Cala d’Or: The Golden Bay of Mallorca

7 min readJun 10, 2023

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Cala d’Or, a gem on the southeast coast of Mallorca. This comprehensive guide will help you discover the best of what this golden bay has to offer.

Discovering Cala d’Or

Cala d’Or, or the ‘Golden Bay,’ is a beach lover’s paradise. This popular beach area offers a well-rounded holiday experience, boasting stunning beaches, intriguing excursions, pristine nature, and a vibrant nightlife.

Cala d’Or is a holiday hotspot that caters to families, couples, and yacht enthusiasts alike. The region is dotted with numerous picturesque coves and sandy beaches. Beyond the namesake Cala d’Or beach, there’s a plethora of others to explore, including Cala Gran, Cala Petita, Cala Ferrera, Cala Egos, Cala Esmeralda, Cala Serena, Cala Galera, and Cala d’es Forti. Whether you’re a party animal or a peace seeker, there’s a beach for you. Cala d’Or also boasts a variety of bars, restaurants, a lively nightlife, and shopping options that range from chic boutiques to local markets.

At the heart of Cala d’Or, you’ll find a well-equipped marina and the Cala d’Or Yacht Club, most of which is open to the public. The quays are bustling with restaurants, bars, supermarkets, and banks. With nearly 600 moorings and a plethora of high-end amenities, Cala d’Or stands as one of the larger and more luxurious marinas on the island, rivaling those in Palma, Port Adriano, and Andratx. It’s a fantastic spot to dock and explore the town and its surroundings.

The Unique Charm of Cala d’Or

As you wander through Cala d’Or, you’ll notice its distinct charm compared to other holiday resorts on Mallorca. The buildings, mostly two-story structures with cubic architecture and whitewashed facades, are often nestled among rows of pine trees. The entire aesthetic of Cala d’Or, inspired by Ibiza, was intentionally designed from the outset. Even hotel construction was strictly regulated to preserve this unique character.

Cala d’Or attracts a diverse, international crowd of tourists and provides a lively entertainment scene during the summer months. However, it transitions into a much quieter, peaceful haven during off-peak periods.

Must-See Attractions in Cala d’Or

Cala d’Or is a dream destination for beach holidays, thanks to its top-notch facilities and breathtaking beaches. One of the fun features is the mini ‘train’ that shuttles holidaymakers between the main resort and beaches. The town also serves as an excellent base for exploring some of the best natural and historical sights that southeast Mallorca has to offer.

A short walk away is the 18th-century historic fort ‘Es Fortí,’ a protected cultural heritage site of the Balearic Islands. With its cannons and loopholes, it’s a thrilling spot for kids to explore. En route, you can also take in some of Mallorca’s more rugged coastal landscape.

Just a stone’s throw from the fort is the ‘Parc Natural de Mondragó’ nature reserve. This reserve boasts stunning sandy beaches like Ses Fonts de n’Alísals, S’Amarador, and Cala Mondragó, which is considered one of the most beautiful on Mallorca. The natural ecosystem of the beach is undisturbed by buildings, the water is crystal clear, and the sands are pristine. You can stroll to the beaches through the park, making for a tranquil walk, and even find a few quaint beach bars.

Other attractions worth checking out include the magnificent ‘Coves de Drac’ and ‘Coves de Hams’ caves near Porto Cristo, the Bronze Age Talaiotic settlement Sa Canova of Artá, and the picturesque mountain-top town of Capdepera with its excellently preserved medieval castle.

Activities Galore in Cala d’Or

If you’re after a classic beach holiday with the family, Cala d’Or has got you covered. The pedestrian-friendly zones are a boon for those with children in strollers or those with mobility issues.

Cala d’Or is a hub for watersport activities, thanks to its impressive marina. You can rent boats of all sizes (some even without a license), get your yacht master license, or hire paddle boards, surf boards, and other sports equipment on the beach. The area offers beautiful spots for snorkeling, and there’s also the option of scuba trips with one of the local dive centers.

For those who enjoy a good hike, the ‘Es Fortí’ fortress and the adjacent ‘Parc Natural de Mondragó’ nature reserve are perfect. More challenging routes can be found in the Serra de Levante, including the hike to the Randa mountain, home to three monasteries, and walks to the San Salvador monastery. Another stunning hike leads to the Castell de Santueri, an ancient fortification dating back to the 13th century.

Cala d’Or’s location — on the coast but close to the Serra de Levante — offers a good selection of routes for cyclists. The relaxed coastal roads invite you to visit the nearby beaches and resorts, while the inland routes offer more of a challenge. The trails to the aforementioned monasteries are also popular among mountain bikers. You’ll find several rental stations for both racing and mountain bikes in Cala d’Or.

Near the ‘Parc Natural de Mondragó’ nature reserve, horse enthusiasts can enjoy excursions to the nature reserve and the surrounding forests, suitable for both beginners and advanced riders.

Related: Exploring Palma: The Best Things to Do in the City

Dining in Cala d’Or

While many restaurants here offer fairly typical menus, it’s worth taking the time to find those offering more unique dishes. We highly recommend Rucula Restaurant for a Mediterranean lunch or dinner, and Port Petit Restaurant, where you can dine like a king — literally, King Juan Carlos has eaten here. In the nearby village of Portocolom, the fantastic HPC Restaurant also offers a menu of superb Mediterranean cuisine.

Shopping in Cala d’Or

During the summer months, a large pedestrianized area offers a wide range of shopping opportunities. For a more extensive shopping experience, the larger surrounding towns, such as Santanyi, Felanitx, and Campos, are your best bet.

Accommodation in Cala d’Or

Cala d’Or boasts numerous hotels and a significant amount of residential development. Most hotels are 3- or 4-star establishments, and a variety of apartments and villas are available for rent.

Related: 10 Best hotels in Mallorca

Events in Cala d’Or

Every May, the town hosts the ‘Festival de Jazz de Cala d’Or,’ a six-day event that has been running since 1994. In August, the traditional folk festival and the festival of Santa María del Mar in Cala d’Or take place, featuring a fair, a procession, sports activities, gastronomic offerings, dance, and music.

Related: Free activities in Palma

Life in Cala d’Or

Cala d’Or is a typical southeastern resort in Mallorca, bustling in the summer and quiet in the winter. Many places close out of season, but with more than 4,000 residents, there’s always something happening, even in the winter months.

The community is diverse, and if you’re willing to travel a bit for major shopping during the off-season, you can still find some great property deals.

Most of the properties feature traditional, cubic, whitewashed Mediterranean architecture. Cala d’Or is a desirable real estate area, and therefore prices are higher than in other regions. According to the 2017–18 market report by Engel & Völkers, average prices for villas in the region are 1.6 million euros, while apartments typically value at around 350,000 euros.

Exploring Beyond Cala d’Or

From Cala d’Or, it’s a short trip to the charming town of Santanyí, where you can visit a fantastic market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The town also boasts some great shops, boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. Here, you can purchase one of the island’s top local gourmet products, Llum de Sal — salt harvested from nearby Ses Salines. Santanyí has a large resident German population, and as a result, many of the town’s old buildings have been tastefully restored.

A notable excursion is a boat trip to the ‘Parque Nacional de Cabrera’ nature reserve. On this beautifully preserved island, you can enjoy the untouched landscape, visit the Castell de Cabrera, and snorkel in the stunning, crystal clear waters. Dolphins can often be spotted on the crossing or around Cabrera.

The small fishing village Portopetro has been the port of Santanyí since the Middle Ages. Portopetro remains a quiet place with minimal tourism. On the promenade, you can unwind with a coffee or a drink while watching the boats bob in the harbour.

We hope you’ve found this guide to Cala d’Or helpful and that it leads to many memorable stays in Mallorca. We always appreciate your feedback, so don’t hesitate to share your thoughts with us. Enjoy your time in Mallorca!