Es Portitxolet

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

Es Portitxolet is a small, neighbourhood beach in the Portixol and El Molinar area of Palma, just a short seafront walk from the city centre. The little bay sits in front of colourful low houses and the seafront promenade, with a relaxed, local feel. The sand and shingle mix and the clear, usually calm water make it a pleasant place for a quick swim rather than a full resort day. Many residents say they come here to cool off after work or during a walk or bike ride along the coast. If you like authentic urban shoreline, simple dips and easy access to cafés, this beach can suit you very well.

• Beach type: Small urban bay
• Ground: Sand with pebbles and gravel
• Water entry: Gentle and shallow near the shore
• Water feel: Generally calm, sheltered
• Shade: Limited on sand, more on promenade
• Facilities: Showers, bars nearby, no sunbeds
• Parking: Nearby streets, city parking
• Best for: Local style swims, walks, short stops

The overall vibe

Es Portitxolet is a beach in Mallorca that offers a narrow strip of coast in the Portixol area, framed by restored fishermen’s houses and the long Paseo Marítimo that links Palma with Ciutat Jardí and Playa de Palma. The atmosphere is laid back and residential, with locals, long term residents and a smaller number of visitors sharing the sand and promenade. You will see people arriving on foot or by bike, laying out a towel for an hour and then drifting into nearby cafés and restaurants. The soundscape is more about conversation, children playing and the occasional clink of cutlery on terraces than about loud music or organized beach activities. From the shore you look out at a small curvature of bay and, further along, toward the city and the open sea, which makes it a scenic urban pause point.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The beach surface combines sand, pebbles and some gravel, so it is fine for a towel but not as uniformly soft as larger resort beaches. The first steps into the water are usually shallow and gradual, with a sandy seabed that makes it easy to walk in. Further out, the depth increases more quickly, so after a short distance you may no longer be able to stand. The bay is partly protected by its shape and nearby marina structures, which typically keeps waves low and the surface fairly calm in summer, although south winds can still bring some chop. The seabed in the main bathing area feels mostly sandy, with a few scattered stones; water shoes are optional rather than essential for most visitors. Because of the relatively quick depth increase, it is wise for weaker swimmers and children to stay close to the shore and for adults to supervise them carefully.

Who Es Portitxolet is perfect for

Es Portitxolet is ideal for people staying in Palma or nearby who want an easy, local feeling place for short swims without travelling to big resort beaches. It suits couples and solo travelers who enjoy urban walks and cycling and like to break up their route with a dip in the sea. Residents with older children also use it frequently for uncomplicated afternoon or evening swims, since everything is close by and the area feels familiar. It is less suitable if you are looking for long sandy expanses, sunbed lines, lots of organized activities or a wild, natural setting. For visitors planning a best beaches Mallorca itinerary, this spot tends to play the role of “city cove” for everyday use, while headline days are reserved for larger, more scenic bays elsewhere on the island.

Facilities and comfort

Directly on the beach, facilities are simple. There are showers to rinse off after swimming, but no rental sunbeds, umbrellas, water sports centres or lifeguard posts. Comfort comes from the amenities in the surrounding neighbourhood: cafés, bars and restaurants line the promenade and nearby streets, offering everything from coffee and ice cream to full meals. Small shops and bakeries are also within a short walk, making it easy to pick up snacks and drinks. Shade on the sand is limited, particularly around midday, though the buildings and promenade start to cast more shadow later in the afternoon. Benches and low walls along the seafront give extra places to rest and enjoy the view even if you do not want to sit on the sand. Because of its size and set up, many people treat Es Portitxolet as part of a broader outing rather than a full standalone beach day.

Getting there and parking

Es Portitxolet lies a couple of kilometres east of central Palma, between Can Pere Antoni beach and Ciudad Jardín, right in front of the El Molinar and Portixol residential area. You can easily reach it on foot or by bike from Palma along the continuous seafront promenade, which makes for a pleasant flat walk. Several city bus lines also stop within a short walk of the beach, so public transport is a realistic option. If you come by car, parking is mainly on neighbouring streets and in small public bays; spaces can be in demand at lunchtime and evenings when locals visit the area’s restaurants and terraces. Once parked, you simply cross the promenade to reach the sand. The access is flat and straightforward, which helps visitors who prefer easy entry without steps or hills.

The best spots along Es Portitxolet

Because the cove is small, choosing your exact place has a noticeable impact on comfort. For example, many families and regular swimmers pick the central section where the sand is more even and the entry into the water is clearest. If you prefer a bit more quiet, you can move toward the edges, closer to the rocky sides, while still staying within the main sandy strip. For example, many locals favour the section that sits closest to the lower, traditional houses, where it feels slightly less busy than spots near main access points. Swimmers who like doing short laps often use the length of the small bay, keeping close to the shore inside their comfort zone. Those who are more interested in views and people watching may choose to sit partly on the promenade or on low walls just behind the sand, looking down on the beach and out to sea.

What you can do nearby

• Walk or cycle along the seafront between Palma, Portixol, Es Portitxolet and Ciudad Jardín
• Enjoy tapas, seafood and cafés in Portixol and El Molinar directly behind the beach
• Continue east toward larger beaches like Ciudad Jardín and Playa de Palma
• Head west into Palma’s old town and cathedral area after a morning or evening swim
• Use the promenade here as a starting point for longer runs or bike rides along the bay

Best time to visit

Morning often offers the calmest and most local feeling time at Es Portitxolet, with residents walking dogs, jogging and taking early swims before the day heats up. Light is softer, and both parking and space on the sand are easier. Midday and afternoon bring stronger sun and more visitors, especially in summer and at weekends, as people come down from nearby apartments and from other parts of Palma. The beach rarely feels as busy as major resort areas, but shade on the sand is scarce, so breaks in nearby cafés and good sun protection are important if you stay through this period. Late afternoon and early evening are particularly pleasant: temperatures ease, restaurants start to fill, and the bay takes on warm colours as the sun drops. For many visitors staying in Palma, Es Portitxolet works well as either a morning swim spot or a pre dinner stop on days spent exploring the city.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

Because the beach is small and the water deepens after a short distance, keep a close watch on children and weaker swimmers and encourage them to stay within the shallow zone. Bring reef friendly sunscreen, hats and light cover ups, as shade on the sand is minimal in the middle of the day. Simple sandals or flip flops are useful for moving between beach, promenade and cafés, and a lightweight towel is usually enough for the modest beach area. If you plan to stay longer than an hour or two, consider bringing your own compact umbrella or planning regular breaks on shaded terraces just behind the beach. As with any urban shore, keep valuables limited and within sight while you swim.

Good to know

Es Portitxolet is on the south coast of Mallorca in the municipality of Palma, in the Portixol and El Molinar district a few kilometres east of the historic centre. The coastline here forms a small bay with a narrow strip of sand, pebbles and gravel, backed by a long seafront promenade and low, colourful former fishermen’s houses that have been renovated. The wider setting is urban and residential rather than resort based, with independent restaurants, cafés and local businesses giving the area a distinct neighbourhood character. On a map of Palma’s bay, Es Portitxolet sits between the larger beaches of Can Pere Antoni (closest to the cathedral) and Ciudad Jardín, making it a handy reference point and stopping place when planning walks, bike rides and short swims along this urban stretch of the Mallorca shoreline.