Cala d’Or’s beaches are among the most beautiful on the southern coast of Mallorca. During the summer months, these beaches with turquoise-colored waters are very popular. Their romantic environment attracts couples in love, as well as families. Read below to learn all that Cala d’Or beaches can offer you.
Recommended Tours in Cala D’Or
1. Cala d’Or Jet Ski Tour
2. Cala d’Or Sunset Buggy Tour
3. Cala Mondragó National Park Jetski Tour
Recommended Hotels in Cala D’Or
1. Inturotel Cala Esmeralda
2. Prinsotel Alba & Spa
3. Monsuau Cala d’Or Boutique Hotel
4. Barceló Aguamarina
5. Ses Puntetes Hotel
Where is Cala d’Or
Cala d’Or is a tourist destination located southeast of Mallorca and 62.2 km from Palma, the capital. It belongs to the municipality of Santanyi.
How to Get to Cala d’Or Beaches
The trip takes 1 hour and 18 minutes via the Ma-19 road from Palma to Cala d’Or, covering a distance of 64.6 km
By Car
To get to Cala d’Or from Palma, you have two options:
Option 1:
- Take the Ma-19 road following the signs to Campos/Santanyí/Felanitx.
- When you reach Campos, you can choose to go to Cala d’Or via Felanitx.
- Follow the signs to Felanitx and at the roundabout at the entrance to the town, continue to Cala d’Or.
- You will pass through the small town of Calonge before reaching Cala d’Or.
Option 2:
- Take the Ma-19 road following the signs to Campos/Santanyí/Felanitx.
- When you reach Campos, follow the signs to Santanyí and then to Cala d’Or.
- Along the way, you will pass through the villages of l’Alqueria Blanca and Calonge, following the well-marked path.
If you are in the north or east of Mallorca, the best route is to go to Manacor and then take the Ma-14 towards Felanitx. From there, follow the signs to Cala d’Or.
By Bus:
- Line A51: Connects Cala d’Or directly to the airport, passing through s’Arenal.
- Line 501: Connects Cala d’Or with Palma, and stops at various places such as Santanyí, Campos, and Llucmajor.
- In the eastern area, there are two lines:
- Line 425: Connects Cala d’Or with Manacor.
- Line 441: Connects Cala d’Or with Cala Ratjada.
- In summer, from the north, you can take line 449, which goes to Puerto de Alcudia and Puerto de Pollensa, among other destinations.
- Also in the summer months, line 453 connects Cala d’Or with the Sierra de Tramuntana, reaching destinations like Valldemossa, Deià, Sóller, and more.
How is Cala d’Or
The town of Cala d’Or unfolds on three headlands along the southeastern coastline. It is a collection of small sandy coves that have similar characteristics.
The beaches, eleven in total, are deeper than they are long and have clear turquoise waters, surrounded by low sandstone cliffs.
The buildings of the town were inspired by Ibiza’s architecture. In the Ibizan style, the main color used for walls and furniture, both inside and outside is white. White, commonly seen in the minimalist style, represents purity and calmness.
The project for building an urbanization started in the 1930s. Until then, it was only a tiny fishing port with no more than 40 people and an abandoned old fortress. The whole development started from scratch.
Most of the houses have two stories. Years later, with the tourist boom, the construction of new hotels followed strict regulations to create an orderly and pleasant view.
Its main shopping areas are Avenida de Bélgica and Calle de Andrés Roig, both pedestrian. You will find a good number of restaurants and bars along them.
Nowadays, Cala d’Or’s population is about 4000 people, but this number easily doubles in summer.
Cala d’Or Beaches
Cala d’Or’s beaches and coves are some of the most beautiful in the southeast of Mallorca. Additionally, there are great viewpoints from which you can admire the splendor of the coastline.
1. Cala Gran
This is a very beautiful beach of sand and rock, 100 meters long and 40 meters wide. The water is of an intense blue and turquoise color, making Cala Gran perfect for snorkeling.
Among the Cala d’Or beaches, this one is the biggest. With nearby pine forests, the view is absolutely spectacular.
Services: The beach is well-equipped with facilities such as public showers, toilets, a lifeguard, and disabled access. There is even a park for kids at the back of the beach.
Access: The access is properly signposted, and there is parking available.
Boats: Anchoring boats in the area is perfect. It’s best to go a bit inside the cove and avoid its mouth, where strong sea currents can be a challenge. The sea floor is mostly sandy and around 7 meters deep at the cove’s entrance. The Cala d’Or Marina is less than half a nautical mile away, making it conveniently close.
2. Cala Esmeralda
In the list of Cala d’Or beaches, Cala Esmeralda is a small and beautiful cove with sand and rock. It is no more than 40 meters long and 25 meters wide.
There are no buildings close to the sea, and there is a lot of vegetation around, which makes the cove appear very natural. However, this cove can be very crowded in summer.
Services: There are showers and toilets, but these are exclusively for the customers of the nearby hotel. There is no lifeguard service available.
Access: The access to the beach is easily indicated with signals, and there is free parking around.
Boats: You can anchor your boat in this cove, where the bottom is mostly sandy and about 5 meters deep, near the buoy line. The Puerto Deportivo Marina de Cala d’Or is less than a mile away from the beach.
3. Cala d’Or
This cove is the nearest to the marina and the southernmost one in the town. It is about 40 meters wide and 80 meters deep. Its sands are fine and white, and the water is clear and calm with a turquoise color, similar to Cala Esmeralda.
A cap protects this area from the waves while at the same time prevents a view of the open sea. Because of this protection, the beach of Cala d’Or is suitable for families with kids, and it is also apt for anchoring boats.
Despite the number of touristic services and houses around, this cove still maintains a natural ambiance due to the leafy pine forests in the vicinity.
Services: There are showers, toilets, sun umbrellas, and hammocks for rent. You can find sun lounger and umbrella rentals, showers, and a beach bar. However, there is no disabled access. In high season, it may be difficult to find parking.
Access: Follow the indications to reach Hotel Cala d’Or, which is next to the cove. Unfortunately, there is no disabled access.
Boats: You can anchor boats near the buoy line on the sandy bottom at a depth of 3 meters. The Cala d’Or Marina is very close, less than half a nautical mile away.
4. Cala Serena
Also known as Caló de ses Dones, this is a beautiful cove of sand and rock. Among the Cala d’Or beaches, this one, with 40 meters long and only 20 meters wide, is the smallest of all.
This beach is favored by those tourists who prefer to be away from the other crowded beaches nearby.
Services: Since Cala Serena is an almost virgin cove, there are no services available.
Access: Once in Cala d’Or, head to the Cala Serena urbanization. The parking is free. You need to walk for about 400 meters and descend some stairs to the beach. The back part of the cove is private property, so you must enter from the sides.
Boats: The cove is suitable for boats and has a sandy bottom with an average depth of 4 meters. It’s recommended anchoring at the entrance of the cove. The closest port facility, Cala d’Or Marina, is 1 nautical mile away.
5. Cala Ferrera
This beautiful and serene cove has been awarded the Blue Flag Certification. It is 100 meters long and 60 meters wide, situated between cliffs that protect it from the waves.
Among Cala d’Or’s beaches, this is the second biggest after Cala Gran and is close to Cala Serena.
In summers, it can be very crowded because the cove is surrounded by hotels, and the occupation level is very high.
Services: The beach has every facility such as showers, toilets, hammocks, and sun umbrellas. There is access for disabled individuals and a lifeguard on duty. If you arrive by car, it will be easy to find parking as hotels have private parking areas.
Access: As with the other beaches in Cala D’or, it is very easy to find this cove as it is duly signposted.
Boats: The beach is perfect for anchoring boats. To avoid the crowded area, anchor near the cove’s entrance on a sandy bottom, about 8 meters deep. Be careful not to go towards the Faralló islet on the beach. The closest port facility, Cala d’Or Marina, is about 1 nautical mile away.
Recommended Activities in Cala d’Or
Enjoy a thrilling 30-minute jetski ride, learn how to ride a jet ski, cruise through crystal clear waters, and ride past Cala D’or’s beautiful scenery.
Book a Cala d’Or Jet Ski Tour here.
Enjoy a 1.5-hour Sunset trip in Cala Dor, driving to es Calonge and s’Horta, and continuing to the Sanctuary of Sant Salvador with a 360º view of the coast.
Book a Cala d’Or Sunset Buggy Tour here.
Where to stay in Cala d’Or
These are my recommended hotels in Cala d’Or beaches:
Inturotel Cala Esmeralda (4* Adults Only) is located in front of Cala Esmeralda. It has 152 sea-facing or garden-view rooms. It features a buffet-style restaurant, lounge bar, snack bar, and outdoor pools. Additionally, there’s a tennis court and a playground.
Book your stay at the Inturotel Cala Esmeralda here
Prinsotel Alba & Spa (4* Aparthotel) is just a few steps away from Cala Gran. Built in a typical Balearic style, it offers an authentic Majorcan experience. it features a large outdoor pool, a spa, a wellness center and a restaurant. It also offers bike rental service.
Book your stay at the Prinsotel Alba & Spa here
Monsuau Cala d’Or Boutique Hotel (4* Adults Only) is located just a short stroll to Cala Ferrera. The hotel features an outdoor pool area with a pool bar, a spa, a fitness center and a minimarket. Dining options include a buffet and à la carte restaurant.
Book your stay at the Monsuau Cala d’Or Boutique Hotel here
Barceló Aguamarina (4*) is a family-friendly hotel. If offers direct access to Cala Ferrera. If offers an All Inclusive Program. It features 2 Buffets and á la carte restaurants and 2 swimming pools. 417 rooms some of them interconnecting which are perfect for families.
Book your stay at the Barceló Aguamarina here
Ses Puntetes Hotel is a family-friendly option abot 500 m from Cala Gran, It offers comfortable rooms, an outdoor pool and a bar with a terrace. It features 2 restaurants, one of which serves a well recommended buffet breakfast and the other is à la carte.
Book your stay at Ses Puntetes Hotel here
What to see near Cala d’Or Beaches
1. La Marina
The Port of Cala d’Or, also known as Cala d’Or Marina, offers every nautical service and is renowned for its social atmosphere. It is located in the bay of Cala Llonga and has 563 berths for boats up to 26 meters in length. The yachts filling the harbor create a beautiful sight, especially at sunset, making it a perfect place to take beautiful photos.
2. Es Fortí
This ancient military fortress was built in 1730. It is located in Cala Llonga on Avenida d’Es Fortí, between Cala Llonga and the port of Cala d’Or. I recommend taking a half-hour walk through this residential area, appreciating the beautiful white Mallorcan houses along the way.
3. Mondragó National Park
This paradisiacal natural park is only 7 km from Cala d’Or and is located in the nearby municipality of Santanyi.
It offers a mosaic of landscapes, including a wide array of orchids, pine forests, olive trees, oaks, and crop fields. It is also a great spot for birdwatchers.
Mondragó Natural Park is open all year from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The entrance is free, and there are two paid parking areas in S’Amarador and Cala Mondragó. Guided tours are available for a fee. The park has recreational areas with toilets, playgrounds, and picnic spots.
How to get there:
Take the Palma-Santanyí highway (Ma-19).
From Santanyí town, access the park through two routes:
- From Ca sa Muda (s’Amarador) car park, take the Ma-6102 road towards Cala Figuera and follow the Cap de sa Paret path.
- From ses Fonts de n’Alis car park, take the Ma-19 road towards Santanyí and Portopetro, and then follow the Cala Mondragó road.
Inside the Natural Park you will find two wonderful beaches:
Cala S’aramador
This beautiful white sandy beach stretches about 200 meters and nestles within a natural inlet. It is 145 meters long and 50 meters wide. The surrounding pine forests and scrubland offer refreshing shade on hot days.
S’Amarador provides easy access to the water with a gentle slope, making it perfect for families with children. Additionally, the beach is well-protected from waves due to the coastal layout.
Services: The parking space is small, so it would be better to park next to Cala Mondragó and reach S’Amarador by walking.
Cala Mondragó
This is a Blue Flag beach, and it is also known as Ses Fonts de N’alis. Made of sand, stones, and rocks, it is 75 meters long and 60 meters wide. You can reach it by car or by walking from Cala S’Amarador, the other beach inside the park. Cala S’Amarador has a bigger parking space, so it would be better to leave your car there.
Services: This beach is very well-equipped with showers, toilets, a lifeguard, and disabled access.
Access: It has a big parking space, so if you intend to visit also S’Amarador, it would be better to park here and access the other beach by walking. The two beaches are connected by a pedestrian promenade.
You can combine adventure and nature by exploring this cala from the water on a jetski tour. The tour takes one hour and is suitable for kids over 6 years old.
Book your Cala Mondragó National Park Jetski Tour here.
4. Visit the Monastery of Sant Salvador
The Sanctuary of Mare de Déu de Sant Salvador is a 14th-century monastery located on the mountain Puig de Salvador, at 509 meters above sea level. From the top, it offers breathtaking views.
From Cala d’Or, it is almost 23 km away, and it will take about half an hour to arrive by car. Take the PM-4010 road first and then the PMV-4011.
You can also go on a Buggy adventure, riding a 1000cc Can-Am Maverick Sport with seats for 2 or 4 people, perfect for families or groups. The trip starts from Cala d’Or and takes you to the Sanctuary of Sant Salvador, where you will get a breathtaking 360-degree view of the coast.
Book a Cala d’Or Sunset Buggy Tour to Sant Salvador here.
Recommended Restaurants in Cala d’Or
El Rincón: Located just a short distance from the bustling square, this family-run restaurant is a must-visit and continues to be highly recommended. Not only for their delicious food, particularly their paellas, but also for their great staff and excellent service.
Address: Carrer D’en Toni Costa, 47
Yaya’s Cala d’Or: This small and lovely place offers a scenic view overlooking the marina of Cala d’Or. The restaurant specializes in Mediterranean and European cuisine and also offers an affordable daily menu until 5 pm.
Address: Port Petit 313 Marina Cala d’Or
17 Restaurant & Bar serves Mediterranean food and consistently receives excellent reviews from customers. It is advisable to book in advance due to its popularity.
Address: Avinguda de Cala Llonga, 17
Cala d’Ice: This is the most well-known ice cream parlor in Cala d’Or. The place is nice, and they offer a huge choice of ice cream flavors.
Address: Avinguda de Cala Llonga, 2
