Cala Ratjada is a beautiful coastal village in Mallorca, and one of the most important tourist destinations on the east coast of the island. It is a popular tourist destination due to its stunning beaches, crystal clear waters and vibrant nightlife.
Cala Rajada, as it is also known, is the second most important port of Mallorca and it is one of the few fishing ports that still conserves that traditional atmosphere, which evokes other times on the island, where you can still see a lot of llauts (traditional Mallorcan fishing boat).
It is a very special area because, in Cala Ratjada, you will find yourself at the closest point to Menorca in a straight line, and at the same time in a privileged area to see one of the most beautiful sunrises on the island, from the lighthouse of Capdepera.
Stay with us because in this post we will tell you about the wonders you can find in one of the last remaining strongholds of traditional coastal Mallorca.
The weather in Cala Ratjada today: weekly forecast
Cala RatjadaHow to get to Cala Ratjada
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To get to Cala Ratjada you must head towards Capdepera. No matter where you come from on the island, wherever you come from, you must first pass through this village. Beforedeciding which means of transport you want to use, you should be clear about the type of trip to Mallorca you want to make.
If you are coming to Cala Ratjada in order not to move around the island, it is best to use public transport or private transfer services to your accommodation.
If, on the other hand, you are staying in Cala Ratjada but your intention is to move around the rest of the island, in order to get to know the top places to see in Mallorca, our recommendation is that you do it with your own vehicle or with a rental car in Mallorca.
The area of Cala Ratjada and Capdepera, which, although they enjoy alternative communications, are in a very remote and secluded area. And in summer, public transport can give you a few unpleasant surprises when it comes to improvised timetable changes.
Once you have a car:
- From the capital, Palma de Mallorca, you must take the Ma-15 road to Capdepera. This journey should not take more than 1h 15′. Once you arrive to Capdepera, the signs are visible to get to Cala Ratjada.
- Coming from the north, from towns such as Pollença or Alcudia, take the Ma-12 towards Artà and continue towards Cala Ratjada following the signs.
- From the eastern part of Mallorca, from towns such as Cala d’Or or Cala Millor, you must first head towards Felanitx and follow the signs to Manacor and then take the Ma-15 to Cala Ratjada.
- From the southeast of the island, you must first go to Porreres and then take the Ma-15 road to Manacor, following the signposted route to Cala Ratjada.
Getting to Cala Ratjada by public transport
If your idea is to get to Mallorca by plane, you should know that from the airport, the journey is longer by bus than by car, and the time to reach the destination is twice as long, about 2h 30′. Yes, quite a ride! In fact, public transport in Mallorca is one of the few things we can’t boast about.
Assuming you have not given up trying to go by public transport, then you will have to take the EMT line A1 (blue buses) at the bus stop in the “Arrivals” area, as you must first go to Palma. This bus costs €5.
There, get off at Parque de las Estaciones, in Palma, and at the Intermodal Station take line 401 of the TIB, and then change at Villafranca with line 411, to finally drop you off at your destination.
You can find detailed information on how to get around Mallorca using the public transport network in these two articles:
🚌 Public transport in Mallorca: bus, metro and train in Mallorca: lines, timetables and fares.
🚕 Taxi service in Mallorca: taxi ranks, taxi companies’ telephone numbers and fares.
Private transfer to Cala Ratjada
🚐 If you want to get to Cala Ratjada from the airport, quickly and without any detours, we advise you to hire the services of a private transfer. All you have to do is provide the date and time you want to be picked up, and that’s it! You will know the cost instantly!
What to do in Cala Ratjada
Visit the beaches of Cala Ratjada
In Cala Ratjada, you will be able to visit a large number of beaches, enjoying the tranquillity of them, or in a more active way, practising sports such as paddle surfing and/or snorkelling in its crystalline waters. You will enjoy the amazing fauna that hides in the rocky outcrops on the sides of the coves.
This area of Mallorca is well known for its rugged coastline and also for the number of (incredible) beaches it has.
The Capdepera area has more than 30 kilometres of coastline with beaches, most of which are Blue Flag beaches, a certificate awarded by the European Foundation for Environmental Education.
The beaches that belong to the area of Cala Ratjada are: La Pedruscada, Son Moll, Cala Ratjada, Cala Gat, L’Olla, Cala Lliteres, Cala Agulla and Cala Moltó.
La Pedruscada
The beach of La Pedruscada is located 2km from Cala Ratjada and as its name indicates it is a pebble beach, which makes it a little difficult to lie in the sun.
Its seabed is also rocky and shallow, so it is not recommended for anchoring with boats, in case you are thinking of renting a boat, but it is advisable for children to play in peace and quiet.
La Pedruscada is reminiscent of a small fishing port, and due to the morphological characteristics of the beach that we have told you about, it is a beach where it is taken for granted that it will have a low occupancy rate, so if you want peace and quiet, this beach may be an interesting choice.
Son Moll
Son Moll is the beach before the town centre of Cala Ratjada, coming from the south. It is a beach of soft white sand and crystalline waters, and is one of the jewels of this area of Capdepera and of Mallorca in general.
Cala Son Moll is a beach that, even though it is very close to the tourist centre of Cala Ratjada, has an enviable appearance that many other beaches would like to have.
In fact, Son Moll has received the “Ecoplayas” (ecobeaches) award granted by the Technical Association for Waste Management and Environment, which it has held since 2017. This award certifies the quality of the beaches from an environmental, tourism and sustainability point of view.
Another beach that also belongs to the municipality of Capdepera and which has also been awarded this distinction since 2018 is Cala Mesquida.
Cala Gat
Cala Gat, which is the cove with which the article begins, is the beach of Cala Ratjada closest to the lighthouse of Capdepera and, therefore, outside the urban centre of this area, so the sensation of nature, freedom and tranquillity will surround you on all four sides.
Beach of L’Olla
L’Olla is located to the left of the lighthouse of Capadepera. It is a purely pebble beach and more uncomfortable, so occupancy is low. It is a great area for snorkelling but be careful as it is very open to the sea and has strong currents.
Cala Lliteres
Between Cala de L’Olla and Cala Agulla is Cala Lliteres. It is a beach surrounded by holiday homes and a town centre. The water is clear and pebbly, which will ensure a low occupancy rate.
A little more sheltered than L’Olla beach, Cala Lliteres is a spectacular beach for snorkelling and, in fact, if you like diving, you can request the services of a diving company that occupies the beach.
This beach is not very suitable for anchoring boats due to its shallow depth and rocky ground, which on days with strong winds can cause problems for boats.
Cala Agulla
Cala Agulla is, without a doubt, one of the best beaches you can go to in Mallorca. It is located in a natural environment, away from bricks and constructions, and is a beach of incredible beauty and category.
Undoubtedly one of the best days of your trip to Mallorca will be when you visit it.
Cala Moltó
Cala Moltó is the “forgotten” of Capdepera’s wild and natural beaches, as it is “competing” with Cala Agulla and Cala Mesquida.
To get to Cala Moltó, take the same road as you take to Cala Agulla, which is also the first one to be reached. Sometimes, Cala Agulla is so spectacular that many people stay there and do not complete the journey to Cala Moltó.
But Cala Moltó is simply a continuation of Cala Agulla itself: it has the same crystal-clear, transparent waters and the same sand, only a little smaller. The good thing is that Cala Moltó guarantees a lower occupancy.
So if you are looking for rest and tranquillity and to avoid the overcrowding and hustle and bustle that Cala Agulla has in summer, we recommend you to walk a little further to Cala Moltó.
Markets and shopping
This town has a weekly market on Saturdays, where villagers sell fresh local products and local handicrafts.
If you are looking for shopping in the town outside of market days, that is also possible. There is not a great offer for it, but in L’Agulla Elinor Servera street, which is the main “shopping street”, you might be able to find what you are looking for.
Culture and traditions
The fishing tradition is inherent to this town, so if you want to enjoy and admire it, it is worth seeing the fishermen returning every morning from a night’s work while the sun gradually rises behind them, outlining the figure of these fishing boats. A beautiful sight to behold.
Visiting the March Palace, one of the residences of the March family, one of the most powerful Spanish families and a native of Mallorca, can also be a good plan. The foundation, which has the same name as the Palace, created a garden where works by Chillida, Rodin and Henry Moore can be admired. Apart from a lot of concerts in the summer you just have to pay attention to what is happening in Mallorca.
Nature in Cala Ratjada
You can explore nature, more specifically the Natural Park of Llevant, which has an impressive network of paths through Mediterranean forests, steep cliffs and spectacular views of the sea. You will enjoy hiking in Mallorca, in this part of the island.
The nearby coastal areas of Cala Agulla and Cala Mesquida have a high environmental value. The Balearic Government has awarded this area of Cala Ratjada the distinction of being a protected area due to the number of birds that inhabit it, making it an excellent place for bird watching. Another place to go bird watching is in S’Albufera, in Playa de Muro.
As we have already told you before, any time of the day is a good time to visit the lighthouse of Capdepera, in company or alone, and enjoy this magical location.
Something we recommend to all visitors to Mallorca, and even to the locals who live here, is to visit the lighthouses of Mallorca. Lighthouses are places that we personally love, and that we believe can make both sunrise and sunset in Mallorca… very special and unique moments.
⭐ Are you looking to add a touch of adventure and excitement to your holiday in Mallorca? We have a great plan for you: a 2h 30′ tandem buggy ride from Cala Ratjada. Do you dare?
Travel insurance to Mallorca
We, after a few unpleasant experiences of our own on one trip or another, never travel without a travel insurance policy with appropriate coverage for the place we are traveling to.
Have you seen everything there is to do in Cala Ratjada? The travel insurance IATI is specially designed for people who want to practice adventure sports or simply activities that are different from the usual ones and that involve some exposure.
If you are coming to Mallorca for cycling, medical assistance in the event of an accident on your bike, or for water activities such as kayaking, snorkelling or kitesurfing, which are also very popular sports in the Alcudia area, is essential.
We believe that it is better never having to use a travel insurance, but when it is necessary… we are always glad to have it.
Restaurants in Cala Ratjada
In the centre of the village you will find a wide range of restaurants where you can choose between international and local Mallorcan dishes. You will be able to taste from a good Mallorcan sobrasada to a wonderful paella in front of the sea.
Our recommendations for eating out in Cala Ratjada are:
- Restaurant Ses Rotges: very close to Son Moll beach is this restaurant, where its chef Gerard was the first to receive a Michelin star in Mallorca (1977). For lunch there are à la carte dishes, suggestions and menus ‘Petit Ses Rotges’ (5 courses for 64€), and ‘Ses Rotges Gourmet’ (8 courses for 99€). The presentation and quality of the dishes are impeccable and delicious, the treatment you will receive will be exquisite and very professional.
- Noahs Lounge: is a restaurant located right in front of the sea. You’ll have great views and can enjoy a wonderful brunch in the sun. It has a very extensive menu with tasty and well-presented dishes. Highly recommended.
- Restaurant del Mar: a more sophisticated restaurant right in front of the sea, with a more select menu and an exceptional presentation of the dishes.
- Tapas Bar Cap Vermell Grand Hotel: if you are looking for something sophisticated, this restaurant inside the Cap Vermell Country Club will delight you with designer dishes in a beautiful and very romantic setting.
- Sa Trobada: this restaurant is located on the outskirts of the village and has nothing to do with a sophisticated restaurant. Quite the opposite, but in his case it is not incompatible with quality. In fact, we always recommend it to anyone who asks us where to eat in Cala Ratjada. It is a family restaurant with traditional Mallorcan food and a menu with many other options. The quality of the dishes is very good.
🍷 If you like wine and you don’t want to leave the island without tasting the wide variety of Mallorcan wines, in Cala Ratjada you will be in an area with designation of origin. Book a wine tasting and don’t miss out at one of the many wineries in the area.
Nightlife
The nightlife in Cala Ratjada is very lively, especially in the summer. You’ll have a great time when the doors of bars and clubs are wide open and the atmosphere is in full swing.
Festivities in Cala Ratjada
One of the most important festivities in Cala Ratjada is that of San Antonio Abad, on 17th January, when the town’s inhabitants parade with animals, such as horses and donkeys, to be blessed in the town square, the so-called beneïdes, in Mallorcan dialect.
Hotels in Cala Ratjada
Cala Ratjada has more than 80 hotels with a total of 16,000 beds, although these figures include the hotels in the urban centres of Sa Font de Sa Cala, Canyamel, Cala Gat and Cala Mesquida, and Capdepera.
All of these tourist areas are called First Sun Mallorca, giving a glimpse of the easternmost position of this area with respect to the rest of Mallorca.
Here is our selection of our favourite hotels, in case it helps:
Map of hotels in Cala Ratjada
Do you want to consider other options? On this map you can see all the hotels in Cala Ratjada in Capdepera. If you already know when you want to visit this tourist resort, enter your dates and choose from all-inclusive hotels, aparthotels, luxury hotels, rural hotels and other available accommodation.
Booking.comWhat did you think? Will you include the beautiful coastal village of Cala Ratjada during your trip to Mallorca? Let us know in the comments!
