El Arenal is a well-known resort located on the south coast of Mallorca, the largest island in the Spanish Balearic Islands. It is located at the southeastern end of the Bay of Palma, between the island’s capital Palma de Mallorca and the city of Llucmajor.

A sleepy village in the middle of a dreamlike landscape becomes a popular holiday destination

Once upon a time, El Arenal was a small, unknown fishing village on the southern Mediterranean coast of Mallorca. Today, only the historic town centre is a reminder of its past. Since the town was developed for tourism in the 1950s and the first hotels were built, it has developed into a magical attraction for tourists. The impressive nature with spectacular white sandy beaches and turquoise blue sea and the pleasant Mediterranean climate contribute to the popularity of the island. Cliffs, caves and coves with crystal clear waters characterize the rugged coastal landscape from Palma to Cala D’Or. The surrounding area is dotted with unspoilt villages and high mountains offer breathtaking views of the island and its coastline. In the meantime, a variety of tourist offers in the form of hotels, restaurants and leisure facilities make up the appearance of El Arenal. The dreamlike long sandy beach is lined with beach bars and a promenade.

The scenic surroundings of El Arenal are full of sights

Charming landscapes and historical cultural sites in the area invite you to explore:

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  The Palma Aquarium is home to more than 700 different species of fish and coral in 55 seawater tanks near the beach. On an exciting journey through the seas of this world, the visitor meets the inhabitants of the Mediterranean as well as the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The roof of the aquarium houses an artificially created tropical rainforest. Outside, there is a Mediterranean garden with ponds, waterways and adventure playgrounds.

• Three kilometers west of downtown Palma is the medieval castle Castell de Bellver. James II, King of Mallorca, had it built in the 14th century. The imposing Gothic building is one of the few round castles in Europe. After initially serving as a residence for the rulers of the island, it was used as a prison until the middle of the 20th century. Since its restoration in 1932, it has been the seat of the city’s History Museum.
• Also worth seeing is the imposing La Seu Cathedral of Palma. The construction of the church in Catalan Gothic style began as early as 1229 and its completion lasted until 1601.
• From the mountain Puig de Sant Salvador enjoys spectacular views of the island. Like a fortress, the Santuari de Sant Salvador monastery sits enthroned at an altitude of over 500 meters. In 1715, the original building from 1348 gave way to a new one. First, a 37-meter-high tower with a statue of Christ the Redeemer catches the eye. A valuable statue of Mary from the 13th century and a high altar from the 15th century await you in the magnificently decorated interior of the monastery.
• The uninhabited Mediterranean island of Cabrera off the southern coast of Mallorca was declared a national park in April 1991. The Archipiélago de Cabrera nature reserve in Colònia de Sant Jordi impresses with its numerous native plant and animal species. Above all, however, it is a true underwater paradise.
• Away from the busy coasts lie many hidden picturesque bays with crystal clear, turquoise waters. Only a few tourists get lost in the lonely rocky bays such as Calonet d’es Fornàs, Cala Pi and Caló de Sant Antoni.
• Near Palma, the underground stalactite caves of Genova were discovered by chance in 1906 while digging a well. Visitors get the opportunity to explore the interesting rock formations, water basins and columns in guided tours.

Lovers of colourful hustle and bustle will get their money’s worth in El Arenal

The well-kept white sandy beach with palm trees makes swimming a fantastic experience. In addition, all conceivable types of water sports can be practiced. In the idyllic harbour of the Yacht Club Náutic Arenal, a sailing school offers courses for beginners and advanced sailors. If the sea and the beach are not enough, you will find water slides, wave pools and a replica of a tropical island paradise at the Aqualand El Arenal water park.

In addition, holidaymakers can choose from a veritable wealth of gastronomic facilities. In addition to epicurean delights from all over the world, local dishes are also offered. Bar Andaluz serves authentic Spanish cuisine with a rich selection of tapas, while the Las Sirenas restaurant on the harbour serves freshly caught fish to its guests.
El Arenal is an excellent place to shop. Along the promenade of El Areal, numerous boutiques and souvenir shops are lined up. On Thursdays, a large market is also held. The most elegant shopping street in Mallorca is the Paseo del Borne in Palma. In the pedestrian zone framed by old trees with luxurious shops and fashion boutiques, nothing is left to be desired. In the market square of Llucmajor, lined with small cafés, traders offer fruit and vegetables three days a week. A flea market takes place every Friday on the Esplanade Jaume III.

The place is known for its distinctive nightlife in numerous discos and night bars. There are also attractive bars in a beautiful ambience in nearby Palma.
If you want to enjoy these benefits without the hustle and bustle, you should consider the quieter low season for your stay.

The town of S’Illot on the east coast of Mallorca is remembered for its geographical location. The village of 2000 inhabitants is divided by the torrent “Torrent de Ca n’Amer”. Where it reaches the sea, a handsome bridge spans over it, which was only renewed in 2019. S’Illot is an urbanization that was built from 1959 especially for tourists. It is located exactly between the larger tourist magnets Cala Millor in the north and Porto Christo in the south. And always seems to be a bit in their shadow.

Hotels and apartments dominate the townscape today. In order to remain competitive, a lot has been invested in hotel renovations in recent years. The big plus of the town is the sandy beach Cala Moreia near the hotel – about 350 meters long and 50 meters wide. A little further south is Cala Morlanda with its sandy and rocky beach, which is often visited by divers. It is only 60 kilometres from S’Illot to Palma de Mallorca Airport and only 16 kilometres to the city of Manacor, which is well worth seeing, and has become famous for the “Pearls of Mallorca”.

S’Illot hit the headlines in the winter of 2018 due to an accident: the Ca n’Amer torrent became a flash flood, damaging the bridge and washing cars and rubbish into the sea. At that time, ten people were killed. The damage has since been repaired, and the reconstruction has upgraded S’Illot.

Excavation site of the “tower culture” at the entrance to the village

Holidaymakers who arrive in S’Illot via the Ma-2021 road are at the destination of a journey through time: they are the first to land… in the Bronze Age. Right at the entrance to the town, on Carrer Rosa del Vents, is the archaeological site “Talayotic Settlement of S’Illot” (Poblat talaiòtic de S’Illot). Visitors can walk over footbridges and bridges with display boards and learn that people of the so-called Talayotic culture lived in the tourist resort 3000 years ago. There are only ruins on the site, but you can learn how our ancestors built impressive dwellings, two-storey towers and village enclosures made of thick stones. The neighboring museum brings you this culture of the Balearic Islands even closer. In Sa Coma, which adjoins S’Illot to the north and is within walking distance, there is also an excavation site.

Watch lions, monkeys and giraffes in the car in the safari park

If you’ve had enough of beach life under the umbrella in S’Illot, you can visit the safari park at Sa Coma to see wild animals. With a rental car or their own car, visitors drive through the 40-hectare “steppe” and observe giraffes, monkeys and lions – almost like in the wild. There are no cramped cages here, as unfortunately still in some zoos .

A great destination is also the protected peninsula of Punta n’Amer with deciduous forest north of Sa Coma, which holidaymakers can reach by rental bike or on foot. There are beautiful hiking trails, an observation tower with a museum and a restaurant with a great view. To the left, above Cala Millor, holidaymakers can see the beautiful country town of Son Servera and to the right to Cap d’es Pinar at the end of the Costa dels Pins. If the beach in S’Illot is too narrow for you, you can switch to the wider one in Sa Coma – where, according to tourists, “there is usually a little more going on”. A beach promenade connects the two tourist resorts. There, holidaymakers will find restaurants, boutiques, beach shops, souvenir shops and grocery stores.

Excursion to the Dragon’s Cave in Porto Cristo

A special excursion leads to a visit to the “Dragon’s Cave” (Coves del Drac) in neighboring Porto Cristo. This is a spectacular 1700-meter-long cave system with an underground lake where visitors take a small boat ride. More impressive, however, are the huge, well-lit stalactites and stalagmites. Some look like columns, but others look like artistically created sculptures. The highlight of the cave visit is a concert. Music is played on a boat in the lake, which glides picturesquely past the spectators. By the way, every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. there is a weekly market in Porto Christo – with fruit and vegetables, handicrafts, textiles and accessories. The market is located directly on the sea at the entrance to the marina