One of the gems of Mallorca North region, and just ten minutes from the lively and increasingly cosmopolitan town of Pollensa, the village of Cala San Vicente lies at the end of a secluded valley and boasts four different calas as well as mountains to walk or hike on either side, making it an ideal location for a holiday home.
The fishing village, which is famed for its sparkling, clear waters and spectacular setting, has attracted tourists and artists since the turn of the last century. The painter, dubbed the “Spanish master of light” Joaquin Sorolla, spent some of August 1919 capturing the sun setting against majestic cliffs of la serra del Cavall Bernat which form part of this eye-catching stretch of coastline.
Today, the village is made up of a small collection of hotels, apartments and villas—many of which are painted white, some with attractive blue shutters. Its relative seclusion from the other, larger resorts along the north coast has protected it from large-scale overdevelopment. It’s far from cut off from the rest of the action, however: the adventurous can even walk from Cala San Vicente to Puerto Pollensa along a trail which takes about an hour.
Cala Barques is the first beach of the village. Set at the bottom some stone steps, the part-pebble, part-sand make-up of the shoreline creates a series of rock pools at low tide and some good snorkelling opportunities. It also has a selection of bars and restaurants on terraces overlooking the beach. A smart residential area has grown up on the hills that rise behind the beach where villas enjoy panoramic views over the calas and surrounding mountains.
Cala Clara is a tiny sandy beach with a clearer seabed than Barques although it gets busy with guests staying at the Hotel Don Pedro. Cala Molins is the main beach, which is sandy and often busier, while Cala Carbo, the last of the string of beaches, has no sand and is the least visited but makes for a good place to watch the fishing boats coming ashore.
Cala San Vicente and its surrounding countryside is popular among walkers and bird watchers due to its proximity to some fabulous hiking routes around north Mallorca. It’s also home to black vultures, swifts and peregrine falcons.
Mallorca North’s most beautiful calas
Cala Figuera is a small cove on the Cap de Formentor famous for its turquoise waters and secluded location. Set between vertical cliffs, access is via a well-signposted path from the car park and the walk down takes about 15 minutes (twice on the journey back as it’s uphill all the way).
Cala Formentor (also known as Playa de Formentor) is a more family-friendly beach where white sand disappears into crystalline water. Surrounded by pine trees offering shade from the intense midday heat, there are many paths that lead off into the surrounding countryside.
Cala Castell is a little-known beach that sits between the steep cliffs of Punta Galera and the flat area of Punta Topina. The name comes from a 13th century rocky castle which used to defend the coastal area.
Cala Murta is a small sea inlet surrounded by pine trees and overlooked by the Oratorio Mare de Deu de Formentor. It’s sheltered waters mean it’s a popular spot for boats to take anchor.
Cala Boquer is accessible on foot along a 2.7km trail from Puerto Pollensa. Surrounded by stone cliffs and lying at the end of a valley that’s popular with hikers and birdwatchers, the beach is made up of hard stones and pebbles and has little or no natural shade; as a result, it can be quiet even at the height of summer.
See our Engel & Völkers portfolio and find your new home in Mallorca North!