Magaluf and Playa de Palma

These are the island's two big party areas. Magaluf, in Calvià, is the destination for young Brits, with Punta Ballena street packed with bars and clubs; Platja de Palma and S'Arenal, next to Palma, are German "Ballermann" territory, with venues like Megapark and Bierkönig. Both have long sandy beaches and, a few minutes away, much quieter, family-friendly areas (Palmanova, Can Pastilla).

Note: parts of Magaluf, Platja de Palma and S'Arenal have special rules against booze tourism, with limited hours for alcohol sales in shops and fines for drinking in the street.

The rules are specific and enforced: in Platja de Palma, S'Arenal and the Punta Ballena and Magaluf promenade area, drinking alcohol in the street is banned, except on the terraces of bars, restaurants and hotels or at authorised festivals, with fines of €500 to €1,500. Open bars, happy hours, two-for-one offers and pub crawls are also banned there, and shops can't sell alcohol between 21:30 and 8:00.

If you're not there to party, you can enjoy the same beaches with a different feel: early in the morning Platja de Palma is a long promenade for walking or cycling to Can Pastilla and El Molinar, and in Calvià, Palmanova and Son Maties beach are more family-oriented. Out of season, from late autumn to spring, many of the nightlife venues close and these areas become very quiet.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drink alcohol in the street in Magaluf?

No. In the Punta Ballena and Magaluf promenade area, as in Platja de Palma and S'Arenal, drinking alcohol in the street is banned, except on the terraces of bars, restaurants and hotels or at authorised festivals. Fines range from €500 to €1,500.

What time do shops stop selling alcohol in Playa de Palma?

In the designated areas of Platja de Palma, S'Arenal and Magaluf, shops can't sell alcohol between 21:30 and 8:00. Open bars, happy hours and two-for-one drinks offers are also banned there.

Updated in October 2026