Cala Sant Vicenc, Mallorca
Small beach resort with crystal clear waters in the north-westAbout
Known in Castillian Spanish as Cala San Vincente and in Mallorquin as Cala Sant Vicenc, this is one of the smallest resorts on Mallorca.
Nestled on the far north west coast, Cala Sant Vicenc is part of the municipal district of Pollenca and is more or less half way between the town of Pollenca and Puerto Pollenca. Originally a fishing village, the town of Cala Sant Vicenc has several small bays with rugged & dramatic rocks and cliffs. The main attraction here is the tranquility and the collection of small beaches.
The resort is divided in two parts by a rocky outcrop that protrudes between the beaches of Cala Barques and Cala Molins. One thing to be aware of in Cala Sant Vicenc is that the whole village is built on steep hillsides and so it is on different levels, therefore there is some uphill/downhill walking required.
Beaches in Cala San Vicente
The three small beaches in Cala Sant Vicenc with their crystal clear seas are particular favourites for both locals and tourists visiting the area. Cala Molins is the largest of the three and is therefore the hot spot for summer sunbathers. The smallest, Cala Clara is a stoney pebbled beach not ideal for sunbathing but is often a good place to snorkel and find crabs hiding in the rocks.
There are life guards on duty at both Cala Molins and Cala Barques. The resort of Cala San Vicente is quite open and can be exposed to winds and high waves during bad weather and storms. It is therefore not possible to swim on these days but appropriate warnings are indicated and monitored by the lifeguards.
Read about our visit to the beaches at Cala Sant Vicenc.
Things to Do in Cala San Vicente
Scuba diving in the area of Cala Sant Vicenc is hugely popular and there are excursions here most days during the peak season. The underwater rock formations are perfect to explore the underwater ecosystems. Many of the dives here are suitable for beginners as the depth is around 12m and it is an exciting place to have your first dive. Fish that can be found here include rabbitfish, scorpionfish and wrasse. Most scuba diving companies are based in nearby Puerto Pollenca with two being located very near to each other on streets behind the marina, one on Carrer Verge del Carmen and the other Carrer de Magallanes.
Cala Sant Vicenc is a popular destination for walkers due to it’s proximity to some fabulous hiking routes in north Mallorca. The area between Cala Sant Vicenc and Puerto Pollenca is a native home to black vultures and is a fantastic place to spot migrating birds. Some birds found in Mallorca are difficult to spot in other parts of Europe and this is why this Mediterranean island is a hot spot for ornithologists. Birds that you can see here include Eleonora’s falcons, peregrine falcons, swifts and nightingales.
Shopping in Cala Sant Vicenc is fairly limited to tourist convenience stores and there is also no market here. The closest supermarkets are on the Ma-2200 (road from Port Pollenca to Pollenca) where there is a Lidl and Eroski located next to each other. Every Wednesday morning a market is held in Puerto Pollenca which sells seasonal fruit, vegetables, olives and local sausages as well as clothes, handbags and souvenirs. On Sunday mornings there is a market held in Pollenca which also sell local produce and souvenirs.
Dining in Cala San Vicente
With a fantastic terrace restaurant looking over the sea, the Hoposa Niu Hotel offers delicious Mallorcan fish and other dishes at very reasonable prices. The Cala Barques Restaurant is right on the beachside and offers lovely views of the nearby Cavall Bernat Mountain. This well established restaurant offers specialities such as ‘arroz a bordo’ which is a rice dish traditionally prepared by fisherman, they also offer lobster, seafood grills and John Dory, all freshly caught in the nearby Mediterranean sea.
With an extensive list of local wines, the Cavall Bernat serves up the best in seasonal produce such as slow roasted lamb and their version of surf’n’turf, the ‘mar y montana’ which is rabbit with crayfish. The Modesto Restaurant is a charming restaurant dishing up meat and fish cooked on the wood burning stove and offers the very best of seasonable vegetables from Mallorca.
Hotels in Cala San Vicente
As you approach the town of Cala Sant Vicenc, the first beach you see below the road is Cala Barques and sitting just above that is the lovely 3-star Hoposa Niu Hotel. The hotel is just above the beach and has a terraced restaurant with stunning views. The 4-star Grupotel Molins is located above the Cala Molins beach and boasts views across the resort and out to sea. Both the Hoposa Niu and Grupotel Molins are popular destinations for couples.
Cala Sant Vicenc Hotel, away from the beach front, is a great place to stay with all it’s facilities and proximity to the beautiful Mallorcan outdoors. Complete with swimming pool, beauty treatments, gym and restaurant, this hotel prides itself on creating gastronomic delights.
The most exclusive hotel in the area is the 5-star La Moraleja, located along the main road into the town. The rooms are very traditionally decorated and they take pride in their 1950s and 60s convertible cars parked in the driveway. This hotel does not allow guests under the age of 14 other than during the months of July and August.
Cala Sant Vicenc also has many apartments and villas for rent during the summer months that often have fantastic views across the bay and the surrounding Tramuntana mountains. Other larger villas are dotted between the roads from Cala Sant Vicenc to Pollenca or Puerto Pollenca and offer a peaceful and tranquil setting away from the busy towns.
