Cala Major Beach
Idyllic but lively sandy beach featuring stunning turquoise waters
Cala Major is located within Palma Bay, around four kilometres to the west to the city of Palma.
At the edge of Palma, Cala Major beach is a soft sandy beach boasting brilliant blue turquoise waters within the resort area of Cala Major/San Augustin. It's location and beauty make this a popular beach in the summer months.
Sun loungers and thatch-roofed parasols are available to hire at an affordable rate, but in the summer you’ll need to be early as they sell out quickly. You have the added luxury of nearby public showers and toilets in situ during the summer months. Ramps facilitate access and lifeguards are on duty.
The beach’s regular crowd welcomes a wide demographic and variety of visitors. Expect anyone and everyone to be on this beach, including noisy children’s birthday parties; reggaeton-blasting teens; city dwellers on their lunch break; mahogany-Mallorquins and of course tourists.
Given its proximity to the city and its modest size, it gets incredibly busy during the summer months, and even more so at the weekends when the locals hit the shores. In the winter you can still enjoy the sunshine with a fraction of the summer crowd. Note dogs are also allowed on the sandy shores in the off season.
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Beach Bars & Beachclubs in Mallorca
Directly on the beachfront, there are two chiringuitos open all day in the summer and usually with reduced hours in the winter. Dine on pizza, pasta, and beachside snacks with gorgeous terrace views out towards the Balearic water.
The summer months also see a couple beach bars pop up directly on the sand - great for takeaway drinks, sundowners and refreshing cocktails on tall bar stools.
Setting & Location
You’ll find Cala Major beach in the southwest of Mallorca, its the nearest bay to the centre of Palma, around four kilometres west from the city.
Being one of the island’s oldest tourist spots, recent years have seen a serious amount of money invested into the area; creating an eclectic mix of run-down shabby 70’s architecture, now juxtaposed with state-of-the-art Scandi vibes. It's ever-expanding residential area with tall south-facing apartment blocks all boast knockout views, and is surrounded by a purpose-built beach resort; ensuring there’s a fantastic selection of hotels, bars, and restaurants to choose from.
The population here is somewhat international but especially popular with the Brits and Swedes.
Water Safety & Clarity
The entrance into the water is smooth with a very gradual increase in depth making it perfect for swimming and relaxing on your Lilo. There are public showers and toilets, ramps for access, and lifeguards on duty.
Protected on both sides by rocky outcrops, the water is mostly clear, warm, and calm with occasional opportunities to surf when conditions allow.
Beach Quality
The beach is 250 metres long and around 50 metres wide and enjoys its ‘Blue Flag Beach Status’,
The natural beach has been enhanced with additional fine white sand, and it is a lovely spot, very conveniently situated for Palma and local services.
Watersports Nearby
There’s not much you can rent here on the beach itself, except for paddle boards and kayaks from the beachside chiringuito during the summer months.
Within a ten minute walk up the road however, you have Port Cala Nova, offering a large variety of water sports-based gear and activities, with everything from XL paddleboards, Jet Ski hire, sailing, windsurfing and yacht charters.
Directions
If you’re driving to Cala Major beach, there is paid on-street parking along Avinguda de Joan Miro behind the beach. There is a public car park on your right, coming down from the Ma-1 off junction 11b. Parking can be troublesome in the peak of the summer, arrive early to avoid disappointment. If you’re coming from central Palma, their public transport links are also very good. The beach is easily accessible by bus from the city centre (Bus lines 3, 20 or 46). A short taxi ride costs around €10-15.
Hotels nearby
Hotels in Mallorca
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Son Julia Country House Hotel
If you're looking for a perfect hideaway from your usual routine, then this lovely 15th century Mallorcan manor is the place to escape to.
Price: €3,105
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Ca's Xorc Luxury Retreat
Ca's Xorc Luxury Retreat is the place to stay if you're looking for somewhere that's rich in history but with all the modern amneties. Breathtaking views, gourmet cuisine and a relaxing environment, the ideal place for a peaceful stay in a beautiful location.
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Santa Clara Urban Spa & Hotel
This charming hotel is located in the historical old town, in the very heart of Palma de Mallorca. It is within easy walking distance of attractions such as the 10th century Arab baths and Palma's breathtaking gothic Cathedral.
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Finca Son Jorbo Hotel, Porreres
Run by a German couple and set in a rural location in central Mallorca with views over the local countryside and mountains, Finca Son Jorbo offers style and comfort in a restored 17th century country house. With the convenience of bed and breakfast and the added benefit of fully equipped self-catered apartments, Finca Son Jorbo is the perfect combination.
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Son Bunyola Hotel
Son Bunyola Hotel offers an intimate stay, providing the perfect base to explore Mallorca’s vineyards, olive groves, and charming countryside.
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Sa Franquesa Nova Hotel
This hotel, in the heart of the estate of "Sa Franquesa", occupies the premises of a classical Mallorcan hacienda of the 17th century, and has been restored and adapted to combine maximum architectural rigour with greater comfort.
Price: €2,657
Restaurants nearby
Restaurants in Illetes
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A Popa Sea Club
Located inside the Nixe Palace Hotel, on the beach of Cala Major, this restaurant serves creative fresh-produce cuisine, specialising in fish and seafood.
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Maricel Restaurant
Appearing as if it arose from amid the waves, this matchless location of the historical Hospes Maricel, where the Senzone Restaurant is located.
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Collins Restaurant
This is an exclusive fine dining experience within the Luxury Portals Hills Boutique Hotel.
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Arrels by Marga Coll
Chef Marga Coll offers her own vision of traditional Mallorcan cuisine at this restaurant located inside the Gran Meliá de Mar Hotel
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Purobeach Illetas Beach Club
This cosmopolitan beach club is located in a beautiful spot in Illetas. Their large terrace overlooking the sea features comfortable sun loungers and day beds.
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Il Paradiso Restaurant
Housed in a fine mansion, Il Paradiso is an upmarket Italian and Mediterranean restaurant offering fine food in luxurious surroundings. It's situated on the outskirts of Palma de Mallorca in Cala Major, and looks out on to the Bay of Palma.
Nightlife nearby
Bars & Clubs in Illetes
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La Cabana Poolbar & Lounge
This stylish modern poolside bar is situated within the Portals Hills Boutique Hotel.
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Purobeach Illetas Beach Club
This cosmopolitan beach club is located in a beautiful spot in Illetas. Their large terrace overlooking the sea features comfortable sun loungers and day beds.
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Balneario Illetas restaurant and beach club
This beach club in Illetes (a 10 minute car ride from Palma) is one of the best on the island with its restaurant and terraces overlooking a small sandy beach and a rocky cove.
Sights nearby
Sights in Mallorca
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Fundacio Pilar i Joan Miro
The painter and sculptor Joan Miro spent most of his life in Barcelona, but both his wife and mother were Mallorcan and he always longed to return to the scene of his childhood holidays to draw inspiraton from what he called "the light of Mallorca".
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Castell de Bellver Castle
A well-preserved 14th-century royal fortress with fragrant pine woods, an interesting museum and superb views over Palma Bay.
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Pueblo Español - Spanish Village
Spain gets the theme-park treatment at this 'village' in the outskirts of Palma, where reproductions of famous buildings from Cordoba, Toledo and Madrid are gathered together with typical houses from the Spanish regions.
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Es Baluard Museu
Es Baluard Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art was opened in 2004 as a cultural institution for research and dissemination of Balearic & Mediterranean art from the 20th and 21st centuries.
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Sa Llotja, Palma de Mallorca
With twin turrets and an angel over the door, this 15th-century seafront building looks half-castle, half-church. In fact it is neither.
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Palace de l'Almudaina
A royal palace has stood on this site next to Palma's cathedral since the Muslim walis (governors) built their alcazar soon after the Arab conquest.