Well Palma has a beach, it's called PLaya De Palma.

no beach within walking distance. We have stayed in Palma the Costa Azul Hotel twice during February, got the bus from the Plaza Espanya into Arenel then walked back over through Playa de Palma then Can Pastilla , that is the nearest beach to Palma about 15 mins on bus. the other way there are beaches by bus too, not too far on bus.Palma is lovely by the harbour andn the old town on an evening, lovely tapas bars.

To stay in Palma and use the beach at Can Pastilla is so simple, catching the 15 or 17 bus at a cost of 1.10 euros or walking along the lovely walk way from Palma which runs right the way next to the sea to Arenal.

Think that would be quite a walk would it. We started to walk back from Can Pastilla but then caught the bus. We do like to walk but thought it was too far.

Then catch the number 3 bus to Portal Nous, Illetas etc plenty of small beaches, really just at the end of the Paseo Maritimo. going west. We are staying in Illetas in Oct for the first time and when we were in Mallorca in February we went on the the bus to have a look at the Hotel in which we are staying and took our time walking back to the Plaza Espanya and although they looked very small there are beaches on the west side.

thanks for all your replies everyone, much appreciated.