Es Molinar

Es Molinar beach Mallorca: What you should know before you go

Es Molinar is the kind of small city beach where life feels more local than touristic, even though you are only a short stroll or bike ride from central Palma. The low houses, small fishing harbour and simple shore give it a neighbourhood character that many visitors find calming after time in busier areas. The beach itself is modest, but the long seafront promenade and clear water make it a pleasant place for a swim, a sunset walk or a relaxed coffee stop. People who spend time here often say they enjoy the quieter mood compared with nearby C’an Pere Antoni or Playa de Palma. If you like low key urban coastline with easy access to local bars and restaurants, this beach can fit nicely into your Palma days.

• Beach type: Small urban beach
• Ground: Sand mixed with gravel
• Water entry: Shallow then suddenly deeper
• Water feel: Generally calm, protected
• Shade: Limited, some from promenade and buildings
• Facilities: Basic, in streets just behind
• Parking: Street parking and city options
• Best for: Local swims, walks, low key time

The overall vibe

Es Molinar is a beach in Mallorca that offers a small sandy and gravel bay right in the seaside district of the same name, east of Palma’s centre. The area feels like an old fishing suburb that has slowly become a laid back waterfront neighbourhood, with colourful low houses and a modest marina nearby. On the sand and promenade you meet mostly locals, long term residents and a smaller number of visitors who have ventured beyond the main city beach. The atmosphere is calm and unhurried, with people swimming, walking dogs along the promenade, cycling and meeting friends in cafes rather than chasing sunbeds and loud beach bars. Many regulars say it feels like a “real life” corner of Palma where you can combine a dip in the sea with a tapas lunch or an evening stroll without the intensity of the bigger resort zones. Photo potential is more about street and seafront scenes than dramatic landscapes: small boats, pastel facades and the curve of the bay toward the cathedral.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The main Es Molinar beach is quite short and covered by a mix of sand and small gravel, so it is comfortable enough for a towel and a few hours but not a long, plush sandbank. As you step into the sea, the first few metres are shallow and easy, making it simple to cool off or paddle. After that, the depth increases more abruptly than on many big resort beaches, so within a relatively short distance the water can be over your head. The bay is partly protected by the nearby marinas and harbour walls, which usually keeps waves small and the surface relatively calm. The seabed in the main bathing area feels mostly sandy or fine gravel, with few large stones, so water shoes are not essential for most visitors. Because of the sudden deepening, it is wise for weaker swimmers and children to stay closer to the shore and for adults to keep a close eye on them.

Who Es Molinar is perfect for

Es Molinar works best for people who like combining city days with quick, low stress swims. It suits couples and solo travelers staying in Palma who want a quieter, more local feeling shore than the main city beach but do not want to go far. It is also appealing if you enjoy long walks or bike rides along the seafront, since the promenade connects Molinar with Portixol, C’an Pere Antoni and further on toward Playa de Palma. Local families often use the area for relaxed afternoons and evening dips rather than full beach days, which gives it a lived in character. It is less ideal for those who want a wide sandy bay with lots of facilities directly on the beach, or for people planning a long day on sunbeds with children who need extensive shallow water. For visitors building a best beaches Mallorca oriented itinerary, Es Molinar is more of a lifestyle stop for urban days than a main headline beach.

Facilities and comfort

There are few formal facilities right on the beach itself: you are unlikely to find long lines of rental sunbeds or big beach kiosks directly on the sand here. Instead, comfort comes from the urban setting immediately behind the shore. Just a few steps from the beach, in the streets and small square, there are several bars, cafes and restaurants where you can get food, drinks and use bathrooms. Some sections of the Molinar seafront have showers, especially closer to the main promenade areas, but you should not rely on a full set of beach infrastructure like in large resorts. Shade on the sand is limited, though buildings and the promenade create more shadow toward the evening. Many people bring only simple gear here: a towel, water, maybe a small umbrella, treating the beach as part of a wider city plan rather than a carefully prepared beach day.

Getting there and parking

Es Molinar sits just east of Palma’s centre along the coast, between Portixol and Ciutat Jardí, and is easy to reach from the city. You can walk or cycle along the seafront promenade from central Palma in the direction of Portixol and beyond, enjoying continuous sea views along the way. Buses from the city also stop close to the neighbourhood, making it accessible even if you do not want to walk. If you come by car, parking is mainly on local streets and in small public areas around the quarter; spaces can be tight at busy times, particularly evenings and weekends when locals also enjoy the area. Rental cars are often a practical way to explore different Palma neighbourhoods and nearby beaches in one day, as you can stop at Es Molinar for a swim before continuing further along the bay.

The best spots along Es Molinar

Because the beach is small, small choices make a difference. For example, many people choose the central section of the bay where the sand and gravel are most even and where it is easiest to enter the water. If you prefer a bit of distance from the main access, you can move slightly toward either side, closer to the small marina or toward the Portixol direction, while still staying within the sandy part of the shore. For example, many families prefer the area where they can see both the sea and the small square behind, which makes it easy to go up for a drink or snack. Swimmers who like doing a few lengths often start at one end of the beach and swim parallel to the shore inside their comfort zone. Those who enjoy street and seafront photography tend to spend more time on the promenade above the sand, where you can capture the curve of the bay, the houses and the small boats all in one frame.

What you can do nearby

• Walk or cycle the promenade between Palma, Portixol, Es Molinar and Ciutat Jardí
• Enjoy tapas and seafood at the local restaurants and cafés just behind the beach
• Continue along the coast to the larger beach of C’an Pere Antoni or toward Playa de Palma
• Explore central Palma’s old town, cathedral and shopping streets after a morning swim
• Use Es Molinar as a starting point for a longer bike ride along the entire bay

Best time to visit

Mornings are usually quiet and pleasant at Es Molinar, with locals going for swims or walks before work and cooler air along the promenade. This is a good moment if you like peace, softer light and easier parking. Around midday and early afternoon in summer, the sun is stronger and more people may come down to the water, but the beach rarely reaches the dense crowds of big resort bays. Late afternoon and early evening are particularly atmospheric: families gather, people stroll or skate along the front, and the restaurants begin to fill for dinner as the light softens over the sea. If you are staying in Palma, Es Molinar works well as a morning or evening swim stop linked to a city day, rather than as a full day beach destination.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

Because the beach is small and the water becomes deep fairly quickly, keep a close eye on children and weaker swimmers and encourage them to stay close to the shore. Bring reef safe sunscreen, a hat and light clothing, as there is little natural shade on the sand and city sun can feel strong even with a breeze. Simple sandals or flip flops are useful for the mix of pavement and gravel, and a lightweight towel is enough for shorter visits. If you plan to spend several hours here, consider bringing your own shade or planning regular breaks in the cafés behind the beach to cool down and rehydrate. As with all city beaches, it is sensible to keep valuables minimal and within sight while you are in the water.

Good to know

Es Molinar lies on the south coast of Mallorca in the municipality of Palma, a few kilometres east of the city centre between Portixol and Ciutat Jardí. The coastline here consists of a series of small sandy and gravel coves protected by breakwaters, with a long seafront promenade running behind them and a small sports marina nearby. The surrounding area is mainly residential, with low houses, small apartment blocks and family run restaurants rather than big hotels, which gives the beach its neighbourhood feeling. This makes Es Molinar a useful reference point when you look at a map of Palma’s coastline, sitting between the more central C’an Pere Antoni beach and the longer Playa de Palma further east. It is a good option when you want a quick, authentic shoreline experience without leaving the city on your Mallorca trip.