Cala Millor

The modern resort of Cala Millor (which translates into English as "the better bay") is on the islands rugged east coast, and is separated from its more quiet and traditional neighbour Cala Bona ("the good bay") by a small rocky headland. The resort is without doubt the largest tourist development along the east coast, and is jointly administered as part of the municipal districts of Son Servera and Sant Llorenç des Cardassar.

Coach transfer into the resort from the Son Sant Joan International airport in the south of the island will normally take around 2 hours to drive the 70km, but as with all airport transfers this may vary on the time of day or night of the journey. For the independent travellers who prefer to hire a car at the airport and make their way into the resort, driving to Cala Millor from Palma is fairly straightforward, once you've adjusted to driving on the "wrong side of the road". The main C-715 takes you all the way to Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, from there the PM-403 takes you into Son Servera, after that it's quite well signposted for the final few miles over to the east coast and Cala Millor. On a good day an experienced driver should do it in around 1.1/4 hours, but as in the UK if you get stuck behind a lorry or tractor, this will increase the journey time substantially.

Most of Majorca's east coast is dotted with tiny creeks and coves, however, the beach at Cala Millor stretches for more than 6km along a wide sheltered bay which is protected by two large unspoilt headlands.

The beach here is considered by many to be one of the best on the island, with clear water and gently sloping sands. Parasols and sun beds can be hired at various points along its length, along with the usual selection water sports activities, including a windsurfing school.

The resort has a good selection of shops, but in all fairness to the town, they do tend to lack any great variety in the range of products they each stock. If you do venture beyond your sun bed, local markets are held every Friday in nearby Son Servera, further a field to the north in Arta on a Tuesday, and 20km inland at Manacor every Monday. For those of you who have been to the island before you would recognise that Manacor is also the home of the Mallorcan Pearl industry.

Public transport along all of the east coast is limited so it may be worthwhile considering car hire, especially if you want to visit the nearby Caves of Drach and so avoiding the Tour Operators day trip charges. For those visitors who consider public transport an adventure and not a challenge, the local bus operator Aumasa does actually run a service over to Alcudia on the north west coast of the island, and even over to Soller, which is deep in the Sierra de Tramuntana mountain range. Over the years many visitors to Majorca have asked us for information on the bus timetables, although our general advice is the "sit and wait, and enjoy the sun", Aumasa do actually publish what they claim to be the timetable their buses run to. Whilst no guarantee is given on our behalf as to the accuracy of this timetable.

Of the 4 resorts along this short stretch of coast, Cala Millor is without doubt the more lively and has a wide selection of bars and discos providing evening entertainment to supplement that provided by the hotels. Although Cala Millor has a quite a wide appeal, it is still perhaps more suited towards the traditional family holiday than those 18 to 30's who are possibly looking for all night clubs and karaoke bars.