Cala d'Or is a resort in the municipality of Santanyí, on the south-east coast of Majorca. It was designed in the 1930s by Ibizan artist Josep Costa, who wanted low white houses in Ibizan style among the pines, a style largely maintained in later development that sets it apart from other resorts on the island.
The coves
Cala d'Or is famous for its small coves of pale sand and turquoise water, set among rocks and pine woods and linked by paths and promenades:
- Cala Gran, the largest and best equipped;
- Cala d'Or, which gave the resort its name;
- Cala Esmeralda and Cala Ferrera, with emerald waters;
- Cala Serena, small and quiet;
- Cala Egos and Caló d'en Pada.
The marina, one of the Balearics' largest, has restaurants, bars and shops, and boat trips along the coast leave from here (see entertainment).
Nearby
- Mondragó Natural Park, a few kilometres away, with two sandy beaches among pines and coastal paths.
- The famous Caló des Moro and Cala S'Almunia, near Cala Llombards (see beaches).
- Portopetro, a very picturesque little fishing harbour, and Portocolom.
- Santanyí village, built of a honey-coloured sandstone also used for buildings in Palma, with the church of Sant Andreu, a medieval gate and a busy Wednesday and Saturday market.
- The Cap de Ses Salines lighthouse and Es Trenc beach, further west.
Practical information
Cala d'Or is about 65 km from Palma and the airport, with direct buses. It is a quiet resort for couples and families; in July and August the coves are crowded. Santanyí municipality has about 13,000 inhabitants.