A reporter recently returned from a holiday to Spain, and accidentally went to what’s been called “the worst part” of the country. But it was actually one of the most stunning places she’s ever been.

The Mirror’s Kate Lally recently returned from a Spanish holiday, where she inadvertently ended up in what’s often referred to as “the worst part” of the country. The reporter went on holiday with her husband and son, and she was eager for a change of scenery and some sun, so started hunting for flights that weren’t exorbitantly priced or scheduled at inconvenient times.

As it happened, her best option at the time was return flights to Palma de Mallorca, so she booked those. Next, they had to choose their resort, with plenty of options given Mallorca’s size. A friend suggested they stay in Palma Nova, known for its picturesque setting and crystal-clear waters – plus, it’s only about a 20-minute drive from the airport.

They’d just confirmed their booking when another friend issued a cautionary note: “Palma Nova is beautiful but it’s right next to Magaluf”. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here.

While they didn’t elaborate, Kate understood their implication. Magaluf has long been infamous as one of the “worst parts of Spain”, due to hordes of holidaymakers descending there solely to party.

Upon arriving in Palma Nova, curiosity led them to explore Magaluf for themselves.

Kate said: “My friend had been right, we were very close to Magaluf and within 10 minutes I came across the notorious strip.

“Lined with bars called things like Prince Harry and Eastenders Karaoke, it was pretty much what I imagined, although it was lunchtime so I barely saw a soul.

“But when I veered away from this road and onto the beach, I was amazed. The coastline at Magaluf is stunning, a far cry from what I’d seen just minutes early.

“Fine-grained white sand and bright blue water, comfy-looking beds, there were people putting down a mat and doing some yoga, or jogging along the path that runs parallel.

“It was honestly one of the prettiest beaches I’ve ever seen.”

She said it was genuinely amongst the most beautiful beaches that she’d ever encountered.

After a quick online search, it was revealed that Magaluf has experienced a remarkable transformation recently, with significant investment in facility improvements and a strategic shift towards becoming more family-orientated.

This was clearly evident to Kate, who explained that she’d happily consider holidaying there again, despite having absolutely no interest in the “party” scene whatsoever.