Cala d’Or, situated on the Spanish Balearic island of Mallorca, is a popular holiday resort famous for its seemingly endless sunshine, stunning natural setting, and proliferation of gorgeous sandy beaches. The collective title of Cala d’Or comprises a number of beautiful coves (Cala Esmeralda, Cala Ferrera, Cala Gran, Cala Serena, and Cala Llonga), and with a surprising diversity of size and amenities, there’s the cliched (but highly desirable!) “something for everyone” here – including the opportunity to explore some culture and history.
Cala d’Or and Beyond
While the beaches are undeniably the major drawcard of Mallorca – it is, after all, an island – there’s far more than this to its perennial appeal. For many people, a week is the ideal time to spend on a short break away, and with your base in Cala d’Or, a week will give you plenty of time to not only lap up the sun, sea and sand, but also take two days for two separate culture based experiences.
Day Trip One:
Just over an hour away by road, the fortified town of Alcúdia, on the north coast, is one of the island’s true cultural gifts.
Soak up the culture and history: Founded by the Romans, the town dates back to around 70 BC and the echoes of its past greet you around every corner, down every backstreet, and in the incredible architecture of its ancient buildings. The best way to get a feeling for the character of the city is to take a leisurely stroll and let your feet lead the way. As a Roman settlement, there are numerous archaeological sites to discover, including the remains of an amphitheatre and a forum.
Explore the churches: There are three important churches to discover in the city. The Baroque chapel of Sant Crist (finished in 1697), in the Old Town, was built to honour the Miracle of the Sant Crist, in 1507, where an image of Sant Crist sweated drops of blood and water. Dating back to the thirteenth century, the Gothic Oratory of Santa Ana, situated just outside the walls, lays claim to being the oldest functioning church on Mallorca. Lastly, the impressive Neo-Gothic Sant Jaume is located in the heart of the Old Town and features gorgeous stained glass windows, medieval paintings, and a marble staircase up to the balcony.
Walk the walls: The medieval walls that encircle the Old Town are very well-preserved, as are its two gates – Porta de Mallorca and Porta del Moll. Constructed under the orders of King Jaume II of Mallorca in 1362, the impressive towers (there are 26) and gates can be best appreciated by a walk around their perimeter. You can even walk on top of them in some parts, which affords wonderful views over the Old Town.
Day Trip Two: Palma
Less than an hour northwest of Cala d’Or is the island’s capital, Palma. Overlooking the Bay of Palma, the city is a vibrant cultural heart, and the ambience and history of its Roman past provides plenty of highlights to explore in and around its Old Town. Once again, the much-offered advice is to create your own itinerary on a walking tour of the streets, punctuated, naturally, by some refreshment stops along the way. A few highlights to seek out are:
Mallorca Cathedral (La Seu): This absolutely stunning Gothic sandstone church is a sight to behold, both inside and out. Considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, it has more than 60 windows, including its magnificent rose centrepiece. Inside are works by Gaudí and Barceló and, if you’re game, a climb to the rooftop delivers spectacular views over the city and beyond.
The Royal Palace of Almudaina: The official residence of Spanish Royalty, the site of the Palace dates back to the thirteenth century, when a muslim alcazar was constructed after the Arab Conquest. The structure was rebuilt for King James II, in the Gothic style, but there are still remnants of its Islamic heritage in the Moorish arches and palm-lined central courtyard. Parts of the Palace are open to the public and inside you can explore a host of paintings, tapestries, traditional furnishings and fascinating architectural features.
The museums: If you’re looking to learn more about the city’s history through its art and artefacts, there are numerous museums to visit in Palma, but the most important and comprehensive are the Museum of Mallorca and the Museum of Sacred Art. The Museum of Mallorca is located in a sixteenth-century building, and houses an impressive collection of fine arts, and archaeological and ethnological artefacts. The Museum of Sacred Art is entirely dedicated to the conservation of the expansive and ever-growing collection of items and themes related to the religious heritage of the island.
So, there you have it: two very easy day trips to two very different cities on one unforgettable Spanish island. Now, back to the beach…
Where to Stay
Barcelo Aguamarina: Superbly located right on the beach, this 4-star hotel offers air-conditioned rooms overlooking the ocean, a fantastic onsite restaurant and bar, and amenities including indoor and outdoor pools and a 24-hour front desk. With the beach on the doorstep and shops, bars and restaurants within walking distance, it makes the perfect base for a hassle-free holiday break.
Hotel Cala d’Or: Its beautiful setting in a tranquil cove is only the beginning of what this fabulous adults-only hotel has to offer the discerning traveller. Choose from well-appointed rooms with garden or sea views from the private balcony, and enjoy the extensive onsite facilities, which include a restaurant, cafe, bar, pool, sauna and hot tub. With the stunning waters of the Mediterranean literally footsteps away, and the amenities of the town on the doorstep, this home-from-home leaves nothing left to wish for.
Inturotel Esmeralda Villas: Beautiful location, stylish contemporary rooms, wonderful views, and a great range of onsite amenities, what more could you ask for? If you’re coming to Cala d’Or with the intention of relaxing and exploring the surrounding area, these villas are the perfect accommodation. Situated right next to the beach, you can choose to wander down and enjoy the ocean, or stay close and make use of the resort pool, fitness centre and restaurant.
How to Get There
Getting to your island break in Cala d’Or is almost as easy as the holiday itself. You’ll fly into Palma Mallorca Airport (PMI), a journey that takes around 2 hours and 35 minutes. You’ll be able to choose from a huge range of flights – around 490 a week. Prices start at as little as £27 one way, with numerous airlines servicing the route, including easyJet, British Airways, Jet2, Ryanair and Iberia.
Once you’ve landed in Mallorca, the fastest and most convenient way of getting from Palma Mallorca Airport to Cala d’Or is by pre-booking one of the services offered by Shuttle Direct. A friendly local driver will be at the airport waiting to get you straight to your accommodation as quickly as possible.
Overview
UK to PMI Flight Time: 2 hours, 35 mins approx.
PMI to Cala d’Or Distance: 61 kilometres
Shuttle Direct Transfer: 1 hour approx.
Types of Transfer
Your onward ground transport from Palma Mallorca Airport to Cala d’Or is a cinch if you make sure you pre-book before you leave home. At Shuttle Direct we understand that everyone has different travel needs so we offer a range of services to suit, depending on your budget and requirements.
For those looking to save the budget for the more fun holiday things, our shuttle bus service from Palma Mallorca Airport to Cala d’Or is a popular option. A driver will meet you at a designated spot at the airport and you’ll travel with other passengers in a comfortable, safe vehicle. You’ll be dropped at a central drop-off point in the destination. Because you share the cost across multiple passengers, it’s cheaper than a private transfer.
Another very convenient option is a pre-booked taxi. With this service, you’ll have the luxury of travelling by yourself, right to the door of your accommodation, but you’ll bypass the long queues of other travellers, because your taxi will be waiting for you when you leave the terminal. This is a great way to get from Palma Mallorca to Cala d’Or with no waiting around.
If you’re travelling with a large group of family or friends, pre-booking a door-to-door minibus transfer from the airport at Palma Mallorca to Cala d’Or is a sensible option. Because it’s a larger capacity airport transfer vehicle, everyone will be able to travel together, and fitting all the luggage won’t be a problem.
If you’re looking for luxury and convenience all the way, our private Cala d’Or transfers offer a door-to-door service that guarantees you’ll start your holiday in the best way possible. A professional driver will meet you inside the terminal, then you’ll be escorted to the vehicle and whisked to your accommodation without delay.
Choosing the Right Transfer
Travel is never one size fits all: everyone has a different budget and priorities, which is why we at Shuttle Direct provide various options. The choice will come down to two main factors – cost and convenience.
Cost: If you’re keeping an eye on the holiday budget and want to save money on your onward ground transport, we recommend our shared shuttle bus services. Even though they are extremely cost-effective, you can rest assured we don’t compromise on your comfort and safety.
Convenience: If your priority is a door-to-door service from Palma Mallorca Airport to Cala d’Or, and you don’t want to travel with other passengers, we recommend a pre-booked taxi or luxury private airport transfer. You’ll pay a little more, but the convenience is unsurpassed.
About Shuttle Direct
Shuttle Direct has a well-earned reputation for offering the most extensive and convenient range of airport transfers to and from destinations all over Europe and the world. Wherever you’re going, whatever your budget, and however you like to travel, we have a safe, cost-effective option to suit you – from budget-friendly shared shuttle buses, right up to the luxury of a private door-to-door service. Start and end your holiday right with Shuttle Direct.
