Mallorca Unveiled: Your Handbook for Exploring the Islands Wonders – The North

posted on : June 2, 2023 posted by : robbiecalcinari 0 Comment

Prepare to be swept away by the irresistible charm of Mallorca, where paradise meets culture in the most delightful way. Picture yourself strolling along quaint cobblestone streets lined with bougainvillea, savoring mouthwatering tapas at lively markets, and exploring centuries-old Gothic cathedrals that stand as a testament to the island’s past. But Mallorca isn’t just about history and architecture; it’s a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities to hike majestic mountains, kayak through hidden caves, and bask in the Mediterranean sun on pristine beaches. Let’s embark on a journey that will awaken your senses and leave you utterly enchanted by the wonders of Mallorca.

I had the absolute pleasure of spending two months last year getting lost exploring Mallorca and it was the most magical time I’ve ever had. Mallorca is the largest of the four largest Balearic Islands; Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. It is surprisingly large but the longest drive you should have point to point should be 1.5-2 hours.

On Mallorca, you will notice the signs are in a few different languages which can get a little confusing. The Catalonian dialect of Mallorca is Mallorquí, the words are a little different from the Spanish you might be used to and it sounds and looks a little bit more like French mixed with Italian than you may be expecting. Not a ton of people on the island speak this dialect and they all speak “normal” Spanish as well but you may see this a few places. The other widely spoken language is Catalan which is what they speak in Spain. Spain’s Spanish is slightly different from the Spanish that is spoken in other parts of the world. Often you will see all three of these (Mallorquí, Catalan, and Spanish) on signs as well as your token German signs as Germans consider Mallorca their 16th territory.

In order to cover the island as much as I can for this post I will be splitting it into North, South, East and West.

The North of Mallorca

Cala Na Clara

The north and the west of the island is where you will find mountains and rocky uneven terrain. It is also, in my opinion, where you will find the best and most secluded beaches, gorgeous towns, and incredible food. The beach pictured above is Cala Na Clara, a little known spot tucked into the mountains in the northeast. It is a nude beach, there’s not a ton of beach space, and it is a bit of a trek to get down to (a theme with the calas of Mallorca) but it is my favorite beach I found on the whole island. The north has some of the most unique views on the many hikes you can partake in and from the water if you can find a boat charter or even if you are a skilled paddle boarder.

The Beaches

Cala Na Clara – in the northeast, free, easy street parking and a bit of a walk to get down to the beach. Make sure you head the beach way and not onto one of the hiking trails.
Cala Figuera – possibly one of the most difficult beaches to get to. Tucked away in the northwest, the road to get to it (the road to Cap de Formentor) is closed so you must park and take the bus. Do not take the bus all the way to the cap, get off at Cala Figuera and start your trek down.
Cala Torta – also difficult to get to as the road to get down to it has been washed away. I parked at the top and walked down maybe about 15-20 minutes but if you have a larger more rugged car, you can probably make it down with a lot of patience. You can also walk to both Torta and Mitjana from Mesquida on a trail that runs along the ocean, it takes some time but it is stunning.
Cala Mitjana – once you make it to Cala Torta head left (west) and walk over to Cala Mitjana.
Cala Mesquida – very easy to get to, one of the few beaches with lifeguards, there is a nude portion over by the rocks but other than that it is a normal beach, very touristy but the water is gorgeous and you can rent paddle boards.

The Towns

Pollença – nestled in the northwest, this adorable town is filled with history and charm. Walk up the 365 steps to El Calvari, the former monastery and college and then head around the town to get some traditional food.
Arta – a little town in the northeast of the island which is normally just driven straight through. Arta has a good array of restaurants and things to do and is fairly cheap as it is usually ignored by tourists.
Capdepera – a tiny little town in the northeast perched up on a hill. There isn’t a ton to do here but there are some great restaurants and an old church overlooking the surrounding towns and mountains.
Alcudia – this would be a quick stopover, wander around and eat town but it is totally worth a visit, in my opinion. If you like the more touristy vibe, head to Port de Alcudia.
Port de Pollença – if you are into the more touristy areas, Port de Pollença is for you (as well as Cala Ratjada). I didn’t spend much time in the port though it looks similar to Playa de Palma, touristy, lots of drinking, and lots of newer buildings, restaurants, and stores.

The Trails

There is a trail that follows the northeastern coast of the island. You can start at Cala Agulla right outside of Cala Ratjada, walk up to the old fort at the top of the mountain, head down to Cala Mesquida and then follow the trail that runs along the coastline on the cliffs all the way to Cala Na Clara. The entire hike would most definitely be an all day excursion depending on how quickly you hike. If you would like to do it all, I would suggest starting very early and car spotting or starting in Cala Na Clara, finishing and staying the night in Cala Ratjada.

On the norhwest there are plenty of trails covering the whole area that is Cap de Formentor. They are a bit more treacherous and the area is quite large but the views are truly breathtaking.

Check out my other posts on Mallorca

Mallorca Unveiled: Your Handbook for Exploring the Islands Wonders – The South

Mallorca Unveiled: Your Handbook for Exploring the Islands Wonders – The West

Mallorca Unveiled: Your Handbook for Exploring the Islands Wonders – The East

About The Author

robbiecalcinari