Cala Major - Is More Than a Beach

Published: September 2026

If you're considering Cala Major for your stay in Mallorca, the beach is probably one of the first things you'll notice. But there's more to the area than a few hours by the sea.

Close to Palma, Cala Major gives you an easy mix of beach time, good places for breakfast and coffee, sea views, restaurants, and Port Calanova, where you can get out on the water. And when you feel like exploring beyond the beach, there are plenty of places nearby to add to your plans.

Here are a few of the places around Cala Major that we keep coming back to.

Coffee first

Finding genuinely good coffee in Mallorca can be surprisingly difficult. There are plenty of cafés, but finding a place where the coffee itself actually lives up to expectations is another story.

Gran Caffè Iannini is one of the spots worth knowing around Sant Agustí — a local pastelería where you'll find fresh pastries, sweet treats and excellent coffee.

For a proper brunch, Avocado Mallorca offers fresh juices and lighter breakfast dishes, while Plant Shack is a good alternative for plant-based breakfast and drinks.

Start with Cala Major 

The beach itself is small, easy to reach and right in the middle of everything. It's not the kind of place where you need to spend eight hours on a sunbed. Come for a swim, stay for a while, then walk a little further and see what else is around. 

The water is usually the main attraction — but it doesn't have to be the whole plan. 

The Nixe Palace view

Most people walk past Hotel Nixe Palace assuming it's off-limits if you're not staying there. It isn't. 

The hotel sits directly above the beach, and its terrace gives you a completely different perspective of the bay. The bar is open to the public from 11am, so you can come in for a coffee, lunch, a drink or a cocktail later in the day.

Just above the hotel, you'll find a staircase leading up to a small viewpoint overlooking Cala Major. As you walk up, the view opens out over the beach and the Mediterranean. 

It's a simple spot to stop for a minute, take in the view and see Cala Major from a completely different angle.

Port Calanova

A short walk along the coast brings you to Port Calanova, a small marina in Sant Agustí.

This is where Cala Major becomes more than a beach day. You can get out on the water with a boat, try a jet ski, rent a kayak or paddleboard, or simply walk around the marina and watch the boats coming and going. If you don't want to rent anything, that's fine too

You can simply stop at Nova Del Mar for a drink or a meal, with a beautiful sea view — not always an easy combination to find.

Caló des Macs: One More Beach to Know in Cala Major 

Cala Major has several smaller coves, but Caló des Macs, also known as Platja Bugambilia, is another beach worth knowing. It’s not technically part of Cala Major, but it’s close enough to feel like part of the same area. 

It’s much smaller than Cala Major, with clear water and a mix of fine sand, gravel and rocks. The beach is around 100 metres long and 20 metres wide.

Right on the beach, you’ll find Restaurante Bugambilia, a local restaurant known for its Mediterranean food, paellas and fresh fish. 

As you look along the coast from here, you can also spot Hospes Maricel in the distance — another distinctive landmark of this part of the coast. The hotel also offers experiences such as breakfast, spa access and other hotel services that can be booked by non-hotel guests. Its setting, built directly into the cliffs overlooking the sea, is what makes it one of the most recognisable hotels along this part of the coast.

Cala Major, our way 

Coffee: Gran Café Lanini 

Breakfast: Plant Shack or Avocado Mallorca 

Beach: Cala Major 

Best view: the staircase beside Nixe Palace 

Lunch or cocktails: Nixe Palace 

Water activities: Port Calanova 

Nearby swim: Caló des Macs 

Spa: Hospes Maricel 

Sunset, drinks & dinner: Port Calanova