Cala d'Or Travel Guide - Expert Recommendations & Advice

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Why go to Cala d'Or?

Last updated 1 February 2011

Cala d’Or is a relatively small seaside town on the south-east corner of Majorca. Built around a pretty, hook-shaped port, a low-rise sprawl has grown up around it consisting mainly of holiday apartments and hotels. Compared to Magaluf on the west of the island however, it’s been tastefully done and there are plenty of advantages to being here.

This is the place to come if you’re after an old-fashioned family beach holiday: sandy beaches, sunshine, buckets and spades and all-inclusive hotels that pack in plenty of entertainment and activities for the kids. The main commercial areas are also around the port, and easy walking distance from most of the resort's accomodation, so a good choice if you really don't want to rent a car. But the resort is also surrounded by some of the best, and least spoiled beaches, towns and villages on the island for those who like to get out and explore - in which case car rental is strongly recommended.

Beach paradise

If you’re a beach bum, the south-east corner of Majorca is paradise found. You have to be prepared to walk to get to the most secluded coves, but trust me, it’s worth it. Some of my favourite beaches are windswept Es Trenc , and protected Cala Llombards and Cala Santanyí on the south coast, those within the Cala Mondragó natural reserve walking distance due south of Cala d’Or, and the secluded Cala Varques (popular with nudists) to the north.

Cute villages

When you tire of catching the rays, go and explore the small towns and villages of the interior. Santanyí is a pretty village hewn of local honey-coloured stone with a thriving arts and crafts scene clustered around the little plazas, as well as a good market. Cala Figuera and Colònia de Sant Jordi are on the coast and a great for a walk. Cala Figuera is sheltered, and the path wraps around the ancient harbour, while Colònia de Sant Jordi is wilder and more windswept, with waves crashing directly onto the rocky coast path. Both are good spots for lunch also.

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expert rated...

Cala d'Or Hotels		Price from	Rating (out of 5)
1.	Hotel Blau Porto Petro	£125	4.5
2.	S'Hotelet de Santanyí	£165	4.5
3.	Inturotel Sa Marina & Es Sivinar	£146	4.3
4.	Hotel Rural Sa Galera	£118	4.3
5.	Melia Cala d'Or	£73	4.3