Arenal Holidays
Arenal holidays – Lively nights and sun-filled days
The lively beach resort of Arenal, also known as El Arenal, is situated on the east coast of the Bay of Palma just 10km south of the Majorcan capital, Palma. The resort is a popular choice with groups of friends and young people in search of sun, sea and non-stop entertainment lasting well into the night.
As well as an abundance of bars and clubs, Arenal offers a wide selection of cafes, restaurants and shops stretched out along the relaxed waterfront promenade which connects it with the neighbouring resorts of C’an Pastilla and Playa de Palma.
The sandy, palm-fringed beach at Arenal is an inevitable draw for most visitors and the perfect place to unwind on a sun-lounger or take a dip in the warm Mediterranean Sea. Its Blue Flag status also ensures a good standard of cleanliness and a wide range of amenities many of which are housed in the conveniently positioned beach huts known locally as Balnearios.
When to go to Arenal
Depending on the type of holiday you are looking for the best time to go to Arenal will vary. During the peak summer months (June to August) the resort is a great choice for anyone in search of a party atmosphere and seduced by the promise of all night music and entertainment throughout the week. Particularly popular with the German tourist market, Arenal is home to a number of bars serving a variety of German beers and food and these are often lively focal points during the summer months.
As with many of the livelier resorts in Majorca, Arenal is altogether quieter and more suitable for families or couples throughout the remainder of the year. The nearby towns of Calvia and San Telmo as well as the attractive port of Pollenca are all pleasant day trips for those venturing out of the resort in spring, autumn or winter and Arenal’s own waterpark, Aqualand (open May to September), also provides a great day out.
The weather in Arenal
During the summer months (June to August) Arenal enjoys the best of Majorca’s Mediterranean climate with hot, dry days and up to 11 hours of often uninterrupted sunshine. Maximum daytime temperature in June peaks at around 25°C and rises throughout the summer to a high of 29°C in mid-August. Sea temperature ranges from 6-9°C throughout April-September and is warmest during the late summer. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October) are both pleasant times to visit Arenal with temperatures in the late-teens although autumn is the wetter of the two. Winter (December to March) sees temperatures occasionally dipping below 10°C but is generally a dry season with an average of just 2-3 inches of rain during these months.
Getting the best deal to Arenal
Summer is by far the busiest time to visit Arenal and consequently prices in the resort tend to be higher at this time of year. However, with holiday providers competing to offer the best deals there is also the widest range of accommodation and package holidays to Arenal on offer during the summer. This means that you can still bag a bargain even when travelling in the peak tourist season. A good tip for ensuring you get the best deal is to check what is included in the price of your holiday with your holiday provider before you book. If you are travelling with a tour company then it is worth checking whether the short coach transfer from Palma de Mallorca Airport to Arenal is included as well as meals during your stay.
Outside of the peak season you are most likely to get the best deals on holidays to Arenal through local accommodation providers keen to fill their properties year-round. At Directline Holidays we’ve selected some of the best deals for Arenal holidays throughout the year below so that you can see what is on offer.
Airport and transport need to know
You can fly to Majorca from a large number of airports across the UK with many smaller UK airports offering seasonal flights during the summer months. Flight time from most UK airports is around 2.5 hours. When travelling to Arenal you will arrive at Palma de Mallorca Airport which is located just outside the island’s capital and approximately 6km north of Arenal. This proximity makes the transfer to Arenal one of the shortest in Majorca (approximately 15-20 minutes).
If you are travelling with a tour company then coach transfers from the airport to your accommodation in Arenal are usually provided. However, those arranging their own transport can pick up a taxi for the short journey from outside the arrivals hall for around €18 (£15). Although do be aware that this price may vary depending on time of arrival/departure, the size of your group and the amount of luggage you are travelling with.
If you are keen to see more of the region whilst on holiday in Arenal the neighbouring resorts of C’an Pastilla and Playa de Palma are both easily reached from Arenal either by foot or on the popular mini-train that runs along the connecting promenade. A regular bus also operates between Arenal and Palma.
The best beaches in Arenal
Majorca boasts a wide range of beaches along its 250 miles of stunning coastline and several of these are easily accessible from Arenal. In general, the beaches nearest the resort are sandy with good amenities. However, we’ve picked out the best three below for a variety of beach-goers.
Best Beach for lazing on a sun lounger: Ciutat Jardi is a large sandy beach located a few kilometres north of Arenal near Palma and is a popular choice with the capital’s local inhabitants. The beach offers a good range of facilities including showers and public toilets, a number of restaurants and cafes and the all-important sun loungers making this a great choice for relaxing and soaking up the local atmosphere.
Best Beach for activities: El Arenal beach is likely to be the main beach you will spend time on whilst on holiday in Arenal with much of the resort accommodation located within a short stroll of this 6km stretch of fine, white sand. As with the rest of the resort, El Arenal beach offers a never-ending selection of activities from water-skiing and banana boating to beachside spas and cafes. Sun loungers, parasols and hammocks provide a pleasant contrast for those less energetic days under the warm sun.
Best Beach for complete isolation: For complete isolation you will have to travel a bit further from Arenal to find the hidden gems along Majorca’s southern coast. Es Race de s’Arena is a stunning beach with a mix of sand and rocks and very little else to spoil the view. Small but perfectly formed, the beach is best accessed by boat with good anchoring points in the deep waters off the shore. No restaurants or cafes here so you will have to take plenty of food and water with you but a day spent away from the lively resort beach could be just what you need for total relaxation.
