From one mum to many more, I can highly recommend Cala d’Or as a holiday destination for families with small children. Although I only have one daughter at the moment, I have another baby on the way and am making my own list of potential destinations for family holidays that give my partner and me a break too. Cala d’Or is high up there!
What To Do
Western Encounter
When the heat of the day hits and the little ones need a break, head out on a journey through the fabulous Tramuntana Mountains on the Soller Train. Meandering its way through the pine forests, the train stops at La Cartuja Monastery in Valldemossa, the former home of Chopin and his lover, as well as Port de Soller, a tiny town on the northwest coast where you can enjoy some local tapas.
At £62.50 for adults and £34.50 for kids between 2 and 11, this full day excursion is worth every penny.
Palma Aquarium
Children of all ages will love a visit to this aquarium, where they can discover at least 700 different species of marine and animal life. Displayed in 55 tanks, the fish, plants and coral offer a fascinating insight into the sea’s natural beauty and the wonders of the underwater world. You will even get to see sharks and stingrays!
The splash park is ideal for little ones if they need a change of scene and you are not ready to leave, and there are extensive gardens that offer perfect picnic spots if you fancy bringing a packed lunch.
At £18.99 for adults and £12.50 for 4-12 year olds, this is a very reasonable family day out.
The Caves of Hams
Recently discovered in 1905, these caves are famous because of their interesting and unusual formations. They also hide a huge underground lake. The complex of caves is vast, with each cave lit up by very effective LED lighting. There is a picnic area, free parking and a shop where you can buy souvenirs too. This is one to visit if you are taking a taxi, as the caves are located 2km west of Porto Cristo.
Open from March to October between 10am and 6pm and from November to February from 10.30am to 5.30pm. The caves cost £8.00 for adults to enter.
Check the website for more details: www.cuevas-hams.com
Safari Zoo Sa Coma
On the Son Servera road, the Safari Zoo is a 30-minute taxi ride from Cala d’Or, but worth the effort for families with young children. Drive around the park in the park’s onsite train, which stops at various points along the way. The park has a mini-zoo that you can explore on foot, and at peak times of the year there is a daily lion show.
A day out at the Safari zoo costs around £13 for adults and £9 for children.
How to Get to Cala d’Or from the UK
In less than 2 ½ hours you can leave London and be in Palma Airport, the nearest airport to Cala d’Or. The short flight time is good news for families travelling with small children. Flights with budget airlines can be booked with Ryanair by those who fly from East Midlands and Liverpool; with easyJet for those travelling from London Gatwick; and with Monarch for travellers from London Luton. British Airways also fly from London Gatwick and offer some good prices with a more generous baggage allowance, which is convenient when travelling with lots of little ones.
For onward child-friendly Palma airport transfers, look into Palma airport transfers. At Shuttle Direct, we take great pride in offering a professional door-to-door service, and one that caters well for families with children. One of our team will meet you at arrivals, help you and your kids with your bags and get you to your hotel or accommodation in good time. The one-hour private transfer costs around £17 per person, based on a family of five sharing. You can book child-friendly Palma airport transfers in advance so you have nothing else to worry about when planning your trip.
Where to Stay
Inturotel Esmeralda Park – This seafront hotel provides guests with family size apartments and is spacious and well equipped. The outdoor pool is surrounded with loungers and a sun terrace, and apartments all have private balconies, which means you can have the kids outside but keep an eye on them. With direct access to the beach, Inturotel Esmeralda Park is also conveniently located close to all of the shops, bars and restaurants in town. To top off the bonus features for families, the hotel has a buffet restaurant, beach bar and pizzeria.
Barcelo Ponent Playa – This delightful 3-star hotel is perfect for families, as it is located right on the beach in the centre of Cala d’Or. Offering services such as a wellness centre for parents and an indoor pool in case the kids get too much sun at the outdoor one, Barcelo Ponent Playa also provides entertainment for adults and children alike.
Hotel Cala Ferrara – I love this hotel because it has a children’s playground, which is ideal for little ones. Rooms at Hotel Cala Ferrara have TVs and private bathrooms – perfect when you are away with the whole family. There is also an on-site bar so the adults can enjoy an evening drink without leaving the kids. Free Wi-Fi is another added bonus for the younger ones, who might need some Internet sourced entertainment during their downtime.
About Shuttle Direct:
Let Shuttle Direct, the leading provider of airport transfers in Europe and North Africa, take the strain out of your onward travel once you have landed in a new country. We offer competitively priced transfers that are child friendly, reliable and professional. Door-to-door service couldn’t be simpler to organise. Book in advance and let us take the strain out of the final leg of your journey.
