Pine-fringed bays, long ribbons of pale sand and coves reached only on foot: this is our local guide to the coast between Pollença, Formentor, Alcúdia and Son Serra de Marina.
The best beaches in North Mallorca are wonderfully varied. One morning can begin beneath the pines at Formentor; another can be spent walking through the Bóquer valley to a wild stone cove. Families can choose shallow water and easy facilities around Port de Pollença or Playa de Muro, while confident walkers and boat lovers can seek out quieter corners such as Cala Murta and Es Coll Baix.
We have gathered the places we recommend most often to Pollensina guests. This is not a ranking: the right beach depends on the wind, the time of year and the kind of day you want. Each entry includes a direct Google Maps link, a practical note and a small piece of local advice. In summer, go early, respect access restrictions and never leave valuables in the car.
Best beaches in North Mallorca: contents
Choose your kind of beach day
Best for young families: Llenaire, Playa de Muro and the sheltered sections of Port de Pollença.
Best for classic scenery: Formentor and Cala Sant Vicenç.
Best for a walk and swim: Cala Bóquer and Es Coll Baix.
Best for quiet, natural character: Cala Murta, Alcanada and Son Serra de Marina.
Best without a car: Albercuix, the Pine Walk, Llenaire and Tamarells when staying in Port de Pollença.
1. Formentor Beach
Formentor is the picture many people carry home from northern Mallorca: a slim sweep of pale sand, calm turquoise water and pine branches leaning towards the sea. The beach is long enough to have different moods. The central areas are livelier and closer to services, while a short walk along the shore usually reveals a quieter patch beneath the trees.
The water is often clear and relatively sheltered, making this a comfortable choice for mixed-age groups. The shade is precious in high summer, although it disappears and reappears as the sun moves. Formentor is deservedly popular, so an early arrival changes the experience completely. Seasonal traffic controls may apply on the peninsula; check the current arrangements before setting out. Travelling by boat from Port de Pollença can be the loveliest approach.
Open Formentor Beach in Google Maps →
2. Cala Sant Vicenç
Cala Sant Vicenç is not one beach but a small family of coves set beneath dramatic limestone mountains. Cala Barques is the broadest and most familiar; Cala Molins is easy to combine with cafés and a relaxed lunch; tiny Cala Clara feels more intimate; and Cala Carbó has a rougher, more natural edge. Together they offer one of the most visually striking days on this list.
The sea here can change character quickly. On a calm day the water is beautifully transparent and excellent for snorkelling around the rocky sides. With a northerly swell, waves can arrive with real force. Look at the sea conditions rather than assuming that every cove will be gentle. Because the coves face slightly different directions, it is worth walking between them before choosing your spot.
Open Cala Sant Vicenç in Google Maps →
3. Albercuix and the Pine Walk
Along the northern end of Port de Pollença, the Pine Walk follows the water past old villas, small hotels and mature pines. Albercuix is made up of narrow, gentle sections of beach rather than one large expanse. That scale is part of its charm: you can step out for a swim, read beneath a tree and walk to coffee or lunch without planning an expedition.
The bay views are soft and expansive, with the Tramuntana mountains closing the horizon. This is one of the best beaches in North Mallorca for travellers who value atmosphere and convenience more than a wide sandy shore. It also works beautifully at the edges of the day, when the promenade quietens and the water reflects the first or last light.
Open the Pine Walk in Google Maps →
4. Llenaire and Tamarells
South of the centre of Port de Pollença, the seafront opens into longer, broader beaches around Tamarells and Llenaire. The water is generally shallow near the shore, and the bay is well suited to paddleboarding, kayaking and relaxed family swimming when conditions are calm. There is more space here than along the Pine Walk, together with a wide promenade for walking and cycling.
Llenaire is a dependable all-round choice. It may not feel as hidden as Cala Murta or as dramatic as Formentor, but it makes beach life wonderfully simple. You can arrive on foot or by bicycle from much of Port de Pollença, find refreshments nearby and return easily for an evening swim. For guests staying in one of our coastal homes, this is often the beach that becomes part of the daily rhythm rather than a one-off excursion.
Open Llenaire Beach in Google Maps →
5. Cala Bóquer
Cala Bóquer is reached on foot through the Bóquer valley from the edge of Port de Pollença. The walk is part of the pleasure: a broad path passes an old finca and continues between high limestone ridges where goats and seabirds are common companions. At the end, the valley opens suddenly to a small, stony cove and a wide view of the Mediterranean.
There are no services and very little reliable shade. That keeps the atmosphere wonderfully natural, but it also means carrying enough water, sun protection and everything you need for the return. The stones make water shoes useful. On calm days the clarity can be exceptional; in rough weather, admire the cove from land. Cala Bóquer is among the best beaches in North Mallorca when the journey matters as much as the swim.
Open Cala Bóquer in Google Maps →
6. Cala Murta
Hidden on the Formentor peninsula, Cala Murta feels separate from the busier beach nearby. A walking route descends through pine woodland to a compact cove with transparent water, rocky sides and almost no development in sight. It is small, so its sense of peace depends on timing: early morning and the quieter months show it at its best.
Do not expect a beach club, sunbeds or a kiosk. Bring water and food, and be prepared to carry everything back. The shoreline is pebbly, while the underwater landscape of rock, sand and seagrass rewards a mask and snorkel. Access arrangements on Formentor can change seasonally, so review current signs and transport information before visiting rather than relying on an old route description.
Open Cala Murta in Google Maps →
7. Alcanada
Alcanada lies beyond Port d’Alcúdia and offers a complete change from the resort’s long sandy beach. Pines grow close to the shore, the water is clear and the small island with its lighthouse sits just offshore. The beach is mostly pebble and rock, giving it a quieter, more local feeling. Shade and views are the attraction; soft sand is not.
When the sea is calm, strong swimmers sometimes head towards the islet, but currents, boat traffic and changing conditions must be taken seriously. Most visitors are better served by enjoying the view from shore and swimming parallel to the coastline. Bring water shoes and a simple picnic. Alcanada is also a good answer when you want the sea without a full resort-beach day.
Open Alcanada in Google Maps →
8. Es Coll Baix
Es Coll Baix sits beneath steep, wooded slopes on the Victòria peninsula. Reaching it overland involves an unpaved approach and a final walk down a rocky path; arriving by boat reveals the same grand amphitheatre without the descent. Either way, this is a wild beach rather than an effortless one.
The setting is magnificent: deep-coloured water, high cliffs and very little visible development. There are no services, mobile coverage can be unreliable and the climb back feels longer in midday heat. Wear proper footwear rather than flip-flops, carry generous water and avoid the walk in extreme temperatures. If your group is not comfortable on uneven paths, admire Es Coll Baix during a private boat day instead.
Open Es Coll Baix in Google Maps →
9. Playa de Muro and Es Comú
Playa de Muro is the north’s great sandy sweep. Its scale means you can choose between serviced sections with restaurants and sunbeds and the more natural stretch of Es Comú, where dunes and pine woodland create a softer landscape. The shallow entry makes many parts popular with families, although wind and waves can still change conditions from one day to the next.
This is where to come when everyone wants something slightly different: swimming, a long walk, lunch nearby, space for children or simply a comfortable day with minimal logistics. Go beyond the first busy access point and the atmosphere can change quickly. Protect the dunes by using marked paths and never cross fenced restoration areas. Among the best beaches in North Mallorca, Playa de Muro offers the greatest sense of open space.
Open Playa de Muro in Google Maps →
10. Son Serra de Marina
Son Serra de Marina has a different spirit from the sheltered Bay of Pollença. The coastline feels broad and open, with fewer large developments and a horizon that seems to stretch uninterrupted. The sea is more exposed, which appeals to experienced water-sports enthusiasts but requires extra attention from ordinary swimmers and families.
The beach blends into natural sections towards Son Real, making it ideal for a walk along the shore before or after swimming. On windy days, stay within your limits and follow local flags. On calm days, the combination of space, light and understated village life is deeply relaxing. Son Serra completes this guide because the best beaches in North Mallorca are not all turquoise coves; sometimes the luxury is simply room to breathe.
Open Son Serra de Marina in Google Maps →
How to plan a beach day in northern Mallorca
The weather in one bay can differ from the next. A northerly wind may make Cala Sant Vicenç lively while the Bay of Pollença remains relatively calm; another day may favour the beaches around Alcúdia. Check the forecast and sea conditions in the morning, then keep two options in mind. Our team is happy to suggest the best choice for the day.
For wild coves, carry more water than you expect to drink, wear suitable shoes and download the map before leaving. Do not count on mobile reception, shade, toilets or refreshments. For family beaches, an early start still pays: parking is simpler, the temperature is kinder and the first hour by the water often becomes the most memorable.
Posidonia seagrass may collect on the shore. It is not dirt; it is part of a protected Mediterranean ecosystem that helps preserve sand and provides habitat. Leave natural material where it lies, use marked paths through dunes and take all waste away. These small choices help keep the best beaches in North Mallorca beautiful.
Frequently asked questions
Which are the best beaches in North Mallorca for families?
Llenaire, Tamarells and many sections of Playa de Muro are the easiest family choices because of their shallow entry, space and nearby services. Formentor can also be excellent when visited early and in calm conditions. Always follow beach flags and assess the sea on the day.
Which beach is closest to Pollensa?
Pollensa old town is inland. Cala Sant Vicenç and the beaches of Port de Pollença are the most convenient coastal choices, generally reached in a short drive. The best option depends on where your villa is located and the day’s traffic.
Can we visit the beaches without a car?
Yes. If you stay in Port de Pollença, Albercuix, the Pine Walk, Tamarells and Llenaire are easy on foot or by bicycle. Seasonal boats and buses can broaden your options. Cala Bóquer begins at the edge of town but requires a proper walk.
Which coves require hiking?
Cala Bóquer and Es Coll Baix require walking, while Cala Murta also involves an approach on foot. Routes and access can change, so check current local information, carry water and use appropriate footwear.
When is the best time for a beach holiday?
June and September often combine warm water with a gentler pace. July and August bring the liveliest atmosphere and highest temperatures, making early mornings especially valuable. Spring and autumn are beautiful for walking, picnics and quieter coastal days, although the sea is cooler.
Stay close to the coast with Pollensina
Our handpicked homes place you within easy reach of the best beaches in North Mallorca, while giving you the privacy and space to slow down between outings.
Explore walk-to-the-beach villas, discover our luxury villas to rent in Pollensa, or read our guide to northern Mallorca. If you would like advice for a particular group, ask Pollensina to plan your stay.
