Majorca: The Honest Resort Companion for Alcúdia, Palmanova and Magaluf
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Majorca is one of the UK's biggest package holiday destinations, and two areas account for a large share of the bookings: the long, shallow bay around Alcúdia in the north-east, and the Palmanova and Magaluf coast just west of Palma. You've booked the flights and hotel. This companion covers what's left: getting from Palma Airport to your hotel, which part of the coast you're actually in, the tourist tax you'll pay locally, the best day trips, and what the hotel photos won't tell you.
We stick to facts that are true whichever hotel you're in, and we name our sources. Always check the details of your own booking.
Alcúdia, Palmanova or Magaluf: who each suits
| Area | What it's like | Usually suits |
|---|---|---|
| Alcúdia old town | Walled medieval town with restaurants, the Roman site of Pol·lèntia and a market on Tuesday and Sunday mornings (Alcúdia council) | Couples and anyone who likes an evening stroll. Most hotels are on the beach strip, not in the old town. |
| Port d'Alcúdia and Platja d'Alcúdia | Harbour and marina at the north end of a long sandy bay, with a hotel strip running south | Families, especially with young children, and relaxed beach holidays |
| Platja de Muro and Can Picafort | Further south along the same bay, next to S'Albufera natural park | Families and couples wanting somewhere quieter |
| Palmanova | Several beaches close to Palma, next door to Magaluf | Families and mixed groups who want a short transfer |
| Magaluf | Big beach resort. Its nightlife centres on the Punta Ballena strip, where special responsible-tourism rules apply | Groups and nightlife-seekers. Families should choose their hotel's position carefully. |
| Portals Nous, Santa Ponça | Smarter marina area (Puerto Portals), or a resort bay further west | Couples, and families who want a calmer base |
Getting from Palma Airport to your resort
Every UK flight to Majorca lands at Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI). It has a single passenger terminal, with boarding modules A to D, and arrivals are on the ground floor (floor 0). Aena, the airport operator, says the official meeting point is in the centre of the arrivals floor. Tour operator desks are on floor 0, and taxis should only be taken from the signed rank outside the terminal. The TIB and EMT bus stops are across the road from arrivals.
- To Alcúdia: about 61 km on our calculated route, mostly on the Ma-13 motorway past Inca. That's roughly 50–55 minutes with no traffic, and longer by shared coach. The TIB A32 bus runs from the airport to Inca, Alcúdia, Port d'Alcúdia, Platja de Muro and Can Picafort.
- To Palmanova and Magaluf: about 29 km, around half an hour with no traffic. The TIB A11 bus runs from the airport to Portals Nous, Palmanova, Magaluf, Santa Ponça and Peguera.
Palma Airport (PMI) to Alcúdia
61 km, about 53 min free-flow (approximate). Shared coaches with several hotel stops take longer. The TIB A32 bus runs from the airport to Alcúdia.
Open this route in Google Maps
Approximate route: 61 km by road from Palma Airport (PMI) terminal to Port d'Alcúdia (resort centre). The calculated free-flow drive time is about 53 minutes. That is an estimate with no traffic, so allow longer. The TIB A32 airport bus is timetabled at about an hour from the airport to Port d'Alcúdia (palmaairport.info summary of the TIB timetable). Shared coaches stop at several hotels, so allow longer.
Towns along the way: Marratxí (~16 km, on the route), Santa Maria del Camí (~21 km, on the route), Consell (~25 km, on the route), Binissalem (~28 km, on the route), Lloseta (~32 km, near the route), Inca (~35 km, on the route), Alcúdia old town (~59 km, on the route). The route uses the Ma-13 motorway for most of the way. We have not mapped individual service stations.
Palma Airport (PMI) to Palmanova and Magaluf
29 km, about 33 min free-flow (approximate). A short transfer by Majorca standards. The TIB A11 bus runs from the airport to Palmanova and Magaluf.
Open this route in Google Maps
Approximate route: 29 km by road from Palma Airport (PMI) terminal to Magaluf (resort centre). The calculated free-flow drive time is about 33 minutes. That is an estimate with no traffic, so allow longer. The TIB A11 airport bus is timetabled at about 40 minutes to Palmanova (palmaairport.info). Shared coaches stop at several hotels, so allow longer.
Towns along the way: Palma (~8 km, near the route), Bendinat (~22 km, on the route), Portals Nous (~23 km, on the route), Son Caliu (~25 km, on the route), Palmanova (~27 km, on the route). Most of the route is motorway (the Ma-20 and Ma-1). We have not mapped individual service stations.
The full guides cover every option step by step: Palma Airport to Alcúdia and Palma Airport to Palmanova and Magaluf. Not sure whether to use the coach? See coach vs private transfer vs taxi.
The tourist tax you pay at the hotel
The Balearic Islands charge a sustainable tourism tax per person per night. It is normally collected by your hotel during your stay, even on a package, so budget for it. The 2026 rates, from the Balearic government's Illes Sostenibles site, are:
| Hotel category | High season (1 May–31 Oct) | Low season (1 Nov–30 Apr) |
|---|---|---|
| 5-star, 4-star superior | €4.00 | €1.00 |
| 4-star, 3-star superior | €3.00 | €0.75 |
| 1–3-star hotels and apart-hotels | €2.00 | €0.50 |
| 1–3-key tourist apartments | €2.00 | €0.50 |
The rates are per person per night, plus 10% VAT. Under-16s don't pay, and from the ninth night of a continuous stay in the same place the rate halves. Example: two adults in a 4-star hotel for 7 nights in August pay 2 × 7 × €3.00 = €42, plus VAT (€46.20). Check your hotel's official category.
The best day trips
From Alcúdia: Cap de Formentor
The road to the Formentor lighthouse is spectacular, but in peak season access is restricted. In 2026 the restrictions run from 15 May to 18 October, 10:00–22:00 (DGT, Spain's traffic authority). Private cars can use the section to Formentor beach until its car park is full. The lighthouse section is open only to authorised vehicles, including the TIB 334 bus from Alcúdia and Port de Pollença. A boat trip from Port d'Alcúdia or Port de Pollença is the other easy option.
Alcúdia old town, Pol·lèntia and S'Albufera
No transport needed if you're staying on the bay. Walk the old town walls, see the Roman ruins of Pol·lèntia, and visit the Tuesday or Sunday market. S'Albufera natural park, behind Platja de Muro, is a large wetland that's good for birdwatching and flat cycling.
Palma and the Sóller train
Palma's cathedral and old town are an easy day out from Palmanova and Magaluf, and doable from Alcúdia. The historic train from Palma to Sóller crosses the Tramuntana mountains. Many tours combine it with the Sóller tram and a boat to Sa Calobra.
Caves of Drach and boat days
The Caves of Drach, at Porto Cristo on the east coast, are one of the island's most visited sights, and many coach tours run there. From Palmanova and Magaluf, catamaran and boat trips along the Calvià coast are popular. Family boats are calmer than party boats, and party boats face extra restrictions around Magaluf.
Money, phone, health and emergencies
- Money: Spain uses the euro. Cards are widely accepted. Carry a little cash for markets and small cafés. Tipping isn't compulsory, but rounding up or leaving a little for good service is common. If a card machine offers to charge you in pounds, choose euros.
- Phone: many UK networks include Spain in their Europe roaming add-ons, but daily charges vary, so check yours. An eSIM installed at home is an alternative. See our eSIM guide.
- Health: your UK GHIC, or a valid EHIC, covers medically necessary state healthcare in Spain (NHS). You still need travel insurance with medical cover. See our general insurance guide (information, not advice).
- Emergency number: 112 (GOV.UK).
- Entry: Spain follows Schengen rules. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid for at least 3 months after you leave. The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) may take your fingerprints and photo at the border, at no cost. At the time of writing, ETIAS has no start date and is not open, so don't pay anyone for it. Source: GOV.UK.
What the hotel photos don't show you: Majorca checklist
Run these checks against your hotel's map pin and recent reviews, plus our general hotel checks. We don't comment on individual hotels.
- Magaluf: how close are you to Punta Ballena? The nightlife strip is loud late at night. Responsible-tourism rules apply there: drinking in the street is banned (fines of €500–€1,500), shops in the zone must close from 21:30 to 08:00, and happy hours, 2-for-1 offers and pub crawls are restricted (Balearic government, Decree Law 2/2024, in force until 31 December 2027). If you want quiet, look at where the hotel sits relative to the strip, not just "Magaluf".
- All-inclusive drinks in the regulated zones. All-inclusive hotels in the affected areas may serve no more than 3 alcoholic drinks per person per lunch or dinner service (Balearic government).
- Alcúdia: which end of the bay? The hotel strip runs for kilometres from Port d'Alcúdia south towards Can Picafort. A hotel can be "Alcúdia" yet a long walk or bus ride from the old town and port. Check the distance.
- Is there a road between you and the beach? Along much of the bay, a main road runs behind the beachfront. Check on the map whether you need to cross it.
- Hills in Palmanova and Magaluf. Some hotels are set back up slopes from the beaches. Check the street view if you have a pushchair or limited mobility.
- Tourist tax on arrival. It's paid locally on top of your package price (see above).
- Party boats. They aren't allowed within one nautical mile of the coast in the regulated areas (Balearic government). If you want a quiet boat day, book a family trip.
- Wetland mosquitoes. Hotels next to S'Albufera or other wetlands can get mosquitoes. Check recent reviews for "mosquito" and pack repellent.
Sources
FAQs
Which airport do I fly into for Alcúdia or Magaluf?
Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI), the island's only airport. It has one passenger terminal, and you arrive on the ground floor.
How long is the transfer from Palma Airport to Alcúdia?
Our calculated route is about 61 km, roughly 50 to 55 minutes' drive with no traffic. The TIB A32 bus is timetabled at about an hour to Port d'Alcúdia. A shared coach with several hotel stops usually takes longer.
How long is the transfer from Palma Airport to Magaluf?
About 29 km, so roughly half an hour by car with no traffic. The TIB A11 bus takes about 40 minutes to Palmanova.
Do I have to pay the Majorca tourist tax on a package holiday?
Usually yes. The Balearic sustainable tourism tax is normally collected by your hotel during your stay. For 2026 it is €2 to €4 per adult per night in high season (1 May to 31 October), depending on the hotel category, plus 10% VAT. Under-16s are exempt.
Is my GHIC valid in Majorca?
Yes. A UK GHIC, or a valid EHIC, covers medically necessary state healthcare in Spain, including the Balearic Islands. It is not a substitute for travel insurance.
Free: the post-booking countdown checklist
Tell us when you fly and where, and we'll send the printable checklist now, then short reminders timed to your trip: documents and insurance at 8 weeks, transfers at 4 weeks, day trips at 2 weeks, data and money in the final week, and a last check 48 hours before. Unsubscribe any time.
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