You need to tick quite a few boxes for a successful holiday with the kids. It needs to be affordable and convenient, with comfy accommodation and a range of activities on offer. Luckily, all these can be found in Mallorca. Airport transfers, flights and accommodation are all relatively affordable, and there’s more than enough to fill your time – especially in El Arenal.
Read on for some of our favourite tips on what to do with the kids in and around the southwestern town of El Arenal.
Nature Walks
Getting out into nature is great for all ages, mixing calming surroundings with physical activity and giving the kids a chance to see interesting wildlife and new landscapes. Here are a couple of things you shouldn’t miss.
Hiking
Mallorca’s rocky, rugged landscape, pine trees and mountains make it perfect for hiking. Use tour companies if you’d like to experience well-planned, safe routes that all the family can enjoy. Organised trips often take in everything from the small, charming port town of Andratx to the extraordinary mountaintop views at Es Tres Picons.
La Reserva
It’s a nearly universal truth that kids like animals, and this nature reserve offers them the chance to see some they might never otherwise encounter in the wild, including farmyard staples like goats, sheep and donkeys, a huge variety of birds including ostriches and peacocks and even brown bears.
You can pack a picnic or even use one of the barbecues to cook, and drinks are available at the onsite bar. On top of this, there’s also a swimming area for the kids to cool off – complete with its own waterfalls!
Wet and Wild
One of the best things about a summer break is swimming. It’s especially refreshing to take a dip after flights to Mallorca Airport, transfersto accommodation and unpacking. Beyond the pool and the beach, though, the area around El Arenal has a lot of options for aquatic fun.
Aqualand
Its popularity with tourists means Mallorca has a lot of water parks, but few offer an experience as good as the one you’ll get at Aqualand. Themed areas give the park a sense of personality, from the kid-friendly Mini Park to the dragon-themed Dragoland, while the variety of rides means there’s something for everyone, from a lazy river to some seriously scary big slides.
No Frills Excursions
Don’t let the name fool you: No Frills in fact offers the sort of holiday experience you’re going to remember for a long time. One of the best is a boat trip out to where dolphins roam free. If La Reserva somehow didn’t excite your kids, they’re sure to be wowed when they see these beautiful creatures in the wild.
Top Tip: As dolphins are wild animals, no tour can 100% guarantee that you’ll encounter them. No Frills is pretty confident you will, though, offering a 95% chance of sightings and a full refund on your ticket if you don’t see any.
Adventure and Exploring
While holidays are a time to relax, they also offer a chance to see unique sights and learn about different cultures. You don’t have to go too far from El Arenal to do both.
Nano Bicycles
If you’re not tired of being driven around after your Mallorca airport transfers, take a trip up to the capital city of Palma to soak up the sights. There are of course plenty of cafes and shops, but one of the best ways to explore is to book a cycling tour.
Nano Bicycles offers one of the best, showing you hidden gems alongside main attractions like the palace. Even better, children under ten ride free when two adults book.
Jungleparc
While treetop adventure experiences have become ever more popular in the UK, you’re unlikely to find any in settings as picturesque and beautiful as Jungleparc’s home in Santa Ponsa pine forest.
Multiple courses ensure visitors of all ages can join the fun while experienced instructors and safety lines ensure you’re completely safe even as you feel the adrenaline rush of swinging between the trees.
Did You Know? Jungleparc is the biggest adventure park on any of the Balearic Islands, with over 120 platforms.
Where to Stay
Piñero Bahia de Palma –Just 250 yards from Arenal beach, the Piñero is easily accessible on foot – or Mallorca airport transfers if you’re heading straight there! Rooms come with a rental safe, a phone and toiletries in the private bathroom, while facilities include an outdoor pool, sun terrace and buffet restaurant. Even better for families, there’s a children’s play area and pool offering entertainment every day throughout the summer.
Planet One Hotel –Planet One is even better for beach bums, at just 100 yards from Playa de Palma and less than a mile from two other beaches. The air-conditioned rooms come with free Wi-Fi, and you can book an optional family room. The hotel also offers breakfast, as well as access to a terrace and seasonal pool.
How to Get There
Flights from the UK to Palma Mallorca Airport are usually affordable – though of course they’re cheapest away from peak times, they rarely become overly expensive even in the high summer. Mallorca airport transfers can get you from the airport to El Arenal in less than a 15 minutes, so it’s definitely worth booking your transport in advance so that you can get your holiday started as soon as possible.
Overview
- UK to PMI Flight Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- PMI to El Arenal Distance: 10 kilometres
- Shuttle Direct Transfer Time: 14 minutes
About Shuttle Direct
We at Shuttle Direct are proud to be Europe and North Africa’s favourite airport transfer operator, with experienced and friendly drivers who will not just get you where you need to go on time and in comfort, but offer top tips and local knowledge too. If you’re travelling with little ones, book in advance to guarantee a car seat.
