Magaluf
Magaluf is a locality and the main tourist centre of the municipality of Calvià, on the southwest coast of Mallorca, very close to Palma. The town has around 4,500 inhabitants. It is known for its lively nightlife and its extensive beach, considered an important tourist destination for young people in search of partying and fun.
From a tourist point of view Magaluf is a popular tourist destination, especially for young British and Irish people. In this Mallorcan resort there is a well-developed tourist infrastructure with a high availability of hotels with a wide range of facilities. In popular British culture Magaluf is known for its party atmosphere and debauchery and has come to be known as “Shagaluf” and “Megamuff”, derogatory terms (especially the former) associated with its nightlife.
Magaluf is widely known for its vast array of lively nightlife, although in recent years, the destination has undergone a conversion of some hotel establishments into accommodation with conference and event facilities.
Location of Magaluf
Magaluf is located on the southwest coast of Mallorca, within the municipality of Calvià. It is located between Cala Vinyes and Punta de sa Torre Nova or sa Porrassa, very close to other tourist resorts such as Palmanova and Santa Ponsa, in the bay of Palma. It is approximately 17 km from Palma de Mallorca, 28.7 km from Palma Airport (25 min. driving) via Ma-20 and Ma-1 and and 9 km from Calvià.
How to get to Magaluf?
Magaluf is easily accessible, both by car and by public transport. You can get there by car by following the signs. In addition, bus lines 107 and 104 connect Palma with Magaluf, with a journey time of approximately 50 minutes.
Arriving by car from Palma: Take the MA-1 Palma-Andratx dual carriageway or motorway and look for exit 14, signposted Magaluf or El Toro. At the first roundabout, continue towards Magaluf. At the second roundabout, repeat the same action. At the third roundabout, follow the signs to Camí de sa Porrasa. Continue along this street until the next roundabout, where you should turn right. Look for parking in the area and then you can walk to the beach or anywhere else in the area. You can also ask for a taxi to get to the area.
Parking: Parking is available in the immediate vicinity of the beach.
Additional information: Magaluf is approximately 15-17 km from Palma and about 25 minutes by car.
Arriving by bus from Palma-1: Bus line 104 connects Palma with Magaluf, with stops in the beach area and elsewhere in the resort.
Arriving by bus from Palma-2: You can also use bus line 107 or other routes connecting Palma and Magaluf.
Toponymy of Magaluf
The toponym Magaluf, associated with the tourist resort of Calvià in Mallorca, has an uncertain origin and several theories about its meaning. Some studies suggest an Arabic origin, possibly related to “dirty water” or “people of the word”. A connection with soap-making has also been proposed, although this theory is not widely accepted. The variant “Magaluf” appears in documents from the 16th century (exactly in 1531), with references to the area as “Platges de Magaluf“.
Possible Origins:
Arabic: Some studies suggest that Magaluf comes from the combination of “ma” and “haluf”, meaning “dirty water” in Arabic, referring to possible sources of unhealthiness in the area. According to the researcher Cantarero Verger, another meaning could be the term “magalofa”: “people of the word”.
In Arabic, “magaluf” could also refer to a volcanic mud puddle, although this interpretation does not seem to fit the geography of Magaluf.
Catalan: “Casa de los jaboneros”. Another theory, more widely accepted by locals, suggests that the name comes from the Catalan “Magaluf”, which means “House of the Soapmakers”, referring to the soap-making activity that used to take place in the area. This theory is supported by the fact that soap making was a common activity in medieval times in the area.
Hebrew: Traces of Jewish presence in Mallorca have been found, but there is no evidence that directly links this presence with the name Magaluf. However, it has been pointed out that “Magaluf” was also a Hebrew name for a person.
In short: The exact origin of Magaluf remains a mystery with multiple interpretations attempting to explain its name.
Historical Context: Development and Transformation
Unlike other localities, Magaluf does not have an extensive historical past, as it was created specifically for tourist purposes. Magaluf presents contrasts between its agricultural past and its present as a party tourist destination. Prior to its tourist development, the area was agricultural, with the Muslim farmhouse of Sa Porrassa as one of the main activities.
Its history is relatively recent, focusing on tourism from the 20th century onwards, with a boom in the 1960s and 1970s thanks to British package tourism. Although Magaluf beach is extensive and attractive, it was originally an area of marshland that was artificially modified.
Attractions and activities available in Magaluf
Magaluf, one of the main tourist destinations in Mallorca, is known for its fine sandy beach and crystal clear waters, as well as its lively nightlife. It offers a wide range of accommodation options, restaurants and activities to suit all tastes, including water sports, water parks and theme parks.
Magaluf offers a variety of activities and attractions, such as theme parks, water parks, live shows and golf courses.
Magaluf Beach: Long beach with fine sand and calm waters, ideal for swimming and water sports.
Nightlife: Known for its lively nightlife with nightclubs and bars, mainly in the area of Punta Balena.
Theme and water parks: Aqualand and other parks offer entertainment for the whole family.
Water sports: Possibility of practising water sports such as jet skiing and others.
Sports activities: Golf course, athletics track and hiking and cycling routes.
Punta Ballena: A street full of bars and discotheques, where the party is more unbridled and open until late at night.
Other attractions near Magaluf
Katmandu Park: Theme park with attractions such as 4D cinema, climbing nets, giant see-saw, mini-golf and more.
Western Water Park: Water park with water rides, shows and activities for the whole family.
Pirates Show: Pirate-themed acrobatic show, dancing and music.
House of Katmandu: Building with illusions and mysteries, based on Ripley’s Believe It or Not, also with 4D cinema, mini-golf and new attractions such as the Desperados laser shot and the Asylum ghost train.
Other coves near Magaluf
Cala Vinyes: A sandy beach with calm waters, ideal for families.
Cala de Cap Falcó: Rocky and natural cove, surrounded by trees, ideal for enjoying nature.
Gastronomy in Magaluf Beach
Magaluf beach offers a varied gastronomic offer, from fast food and British options to Mediterranean cuisine and international experiences. You can find beach restaurants with international elegance and Mediterranean delicacies, as well as fast food options such as fish & chips and Italian food. In addition, there are establishments serving traditional Mallorcan cuisine, with an emphasis on meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, garlic, local herbs and olive oil.
Prices: Magaluf offers a wide range of accommodation options, from hotels to holiday flats. Many hotels in Magaluf are all-inclusive, but if you eat out, the average cost can be around 15-20 € per person.
Events and markets
Magaluf’s weekly market is held on Fridays, with a focus on local food products and handicrafts. It is located in the residential area between El Toro and Magaluf, specifically on Rossinyol and Colom streets in Son Ferrer. The market is an initiative to promote local produce and combat seasonality.
Day: Friday
Location: Son Ferrer (between El Toro and Magaluf), Carrer Rossinyol and Carrer Colom.
Products: Mainly fruit, vegetables, bread, cured meats, cheese, clothes, footwear, handmade products and gift items, with an emphasis on local and seasonal products.
Opening hours: From 8:30 to 13:30
In addition to the Magaluf market, Calvià offers other weekly markets, such as Calvià (Monday), Peguera (Tuesday), El Toro (Wednesday), and Santa Ponça (Saturday), among others.
Shopping in Magaluf: Shopping Centres and Shops
In Magaluf, you can find two main shopping centres: Momentum Plaza and Centro La Vila. Momentum Plaza, located in the centre of Magaluf, offers a variety of shops, restaurants and outdoor entertainment options. Centro La Vila, also located close to the promenade and beach, has a selection of shops, restaurants and other services. In addition to these shopping centres, Magaluf has a variety of shops in its commercial area, including supermarkets, fashion, accessories, home and sports.
Year-round activities and events in Magaluf
Magaluf organises events, promotions and activities throughout the year, both in the shopping centres and in the public square. In addition to nightlife, Magaluf offers options such as theme parks and water parks for the whole family to enjoy. Live shows and golf courses can also be found to complement the leisure offer.
Hotels and accommodation
Magaluf, a popular tourist destination in Mallorca, offers a wide range of accommodation and hospitality options. From hotels with swimming pools and buffet restaurants to self-catering flats with balconies, there are options to suit all tastes and budgets. Magaluf has a wide range of hotels, including hotels of various categories and styles. Many all-inclusive hotels in Magaluf, such as in El Arenal, Playa de Palma and Sant Antoni, limit alcohol consumption to six drinks a day.
All in all, Magaluf has been an important tourist centre since the 1960s, especially for British tourists. The nightlife in Magaluf is concentrated in the Punta Balena area, with a large number of nightclubs and bars. Despite its popularity with young people, Magaluf offers a variety of activities for families and other types of tourists. It offers a wide variety of attractions to suit all tastes, from theme parks and water parks to live shows and white sandy beaches. Some of the highlights include Katmandu Park, the Western Water Park, the Pirates show, Katmandu House, Magaluf Beach and the quieter coves.4
By the way, are you coming to Mallorca on a tourism trip? If you find it helpful, you can also consult our travel guide to Mallorca and more tourist information about the island.
