Mallorca sits like a pearl in the tiara of islands that is the Spanish Balearics. Rolling down from the craggy tops of the Serra de Tramantura, it drops to gorgeous bays of white pebbles and rugged headlands topped by stone pines. The waters are famously blue and clear. The beach towns are every inch the holiday mecca, complete with shoreline villas and chic cocktail bars that get buzzy at the sunset hour. On top of all that, Mallorca throws in a stunning historic capital, wild reaches of winelands, and sleepless party hubs – Magaluf, we’re looking at you – that entertain the 18-30s crowd from May to October. No wonder this one’s such a popular European escape.
If all that’s stoked the wanderlust, be sure to read on. This guide to Airbnb in Mallorca has all the information you need to get booking a dream pad on the island. It runs through the best towns and areas to consider staying in, and even showcases a few of the finest individual rentals that are on the menu. Let’s get started…
Mallorca, like many other destinations in Spain and across Europe, has introduced tough new restrictions to govern short-term tourist rentals in recent years. The result has been a huge dip in the number of properties that are available for rent via Airbnb. What’s more, there’s been talk of harsh fines for property owners who continue to rent their places without the proper permissions.
Thankfully, the likelihood that punishments will be doled out to travelers who fall victim of illegal listings remains low. What’s more, you can now double check that everything’s in order with an Airbnb in Mallorca by looking for the registration number on the listing page, or simply contacting your host before booking.
Where should I stay in Mallorca Airbnb?
Most travelers will jet into Mallorca via the airport that’s just on the fringes of the great city of Palma de Mallorca(1). A couple of days in that alluring island capital is a must if you’ve not been before, what with its honey-stone cathedral and maze-like old town. Follow the coast along to the south and west and you’ll eventually come to the sleepless party strips of Magaluf(2). Go east and the glinting paradise coves of Cala d’Or(3) could be on the menu. Travelers willing to make for the harder terrain of Mallorca might want to consider a stay in the rustic and peaceful Serra de Tramuntana(4) mountains, but Port de Pollença(5) is another good option on the northern fringes of the range. Cala Millor(6), meanwhile, reigns as one of the top family resorts, touting its two-kilometre beachfront and buzzy promenade.
Catedral de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca
Pros
The place to be for Mallorcan culture
Great nightlife
Beautiful history sights
Cons
Not the best beaches
Loud and busy
Palma de Mallorca – just Palma for short – is the biggest (actually, the only) city in the Balearic chain. It’s a true Spanish gem, mixing Moorish, Aragonese, and Andalusian influences under the gaze of the impossibly wonderful Catedral de Mallorca, a masterwork of medieval Gothic building. Inside the historic centre that swirls around that are traces of Arabic bathhouses, a traditional Spanish bullfighting arena, and a patchwork of small alleys and plazas that pump with tapas kitchens and beer bars. You certainly won’t get bored here, either night or day, but might pine for a better beach or the mountains if you linger too long.
Cala d’Or is fodder for travel brochures and Mallorca postcards the world over, mainly thanks to the five separate coves that dot the nearby coastline. With their backing of stone pines, perfect turquoise water, and slivers of golden sand, they are considered to be the finest swimming spots on the whole island. Sadly, it can be tricky to find a place on any of them during the high summer months – such is the growing popularity of Cala d’Or. Still, the resort itself is a charming option for families and couples, touting a lively marina, welcoming fish tavernas, and forested hills on the outskirts.Â
Very seasonal – some places completely shut in the winter
Tucked into a shimmering bay of sky-blue Mediterranean waters under the rugged Cap de Formentor on the northern edge of the island, Port de Pollença strikes a fine balance between relaxation and jet-setter style. Throughout its history, the little marina – now threaded with kitschy cottages with red-tiled roofs – has been a muse for Latin writers and painters. These days, it’s mainly frequented by families and yachters, who strut the breezy Pine Walk promenade, and use the place as a base to explore the windblown capes and winelands of northern Mallorca.Â
Magaluf is the part of Mallorca to make for if you’re looking to party. Fronted by a shimmering white-sand beach, this town has been a major 18-30s nightlife mecca for decades. The Strip is where much of the action happens, between cheap-and-cheerful shot bars and pumping dance floors that don’t stop until sunup. During the day, banana boat rides and booze cruises are the norm. Things tend to shut up completely for the low season (November to March), and the biggest crowds descend during the high summer (July and August).
Sóller, a famous town that’s set deep between the ridges.
Serra de Tramuntana
Pros
Breathtaking mountain views
Beautiful heritage villages
Rustic Airbnbs that are truly away from it all
Cons
No nightlife
Hard to get to
The Serra de Tramuntana are a UNESCO World Heritage Site of a mountain range. They form the wild and rugged backbone of Mallorca, running from the island’s south-west tip to its northern pinnacle. Within, you’ll find sweeping peaks of scrub and craggy rocks, all woven with dramatic hiking trails. There are also hidden villages like artsy Deià and Valldemossa, where Chopin once whiled away a summer. Airbnb has villas and cottages beset by the region’s wildflower meadows and citrus orchards, but also plenty of flats in and around Sóller, a famous town that’s set deep between the ridges.
You’ll be able to fling open the doors and gaze across the shimmering waters and sandbanks of the gorgeous Bay of Alcudia if you book this condominium flat in north Mallorca. It’s got two simple but comfy bedrooms (one double, one twin), along with a beautiful communal space with a kitchen-diner and L-shaped lounge that spills onto salt-sprayed terraces just above the coast.
Huddled on the edge of lovely Campanet, this sumptuous townhouse artfully fuses the old and the new Mallorca. There are rough-stone walls protecting a come-splash-in-me pool. There are gnarled orange trees overhanging chic al fresco dining spaces. In addition to all that, you get glorious views of the rising summits of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains in the distance.
Just a few clicks away from the beach-fringed resort town of Cala Millor and other gorgeous coves on the Mallorca east coast, this villa offers an enclave of peace for you and the family. Four bedrooms, a large lounge with flat-screen TV, and a fitted kitchen ensure you’ll be comfy inside. But it’s the outside that really draws the eye, flaunting lush grass, swinging hammocks, and a generously sized private pool.                Â
Luxurious Country House Located in a Magnificent Estate with Fantastic Views
There are two whole wings and a fully gated estate to this massive house in the rolling countryside of eastern Mallorca. Despite it being within striking distance of the coves of Cala d’Or and the shimmering beaches of Cala Millor, you might not want to even leave. Why? Well, there’s a huge private pool, loads of balconies and sunning terraces, and bathrooms with hydromassage showers. Nice. The property is capable of sleeping up to 16 across eight bedrooms.
The sheer opulence of Villa Jade has been enough to garner it a coveted Airbnb Luxe rating, which are usually reserved for the classiest properties of all. So, expect trimmed hedgerows encircling a gorgeous outdoor pool, modern interiors packed with thought-provoking designer furniture, and a house with sleek architectural finishes.
You could well find that an Airbnb in Mallorca will set you back less than a hotel. Nightly rates aside, you can save oodles of euros on these sorts of stays by picking somewhere that’s large enough to host your whole travel crew and then share the total cost between you. It’s also common for Airbnb properties to have self-catering facilities, reducing what you’ll spend in the tapas tavernas. Finally, long-term travelers can benefit from generous discounts when they use the sharing platform – as much as 25-50% off is normal for those planning to visit Mallorca for a week or more!
Perhaps the main downside of an Airbnb is the lack of services. Hotels are personalised and hands-on experiences, with frills like lobby lounges, daily room cleaning, room service, and dedicated concierges. For things like that, you could book somewhere like the Elba Sunset Mallorca Thalasso Spa. It’s a contemporary establishment with bright and comfy rooms, not to mention a dedicated health facility and a location just around the headland from party-mad Magaluf.
Get your fix of Balearic sun, Andalusian tapas, and Spanish adventure this year by picking the beautiful island of Mallorca for that vacation. Everything from glowing beaches to soaring mountains to deluxe Airbnb villas awaits…
