Parents of older children will perfectly understand how difficult family holidays can be once the kids reach the tween and teenage years. Gone are the days when you could simply install your offspring in car seats for a long road trip, or when the hotel pool and play area were sufficient to entertain them. As your kids get older, it becomes harder and harder to find a holiday that will suit everyone.
The first step to a successful getaway with older kids is picking a place that has enough activities for everyone (parents included). Ideally, your holiday should allow for family togetherness – but with enough opportunity for independence for your maturing children.
With its blend of culture, fun, adventure, and luxury, Magaluf should be at the top of your family’s list. Though it’s known for its active nightlife popular with the twenty-something crowd, Magaluf, Mallorca offers plenty to families with tweens or teenagers.
Whether you’re the type of family that likes to soar above the ground in a hot air balloon, or whether you prefer to zoom down a water slide, you’ll find enough to do here to fill your entire holiday with fun.
Katmandu Park
For an activity that offers something for everyone, look no further than Katmandu Park. One of Spain’s top amusement parks, this action-packed complex is guaranteed to be a hit with younger visitors to Magaluf.
The park has a range of activities suitable for kids who are old enough to wander around on their own. Get lost in ‘the House”, an upside down structure that will trick your eyes and have your head spinning. Try the Zombies Dark Ride virtual rollercoaster, where you’ll use a laser to combat the walking dead. The park is just 250 metres from Calvia Beach – perfect if mum and dad need a break from the action!
Avenida Pedro Vaquer Ramis, 9, 07181 Magalluf, Illes Balears, Spain
Open March through October, 10:00 –20:00. Opening times of individual attractions may vary.
Tickets €21.90 – €31.90
Western Water Park Magaluf
Just five minutes away from Katmandu Park, another adventure is waiting. This Wild West-themed park is full of aquatic activities, from water slides to river rides. The more daring can brave the Boomerang, a 15 metre half-pipe that isn’t for the faint of heart! There’s also a luxurious Jacuzzi for parents to relax in while the kids are busy exploring.
Carretera Cala Figuera a Sa Porrasa, 2-22, 07182 Magaluf, Illes Balears, Spain
Open May through August, 10:00 – 17:00
Tickets €10.00 – €25.00
Sightseeing Buses
Once your kids have exhausted themselves at the amusement parks, it’s time to really get to know the area. To get a little farther afield and see more of the island, catch a sightseeing bus in Palma. Mallorca’s capital is home to stunning architecture, a sizable port, and a rich blend of culture and history. As you ride through the town on an open-top bus, you’re free to hop on and hop off at any time. Interesting stops include the La Almudaina Palace, Bellver Castle, and La Seu Cathedral. Tickets for the sightseeing buses are valid for 24 hours, so you can fit your tour to your family’s schedule.
Starting point: Antoni Maura, Palma
Runs from 9:30 during summer, from 10:00 during autumn and winter
Tickets €8.50 – €17.00
Hot Air Ballooning
If a bird’s eye view of Mallorca is what you want (and providing your family isn’t bothered by heights) consider booking a hot air balloon ride from Magaluf. As you ascend slowly over the island, you’ll be able to see the scenic farmland, beaches, mountains, and towns that make up Mallorca. You should also be able to glimpse the neighbouring Balearic island of Menorca. For a truly spectacular experience, we recommend booking a flight at sunrise (your kids will forgive you for waking them up early).
For more information about times and prices, contact Mallorca Ballooning:
Aptdo. de Correos, 64, 07590 Cala Ratjada, Majorca
Tel. +34 607 647 647
www.ballooning-mallorca.com
Pirates Adventure Show
Both the young and the young at heart will love the Pirates Adventure Show, one of Magaluf’s most popular and enduring attractions. The dinner show, which includes acrobatics, gymnastics, and dancing, tells the story of when pirates ruled the waves – including the seas around Mallorca itself.
Pirates Theatre, Cami Sa Porrassa 12, 07181 Magaluf, Mallorca
Tickets are free for infants, €23.60 for children, and €39.20 for adults.
Come Fly With Me
If pirates aren’t popular with your family, consider a different dinner show experience. Come Fly with Me is a mix of acrobatics, music, and dance that is based around Frank Sinatra and other great names of the swing era. A treat for the eyes and the ears, Come Fly with Me takes you into the world of late 1950s New York with style, sophistication, and pizzazz.
Globo Balear Theatre – Urbanization Sol de Mallorca, 07181, Magaluf, Mallorca
Adult prices range from €46.00 – €100. Kids aged 2-12 are 50% off. Infants go free.
How To Get There
Magaluf is most accessible from Palma de Mallorca airport. If you’re travelling with the whole family and lots of luggage in tow, you’ll no doubt be in search of Mallorca airport transfers. Our efficient, easy-to-book airport transfers will make your family holiday to Magaluf a breeze. Simply book a time slot and number of passengers on our site, and let us take care of the rest.
The drive from Palma airport to Magaluf is only 30 minutes, so you could certainly make the drive yourself by renting a car at the airport. You will have to skirt the central Palma on your way, so be prepared for a little extra traffic along the MA-20.
Alternatively, you can catch the Route 1 bus from the airport into central Palma (one leaves every 15 minutes) and from there pick up bus route 104, which runs to Magaluf and Peguera.
Where to Stay
Sol Wave House – This mid-to-upper budget hotel is also a good choice for families. With many types of suites to choose from, you can ensure that your family gets adjoining rooms. Ideally located for accessing Magaluf’s top attractions, the Sol Wave House has plenty to do on its own grounds, too. Older kids will love learning to surf on the hotel’s two wave machines, while adults can swim in the infinity pool. Best of all, reservations here include a free Katmandu Theme Park pass!
Gran Melia Victoria – For families with a more generous budget, the Gran Melia Victoria offers a truly sumptuous Magaluf experience. At about six miles out of the city centre, the hotel’s seafront location with direct access to the promenade and the marina makes up for its more remote setting. And with an abundance of family rooms to choose from, you can ensure you’re getting the best for your loved ones.
