Helen Cummins’ tips for buying apartments near the beach in Mallorca

Portixol concentrates the best of Palma with a timeless maritime energy. Its seafront promenade invites you to walk, run, or cycle beside the water, with urban coves and yacht clubs minutes away. For those who value being 5–10 minutes from Palma’s Old Town and 15–20 minutes from the airport, it is a magnetic choice.

You will find apartments with sea views, penthouses with panoramic terraces, and some very well-kept second-line gems. New builds are scarce, which supports value in the medium and long term. If you are searching for apartments by the sea in Palma or first-line flats, Portixol is a safe bet. Daily life is simple, with supermarkets, clinics and international schools close by. As an investment, seasonality is lower than in purely touristic zones, and there is year-round demand.

My advice: prioritise orientation to optimise light, shelter from prevailing winds, and assess acoustics near trendy bars. Well-managed first-line communities with few neighbours are especially coveted.

Puerto de Andratx is synonymous with exclusivity. Its horseshoe bay, golden sunsets, and high-end marina attract buyers who prioritise privacy, security, and premium services. Architect-designed villas sit alongside luxury apartments in communities with infinity pools, 24/7 security, and 180-degree views. If frontline luxury apartments or penthouses with harbour views are on your radar, you will find a selective offer and strong competition for the best units.

As an investment, the international demand is strong and constant, with quick absorption of well-located, refurbished properties. The price per square metre is above the island average, and so is its resilience through slower cycles.

For premium letting, large terraces, southwest orientation, and easy access to nearby coves are key differentiators. In practical terms, Palma is 30–40 minutes by car. If refurbishing, invest in energy efficiency, insulation and glazing that frames the views. If you seek status, iconic vistas, and a strongly defended price, Puerto de Andratx is for you.

Calvià (which includes Palmanova, Santa Ponsa, Costa de la Calma, El Toro) offers a hard-to-beat combination: fine-sand beaches, golf, marinas such as Puerto Portals and Port Adriano, plus a network of services that works all year. In Palmanova there is an abundance of first-line apartments with wide terraces and pool communities. In Santa Ponsa, residential urbanisations sit alongside sheltered coves and renowned golf courses. Costa de la Calma and El Toro add quieter options with good transport links.

For families, the presence of international schools, sports centres, and nearby healthcare are big pluses. For investors, Calvià brings liquidity and broad-based demand, from remote workers to those seeking a lock-up-and-leave with parking and a lift. The properties most sought after here include apartments with sea views in Palmanova and flats in Santa Ponsa near the beach.

My technical tips: check orientation for optimal afternoon sun, potential seasonal noise near nightlife spots, community health, and the power of home staging if you buy to refurbish and resell.

In the north, Pollença blends a stone-built historic centre, lively squares, and direct access to mountains and coves. Puerto Pollensa adds a calmer seafront feel, with the iconic Pine Walk, perfect for families and longer stays. The offer ranges from refurbished second-line apartments to penthouses with roof terraces and very limited frontline opportunities.

If your formula is buy and enjoy with the option of premium holiday letting, it works here thanks to an extended season, the popularity of cycling, and a loyal Scandinavian and British following. Highly sought after properties here include Pine Walk apartments, penthouses with a terrace in Puerto Pollensa, and flats near the beach in Pollença. Make sure to check historic licences, beach access, secure bike storage, and orientation that captures sea breezes without sacrificing natural light.

Alcudia brings together history, its walled old town, long beaches in Alcudia and Muro, and services that stay open beyond summer. It is a family favourite. Apartments with terraces and pools enjoy fast absorption for both sales and rentals. If frontline apartments in Alcudia or flats with bay views interest you, you will find more competitive €/m² than in Palma or Andratx, while benefiting from sustained demand.

For investors, there is liquidity in 70–120 m² units with usable outdoor space and parking. Audit community finances, council tax, and service charges. Consider mobility, cycle lanes, and connections to Palma and the airport. Lifestyle benefits of living in Alcudia include accessibility of water sports, hiking, and cycling, plus a cultural calendar that keeps winter lively.

Santa Ponsa is a very solid choice in the southwest for buyers who prioritise tranquillity, services, and connectivity. Its main beach is sheltered and family-friendly, with nearby coves and golf courses. The typical properties here are apartments in well-kept communities with pools and lifts, often with partial sea views. Apartments in Santa Ponsa near the beach, flats with pools in Santa Ponsa, and luxury apartments for sale in Santa Ponsa, Mallorca, are top of the list in this area.

For investment, orientation and the state of refurbishment are decisive. Updated properties with open kitchens, new glazing, and continuous flooring sell faster and achieve higher rents. My tip: verify real travel times to other areas you may need to access, including to Palma (20–25 minutes), plus schools and healthcare.

Puerto Portals is a global brand. Its luxury boutiques, chef-driven restaurants, and a marina with a waiting list support a price premium accepted by the market thanks to its prestige. Apartments at or within walking distance of the marina are most sought after. Many buyers desire direct views, private parking, and 24-hour security. If a luxury apartment in Puerto Portals or a penthouse with marina views speaks to you, you are in the right place.

As an investment, Puerto Portals behaves like a store of value, with limited new supply and a loyal international community. This is the area for you if you prioritise A-plus locations, top-tier finishes, and livable terraces.

Palma is the island capital and cultural heart. Here you will find penthouses with roof terraces in the Old Town, apartments by the sea in Palma facing the marina, and ground floors with gardens in new-generation complexes with spas, gyms, and pools.

Living in Palma means walking to the Santa Catalina market, enjoying the renewed Paseo Marítimo, remote working from a coworking space, and dining at destination restaurants without using the car. From an investment angle, apartments for sale in Palma offer year-round occupancy, professional tenants, and a premium micro-demand that pays for design, location, and services. In historic buildings, review structural reports, building inspections, and lifts. On the front line, insist on high-performance glazing and indoor comfort. The best part is that penthouses in Palma with terraces offer incredible sunset vistas over the Mediterranean.

Santanyí captivates with its marès-stone centre, lively market, and proximity to coves such as Cala Santanyí, Cala Llombards, and Caló des Moro. Buyers here value authenticity and calm with services close by. In apartments, Mediterranean-style refurbishments, high ceilings, and intimate terraces are common.

On the coast there are limited opportunities with partial sea views.
Typical buyers in Santanyí include couples and families seeking sophisticated downtime and a long season from spring to autumn.

Be sure to check planning protections and energy performance. Insulation and cross-ventilation are essential in summer.

Cas Català is residential, quiet, and highly sought after for its proximity to Palma, Bendinat and Cala Nova. Expect apartments in Cas Català with sea views and wide terraces in quality communities with parking, lifts, and careful finishes.

For those who prioritise peace, security, and quick access to the city, it is a hard balance to beat these apartments near Palma with a view.

When purchasing, make sure to evaluate orientation for sunsets, wind protection, and terrace privacy.

Port Adriano makes a statement. The marina reimagined by Philippe Starck has consolidated a contemporary, sophisticated ecosystem, with destination restaurants, boutiques, and events that draw a cosmopolitan crowd.

The most sought-after properties are apartments overlooking the harbour with easy pedestrian access. Here, high-end architecture helps with clean lines and large picture windows.

As an investment, the Port Adriano brand brings international pull and a sustained price premium. Must-haves include underground parking, lifts, usable terraces, and premium finishes.

In the south, Ses Salines offers salt flats, dunes and open fields, with privileged access to Es Trenc, Ses Covetes, and Colònia de Sant Jordi. The typical buyer in this location seeks space, light, and calm, accepting a longer drive to Palma in exchange for unspoilt settings. The apartment stock is smaller, often in boutique communities or apartment-style houses with sunny terraces.

As an investment, demand is seasonal but very loyal, especially for apartments near Es Trenc and flats with terraces in Ses Salines.

When buying an apartment in south Mallorca, focus on ventilation, shading, and efficiency, with solar panels and efficient hot water, as sustainability is especially valued here.