© Palma Aquarium
Family fun in Palma
Where to go and what to do on your family holiday
Mallorca has been a top family holiday destination for a number of decades. While the beach resorts remain a firm favourite for those travelling with children, the charms of the island’s capital city are becoming increasingly popular amongst all age groups.
Whether you decide to make Palma your base for a holiday or you are just travelling in for the day, we thought we would share some of the best things to do with your family. So without further ado, here are our top five things to do with the family in Palma.
City tour bus
Walking around town with children in tow can prove tiresome for both adults and children, I think we’ve all been there... The best way to see Palma is on the Hop-On and Hop-Off Palma City Tour Bus. Explore all of Palma’s best bits in a day and, if you want to see anything in more detail, at any time just hop off. There are frequent departures (every 20-25 minutes) so you can just get back on another bus once you are done.
Palma Aquarium
Palma Aquarium has long been a family hot spot on the island. It’s great for a rainy day or just to escape the heat in the summer months. With 8,000 animals and 700 different species, there’s plenty to look at, as well as a large outdoor play area with a gigantic pirate ship and an indoor soft play. More than enough to burn some energy. Then there’s also the wonderful gift shop on the way out.
Boat trips
If you want to explore Palma’s coastline, you can take to the water with the kids. There are various boat trips available from Palma Port. These include short trips around the marina, half-day excursions on a catamaran and sunset sailing trips. If you prefer to plan your own route, you could always book your own day charter.
Vintage train ride
Transport the family back in time with a trip on the vintage train to Sóller. The train is an immaculately kept, wooden masterpiece dating back to 1912. The rattles, squeaks and toots just add to the experience, especially for the little ones. We guarantee your eyes will be glued to the windows – you won’t want to miss a thing as you explore some of Mallorca’s most beautiful terrain on this one-hour journey. Sóller is a pretty little town famous for its oranges. Once you arrive, take a stroll and find the local art galleries, enjoy a coffee in the main square outside the Gothic church or hop on a tram to Port de Sóller for a seafood lunch.
Coastal bike ride
There’s a great bike ride on a designated cycle path along the coastline of Palma towards the airport which is perfect for families with older children. It’s a great way to explore this southwestern coastline, including various ports and beaches. There’s also plenty of opportunities to stop off for a bite to eat or rehydrate. (Note: We would recommend for ages 12+ unless they are confident riders – while the route is flat and there is a designated cycle path, there is a lot of traffic on the cycle path and it can be narrow at times).
More inspiration...
These are only some hand-picked activities for your family holidays in Palma, but there's much more on offer. If you need inspiration to plan your trip, check out our Family Activities Guide, as well as our Family Holidays Guide and get ready for an unforgettable break with the whole family in Mallorca.
