Cala Mondrago - Majorca
Cala Mondrago is a small seaside village at the heart of a natural park area in the south-east of Majorca, a few miles east of the town of Santanyi and about five miles south of the major seaside resort of Cala d'Or. The coastline here is one of the most unspoiled parts of the island, with miles of rocky coves, beaches, dunes and cliffs backed by wetlands, hills and traditional farms. The area is especially popular with hikers, birdwatchers, swimmers and snorkellers, and with visitors who want to experience a part of Majorca away from the tourist resorts.
Cala Mondrago's fame comes mainly from its two beautiful sandy coves, S'Amarador and Sa Font de n'Alis, enclosed by craggy headlands and surrounded by groves of pine trees. Sa Font de n'Alis is closer to the town and the busier of the two, with sun-loungers and pedalos for hire. S'Amarador is a few minutes walk over a headland track, and enjoys the reputation of being the most beautiful beach in Majorca - as well as featuring on several Top-10 lists of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Both beaches are sheltered and relatively shallow, perfect for children and inexperienced swimmers. The water is exceptionally clear, and underwater rock formations beneath the headlands provide shelter for corals and other sea-life - making Cala Mondrago one of the best areas in Majorca for snorkelling and scuba diving.
The town has just a few low-key hotels, two restaurants and one store, and the park regulations limit further development. There are also few regular transport links, but a bus service runs daily between Cala Mondrago and Cala d'Or, and in the summer high season a tourist train connects the town to Porto Pedro a few miles to the north. Most visitors who make it this far down the coast are independent travellers and locals looking for a tranquil seaside holiday. A rental car would be an advantage for visitors who want to explore the park area, or perhaps to shop and party in Cala d'Or and the historic regional centre of Santanyi.
Several hiking trails lead from Cala Mondrago into the park and along the coast. The small and secluded sandy beach of Cala de Burgit can be reached along a headland path in about fifteen minutes from Sa Font de n'Alis, and it is possible to walk to the neighbouring towns of Cala Figuera and Porto Pedro in a couple of hours. Several inland trails offer hikers access to the wetlands, heaths and hills that stretch behind the town, passing a few archaeological sites and farms that grow cereals, figs, almonds and carob. The Mondrago park one of the richest areas in Majorca for bird life, and the heaths, wetlands and dunes are havens for more than seventy bird species, including the rare large white crane and the osprey, a type of fishing eagle. In recent years the park authorities have embarked on programmes to protect several unique endangered species that are found in the area, including a rare type of tortoise.