Nestled along Majorca’s sun-drenched southern coast, Can Pastilla perfectly captures the island’s relaxed charm — a blend of golden beaches, friendly locals, and the gentle rhythm of seaside life. With its easy access to Palma and a laid-back atmosphere that invites you to slow down and breathe, it’s the kind of place that instantly feels like home.
Arrival & First Impressions
Arriving at Palma de Mallorca Airport was an adventure in itself — it’s absolutely massive and buzzing with activity. As luck would have it, Storm Alice decided to welcome us to the island with a proper downpour just as we were deboarding the plane. We got completely soaked, but in a funny twist of fate, some of our friends happened to be flying in the same day for their own holiday. We managed to meet them at the airport before sharing a taxi to Can Pastilla — one of the reasons we chose this town in the first place was its perfect proximity to the airport.
By the time we arrived, the skies had cleared and the sea air felt calm and refreshing. Within minutes, we found a spot right on the waterfront — Roca Beach Mediterranean Restaurant — and sat down for a much-needed meal. The views were absolutely breathtaking — sunshine glinting off the water, waves rolling gently in the distance, and the unmistakable sense of “we’ve finally arrived”. We ordered a selection of tapas to share and lingered there, soaking in the scenery.
Our hotel, JS Palma Stay, was just a two-minute walk from where we’d eaten. It turned out to be the perfect pick — modern, welcoming, and ideally located. When we opened the door to our sixth-floor room, the balcony view completely stole the show. After a quick nap with the slider open to let in the fresh sea breeze, and a much-needed shower, we spent the evening exploring the hotel amenities before heading to dinner (our stay included both breakfast and dinner).
Between dinner and the hotel’s evening entertainment, we took a short stroll into town to pick up a few bits from the supermarket and see Can Pastilla at night. The town was lively and glowing, with the warm lights reflecting on the promenade and locals out enjoying the evening — it was absolutely stunning.
That night’s evening entertainment was surprisingly great — lively and fun, the perfect way to end a long travel day. Despite being so close to the airport, the rooms were completely soundproof, and we slept like absolute rocks.
Exploring Can Pastilla
After such a restful night, we allowed ourselves a slow start the next morning — sleeping in and enjoying a late breakfast at the hotel while watching the last of the morning rain fade away. By the time we got ready for the day, the skies had cleared again and the sun was shining, ready for us to explore.
We set off along the promenade of Can Pastilla, walking all the way toward Platja de Palma. It’s a stunning stretch of coastline, lined with cafés, beach bars, and small local shops. We stopped to browse a few boutiques and souvenir spots, taking our time to soak up the sunshine and the relaxed, seaside atmosphere.
Later, we explored in the other direction toward the nature preserve at Parc des Carnatge. The area has both walking and cycling paths that weave through the dunes and along the sea — it’s peaceful and scenic, and we learned it actually connects to the city of Palma. There’s even a fantastic lookout point where you can watch planes approach the airport, gliding right over the water and seemingly just above your head — such a unique experience!
We eventually made our way back to Can Pastilla and stopped at Mar Cala Estancia, another beautiful waterfront restaurant that was perfect for a quick bite. With the sound of the sea just steps away and the afternoon sun reflecting on the water, it was one of those simple yet unforgettable moments.
Before getting ready for dinner, we took advantage of our hotel’s beautiful spa, which was included in our stay — the perfect way to unwind after a full day of walking. We enjoyed the revitalizing pool, jacuzzi, sauna, Turkish bath, sensation showers, and even an ice fountain — pure bliss and exactly what we needed to recharge for the evening ahead.
After our spa time, we returned to the room for showers and dinner, followed by the night’s entertainment — a lively ABBA tribute show that had everyone singing along. And as became one of our favorite little rituals, we ended the day with an evening stroll down the promenade, enjoying the warm breeze and quiet hum of the seaside nightlife.
Day Trip to Palma
After another delicious breakfast at the hotel, we set off for a day trip to Palma, just a short taxi ride away from Can Pastilla. We pre-booked tickets for the Palma de Mallorca City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, which made things so easy once we arrived.
We decided to stay on for the full loop to get a feel for the city, and it didn’t disappoint — Palma is absolutely stunning. The streets are lined with elegant cafés, ancient olive trees, and beautiful architecture that tells the story of the island’s long history. Highlights of the route included the majestic cathedral, Pueblo Espanyol, and what has to be the most incredible yacht club I’ve ever seen.
After completing the route, we hopped off near the center and wandered through Palma’s typical Spanish streets, filled with narrow lanes, small boutiques, and lively plazas. It was lovely to see another side of the city before heading toward our next adventure — the Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Boat Tour.
Seeing Palma from the water was unforgettable. We cruised past Bellver Castle, perched high above the city, and caught sight of the third-oldest functioning lighthouse in the world along with the bustling cruise port. The views of the cathedral from the sea were spectacular— it’s one of those moments that makes you pause and appreciate just how special the island is.
By the afternoon, we made our way back to the hotel for a quick snooze before freshening up for dinner. Since there was no evening entertainment that night, we ventured out to The Manchester Pub, an English-owned spot just a short walk away from our hotel. We caught a few football games, with both England and Spain playing that evening — the energy was electric. It turned out to be the perfect way to end a busy but fun-filled day.
Final Day in Can Pastilla
We spent our last full day soaking up the sunshine at the beach just around the block from our hotel — soft sand, calm turquoise water, and that easy content feeling that only comes from a lazy beach day with a book in hand. After a few hours of relaxing, we made our way to another stunning waterfront restaurant called Manù for lunch.
We decided to share one of their homemade pizzas, which turned out to be one of the best we’ve ever had — topped with mozzarella, prosciutto, arugula, and freshly grated Parmesan. They served a chili oil for drizzling on top, the perfect finishing touch. To go with it, I ordered their mango mojito special, which was as refreshing as it sounds — sweet, tangy and perfectly tropical.
With satisfyingly full bellies, we returned to the hotel where I treated myself to a much-needed massage — an incredibly relaxing way to round out the trip. Afterwards, we headed up to the rooftop wellness terrace to catch some last-minute sun and enjoy the beautiful views one more time before getting ready for the evening.
Our final dinner and entertainment at the hotel was a memorable one — a talented electric violinist performing popular hits with so much energy and emotion. It was the perfect send-off.
Before heading in for the night, we took one last stroll down the promenade, stopping at Mai Mai Surf Bar for a glass of sangria, a local favorite and the perfect way to toast to an incredible holiday.
Farewell Can Pastilla
Our final morning came far too quickly. After packing up and checking out, we spent a little extra time on the rooftop terrace, soaking up the last rays of sunshine and taking in the view one more time. It was the perfect way to end the trip — quiet, calm, and full of gratitude for such a beautiful few days in Majorca.
Can Pastilla turned out to be the perfect base — close to the airport, yet full of charm, incredible food, and endless seaside views. Between the relaxing hotel amenities, the stunning promenade walks, and the day trip to Palma, it truly offered the best mix of relaxation and exploration.
As we headed to the airport, we already found ourselves talking about how soon we could come back. There’s just something special about Can Pastilla — a laid-back coastal gem that makes you feel at home from the moment you arrive.
Plates n Places 