Balearic Islands Tourism Guide - Majorca Family Holidays

Majorca Family Travel Tips

Passports are required for all children under 16 years, and you can get forms from main post offices, or apply online at passports.gov.uk. Give yourself a few weeks, ideally a month for processing time! Children already included on parents' passports can continue to travel on them (if accompanied by the parent) until they reach the age of 16. The Passport Agency (see web link to the right) has comprehensive recorded information, including details of current processing times. The Passport Emergency Service in Portsmouth on (0870 606 2909) can process an application within 24 hours or 7 days for an extra fee if you're in a real rush. Check the web link to the right for details.

Check in advance what various airlines offer for parents with young children. As well as bassinets and skycots, concessions might include flight attendants specifically allocated to looking after families, pre-allocated seats, babyfood (possibly even organic), toddler meals, children's TV channels, and children's goody bags. It's well worth choosing scheduled flights whenever possible (book online through iknow-majorca on our cheap flight links), because you have shorter queues, kinder flight times, and there's less possibility of being delayed. There's also a greater possibility of the check-in staff blocking off the seat between two adults if you're travelling with an under 2-year-old. While charter flights are invariably cheaper and sometimes the best option in terms of proximity to your destination, you are more likely to suffer delays, especially if you travel later in the day as scheduled flights always take precedence over them in order of take-off.

Everyone tells you it's easy to buy nappies when you get to your holiday destination, and yes, you can in Majorca. It's well worth stocking up on nappies in your suitcase, as local brands may not suit, and it's one less thing to worry about. Also, it's worth packing UV protective clothing and swimwear which is widely available together with mini UV tents which are ideal for the beach when your child naps and for feeding. You will almost certainly need a parasol at least. Baby food is widely available in the Majorca resorts, which often have numerous supermarkets and small grocery shops, so you shouldn't have a problem there. There are some superb varieties of Spanish babyfood! In Puerto Pollensa, a popular Majorcan family resort, there are even supermarkets which stock organic baby food.

For more details and top tips on travelling with babies and children, check out the superb babygoes2.com (link to the right).

Majorca Family Holiday Hotspots

Majorca and the Balearics are extremely popular with families, and it's easy to see why. You have a Spanish Island with beautiful sandy beaches, not too developed, the Spanish mentality towards children where children go anywhere, any time, and a superb range of holiday accommodation and outdoor activities, all in a fantastic climate. Children are welcome anytime, anywhere on Majorca, and the island is well geared up for all inclusive family holidays.

There are lots of good Mallorca sandy beaches with safe, shallow water and many of the resorts feature activities like crazy golf courses and pony rides. Some hotels have separate children's pools, just check when booking. The all-inclusive Majorca package holiday deal is perfect for families, and there's ample choice here in many of the resorts. Many also offer nurseries and baby-sitting services, and programmes of children's entertainments to keep the tots amused during the day.

Majorca Family Waterparks

Aqualandia/EI Foro de Mallorca - Binissalem. This children's paradise has a bit of everything - a waterpark, swimming pool and adventure playground, crazy golf and a waxworks museum. Carretera Palma-lnca km25. 971511228. May-Sep, daily 10-6.

Hidropark - Port d'Alcudia, A water based theme park with activities for all young children. Avinguda Tucan, 971891672, May-Oct, 10-6.

Aquapark - Magalluf. There are pools, slides, a 'water castle' and exciting rides at this long-established waterpark situated on the edge of town. Go Karting Magalluf can be found adjacent. Carretera Cala Figuera, 971130811, June-Sept, daily 10-6; May-Oct, daily 10-5.

Aquacity - S'Arenal (Platja de Palma), One of the world's largest water funfairs, with enough thrills and spills to keep you happy all day. In addition to the water slides and wave pool, there is a mini-zoo, as well as a children's farm, parrot shows and an antique typewriter museum. End of Palma-S'Arenal motorwvay, 971440000, May-Sep, daily 10-5; Oct. Sun-Fri, 10-5.

Majorca Zoos, Animal Parks & Horseriding

Auto-Safari - Cala Millor, Drive-round safari park with giraffes, zebra and monkeys plus a 'baby zoo' with young elephants and reptiles born at the zoo. Arrive early to see the animals feeding. Carretera Porto Cristo-Son Servera, km5, 971810909, Apr-Sep, daily 9-7; Oct-Mar, daily 9-5. Nemo Submarines - Magalluf. See the flora and fauna beneath the sea on a 2 hour exploration by minisubmarine from Magalluf. Very expensive. Carrer Pedro Vaquer Ramis, 971184132, Several times daily throughout the year.

Marineland - Portals Nous. Entertainment here is provided by the performing dolphins, sealions and parrots. There is also a penguin pool, a reptile house and a large collection of sharks and tropical fish, plus flamingoes, monkeys and an impressive aviary. Children can take a ride on a mock pirate boat and a miniature train. The little ones will love it. Profits are channelled back into conservation programmes. Carretera Palma-Andratx km10, 971675125. Apr-Sep, daily 9.30-7; Oct-Mar. Daily 9:30-5:30. Closed mid-Nov to Christmas.

Acuarium de Mallorca - Porto Cristo, Small aquarium with exotic fish from around the world including piranhas and electric eels. Next to the Coves de Drac. Carrer Vella, 971820971. Apr-Oct,daily 9:30-5: Nov-Mar, daily 11-3.

Fancy a bit of horseriding in Majorca? If so, check out the Calvia Pony Club. Special courses for children are offered at this horse riding club Son Punta, 971670401.

Majorca Go-Karting

Magalluf and Playa de Palma are where to head for your classic family activity - go-karting. Popular on the stag and hen scene as well! Check out Magalluf Karting at Magalluf Go-kart track beside Aquapark. Why not leave the teenagers here while the younger ones get wet next door. Carretera Cala Figuera, Tel: 971131134, May-Oct,daily 10-5. Or how about Playa de Palma - Circuitos del Motor, Cta. Nueva de Llumajor, km 8, tel: 9714404452, May-Oct,daily 10-5.

Majorca Crazy Golf

Palma Nova Golf Fantasia. There are mini-golf courses in many Majorca resorts, but this is one of the best, set amid waterfalls, caves and tropical gardens. There is a choice of three different circuits - or you can play all 54 holes. Even adults will enjoy it. Carrer Tenis 3, Palma Nova, Tel: 971682349, Mon-Fri 10:30-6; Sat-Sun 10:3-8.

S'Arenal (Platja de Palma) Golf Fantasia When you tire of 'fantasy golf in Palma Nova, you can visit its sister course on the other side of the bay. Carretera Arenal 56, S'Arenal, Tel: 971263805, Mon-Fri 10:30-6;Sat-Sun 10:30-8.

Majorca Family Travel Tips

Majorca (Mallorca) resorts are busy in peak summer season, especially around the big and older resorts in the Bay of Palma, aka Magaluf and S'Arenal, so if you're looking for more of a laid back and quieter family base in Majorca's peak season choose one of the Northern resorts such as Port d'Alcudia, which has an enormous beach as well which is unlikely to get too crowded. A top tip for families travelling to Majorca actually relates to Palma Airport. The airport gates are a long, and I mean long, walk from arrivals, so insist on your buggy being unloaded when you get off the plane, and hold onto your kids on the way to baggage reclaim! Palma Airport is well served with amenities, and plenty of clean and fully equipped toilets (often with baby changing areas) greet you in the terminal.

For top tips on travelling with babies and children on flights, getting around resorts and all things kids the top advice site has to be babygoes2.com. Check the link to the right.