The Portixol is Palma’s classic seaside hotel and a favourite with Scandinavian and German visitors for decades. It opened in 1956 on the waterfront of Portixol, a little fishing harbour on the eastern edge of the city next to the old fishing village of El Molinar, about two kilometres from the old town. The style is Scandinavian simplicity with a nautical feel and touches of 1950s design, and the 25 rooms are light and uncluttered, many with sea views. The heart of the hotel is the pool in front of the Mediterranean and the restaurant and terrace beside it, open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner with views over the harbour. The seafront promenade runs right past the door, so you can walk or cycle along the water into the city, and there is free parking for guests who drive.
Location and getting around: the hotel sits on the promenade that runs along the bay from Ciutat Jardí through El Molinar and Portixol to the cathedral. Walking into the heart of Palma along the sea takes about twenty to thirty minutes, and a taxi takes around five. The airport is about fifteen minutes by car, which makes it handy for short breaks. El Molinar has cafés, fish restaurants and spots along the rocks where locals swim in summer.
The rooms: they are simple, bright and calm, in the hotel’s pared-back Scandinavian style. Sea-view rooms are the ones to ask for. Expect boutique comfort rather than large spaces.
Who it suits: couples and friends who want the sea on the doorstep and the city within reach, runners and cyclists who will use the promenade every morning, and anyone who prefers a relaxed neighbourhood to the old town. The pool has no shallow end and is entered by ladders, so it is not ideal for small children.
Good to know: the restaurant is popular with locals, so book a table for dinner. In October 2026 the hotel applied to the port authority to renew its waterfront concession and redevelop the pool and terrace, with no dates set for any works, so check the status of the pool when you book. It is listed as open all year.
Why stay here
- ✓Outdoor pool facing the sea
- ✓Restaurant and harbour-view terrace
- ✓Bar open daily
- ✓Seafront promenade at the door
- ✓Sea-view rooms
- ✓Free parking
- ✓Open all year
- ✓Fifteen minutes from the airport
Good questions
How far is the Portixol from Palma old town?+
It is about two kilometres east of the centre. Walking along the seafront takes twenty to thirty minutes, and a taxi takes about five.
Does the Portixol have a pool?+
Yes, an outdoor pool faces the Mediterranean next to the restaurant terrace. It has no shallow end, so it is not ideal for small children.
Is the Portixol open in winter?+
It is listed as open all year. In the low season check which restaurant services and pool hours apply on your dates.
