S'Arenal (also known as El Arenal) is a beach resort on the southern coast of Mallorca, straddling the boundary between the municipalities of Palma and Llucmajor. It sits at the eastern end of the Platja de Palma, a wide sandy beach stretching some seven kilometres to Ca'n Pastilla, backed by a flat promenade ideal for walking and cycling.
The town is lively and unpretentious, with shops and restaurants at every price level. A large German tourist community has defined much of the character here, particularly along the Ballermann strip — a stretch of beach bars where oompah bands and litres of draft beer have been the soundtrack since the 1980s. The name itself comes from Balneario 6, the original beach concession that became shorthand for this entire style of German package tourism. Aqualand S'Arenal, on the outskirts of town, is one of the island's largest water parks and a reliable draw for families.
The Club Nàutic S'Arenal at the marina end of the beach is the resort's quieter, more characterful corner — a sailing club with waterfront dining and views across the Bay of Palma toward the cathedral. Palma Aquarium, a short bus ride away along the coast, is the best indoor attraction in this part of Mallorca.
Frequent buses run to Palma every ten minutes (about twenty-five minutes, around one euro), making S'Arenal a convenient and affordable base for day trips to the capital. There is also a limited service east to Manacor, Porto Cristo, and the Coves del Drac.