Towns & Villages in Cala d'Or — 2 of Our Favourites

The seafront is the place to be in Portopetro. It contains a small harbour full of yachts and fishing vessels, and is home to the Real Club Nàutic de Portopetro as well as a departure point for some boat trips visiting the local area. You will also find a selection of traditional cafés and seafood restaurants dotted around the village.

The lack of a beach in the town makes it a wonderful place to stay if you're keen to keep away from commercial tourist resorts in the summer months. At the same time, it has everything on its doorstep, from some of the island's most stunning beaches in the surrounding area to the picturesque Cala Mondrago Natural Park a short walk away. If you want to visit a more touristy area for a day, the popular family-friendly resort of Cala d’Or in the next bay and only a short taxi ride away.

There are just over 500 residents in Portopetro and most of them are local Mallorcan so, in the winter, the main language you will hear is Spanish. As summer arrives, so do the tourists, which means you might hear some Germans, English and other European languages in the area. However, in comparison to most of Mallorca’s coastline, this area has managed to escape the claws of tourism.

Cala d'Or actually covers a stretch of development that includes a number of coves: Cala Ferrera, Cala Esmeralda, Cala Serena, Cala Gran, and Cala Llonga. Each of the various 'calas' (bays) have their own distinctive character. It’s also worth noting that there’s a mini train connecting them all, making it easy for holidaymakers to travel from the main resort to these beaches.

Cala d’Or has been tastefully developed and former fishing harbours have been turned into 21st-century marinas. its whitewashed Ibiza-style buildings are really quite pretty, and most people can find a holiday here to suit their individual needs, whether it's sailing, diving or drinking wine in the waterfront bars. Those who prefer a quieter holiday, sitting on a sun lounger by day and eating a lovely dinner by night, are also well catered for. A bonus for foodies is that Cala d'Or is home to plenty of decent restaurants. Head to the main marina to find waterfront eateries or just choose from the great selection along the streets within the town centre.

The coves boast charming little beaches surrounded by woodland and cliffs. The beaches themselves are pretty small and get very busy during peak holiday season so do get down early to reserve your spot. The water is wonderfully clear and inviting, ideal for swimming on a warm summer's day.