughout the day, making Playa de Palma one of the easiest beaches to reach from the city without a car.