Concierge

OUR GUIDE

We, the Mallorcans are fortunate to be able to easily enjoy an island full of charm, an island that is the object of desire for many visitors. And we don´t always enjoy the island as we could.

We have everything so close to hand….many places we know from when we were children and of course there is the typical excuse “we will go tomorrow”. Therefore, when we prepared a guide for you to discover our island it is easy for us to know if we have done it well: as when we read it, if we feel like doing everything we are recommending in the guide it demonstrates that we have done it well.

To be honest, to discover the Mallorca that we portray in this guide we would also love to experience. In fact, maybe we have already discovered it but we still need something more…. revisit again and again! But this will also happen to you. You’re always going to be left with the urge for more. But don’t worry, it’s quite normal.

At Hotel Cala Fornells we have guests who have stayed with us on many occasions. Our most repeating guest, has stayed with us 52 times and she still wants to keep returning.

So now you are aware, we are here so that in some way, you also feel that all these places that we recommend are a little yours as well. We hope you enjoy it.

Make yourself at home!

Catalina

WHAT TO VISIT

Just as you leave the Hotel and turning to the right you have the entire Cap Andritxol mountain. It is an area with urban protection due to its great landscape and environmental value. There are several walking routes from the hotel.

ES CALÓ DEL MONJO


A ten minute walk from the hotel, crossing a beautiful pine forest, you will find Caló del Monjo, a small virgin cove with clear water. Beside the cove you can see the remains of an old building that was demolished many years ago for not adapting to urban regulations. A part of the cove is nudist. It is famous because it was filmed here, in the old house and in the cove, the film “Death in the Sun” based on the novel by Agatha Christie, shot in 1982, directed by Guy Hamilton and starring Peter Ustinov.

TORRE DEL CAP ANDRITXOL


The Cap Andritxol tower was built in 1580 and is possibly the watchtower with the best views of Mallorca. It is 180 meters high and it has great views over the Calvià, Andratx and even some points from the bay of Palma. During the walk, on clear days, you can see Ibiza. The ascent to the tower can be done by several paths, but the most common route is the one that begins in Cala Fornells and crosses the pine forest. Round trip is usually done in less than 2 hours. The tower and its surrounding belonged some years ago to the well known top model Claudia Schiffer.

CAMP DE MAR


A beautiful beach with fine sand and calm waters where a small stream flows. La Illeta, an islet located in the center of the beach and which can be accessed by a narrow wooden bridge, gives the beach character and makes it particularly attractive, as well as being a cozy restaurant.

PORT D’ANDRATX


The most important fishing port in the west of the island where every afternoon the ox boats unload the precious red shrimp and other products of the sea that are treasures for gastronomy lovers. It is one of the most spectacular natural ports of the Islands, surrounded by beautiful coves with transparent waters such as Cala Llamp, Cala Moragues and Cala d’Egos. You can find very good restaurants and bars with live music. Sunsets are beautiful from here.

S’ARRACÓ


A small rural village in the middle of an idyllic valley, which still retains what traditional island neighborhoods used to have. The vast majority of the population of s’Arracó have a relative who emigrated to the south of France, so there are many French in this area. They celebrate the local fests in San Agustín, at the end of August.

SANT ELM I ILLA DRAGONERA


In front of the beaches of Sant Elm are the islands of La Dragonera and the islet of Es Pantaleu. It was on this islet that King Jaime I made landfall for the first time in 1229. Dragonera Island is, in addition to being a wonder of nature, a symbol of the passion of some Majorcans to preserve their natural heritage with a fiery fight to keep it free of buildings during the last quarter of the 20th century.

ES CAPDELLÀ


Es Capdellà is a picturesque mountain village, nestled in the Sierra de Tramuntana, in the Puig de sa crane. It is located between the most populated towns of Calvià and Andratx, in the southwest of Mallorca. There are several old estates that can be seen from the road.

GALILEA


Picturesque and quiet town in the municipality of Puigpunyent. 300 inhabitants and at a height of 460 meters above sea level, between mountains. It breathes a village atmosphere that is no longer easy to find. Summer dinners in the church square are very charming. From several points there are spectacular views over the coast of Calvià (you can even see Cala Fornells).

RUTA SERRA DE TRAMUNTANA

Cala Fornells – Estellencs – Banyalbufar – Port des Canonge – Valldemossa – Cala Fornells (North Coast)

We leave Cala Fornells and head towards Estellencs. A few kilometers before arriving, we will find the Es Grau viewpoint, where there is also a bar-restaurant with panoramic views where you can stop for a drink.

In Estellencs you will love strolling through the steep little streets where time stands still. A good restaurant if you want to eat something is Montimar.

You can also go down to the Cala (small rocky beach) to take a bath, and have a drink or snack at the beach bar. There is a natural spring with cold water all year round.

Following the road, we arrive at Banyalbufar. It is famous for its unlikely terraces, where ramallet tomatoes and Malvasia grapes are planted for an excellent wine. They can be seen well when going down towards the Cala. It’s worth going down for a swim.

Halfway to Valldemossa, if you are not too lazy to drive, you can go down to the Port des Canonge on an incredibly narrow road (also safe). It is a tiny and very charming port, with a very pleasant beach. If you arrive at midday at Can Toni Moreno you will enjoy the food.

Following the road towards Valldemossa we find another idyllic place, with similar and spectacular access: Sa Marina, the Port of Valldemossa. Beautiful parade for a swim, and there are several good fish restaurants.

In Valldemossa, La Cartuja stands out, where Frederic Chopin stayed with his partner George Sand (Amandine Aurore Lucile Dupin), where he wrote “A Winter in Mallorca” (1842).

We return home taking the road towards Palma.

PALMA


Palma is undoubtedly one of the most special cities in the Mediterranean.

The Cathedral (La Seu) is one of the most visited monuments in Europe, begun in the 13th century, still unfinished, from the Gothic to Antoni Gaudí, from the Baroque to Miquel Barceló, everything is an infinite work of art. On the way out, the old wall is worth a walk.

Walk through the alleys, smelling of ancient Arab, Jewish, Christian culture. Follow a route through the courtyards, true jewels of the old mansions of the medieval city. You will probably get lost in those alleys, but much better. In the streets is life.

If it is not a holiday, we recommend that you visit the Olivar or Santa Catalina municipal markets. Have a walk through El Born and Las Ramblas. Enjoy the kilometers of walk near the sea along the promenade or Paseo Marítimo (you can reach Portixol and Molinar).

The shopping area is between Jaume III and El Born, that’s where the big multinational stores are, but if you go into the narrow streets of the center you will find small local shops with a lot to offer.

Enjoy the bar terraces of the city, all the gastronomic offer (which is not small) and, if you feel like it, also visit the Bellver Castle or the Miró Museum. You will never get tired of Palma, but remember to come back to Cala Fornells!

HACIA LA OTRA PUNTA DE MALLORCA

Towards the other end of Mallorca. With this route we reach the northernmost point of the island.

We leave Cala Fornells direction Pollença, where we can enjoy a very pleasant old town, with unique buildings, numerous art galleries and cafes in the squares. If you keep fit, you can climb the stairs to Es Calvari, a unique ascent and with the prize of impressive views.

We continue towards Port de Pollença, a bay of unsuspected beauty. Marina and semiurban beach with a most picturesque promenade. Good fish restaurants.

We can continue the route towards the Formentor Lighthouse. Depending on the time of year we may have to leave the car, shuttles are organized to prevent the road from collapsing, but it’s worth it.

We then go to Alcúdia, where we will visit the Roman amphitheater of Pollentia (yes, the Roman Pollentia was where Alcúdia is now) and we will enjoy the strength of the walls that surround the city. The old town is extremely nice.

Lastly, we can spend a few hours at Platja de Muro (long sandy beaches with crystal clear waters) or visit the s’Albufera Natural Park, the most important wetland area in Mallorca, ideal for bird watching.

El Pla de Mallorca, the heart of the island

We recommend you to do this group on Wednesday so that you can enjoy the Sineu market, the first stop of our tour. Sineu is a charming medieval town where, in addition to walk through the alleys and shopping in the market, we highly recommend you to have a snack of one of the best Majorcan fritters on the island (mallorcan frit in the church square is a great experience).

Then we can go to Petra, and from church to church we will discover the attractiveness of the town. Nearby you can visit the wineries of Miquel Oliver or Can Coleto. We continue towards Vilafranca where, leaving the road a bit and entering the village of Sant Joan, it can be interesting to visit Els Calderers, an old Majorcan estate which has been completely refurbished to show what life was like for Majorcans centuries ago. It is kind of a musem now.

Very close to Montuïri we then find the Talayotic settlement of Son Fornés, impressive for its state of conservation and for the perspective it gives us of the life of the Majorcans, now millennia ago.

In Algaida we cannot miss the Gordiola blown glass factory, in operation since 1719. In Algaida there are two very typical restaurants with good Majorcan food: Ca’l Dimoni and s’Hostal d’Algaida.

If you still have time you can still go up to the Cura monastery, following in the footsteps of the most universal Mallorcan, Ramon Llull. We will also enjoy an immense panoramic view of almost the whole island. There is a restaurant upstairs.

WEEKLY MARKETS

Each village in Mallorca, once a week, organizes its own Market. There is where the farmers and producers of the area can sell their fresh products, fruits, vegetables. You will also find local cheese and meat. Wine, oils, vinegars, bread… Also clothes, shoes, flowers, and all kinds of handcrafts.

These markets have historically been (and in some villages they still are) a meeting place for the local people: men and women take advantage of the market day to do the shopping of the week and also have a snack in one of the main square terraces. In Mallorca we call it “berenar”, a snack at mid-morning, a deeply rooted custom, especially in the center of the island. A good Majorcan frito and a glass of wine at the Wednesday Market in Sineu is a unique experience. All markets usually close at lunchtime.

  • MONDAY: Caimari, Calvià, Lloret de Vistalegre, Manacor, Mancor de la Vall, Montuïri.
  • TUESDAY: Peguera, Alcúdia, Artà, Campanet, Llubí, Porreres, Santa Margalida
  • WEDNESDAY: Sineu, Andratx, Capdepera, Llucmajor, Petra, Santanyí, Selva, Sencelles, Vilafranca.
  • THURSDAY: Ariany, Campos, Consell, Inca, Ses Salines, Sant Joan, Sant Llorenç des Cardassar.
  • FRIDAY: Algaida, Binissalem, Inca, Llucmajor, Maria de la Salut, Son Servera.
  • SATURDAY: Palma, Puigpunyent, Búger, Bunyola, Campos, Costitx, Esporles, Lloseta, Manacor, Santa Eugènia, Santa Margalida, Santanyí, Sóller, Alaró.
  • SUNDAY: Alcúdia, Consell, Felanitx, Inca, Llucmajor, Muro, Sa Pobla, Pollença, Santa Maria, Valldemosa

RESTAURANTS


Below we leave you the restaurants that we like the most, the ones we go to for lunch or dinner when we are free. Good cuisine with Mediterranean roots. The order in which they are listed does not mean anything.

  • CASA LUIS no more than 15 minutes walking from the hotel. Simple and good quality cuisine. Tapas to share. Good value for money. Peguera.
  • LA GRITTA Italian specialties and a great steak tartar. Paellas and a spectacular dessert cart. Terrace with impressive views over the Bay of Peguera and Santa Ponça. Very close to Cala Fornells.
  • LA CAMPANA Very good homemade food in the center of Peguera and a very good service.
  • ILLETA in Camp de Mar, spectacular location on an islet in the middle of the beach.
  • VENT DE TRAMUNTANA Probably the best restaurant at Port d’Andratx even though it is not with a seaview. High quality food and cooked with love. Family run restaurant. On Firday, they prepare “sopa i bollit”.
  • ROCAMAR Best location at Port d’Andratx. Is one of the most iconic restaurants in the area. Specialities are fresh fish. High prices.
  • SUMAÏLLA. Japanese and Peruvian fusion with a Mediterranean touch. First line facing the sea. Port d’Andratx.
  • CAN PEP. Specialties are rice (paella) and fish. First line facing the sea.
  • NA CARAGOLA at Sant Elm, right by the sea with a beautiful view to Pantaleu and Dragonera Island. Very good paella and fish.
  • MONTIMAR at Estellencs. Good quality Mallorca seasonal cooking in an idylic village on the Serra de Tramuntana. Family run.
  • CAFÈ DE SA PLAÇA at Galilea, among mountains. Simple food made with love. Great service. They have a small balcony with wonderful views (very few tables) and a terrace in the town square that is also very nice.
  • BAR NOU. Es Capdellà. Simple Mallorcan cuisine.

MALLORCA LAND OF WINES

The Majorcan climate is typically Mediterranean (as it could not be otherwise), with very high temperatures during the summer (above 30ºC) and moderately low temperatures
during the winter (rarely below 5ºC). This is perfect for vineyard cultivation.

The varieties allowed for the wine from the land of Mallorca are those of the island plus some from outside to complement them.

Red: Callet, Manto Negro, Cabernet Sauvignon, Fogoneu, Merlot, Monestrell, Sirà, Tempranillo, Pinot noir and Gorgollassa.

White: Prensal (pier), Chardonnay, Macabeo, Malvasía, Muscat of Alexandria, Muscat of small grain, Parellada, Riesling, Sauvignon blanc, Viognier and Giró ros.

If you want to visit a winery or perhaps do a tasting, we leave you some recommendations:

  • Bodega Son Vives en Banyalbufar
  • Bodega Can Pico en Banyalbufar
  • Cooperativa de sa Malvasia de Banyalbufar
  • Ca’n Vidalet en Pollença
  • Miquel Oliver en Petra
  • Mesquida Mora en Porreres
  • Ca’n Majoral en Algaida
  • Cap Andritxol en Sencelles
  • Vinya Taujana en Santa Eugènia
  • Blanca Terra en Montuïri
  • Son Ramon en Llubí
  • Macià Batle en Santa Maria
  • Bodega Ribas en Consell
  • Vinos Ferrer en Binissalem

SHOPPING: HANDCRAFTS

Some ideas to buy the best and most traditional souvenirs from our island:

PERLAS ORQUIDEA (MONTUÏRI)
Since 1952 they have been making handcrafted jewelry with Majorcan pearls.

CRISTALES GORDIOLA (ALGAIDA)
Gordiola is the fourth oldest company from Spain. They are artisans and master glassmakers since 1719. Each piece is uniquely different, special and exclusive since it is hand-blown glass.

TEIXITS VICENS (POLLENÇA)
Artisan fabrics, art and decoration since 1854. Own production of artisan fabrics, Majorcan “Cloth of Thonges” (tela de llengües), tapestry, tablecloths, curtains, antiques…

ARTESANIA TÈXTIL BUJOSA (SANTA MARIA DEL CAMÍ)
Family run business founded in 1949. They have a spectacular loom and make artisan fabrics, Majorcan “Cloth of Thonges” (tela de llengües), table linens, curtains…

CERÁMICA L’ALBELLÓ (PÒRTOL)
Ceramic master craftsmen: in their pottery in Pòrtol they put their hands to the process of artisan transformation of the clay, from the conception of the piece until it becomes the ceramic (terra cuita) of tableware, decorative objects, etc.

OLLERIA CAS CANONGE (PÒRTOL)
Artisan ceramics

OBRA DE LLATRA
This is the name given to the work done with the leaves of the palmetto (Chamaerops humilis), a dwarf palm, the only native to the Mediterranean and Europe.

SHOPPING: FOOD

EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

Extra Virgin Olive Oil has a long tradition on the island. The Majorcan denomination of origin includes varieties of Arbequina, Picual and Majorcan olives.

We produce our own extra virgin oil, from 100% organic production of olives that come from our own farms in Andratx and Sant Joan.

In 2021 our oil won the award for the best Extra Virgin Olive Oil from the Balearic Islands. You can try it at the bar or restaurant, or at breakfast, as our oil is the one we use for what we cook here.

If you want to take the taste of Mallorca with you Back home, for yourself or as a gift, you can buy it at the reception desk or you can find it on our website: WWW. INDESINENTER.NET

TYPICAL MEATS AND SAUSAGES

In Mallorca, pork meats and sausages have been the livelihood of the population for many centuries and the popular way of preserving food throughout the year: Sobrassada, botifarrons and everything that was done to make the most of the pig without wasting anything.

ENSAÏMADA

The mot typical sweet from Mallorca, made with flour, wateror milk, eggs, sugar, lard and yeast. If you want, you can ask the reception to bring fresh ensaïmada to the hotel on the day of your departure to take some of themhome.

OLIVES: Taken from the olive trees of Mallorca. Whole, split, withered and seasoned olives in a thousand different ways.

ALMONDS: You have probably heard of the almond blossoms that, during the month of February, dye the island white, pink and lilac. After that spectacular image, when the second fortnight of August arrives, in Mallorca almonds are harvested and nougats and all kinds of sweets are made.

HERBES (HERBS) of three types sweet, dried or mixed. Made with anise or cassalla and different herbs to flavor, such as Fennel, Orange, peppermint, Mint, Lavender, poleo, Maria Luisa, Chamomile, Rosemary… to drink with or without ice.

PALO: Alcoholic beverage obtained by maceration or infusion of cinchona bark and gentian or vinegar roots, with sugar, caramelized sucrose, and ethyl alcohol (and water). It is usually taken as an aperitif and with siphon.

AMAZONA RUM: This traditional liquor was born in the 17th century, as a result of commercial exchanges between Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Mallorca. It’s sweet and it’s 53 degrees. Made with cane alcohol, sugar and caramel.

BRANDI SUAU. Traditional and artisanal from a family distillery.

CASSALLA: Very popular brandy in Mallorca, dry anise. The most famous is “3 caires”.

MESCLAT. Ery typical from the north of the island, especially from Pollença. The word “mesclat” means “mixed” as it is a mix of Cassalla and Palo.

ACTIVITIES

If you want to enjoy an unforgettable day sailing the crystal clear waters of the island, you can do it with the llaüt Carlo Mar, a unique example within the Balearic fleet for both its comfort and size as its Mallorcan character and construction. It is 14 meters long, has a maximum capacity of 12 people and sails at 10 knots cruising speed.

Onobard CarloMar, you can enjoy different types of excursions depending on the season; Full day, half day or sunset. Of course, with the highest quality in service guaranteed: Captain, food and beverage service on board, as well as more personalized trips depending on your needs and motivations.

Enjoy sailing out with your friends or family in an exclusive llaüt with the best service.

Other activities that we can organize or book for you at the hotel reception desk:

  • Rent a jet ski
  • Rent a boat (with or without license)
  • Rent a Stand Up Paddle Or Kayak
  • Horse riding
  • Visit the Caves of Drach
  • Visit Dragonera Island (Margarita ferry)
  • Visit Cabrera
  • Balloon Excursion
  • Bike route (electric or not)
  • Scuba dive
  • Hiking routes with hotel pick-up (available some months a year)