Arenal (Mallorca) is a resort located along the eastern coast of Playa de Palma, in the south of the island. This is a youth resort, the main difference of which from Magaluf is that it is preferred by the German youth, while Magaluf is British. This resort is also popular among our compatriots - mainly due to very democratic prices. However, lower prices than in other resorts, the price of living does not say that in Arenal to rest worse than other Majorcan resorts . The only nuance - if you still used to sleep at night and waited for a vacation, then to sleep and rest properly, or if you want to go on vacation with children - you better still choose another resort.
El Arenal in Mallorca is one of the oldest resorts: the construction boom here began in the 50s of the last century. Thanks to this, the number of local residents has also increased: today El Arenal is a city where more than 16 thousand people live. For comparison: in 1910 in the fishing village, with which, in fact, the city began, 37 people lived, in 1930 - 379, and in 1960 - more than a thousand. To date, of all Majorcan resorts, Arenal boasts the largest density of hotels.
Beach season
El Arenal beach is one of the best beaches in Mallorca . In Spanish, this means "sandy beach". Here and in fact surprisingly golden, fine, soft and free-flowing sand. In addition, the length of the beach is impressive - it exceeds 4.5 km. Despite the fact that the resort is predominantly a youth resort, tourists from neighboring resorts, including children, come to the beach - it enjoys such popularity thanks to the surprisingly shallow descent into the sea. Perhaps we can say that of all the beaches of Spain Arenal is one of the most crowded, so experienced tourists advise to come to sunbathe, early, before lunch time.
Conditionally the beach is divided into 15 smaller ones, but you will not find the boundaries between them. The local population calls these beaches "Balnearios", and they were repeatedly awarded the highest for the resorts award - the Blue Flag.
The beach season in Arenal due to its southern location is long - it starts in April and lasts until the end of September, and sometimes until the middle of October. The beach is well equipped, here you can rent equipment for diving, water skiing, surfing. A snack is also possible without leaving the beach - along the coast are scattered small bungalows with kiosks, where you can buy refreshments and snacks. Parking near the beach is free.
Hotels in Arenal
If you compare with other hotels in Majorca, Arenal offers almost the cheapest accommodation. There are many 2 * hotels, there are 1 * and hostels. However, for young people, who mostly choose this resort, the star rating of hotels does not matter. You can find hotels of a higher level, including hotels for families with children and hotels for couples. Hotels 3 *, 4 * and 5 * are located on the first line.
The best reviews were about the hotels Puig de Ros d'Alt 4 *, Hotel Gracia 3 *, Hotel Garau 1 *, Hostal Tierramar, Et Domsche Das Hostal, Hotel Don Pepe 3 * (adult visitors only), Hostal Villa Maruja 1 * , Hostal Mar del Plata, Apartment C.Frai Junipero Serra.
Where to eat?
Since, as already mentioned, the resort is very popular among Germans, in the local cafes you will find a wide selection of dishes of German cuisine, and at the same time English cuisine, as there are a lot of English here too. But this does not mean that in Arenal you can not taste traditional dishes, both Spanish and Majorcan.
There are many bars and restaurants working at night. And pizzerias, and restaurants, and bars are very low (compared, perhaps, with any other resort of the island) prices. One of the most famous is the Sportsman bar, located right on the coast.
Transport
From Palma to Arenal is only 15 km away, and regular bus number 23 runs regularly here. On the way, you can admire the stunning scenery that opens from the windows. You can get to the resort and directly from the airport on route number 15 - the airport is closer to Arenal, only 5.5 km.
From Arenal you can quickly get to the neighboring resorts - Can Pastilla and Playa de Palma. This can also be done by bus - or take a mini-train. Of course, in the latter case the journey will take more time, but you will get pleasure from nothing comparable. You can rent a car - in Arenal there are no problems with this. Leave it then you can either in Arenal, or already at the airport - depending on what will be written in the contract.
Excursions in Arenal
El Arenal (Mallorca) is a resort place, and there are no sights as such. However, if you want to not only fire in the sun and hang out at night discos, you can always go to Palma de Mallorca, where there are a variety of attractions, or already from Palma go to different historical places of the island. And you can go on an excursion and directly from Arenal - for example, in a sightseeing tour of Mallorca, which lasts about 7 hours and includes a visit to the port of Soller , the bay of Sa Calobra , the monastery of Luke , the city of Inca. Or - a tour with a visit to the monastery in Valdemosse , a glass blower factory and the estate of La Granja .
Aquapark and other daytime entertainment
The Aquapark in Arenal is the largest in Mallorca, it covers an area of 207 thousand m & sup2. It is called "Aquasity". It is a pleasure to spend time not only children, but also adults - the water park is full of various water attractions, and also offers its visitors other types of recreation (including the opportunity to play mini golf). The water park works from May to September, the cost of an adult entrance ticket is 21 euros, and the children's ticket is 15. It can accommodate 3,500 visitors at the same time.
Near the beach there is a yacht club with a lot of yachts and boats. You can order a water walk here, or you can just sit in the fish restaurant "Sirena" at the yacht club and admire the harbor.
And, of course, you can not ignore this kind of "entertainment", like shopping. Of course, the main shopping tourists often do in Palma de Mallorca , but some special come on the shopping tours in Arenal. Here you can buy souvenirs, beach accessories, leather goods, ceramic dishes and fine linens with embroidery. Especially I want to mention the store Divine, wine + art, where you can buy wines from different corners of Mallorca and various paintings, sculptures and other souvenirs.
Night "hangouts"
Entertainment here is enough and in the "quiet season" - perhaps because of this the resort has enough tourists and in the "low" season. The most popular nightclubs in El Arenal are Paradise, Megapark, Rio. The cost of admission is about 20 euros, this amount includes drinks (often - unlimited) and branded T-shirt.
The best vacationers speak about night bars Caramba, Bahia Bar, Kolsch Pub Mallorka, Heineken's Bar.
