Beach hop your way around Mallorca’s East Coast - Top 10 Cala’s
Mallorca is one of Spain’s most popular holiday destinations and is the largest Balearic Islands. Mallorca is known for its crystal-clear waters, endless coves to swim in, vibrant culture and amazing food. It is the perfect place to relax and spend your day’s beach hopping.
Do you need to hire a care in Mallorca?
Yes. The beaches in Mallorca are very isolated and there’s limited public transport outside of Palma. Hiring a car is very easy and popular so there are a lot of hire companies around the airport.
On our last trip we hired a car with centauro who I’d recommend. It was a seamless process and the car was great and affordable. They’re located 10 minutes from the airport but run a constant shuttle service from the mini bus parking.
If you’re booking through a third party website, don’t get their insurance. Always book insurance directly with the rental company.
Where to stay in Mallorca:
There are so many amazing places to stay and it really depends on what you want to do. I’ve been to Mallorca twice and stayed at Cala d’Or both times. Cala d’Or is a resort coastal town with beautiful swim spots and fabulous restaurants. Aside from this, I like staying in Cala d’Or because it’s on the east coast which has the best beaches. Instead of spending my time driving to the east coast, I prefer to stay there.
What to bring:
Sandals
Beach bag
Towel
Bat and ball
Googles/snorkels - a must to see all the fish!
10. Cala Santanyi
Cala Santanyi is a small beach nestled amongst the cliffs. We went in the middle of Summer (July) and the water was green due to an algae that grows in the warmer months. It’s completely safe to swim but it doesn’t look as appealing. This is the only reason I’d rate it number 10. If you’re visiting in the shoulder months the water will be crystal clear and it will be a beautiful beach.
Getting there: It’s a 7-minute drive from Santanyi along a well-maintained road.
Parking: There is a car park and a narrow street with parking. There are other streets away from the beach that you can park on (around Spar Supermarket) and there are access paths to the beach.
Amenities: Shop, restaurants, bar, sunbeds and umbrellas for hire (€15 for 2 beds and an umbrella) and lifeguard.
9. Cala Domingos
Cala Domingos is located in the resort town of Cala Tropicana. Cala Tropicana is slightly less developed than other towns but the beach has amazing crystal clear, blue water and great cliff-jumping rocks.
Getting there: It’s a 9-minute drive off the main road along a well-maintained road. Access to the beach is via the steps at the end of the road.
Parking: You can park for free in the car park or on the street.
Amenities: Shop, restaurant, bar and lifeguard.
8. Torrent de Cala Pi
Torrent de Cala Pi is a beautiful beach nestled between the cliffs of Cala Pi. The large cliffs, blue water, old fishing sheds and colourful umbrellas make it a very aesthetic swim spot. When we were there in July, the water was slightly green near the beach but it was clearer once you swam out. Make sure you walk along the cliffs to see Torrent de Cala Pi in all its beautiful glory.
Getting there: It’s a 44-minute drive from Palma. Once you turn off the highway you’ll be driving on narrow dirt roads. Access to the beach is down some stairs to the right of Ona Cala Pi.
Parking: There is limited parking near the access path and the streets get very busy with cars and people. There’s heaps of free street parking nearby and we had no problems getting a park a bit further back.
Amenities: Supermarket and cafes above the beach, lifeguard.
7. Cala Mondragó
Cala Mondragó is a beautiful white sand beach surrounded by the bushland of Mondragó Natural Park. Being in the Natural Park, the area feels unspoiled while still providing great amenities. Cala Mondragó has sunbeds and umbrellas for hire, a beach bar, restaurant and supermarket. You can also hire a pedal boat with a slide or a paddle board to explore the coastline. If you walk around the headland you’ll be at S'Amarador, the larger beach in Mondragó Natural Park.
Mondragó Natural Park is a beautiful area that you can easily spend all day at. Take the time to relax, explore the beaches and surrounding bushlands.
Getting there: Cala Mondragó is located between Cala d’Or and Cala Figuera. If you follow Google Maps you’ll be diverted by signs and end up driving along narrow roads to a car park near S'Amarador. Cala Mondragó is a 15 walk from here but you can stop in for a swim at S'Amarador along the way. You can also get the 521 bus that operates daily between Cala Serena and Cala Mondragó.
Parking: There is a designated car park near S'Amarador which costs €6 per car.
Amenities: Shop, restaurants, bar, sunbeds and umbrellas for hire and lifeguard.
6. Cala d’Or
Cala d’Or is a beautiful resort town with a picturesque coastline. The town has numerous coves and sandy beaches with crystal-clear waters, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. Cala d’Or is one of the larger towns on the southeastern coast of Mallorca with amazing restaurants, bars and beach clubs, yet it still maintains a relaxed feel.
When visiting Cala d’Or you have so many beaches to choose from; Cala Egos, Cala d’es Pou, Cala Petita, Platja Cala Gran or Cala Esmeralda - why not beach hop between them all?
Getting there: Cala d’Or is a 12-minute drive from the main road along a wide and well-maintained road. You really get the impression that Cala d’Or is a popular town and they’ve put a lot of money into it. If you are staying along the southeastern part of the island you can also get the 521 bus that operates daily between Cala Serena and Cala Mondragó.
Parking: There’s plenty of free street parking near all the beaches.
Amenities: Each beach has different amenities but the majority have a beach bar/restaurant, sunbeds and umbrellas for hire and a lifeguard. Cala d’Or also has all the amenities you could need.
5. Cala Llombards
Cala Llombards is a cove with beautiful white sandy, turquoise water and rugged cliffs perfect for cliff jumping. In recent years, Cala Llombards has become more popular and there’s now a beach bar, and sunbeds and umbrellas you can hire. Although popular, the water at Cala Llombards turns murky and green during summer like Cala Santanyi. Once you walk around the rocks, the water quality gets better but it doesn’t look like the photo below. This is something to consider when visiting in mid-June - August and you may want to pick another beach if your time is limited.
Getting there: Cala Llombards is located 7 minutes from Santanyi along a main road.
Parking: There’s parking at the top of the hill that provides access to Cala Llombards and Cala Des Moro, or you can keep driving down to the beach and try your luck at the car park there. All parking is free.
Amenities: Bar, restaurant, sunbeds and umbrellas for hire, old huts by the water, lifeguard.
4. Cala Serena
Cala Serena is located 7 minutes from Cala d’Or and is a beautiful beach that took us by surprise. Cala Serena is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing away from the more crowded tourist areas in Cala d’Or.
Getting there: You can drive right to Cala Serena along main roads.
Parking: There’s plenty of free street parking.
Amenities: Sunbeds and umbrella for hire and a small beach bar.
3. Caló Des Borgit
Caló Des Borgit is a secluded and picturesque cove located in the Mondragó Natural Park. It is much smaller than the other beaches in Mondragó Natural Park which means it’s a lot quieter and tranquil than the other beaches. The water here is also 11/10 and literally shimmers.
Getting there: If you park in the S'Amarador car park, you’ll have to walk to Cala Mondragó and then over the headland via the footpath.
Parking: There is a designated car park near S'Amarador which costs €6 per car.
Amenities: There are no amenities on the beach (very secluded). Cala Mondragó is a 5-minute walk away that has all the amenities.
2. Cala del Moro
Cala del Moro has recently become a popular beach and for good reason. Cala del Moro is located on family owned land, 6kms from Santanyi on the southeast coast of Mallorca. It is a small, tranquil beach surrounded by limestone cliffs and bushland. Because it’s become popular the beach get’s very busy and there’s limited places to sit. I’d definitely recommend going in either the early morning or afternoon.
Getting there: It is a bit of a walk to Cala del Moro along a rocky path. You can either walk along the road via S’Almonia and stop there for a swim before walking 5 minutes over the headland. Alternatively, you can walk straight down the Entrada al Caló de n'Adrover bush path at the portable toilets. This track is shorter, maybe 5 minutes and along the headland. Once you get to the beach, you have to climb down the cliff on a sandy and rocky track.
Parking: Parking is very full around Cala del Moro but thankfully there’s lots of streets to park in for free. There’s also the Cala Llombards / Cala S’Alumnia can park.
Amenities: No amenities.
1. Cala Sa Nau
Cala Sa Nau is a beautiful cove on the eastern coast of Mallorca, located 12 minutes from Cala d’Or. The cove is picturesque with turquoise water enclosed by rocky cliffs. It is the perfect place to relax, swim, snorkel and cliff jump.
Getting there: You have to drive along a narrow road that can only fit one car. There are areas you can pull over to let another car through but definitely drive slowly.
Parking: There’s a large car park and street parking. All free.
Amenities: There’s a great toilet, bar and restaurant.
