Cala Ratjada - bustling resort on the northeast coast of Mallorca

Cala Ratjada is a lively resort on the northeast coast. It belongs to the municipality of Capdepera and enjoys great popularity with German tourists. The pine-clad hills behind Cala Ratjada drop down the rocky coastline to the sea in places.

The seaside resort has an important port on its southeastern side which is protected from the surf by a concrete wall. The historic lobster houses east of the harbour are full of live lobsters in seawater tanks waiting for a buyer. Cala Ratjada is popular with families due to the many beaches around it.

History of Cala Ratjada

The coastal town of Cala Ratjada is not the kind of resort that was designed by town planners and is perhaps not a classic tourist destination, although this has changed somewhat in the past 40 years. The original settlement was founded in the 17th century as a small fishing village by the inhabitants of nearby Capdepera. Its coastal waters are rich in fish and this drew fishermen who were primarily interested in skates and lobsters. Lobster fishing is still a lucrative business and Cala Ratjada is justifiably known as the second most important Mallorca's Ports to this day. The first hotel in the seaside resort, "Hostal Ca's Bombu", was opened in 1885 and has been run by the Esteva family for generations.

In the 1970s, with the growth of tourism, a construction boom began in Cala Ratjada. However, the historic centre largely managed to avoid large hotel complexes. The town centre still exudes the charm of a small fishing village. It stretches around the walled harbour, which is the departing point for excursion boats to Cala Millor on the northeast coast of Mallorca and Porto Cristo on the southeast coast of Mallorca and is also home to colourful Fishing in Mallorca bobbing up and down in the bay. Outside the town centre, hotels and Holiday house and apartment in Mallorca complexes run along the beaches.

Dream beaches in Cala Ratjada

The Top 10 Best Beaches in Mallorca on the Mallorcan northeast coast are a treasure that makes Cala Ratjada one of the most popular resorts on the island. The main beach is called Playa Son Minor. In summer it can get quite crowded on the beach which is 55 m long.

Northwest of Cala Ratjada, you will find Cala Agulla on the northeast coast of Mallorca on the turquoise Med. The sandy beach is more than 500 m long and has an average width of 50 m. As Cala Agulla is located in a nature reserve, the development is limited. The southeast side of the beach is the only part with hotels, residential buildings and shops. In contrast to the long sandy beach of Cala Agulla, the small bay of Cala Gat is just to the southeast of Cala Ratjada. In the bay there are hardly any waves and a pine covered hill rises up behind the 40 m long sandy beach.

In addition to the main beaches in the coastal region around the resort there are several small bays, some of which have shingle beaches. Even in the high season Playa Sa Pedruscada, the Playa N'Aladern and the Cala Rotja are relatively quiet and serene. The main reason for this is the remote location of the bays, which can only be reached after a long hike. The Playa S'Arenal de sa Mesquida is comparatively busy. The sandy beach joins the Cala Agulla and is bordered by rocky cliffs and dunes.

Activities in Cala Ratjada

As a classic seaside resort, Cala Ratjada offers the full range of Mallorcan water sports during the peak season. You can sign up for Scuba Diving in Mallorca and Surfing in Mallorca or opt to explore the coastal waters on the northeast coast as part of a half-day Sailing in Mallorca. A trip by Mobile in Mallorca will take you to the Coves d'Artà.The stalactite caves are among the main tourist attractions in Mallorca and can be visited as part of a guided tour.

Between the medieval town of Capdepera and the small town of Artà is the Capdepera Golf in Mallorca course, where you can tee-off in front of heavenly maritime scenery all year round. The 18-hole course opened in 1989 and offers a magical view of the rocky hills of Llevant. Nature lovers have the opportunity for bird watching. Cala Mesquida on the northeast coast of Mallorca, a nature reserve, is home to one of the largest cormorant and gull colonies in the Balearic Islands.

Restaurants and nightlife

Cala Ratjada is a touristy coastal town with diverse gastronomic delights. There are numerous first-class restaurants on the beach promenade and in the lanes of the old town.

Fans of French cuisine should pay a visit to the Ses Rotges restaurant, housed in a 200-year-old mansion. A star chef will indulge your palate at the "Son Jaumell Andreu Genestra" while "La Casita" steakhouse serves hearty steaks along with Mallorcan specialties.

Cala Ratjada is not only for sun worshipers and gourmets. The party crowd are also well catered for. The choice of music in the bars and nightclubs is geared to the taste of the predominantly German audience. Catchy German hits are played in "Chevy", while the "Physical Bar" and in the "Neon Club" primarily focuses on house and techno rhythms. Near the harbour Café Tres is a great spot for a night-cap. Live artists often perform here in the main season.

Shopping in Cala Ratjada

Cala Ratjada offers typical holiday resort retail therapy. In the Mallorca Shopping of Carrer L'Agulla Elinor Servera you will be spoilt for choice with fashion boutiques, souvenir shops, electrical shops, restaurants and small supermarkets. On the central Plaça dels Pins, there is a colourful weekly market on Saturdays, where farmers from the area offer their home-made products.

Self-caterers in particular are fond of the Markets in Mallorca where they buy fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and baked goods. Travellers departing or arriving on Saturday have the opportunity to visit the weekly markets in Capdepera or Artà which are held on Wednesdays and Tuesdays respectively.

Attractions in and around Cala Ratjada

Attractions in Cala Ratjada include the historic lobster houses at the harbour. These places are stone houses with semicircular roofs, directly on the cliffs which are partially flooded by sea water. Crayfish that are not able to return to the sea by their own devices live between the stones. East of the resort is the Villa March on a hill. The main house is surrounded by a 60,000 m² English landscaped garden, which is decorated with contemporary sculptures. In summer there are occasional concerts here.

The small bay of Punta de Capdepera, has a 19th-century lighthouse standing next to the ruins of a watchtower. The Torre Esbucadais thought to have been built around the year 1700 and is a listed building. Just five kilometres from the centre of the resort is the enchanting town of Capdepera with its medieval streets and pretty stone houses. Perched above the village is the Castell de Capdepera medieval fortress on Mallorca, a 13th century medieval fortress built for defence against pirate attacks.

We hope we have managed to entice you to one of the most beautiful places in Mallorca in this piece and to have aroused your interest in a holiday on North east coast Mallorca.