S'Illot Mallorca Spain

Cala Moreya and S’Illot is an old fishing settlement turned resort, with mature buildings and streets overhung with great pine trees.
The streets of sleepy Cala Moreya were resurfaced and improved in 1992, though change here has not kept pace with boom town Sa Coma, with its newly landscaped and pedestrianised seafront and seemingly endless conveyor belt of hotels and apartments.

Besides the attraction of the beaches, the surrounding countryside is of interest to naturalists and, by virtue of its prehistoric remains, to archaeology buffs.

Whilst it is not exactly classy, it has certain pretentions of quality. As with all of the E coast resorts, it is not the best strategic base for excursions to other parts of the island although these are, of course, possible.

There is a noticeable bias towards the upper endof the resort, with several good four-star options and a tendency towards quality in the three-star accommodation. There is a marked preponderance of holiday apartments. Cala Moreya is the place for the more economical lodgings.

Locality:
On the E coast, 42 mls E of Palma, slightly less from the airport, along a moderately good road. 3 mls NE of Porto Cristo. On flat land backed by low hills.

The beach at Sa Coma is exceptionally sandy , nearly half a mile long. The neighbouring one of Cala Moreya, in a bend of the coastline, is much smaller but also good.
There is no real shopping centre, but the size of the combined resort is small enough for this not to matter. Concentrations of shops and restaurants are found in Cala Moreya, another at the N extremity and a third, conveniently, near the mid point. No specialities but a selection of tourist bric-a-brac, boutiques and jewellery shops. Friday market in Son Servera; Tuesday in Arta.

During the daytime beached based activities along with windsurfing and other water sports, outdoor tennis club and relaxing horse riding.

Night activities include a spacious disco in the town, but also another state-of-the-art, outdoor “Nite City” just outside.
As with most of the resorts on this island German and British pubs compete for the patriotic trade. The typical fast food chains are here also, along with ample if predictable resort-type restaurants.

Local excursions can be taken to the Caves of Drach, and Hams, there is an African Safari at Cala Millor, a tour around the interesting old town of Arta, the pearl stores of Manacor.

A day trip to Alcudia, Pollensa and Formentor can all be organised locally.

Cala Millor Mallorca Spain

Cala Millor is a modern purpose-built resort with little local character, dating from the 1950s and clinging to an impressive length of beach.
The central part has a fine seafront promenade, lined with plenty of trees; a clean wide pedestrianised artery runs parallel. Most of the nightlife is found here and there are plenty of British and German pubs, karaoke bars and fast-food eateries.

Son Moro (adjoining to the S) is somewhat smarter and quieter. Overall, though, it is a varied destination with something to please most holidaymakers. The entire bay is nearly 4 mls long and contained within largely unspoilt headlands. One of them, the Punta Amer, has been declared an area of special natural interest. It has a 17th-century watchtower from which the coastal area may be admired.

Locality:
Cala Millor is located on the E coast, 12 mls E of the town of Manacor, 44 mls E of Palma. The resort overlooks Levante Bay between the mountains of Puig Sa Font and Puig Son Lluc; on land that slopes gently down to the sea from low pine-covered hills backed by farmland, almond trees and orchards. Adjacent to the protected nature reserve of Punta Amer.

Cala Millor is a sizeable resort of wide appeal, and one with which few would be disappointed. It is a popular and good package-holiday destination, though not the best of bases for exploring the rest of the island. The area is particularly popular with German holidaymakers.

Accommodation consists of a wide variety of hostels to holiday villages. There is also a good choice of hotel and self-catering accommodation, mainly in the modern middle range of quality. By far the main attraction to Cala Millor is its large impressive beach (900 yds by 55 yds) of fine, light sand with clear blue waters. Plentiful sunbeds and water sports are available and there is a nudist beach at Punta Amer.

Those looking for some souvenirs will find mainly “Artesanias” (handicraft shops) which sell tourist bric-a-brac. Boutiques, leather and jewellery stores, are present which are adequate but not special. There is a market in Son Servera on Friday; Porto Colom on Tuesday and Saturday; Cala Ratjada on Saturday; Arta on Tuesday; Manacor on Monday. The latter also has a renowned pearl factory.

Local excursions from the area tend to include: Half day: interesting old town of Arta, boat trips, glass-bottomed boats, pirate boats. Full day: Reserva Africana wildlife park on the edge of town; caves of Drach, San Salvador monastery; fishing port of Cala Figures; Caves of Hams (8 mls); Palma shopping; Alcudia, Formentor and monastery; Pollensa; Valldemosa and the west. Magalluf water park. Other local attractions include a 9-hole golf course nearby; range of water sports; several tennis clubs; karting. By night there are discos and music bars. Seasonal open-air disco just outside town.

Cala Mesquida Mallorca Spain

Cala Mesquida like so many of Mallorca’s little villages is set in a quiet peaceful spot on the coast. It is a purpose built village in a stunning protected natural setting of dunes and sloping thickly wooded hills.
The central main street lined with tourist properties leads to the cliff edge, overlooking rocky coastline. Several exclusive modern villas lie scattered on the hillside among pine trees. Famous for its superb stretch of sandy beach and water sports, the resort also offers spectacular views of beautifully clear waters and rugged mountains.

Locality:

Cala Mesquida is located on the NE coast of Majorca/Mallorca , 50 mls E of Palma, 5 mls N of Cala Ratjada and 11 mls N of Cala Millor. It is set in a remote clifftop location between Es Telegrafo and the S’Aguila Mountains. Overlooks attractive sandy bay surrounded by protected area of dunes and sloping pine groves. Close to unique wetlands frequented by seabirds.
The area is most suited to the middlemarket holiday maker; best suited for families with younger children.

Couples are well catered for in hotel. The energetic will enjoy plentiful outdoor sporting opportunities.

Accommodation consists of a 4-star hotel, aparthotel and all-inclusive all under same management; holiday village of 1-star bungalows.

Some private villas/apartments for rent. The area is graced with a long wide stretch of beach with beautiful fine light sand in a natural bay backed by thickly vegetated rolling dunes and sheltered by a rugged pine-covered mountainside. Its clear pristine waters are good for swimming and water sports, of which there are many. A flag system indicates water conditions throughout the day. There is also a small bar and water-sports centre at the beach.

Entertainment in the area includes: water sports, horse riding, parascending, kite-flying (off season), walking and cycling trails. Hike to Son Jaumell watchtower perched on top of nearby mountain. Nightlife is centred around hotels with own cabarets, live music, competitions and discos. Small music bar/restaurant. A couple of privately owned snack-bar-type restaurants are about the lot for restaurants with no upmarket options.

Excursions from the area include: half day trips to Capdepera market and medieval castle. Full day excursions include: Thursday market in Inca; Arta (town and caves); Caves of Drach; Ham Caves. Manacor Pearl Factory. Valldemosa and North; Palma shopping.

Cala Bona Mallorca Spain

Cala Bona is not a purpose built holiday resort, but more of a small traditional fishing village that has grown and adapted to cater for the islands tourist market.
The town today still has its original narrow streets, which from a drivers point of view can be a absolute nightmare to navigate without incurring the wrath of another drivers horn, along with a small working harbour, around which you’ll find a wide variety of open air cafes and bars.

Although, many of the other resorts on the island have developed a very German feel, Cala Bona still remains a favourite of the British tourist. Local fishermen can be seen mending nets and sipping strong coffee laced with brandy, and traditional fishing boats bob in the harbour.

Narrow, tree-lined streets lined with tourist shops, cafes and bars lie at the resort centre.
Locality:
Cala Bona is located on the E coast, 14 mls E of the town of Manacor, 46 mls E of Palma. The area is set on land sloping gently down to the sea from low pine-covered hills, pastoral fields and orchards. Rocky coastline with several small bays and inlets is a feature of the area.

Cala Bona is a popular package-holiday destination with wide appeal, though not the best of bases for exploring the rest of the island.
The area is primarily popular with British and German tourists.
There is a wide range of accommodation available mainly in the middle to budget range; higher concentration of older properties than more modern Cala Millor, the neighbouring resort.
Cala Bona’s main beach (Cala Bono) is a reasonable sand and gravel beach (500 yds wide by 90 yds deep), is enclosed by rock breakwaters and has sunbeds and few thatched parasols. There is a similar beach at Costa de los Pinos; both are augmented with extra sand dredged up from beneath the sea.

A better, longer beach with smooth, light sand can be found at Cala Millor, separated from Cala Bono by a rocky section. There is a nudist beach at Punta Amer. “Artesanias” (handicraft shops) are a feature of the area and sell tourist bric-a-brac. Boutiques, leather and jewellery stores are adequate but nothing special.

Popular daytime entertainment include the 18- and 9-hole golf courses nearby; range of water sports; several tennis clubs; go-karting. There is also a dive centre, cycle hire, crazy golf, horse riding/trekking.
By night there are discos and music bars. There is also an Auditorium/theatre with international programme as well as a seasonal open-air disco just outside town.
Excursions include a range of half day trips to the interesting old town of Arta, boat trips, glass-bottomed-boat trips.

Full day excursions are available to the Reserva Africana wildlife park on the edge of town; caves of Drach, San Salvador monastery and Cala Figures; caves of Ham (8 mls); Palma shopping; Alcudia, Formentor and monastery; Pollensa; Valldemosa and the west. In all fairness, Cala Bona is not particularly suited for those families seeking an active holiday, but perhaps more so for those looking for a relaxing break with the option of the “bright lights” of the more lively Cala Millor around 5 minutes away by taxi.