The Most Beautiful Calas

The Cala Mondragó is perhaps the most perfect bay in Mallorca — and has been protected as a nature park since 1992 (Parc Natural de Mondragó, 785 hectares). Actually, there are two beaches: the larger S'Amarador and the smaller, more intimate Ses Fonts de n'Alis, connected by a short cliff path.

S'Amarador is a wide sandy beach in a deep, pine-forested bay. The water is so clear that you can see the fish on the bottom from the cliff edge. Behind it stretch dunes and a wetland with birds. Ses Fonts de n'Alis is smaller and more sheltered — perfect for families with small children.

The nature park offers several marked hiking trails (1–5 km) through pine forest, scrubland, and along the cliffs. Bird watchers will find ospreys, Eleonora's falcons, and cormorants here. Despite the nature park, there are sunbed rentals (about 8€), a small bar, and toilets on the beach.

Parking: 5€/day (quickly full in summer, from 10 am). 6 km from Santanyí. The park is freely accessible.

Cala Varques is Mallorca's most famous "secret beach" — a stunningly beautiful bay only accessible on foot. From the parking lot (on an unpaved country road between Porto Cristo and Cales de Mallorca), it takes about 20–25 minutes to walk over a rocky path through scrubland and pine forest before the bay suddenly opens up: a crescent-shaped bay with fine sand, turquoise water, and rocky cliffs inviting cliff jumping.

Cala Varques feels like a pirate bay: no loungers, no bar, no infrastructure — just pure nature. In the cliffs, there are several caves (some with freshwater lakes inside!) that attract climbers and adventurers. The atmosphere is relaxed to alternative — you are more likely to meet backpackers and locals than package tourists here.

Be sure to bring enough water, sun protection, and food — there is nothing to buy on site! Also, sturdy footwear for the path is important (no flip-flops). The beach has no lifeguard.

Parking: On the roadside (free, but limited). In summer, often no space after 11 am. Parking coordinates: approx. 39.5109, 3.3529.

Cala Llombards is a small, idyllic bay south of Santanyí — less known than its famous neighbors, but no less beautiful. The bay cuts like a narrow fjord deep into the sandstone cliffs, the water shimmers turquoise-emerald, and the atmosphere is calm and relaxed.

The beach is small (about 50 m wide), with fine sand and some rocks at the edge, inviting snorkeling. The cliffs offer natural shade in the afternoon (left side). There is a small kiosk with drinks and ice cream, but no loungers — lay a towel on the sand and enjoy.

Above the bay lies the village of Es Llombards with a tiny village center and a restaurant. Just 2 km further is the famous rock arch Es Pontàs — a natural stone arch in the sea, one of the most photographed spots in Mallorca and world-famous among deep-water solo climbers.

Parking: directly above the bay, free. Come early in summer! 5 km from Santanyí.

Cala Figuera is not a beach, but a fishing village — and one of the most photogenic in all of Mallorca. The bay cuts like a Y deep into the land, with white houses with green shutters climbing the cliffs on both sides, and the colorful Llaüts (Mallorcan fishing boats) moored at the boat houses on the water.

There is no beach and no hotels here — Cala Figuera still lives from fishing. In the morning around 5–6 am, the fishermen go out, returning around 5 pm. Then is the best time to stand on the quay and watch as the catch is sorted — a spectacle that has been the same for generations.

Along the bay, there are some excellent fish restaurants that buy directly from the boat: fresh fish, seafood, paella. Accompanied by a glass of white wine with a view of the boats — this is Mallorca at its best.

At the entrance to the village, a coastal hiking trail begins (about 3 km, easy) towards Cala Santanyí — along the cliffs with spectacular views of the open sea.

Cala s'Amarador is part of the Mondragó nature park and is the larger of the two beaches in the park. A wide, white sandy beach in a deep bay, surrounded by low cliffs and pine forests. The water is Caribbean clear — snorkeling at the edge of the bay is excellent (seagrass meadows with fish, starfish, sometimes octopuses).

The bay is open to the south, which means: sun all day, but also waves with a south wind. Behind the beach stretches a small wetland (Ses Fonts de n'Alis), which can be crossed via a wooden walkway — a mini-adventure for children. Sunbed rental (about 8€/day) and a small beach bar are available in summer.

From the beach, a beautiful cliff path (about 15 min) leads to the neighboring bay Ses Fonts de n'Alis and further to the viewpoint Sa Font de n'Alis, overlooking the entire Mondragó valley. This walk is also easily doable with children.

Access: via the Mondragó parking lot (5€/day) or on foot from Cala d'Or (about 30 min coastal path). Nature park freely accessible.