Cala Dor

Cala d'Or today is a modern purpose built resort that has grown from a small traditional Mallorcan fishing village. Over the years the resort has expanded, and now covers an area of over 4km of small sandy coves and creeks. Although in all fairness this growth has for the most part been controlled, and the town still has the feeling of a small village with few, if any, high rise buildings.

The largest of these coves is called Cala Llonga, which has been developed into a large marina that effectively splits the resort in two. So, unless you are prepared for quite a long walk, or a daily ride in the tourist mini train, you may be isolated in whatever half of the town your chosen accommodation lies.

The focal point of the town centre is a pedestrian zone around the area of Cala Gran, which has a varied selection of shops, bars and restaurants, but really lacks many of the other family attractions such as water parks, mini golf etc. that many tourist expect to find in a holiday resort these days.

The beach at Cala Gran is the largest in the town, but at 40m wide and 100m deep can never really be described as being large. Near here is Cala d'Or itself, from which the resort takes its name. This is a pine fringed cove with a small but crowded beach. Sun loungers, parasols and pedaloes can be hired at both of these beaches. In addition, there is also around 8 or 9 other smaller sandy coves in the area, although these can become extremely crowded in high season.

If the beaches at Cala d'Or become too crowded or if you wish to escape from Cala d'Or for the day, many visitors take the morning bus to Es Trenc. This beautiful beach of clear blue water and golden sand, backed by pine trees and dunes, stretches for almost 5km along the wild south eastern coast of the island.

There's a small bar-restaurant here and you can hire sun umbrellas, but there are few other facilities and the beach rarely gets packed with bodies. Be warned though, Es Trenc is popular with nudists and the bodies that you do see are likely to be bare.If you do have access to your own transport, and can get out of the resort, the Sunday morning market at Felanitx is recognised as being one of the best in Majorca, and is well worth a visit.

This is a good place to pick up some locally made pottery, but be prepared to haggle for the best bargains. Also certainly worth a mention are the fruit and produce markets which are held at nearby Santanyi every Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

Evening entertainment here is not rowdy, and is generally hotel based, although the resort does have an increasing number of lively bars that tend to be centred around the pedestrian zone. However, all things considered, and in keeping with much of the east coast, Cala d'Or is generally a quiet low key resort that is perhaps more suited to those looking for a relaxing holiday.