Que Bonita! When expectations are exceeded

In the east of Mallorca, one picturesque bay follows the other. The so-called Cales, which stretch from Porto Christo down to Faro Ses Salines at the southernmost tip of Mallorca, have long since ceased to be an insider tip. In fact, during the high season, there are so many bathers here that you can’t see the sandy beach anymore because of all the bath towels. At least that’s how I imagine it according to the “hearsay”. Despite this rather devastating picture, we did not let ourselves be deterred and planned a detour to these corners of Mallorca after the tour through the Serra de Tramuntana. “If you’re already there, you can take a look” – that’s the motto. As is so often the case with prejudices, they quickly turned out to be quite wrong. Most of the holiday villages on the eastern coast were still in hibernation. And so we had to turn on the mental cinema once again when the landlady of the SelAni in Cala d’Or told us that in midsummer it is teeming with people on the harbour quay. Conclusion of the detour: Visit Mallorca’s east in spring, then you have all the crystal-clear bays to yourself. Indian word of honor.

Still not convinced?! These six tips are guaranteed to put an end to your Ballermann image in your head.

1 – Portocolom

Portocolom is one of the few fishing villages that has been able to preserve its old charm. My tip: come here with a growling stomach. Restaurante Colón is an excellent place to eat.

2 – Cala d’Or

In the resort of Cala d’Or, on the other hand, the influences of mass tourism have not gone unnoticed. Thanks to the architect Pep Costa, who has implemented the so-called “Ibiza style” here, the overall picture is still quite impressive. Also worth seeing are the swanky yachts anchored in the marina. Among the typical tourist restaurants, which have what feels like 100 dishes on the menu and show off every single one of them in unappetizing-looking pictures, there are culinary bright spots. In the restaurant SelAni (Carrer Cala Llonga), for example, I enjoyed the best bruschetta ever.

3 – Windmills at Campos

In the Mallorcan hinterland, it is quiet even during the high season. The beach tourists rarely get lost in the small country towns. In addition to charming town centres, there are also idyllic landscapes to discover. My highlight were the numerous wind turbines around Campos, which fit so nicely into the landscape.

4 – Mondragó Natural Park

A particularly beautiful collection of beaches can be found in the Parc natural de Mondrago. The various beaches are connected by coastal paths and can be explored on foot on circular routes. The gold medal for the most beautiful beach here goes to S’Amarador. If you replace the pine forests with palm trees, you could almost think you’ve landed in the Caribbean. While these beaches are heavily frequented in the height of summer, there were few tourists in the bay on the day of our visit. But there were one or two daredevils who even dared to enter the water. That would definitely have been too cold for me.

5 – ES Tips

The naturally formed rock gate between Cala Santanyí and Cala Llombards impresses even in normal daylight. The atmosphere at sunrise is even more tingling.

6 – Cap de Ses Salines

The southernmost point of Mallorca does not score with sights. Apart from the lighthouse, there are hardly any buildings on this coastal strip. But that’s exactly what makes this place so special. Cap de Ses Salines is a popular retreat for nature lovers who appreciate long coastal walks. In good weather, there are also views of the uninhabited island of Cabrera opposite.