Portocolom is one of those places that quietly gets everything right for families craving a laid-back seaside stay. A working fishing port turned quiet holiday spot, this southeast coast village blends authenticity with just the right amount of beachy ease. Waterfront strolls, calm coves, good food, and zero fuss—it’s slower-paced and refreshingly local, the sort of place families come back to year after year.
Set in the Felanitx region, part of Mallorca’s tranquil Pla i Llevant area, Portocolom centres around one of the island’s largest natural harbours. Traditional llaüts float beside leisure boats along the quay, while cafés spill onto the promenade. With calm, family-friendly beaches nearby and a laid-back rhythm to daily life, it’s ideal for pushchair strolls, gelato stops, and seaside holidays without the noise.
Whether you’re popping over for the day or settling in for a slow, sun-soaked week, here’s why Portocolom is a firm family favourite.
1.
Best Beaches
Platja de Cala Marçal (above) is Portocolom’s main family beach – sandy, sheltered, and easy-going, with shallow water perfect for little ones. There are loungers, umbrellas (with safety boxes), lifeguards in summer, volleyball courts and plenty of beachside cafés for snacks and shade breaks. It’s an easy 15-minute walk from the village centre – but closer to many of the hotels and holiday apartments. Access is by steps on either side but you can enter on a flat pedestrian pathway from the back.
With a beautiful setting, S’Arenal (on the other side of the village) offers a wilder feel with rocks to clamber over to the second smaller bay. There are two brilliant beach-side restaurants and in summer a little pontoon floats off shore for swimmers and older kids to jump off. It’s a 15-minute walk from the village but the road is flat, easy on a bicycle, and early risers will find parking in the smaller residential streets nearby
Alternatively, if you have a car, head slightly south to Cala Sa Nau for turquoise water in a teeny but dreamy cove. Pine trees and a shady seasonal beach bar make this a family favourite but make sure to arrive early in summer as it fills up very quickly and the single lane street access can be a headache to manoeuvre as you hunt for parking.
2.
Parent Perks
For parents, Portocolom offers just the right mix of low-key comforts and grown-up charm:
Scenic Walks: The marina walkway is wide and flat, perfect for pushchairs or evening strolls with a gelato. Keep walking towards the lighthouse for sea views and quiet corners.
Port-side Dining: Grab a table at one of the waterfront restaurants while the kids play along the promenade or count the fishing boats (note there is some road traffic in between). Places like Sa Llotja or Volare serve everything from grilled fish to kid-friendly pasta. And don’t miss sundowners at Bar Blau across the bay.
Safe, sandy beaches with sheltered shallow water and all the amenities so parents
Laid-back Vibe: Portocolom is a real working harbour with character. No high-rise hotels buildings or mega resorts
3.
Family Fun
There’s plenty to keep kids happy in and around Portocolom, from seaside adventures to relaxed exploring
Walk the Port Promenade: A flat, scenic route lined with fishing boats, llaüts, and ice cream stops. Perfect for a morning buggy stroll, scooter ride, or family cycle.
Snorkelling & Rock Pooling: The rocky edges around both beaches, along with the nearby craggy cliffs, are perfect for curious kids with masks or nets. The stretch from the old town around to the far side of the marina is ideal for sandy strolls with a bucket in hand—great for spotting crabs, small fish, and the occasional sea cucumber.
Take a Boat Trip: Families can rent a small boat (with or without a licence), book a skippered catamaran cruise, or join a speedboat adventure tour to nearby sea caves. The coastline is gentle and scenic, with turquoise water and hidden coves perfect for paddling. Most half-day trips leave from the main harbour and often include snorkelling gear and drinks on board.
Kayak or SUP rental: Rent equipment by the hour from two water-sports centres on the harbour, you can cruise around the sheltered marina Swallows-and-Amazon-style or join a more adventurous guided tour. Best enjoyed early in the day when the sea is calmest and generally suited to children over 8yrs.
Bike Rides & Mini Adventures: Portocolom’s mostly flat terrain and quiet roads make it ideal for family bike rides. Hire bikes in town or on the road towards Cala Marçal, while there is some traffic, there is a dedicated cycle path around the marina and the roads in town are generally quiet and easy to navigate, with plenty of places to stop and take in the sea views.
Older kids on wheels might enjoy following the harbour past the marina out to the Portocolom lighthouse. looping around the headland with a break for cliff-top whale spotting! While younger ones can stick to shorter harbour rides with café stops along the way. The old town area is also lovely for a slow cruise enjoying its colourful streets and traditional fishermen’s houses.
Tucked into the cliffs across the bay from the lighthouse, the Foradada Cave Lookout is a natural sea cave just off the coastal path, offering one of the best viewpoints in Portocolom. The name Foradada means “pierced” in Catalan – you’ll see why when you spot the dramatic hole in the rock, framing deep blue sea views. It’s not suitable for young kids or pushchairs (uneven, rocky ground and cliff edges), but older children and teens will love the sense of adventure (it’s tricky to find!) plus the photos are worth the scramble. Best visited in the morning or golden hour.
Nearby Excursions: Just a 20-minute drive from Portocolom, Cala d’Or has a buzzy holiday resort vibe, with whitewashed buildings, palm-lined streets, and plenty of tourist-friendly fun for kids. There’s no shortage of family restaurants, ice cream stops, and souvenir shops, along with a string of sandy coves perfect for beach-hopping. It’s also home to Fantasy Park, where trampolines, mini-golf, and playgrounds offer easy entertainment for younger children and are perfect to burn off end of the day energy after dinner.
A little further inland, Santanyí is a charming town known for its lively (but busy) market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, great boutiques, and pretty old centre—about a 30-minute drive from Portocolom.
For a nature fix, Parc Natural de Mondragó is just 10 minutes beyond Cala d’Or, with two glorious family friendly beaches and shaded walking trails perfect for off-season strolls. And for adventurers, the Castell de Santueri—a clifftop fortress with sweeping views—is around 25 minutes away and perfect for a bit of climbing and exploring.
For a full fun day out, Portocristo is just 30 minutes away and makes an easy excursion with kids. Visit on market day (Sundays), explore the spectacular Coves del Drac, or head to Dinosaurland for a few hours of prehistoric fun.
4.
Eating Out
Portocolom is relaxed and easy when it comes to family meals, with three distinct areas worth exploring: Cala Marçalbeach and the roads overlooking the bay, where you’ll find casual beachside cafés perfect for sandy feet and lunchtime snacks; S’Arenal beach, with two laid-back seaside restaurants on the sea; and the main village harbour, ideal for evening meals with a view of the boats and a bit more atmosphere.
For the most beautiful breakfasts or a healthy lunch, Organic Restaurant Ecologic is a favourite with a spectacular menu of smoothies, toasts, eggs and more. Down on the sand, Chiringuito Cala Marçal is ideal for a long sandy lunch close to shore, and over on S’Arenal beach, S’Arenal Portocolom and Bar Blau (pictured above) are both family favourites for shady seaside lunches of grilled fish, tapas, and plenty space for kids to move around (book ahead for both).
Come evening, pop back to Bar Blau for sundowners while the kids paddle, before heading to the harbour for a choice of seafood, tapas, Italian and more. Post-sunset, we love Es Riveto for simple tasty Spanish favourites, or on the harbour front itself; Bocoi for a pasta fest and Volare for extensive family friendly menu with a stylish bistro vibe.
There are three ice cream parlours in town, our favourite Purogelato serves up fresh gelato for a sensible price close to the pine trees for shore-side play. Keep an eye out for the tyre-wing under the boughs!
5.
Where to Stay
The harbour and old town (Es Riuetó) are full of charm, ideal if you want to stay close to the promenade, traditional restaurants, and quiet evening strolls. For barefoot luxury, Barefoot Hotel Portocolom sits right on the edge of the harbour with cool, contemporary design, small but stylish rooms for a family of four, and a relaxed vibe that still works well with kids. It’s a great base for soaking up village life, with sea views and a pool on site.
The peninsula before Cala Marçal is home to most of the holiday accommodation, with a mix of budget and mid-range options, self-catering apartments, and family-friendly cafés. Our favourite, Apartments Portomar, is ideal for families – modern, well-equipped apartments, a pool, rocky sea access (best for older kids and adults), and an on-site café for easy breakfasts and snacks.
As you pass Cala Marçal, you’ll find a few larger resort-style hotels. While they don’t offer high-end luxury, they’re practical for families and may suit those who prioritise all-inclusive convenience and direct access to the beach.
There are also plenty of private rentals and small agroturismos inland if you’re after more space and quiet, perfect for mixing beach days with countryside calm. One of our favourites Can Limona is a picture-perfect 300-year-old finca, and a wonderful year-round stay for large families of up to 10 guests.
Contact us for personalised advice on where to stay—or let us help you design your ideal family holiday.
6.
Practical Information
When to Visit: Spring and autumn are warm and quiet, perfect for cycle rides and harbour-side strolls. Kids will enjoy swimming from end May through mid-October but a wetsuit can save the day on half-term or Easter hols! Summer is livelier, with village events, warmer seas for paddling and kayaking, and long evenings on the promenade.
Shopping & Markets: Portocolom has a small weekly market on Thursdays, plus a good selection of supermarkets, bakeries, and convenience shops for easy self-catering—most open daily, with reduced hours or closure on Sundays. Felanitx Market (Every Sunday) is just a 15-minute drive inland, and is great for local produce, crafts, and people-watching.
Dates for the Diary
- Sant Jaume Festival (Late July): Portocolom’s biggest summer celebration, with fireworks, live music, street food, and a traditional maritime procession.
- Foodie Festivals: Fira Gastronòmica d’Espardenyeta & Fira Gastronòmica d’Es Pop (June) – Local fairs celebrating the espardenyeta (a sea cucumber mollusc) and octopus, with food stalls, music and live cooking.
- Sant Antoni (16 – 17 January): Bonfires, dancing devils, and grilled sausage – a Mallorcan winter tradition worth experiencing if you’re visiting off-season.
Distance from Palma Airport: Around 60km (about 50–55 minutes by car). There is no direct public transport from the airport so a hire car is handy, especially with kids.
Getting Around: While there is a bus to central Palma and the nearby town of Felanitx, you’ll want a car if you plan to explore nearby coves like Cala Sa Nau, the resort of Cala D’Or or villages, and inland towns like Santanyí.
In the village itself, everything is walkable and both push-chair & cycle-friendly, although there is a gentle hill as you cross towards Cala Marçal and the beach at S’Arenal is a good 15-20 minute walk (from the village) around the bay.
Best Suited For: Families looking for a scenic, low-key base with a local vibe, walkable beaches (pushchair may be needed), and great access to east coast adventures.
Not Ideal For: Those wanting big resorts or buzzing nightlife. This is a quiet kind of lovely — more fishing boats than pool parties.
