Port Vell

Port Vell beach Mallorca: What you should know before you go

Port Vell is a quiet, small scale beach area on Mallorca’s east coast near Costa dels Pins and Son Servera, set in front of a low key holiday and residential zone. The cove combines coarse ochre sand with pebbles and a fringe of pines and tamarisk trees that almost reach the shoreline. You come here for a calmer, more natural feeling stretch of coast that still sits within easy reach of resorts like Cala Bona and Cala Millor. Many visitors staying nearby wander down for a gentle swim and some shade under the trees rather than spending the whole day on larger, busier bays. If you like modest, semi wild beaches with a neighbourhood feel, Port Vell fits very well.

Quick facts at a glance

• Beach type: Small semi natural resort beach
• Ground: Coarse ochre sand and pebbles
• Water entry: Gentle, some stony patches
• Water feel: Generally calm, sheltered part of the bay
• Shade: Pines, bushes and tamarisk trees
• Facilities: Nearby hotel, beach restaurant, basic services
• Parkingv Free parking close to the beach
• Best forv Families, relaxed swimmers, nearby stays

The overall vibe

Port Vell is a beach in Mallorca that offers a peaceful, slightly off the radar atmosphere even though it sits in a developed coastal strip. The sandy and stony shoreline is only about 200 metres long and quite narrow, which keeps the scale intimate and prevents it from feeling like a mass tourism bay. Trees and low greenery give the coast a semi wild appearance, softening the view of surrounding holiday homes and the nearby hotel. Regular visitors describe it as quiet and friendly, with a mix of local families, long stay guests and walkers passing through on coastal routes. You get the sense of being in a lived in, relaxed corner rather than in a major resort centre.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The beach surface combines coarse, ochre toned sand with patches of pebbles, so it feels firmer and more textured than very fine resort sand. As you step into the water you will find a mostly gradual entry, but you may cross some stones and seaweed remnants in places before reaching clearer sandy spots. The bay of Son Servera is relatively sheltered from winds from the north and northwest, so Port Vell often has calm water suitable for unhurried swims. There are, however, rocks and small islets in parts of the bay, which is why boats must anchor carefully and why you should always look at the seabed before diving. Water shoes are a good idea if you have sensitive feet or plan to explore the edges of the swimming zone where stones and posidonia can make the ground uneven and slippery.

Who Port Vell is perfect for

Port Vell suits families, couples and older travellers who enjoy a low key beach, easy access and a semi natural backdrop. It is especially attractive if you are staying in Costa dels Pins, Port Verd, Port Nou or the nearby hotel and want a pleasant local beach without the scale and noise of Cala Millor. It is less ideal for those seeking long open sands for running or beach sports, or a broad range of water sports directly on the shore. If your idea of best beaches Mallorca is dominated by dramatic coves or very wild settings, Port Vell will feel more like a comfortable everyday option than a big adventure. For visitors who like mixing a quieter base with occasional trips to larger, livelier beaches, this spot works well.

Facilities and comfort

Despite its calm and semi natural appearance, Port Vell has useful facilities close by. There is a popular beach bar or restaurant by the shore, which many guests use for meals and drinks with sea views, and the nearby hotel offers some services for its own guests. The beach itself does not usually have dense rows of sunbeds across its entire length; many people bring their own towels and settle either in the open or under the trees at the back. Shade from pines, junipers and tamarisks makes it easier to spend longer periods here without needing a full beach tent, though you should still carry hats and sunscreen. There are no big promenades or shopping streets immediately behind the sand, but more extensive services are just a short drive or cycle away in Cala Bona and Cala Millor.

Getting there and parking

Port Vell lies about 3 to 4 kilometres from Son Servera in the Costa dels Pins coastal zone of eastern Mallorca. Access by car is straightforward: you follow signs toward Costa dels Pins and the Hotel Port Vell, then continue to the small settlement by the shore. The roads are narrow but not difficult, and the area is also linked by cycle routes and tourist mini trains from Cala Millor and Cala Bona. Rental cars are often the easiest way to reach beaches in Mallorca, and here they are convenient for combining Port Vell with other coastal spots such as Port Verd, Port Nou and Platja de sa Marjal on the same day. Parking is generally free in the immediate surroundings, with spaces close to the beach and hotel; in high season it is still wise to arrive earlier in the day if you want to park right by the water. Many travelers in the mallorcard community say that using a rental car here makes it easy to hop between these small east coast coves, and that by using strong offers from several companies plus the current promo code on mallorcard.es they often save around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season while avoiding any reliance on limited local bus services.

The best spots along Port Vell

People tend to choose their place on Port Vell depending on whether they prioritise shade, openness or easier water entry. For example, many families settle near the back of the beach where pines and tamarisk trees provide natural shade and children can play on the sand and pebbles without full sun all day. Swimmers who prefer clearer entry into the sea often walk a short distance to find the sections where sand dominates the shoreline and seaweed or stones are minimal. If you enjoy a quieter feel, moving away from the main access points and the area closest to the restaurant can give a bit more space, especially at non peak times. For photos, the most attractive angles usually include the contrast between the ochre sand, green trees and the blue of the bay, sometimes with the medieval Torre de Son Servera visible between Port Vell and neighbouring Port Nou if you walk a little.

What you can do nearby

• Walk or cycle the coastal strip linking Port Verd, Port Nou, Port Vell and Platja de sa Marjal
• Visit Costa dels Pins viewpoints such as Cap des Pinar for wide bay views
• Spend time in Cala Bona or Cala Millor for livelier promenades, shops and nightlife
• Explore Son Servera village and its surroundings before returning to the coast for a swim
• Combine Port Vell with snorkeling in small rocky sections of nearby coves along the same stretch

Best time to visit

Morning is often the most pleasant time on Port Vell, with softer light, quieter surroundings and very calm water, which suits those who like early swims or relaxed reading sessions under the trees. By late morning and midday in summer, more families and guests from nearby accommodation arrive, and the narrow strip can feel moderately busy, especially near the main access points. Afternoon sun can be strong, but the tree shade at the back allows comfortable breaks from direct exposure. Late afternoon and early evening are lovely times for a last swim, with gentle temperatures and warm colours on the water and trees, particularly appealing if you return from exploring elsewhere along the coast. If you are driving in high season and want easier parking and more choice of where to sit, aim to arrive before about 10 in the morning or after mid afternoon.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

Because the beach mixes coarse sand, pebbles and occasional seaweed bands, it is worth walking a little to find the patch that suits your comfort level best before you settle. Bring hats, sunglasses and high factor reef safe sunscreen, as well as a light umbrella if you prefer shade nearer the waterline instead of staying back under the trees. Simple water shoes can make it more comfortable to wade through stonier or weedier sections and to move around on the coarse sand. Carry enough water and some snacks, particularly if you plan to spend most of the day here instead of walking to busier zones for meals. Mallorcard recommends for this area that travellers use a rental car to keep extra towels, cool boxes and shade gear in the boot so they can effortlessly switch between Port Vell and neighbouring beaches, and many visitors mention that by using strong multi company rental deals and the current promo code on mallorcard.es they save around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season while keeping the flexibility to change beach if wind or crowds shift along the bay.

Good to know

Port Vell is on the east coast of Mallorca in the municipality of Son Servera, forming part of the Costa dels Pins coastal strip between Port Verd, Port Nou and Platja de sa Marjal. The coastline here is a series of small sandy and rocky coves with semi wild edges, backed by pine and other Mediterranean vegetation and low density tourist and residential buildings. The immediate area is quiet and residential rather than dominated by high rise hotels, with a single hotel and a few establishments focused on guests who appreciate a calmer setting. Knowing exactly where Port Vell sits in relation to Port Nou, Port Verd and Sa Marjal helps you plan coastal walks, bike routes and driving stops without confusing the coves, since they follow one another closely. This context makes it easy to integrate Port Vell into a broader east coast Mallorca plan as one of several gentle, tree backed coves you can rotate between depending on the day.