Where to stay in Mallorca? Accommodation by region

It depends on your priority. Palma suits city life, short trips and holidays without a car. The north on the Bay of Alcúdia has sandy beaches several kilometres long, and the east coast has many coves. The Serra de Tramuntana suits villages and hiking, and the centre suits a quiet stay on a finca.

With children the north is a good choice. Platja d'Alcúdia is 3.4 kilometres long and the adjoining Platja de Muro 5.2 kilometres, both with fine sand. An alternative is Cala Millor on the east coast, with its beach 1.8 kilometres long. Children under 16 pay no tourist tax.

Without a hire car Palma is the best choice. The airport is eight kilometres away, and the train to Sóller and trains to Inca, Sa Pobla and Manacor leave from Plaça d'Espanya. Resorts with a direct TIB airport bus, such as Alcúdia or Magaluf, also work without a car. Line A42 to Cala Millor runs in summer only, according to TIB.

The quieter areas are the villages of the Serra de Tramuntana, the north-east around Artà and the centre around Sineu and Petra. Those are the places to look for small hotels, agroturismos and fincas. Livelier are resorts such as Magaluf in the municipality of Calvià, which is known for its nightlife.

Under Balearic Law 2/2016, high season rates are 1 to 4 euros per person per day, depending on the accommodation. Holiday homes and hotels of up to three stars are at 2 euros. From 1 November to 30 April the tax is reduced by 75 per cent, and from the ninth day by a further 50 per cent.

Under Balearic tourism law every advert for a holiday home must include its tourist registration number. You can check that number in the public register of tourist businesses kept by the Consell de Mallorca. More on this is on the page about finca holidays in Mallorca.