Have you ever heard that Mallorca is like a small continent? Well, the east of Mallorca, the Llevant region (Llevant = east) is almost like a miniature of the whole island. In a small area you find all the geographical features that characterise the whole island. Mountains, valleys and wide plains, sandy beaches and rocky coves, towns and villages - the east of Mallorca offers everything you could dream of from a Mediterranean island.

Here, idyllic nature and package tourism lie right next to each other - densely populated tourist resorts such as Cala Rajada are clearly different from the nature park of the Península de Llevant with its wild mountains and lonely bays, and yet they complement each other here in a harmonious way.

The Serra de Llevant, the eastern coastal mountain range, is a distinctive feature of the natural landscape and the above-mentioned nature park. Although not as impressive in its size and formations as the Serra de Tramuntana in the north, it is nevertheless a delightful area for hiking, cycling tours and excursions into nature.

Important towns and villages in the east

• Artà
• Capdepera with Cala Rajada and Canyamel
• Son Servera with Cala Millor
• Sant Llorenç with Son Carriò
• Sa Coma and S'Illot
• Porto Cristo
• Manacor and Felanitx
• Cales de Mallorca
• Portocolom
• Cala d'Or, S'Horta and Portopetro
• Santanyi with Es Llombards and Cala Figuera

Cala Rajada and Cala Millor

The main centers of package tourism in the northeast are Cala Rajada and Cala Millor. These vacation destinations are very popular, offering large beaches and a wide variety of restaurants, bars, and cafés. There are four golf courses in the immediate vicinity, and the range of other sports and recreational activities is also very extensive. Thanks to their well-equipped, gently sloping sandy beaches, these resorts are particularly popular with families.

Manacor and Artà

Top destinations for city visits include Manacor and Artà. Manacor, Mallorca’s second-largest city, is known for its furniture and pearl industries. Many tourists come here to buy cultured pearls. The city also boasts a beautiful cathedral and a very interesting museum dedicated to the city’s history. Artà, on the other hand, is significantly smaller and offers exactly what one would expect from a quaint old Mediterranean town. The winding alleys invite you to take picturesque strolls, and the local mountain, Sant Salvador, offers not only a fantastic view but also a medieval castle complex and a pilgrimage church of the same name.

Portocolom

Portocolom is Mallorca’s largest natural harbor and, as such, one of the island’s most important fishing ports. The historic town center is located in the eastern part of the bay on a flat hilltop. There you’ll find the historic harbor of Es Riuetó and the typical small houses of a fishing village with colorful doors and windows. Along the old pier stand the traditional boathouses, the “barraques,” each equipped with a boat ramp and gate doors painted in equally vibrant colors. Moored at the old pier are also the numerous small traditional boats, the “llauts.” Many consider this area to be one of the best-preserved town centers in Mallorca. The town stretches from east to west along the bay.

A large part of the bay, the Badia de Portocolom, is claimed by the new harbour, the Porto de Portocolom, for fishing and by the large marina for private boats. Along the shore road are numerous shops, restaurants and bars.

The 2 km route from the historic centre to the Far de Portocolom lighthouse, partly along a wide footpath and the road, is charming. On the way is the small beach s'Arenal.

Beaches on the East Coast

The diversity of the natural landscape described above also applies to the beaches. There are secluded, picturesque bays as well as long, family-friendly sandy beaches. However, the east coast is probably best known for the beaches that lie deep in the beautiful, rocky bays. In Spanish, the name of the beaches often includes the word cala, as in Cala Millor, Cala Murada or even Cala d'Or. Another famous cala can be found in the southwest - the natural beach of Cala Mondrago is located in a wonderful natural park.

Those who would like to get to know the bay landscape of the east coast from the other side can take one of the numerous coastal tours offered by boat. These take place almost everywhere every day and are offered, for example, from Cala Rajada or Porto Cristo.

Places of interest and excursions

Ermita de Betlem (northeast of Artà)

The Ermita de Betlem is a hermitage nestled in the Serra de Llevant mountain range, about 9 km northwest of the town of Artà. On the only paved road leading from Artà up to the Ermita, visitors are treated to a breathtaking view down toward Alcudia Bay. From Betlem, the monastery can be reached via a gravel path on foot or by mountain bike.

The monastery dates back to 1805. Throughout its history, it served as a home for a small number of monks. In 2010, the remaining monks left the monastery due to old age and joined another monastery. However, the hermitage is still in use and open to visitors. A 150-meter-long cypress-lined avenue leads to the chapel’s entrance. The chapel itself was built in the Neoclassical style on a cruciform floor plan. In addition to the frescoes in the dome and a statue of the Virgin Mary, the statue of Christ deserves special attention. It was a gift presented on the occasion of the consecration of the Ermita in 1806.

The area around the monastery offers even more places worth seeing and serves as a starting point for wonderful hikes.

Castell de Capdepera

The Castell de Capdepera is one of the best-preserved fortresses on Mallorca. Dating back to the 14th century, it is located on the 159-meter-highPuig de Capdeperain the northeastern part of the island—a strategically advantageous location inland, yet close to the coast and the Menorca Channel. The fortress is visible from afar on the hill mentioned above, overlooking the town. No wonder, then, that the castle offers a spectacular view of the town of Capdepera, the surrounding countryside, and the sea.

Until the 18th century, the castle served as protection against attackers for the local inhabitants. Since the second half of the century, Capdepera Castle was no longer used for military purposes and stood empty for around 200 years. Finally, in 1983, it was decided to restore the castle and make it accessible to visitors. In the meantime, the building has become one of the most important sights in the region. The castle also includes the governor's house and the church of San Juan, two well-preserved buildings that can be visited next to the castle interior.

Far de Capdepera

The Far de Capdepera is a lighthouse built in 1861—it stands on Punta de Capdepera, a promontory rising about 55 meters above sea level, and is 21 meters tall. Its light is located at a height of 76 meters and has a range of 20 nautical miles. It is one of five still in operation out of a total of 15 lighthouses on Mallorca. The historic Torre Esbucada watchtower is located slightly northwest of the lighthouse.

Torre de Canyamel

The Torre de Canyamel (Sugar Cane Tower) is a former 13th-century refuge and defensive tower. It is located about four kilometers southwest of Capdepera. Until the mid-15th century, the Torre de Canyamel was calledTorre d’en Montsó, after the Montsó family, who had it built. Today, the tower—surrounded by farm buildings—houses a small museum.

Peninsula de Llevant Nature Park

You can reconnect with nature at the Parc Natural de la Península de Llevant. The nature park has been a protected area since 2001 and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Protection Area for birds. On hiking trails, in addition to the wild goats used here for landscape management, a little patience will allow you to discover the diversity and beauty of the local flora and fauna.

Ses Païsses Talayotic Settlement

The Talaiotic village of Ses Païsses is a significant archaeological site of a settlement attributed to the Iron Age Talaiotic culture, the remains of which are located southeast of the town of Artà. The exact age of the settlement is unknown. It is believed to have been inhabited from the beginning of the 1st millennium until around 100 B.C. The site is one of the best-preserved examples of megalithic culture in the Balearic Islands.

Santuari de Sant Salvador

The Santuari de Sant Salvador, also known as the Eremita de San Salvador, is located on Mount Puig de Sant Salvador at an elevation of 509 meters near the town of Felanitx in the southeastern part of the island. According to tradition, in the first half of the 14th century, the hermit Romeo de Burguera is said to have lived in a cave on the mountain, known as Sa cova de s’Ermità.

The origins of the sanctuary and the pilgrimage church date back to the year 1348. At that time, the plague claimed the lives of about one-fifth of Mallorca’s population and about half of Felanitx’s residents. Consequently, the community of Felanitx petitioned the bishop and the castellan of Castell de Santueri—who held the mountain on behalf of King Pere IV of Aragon—for permission to build a chapel. Permission was granted, and in gratitude for the survival of the remaining inhabitants, a simple chapel with a cistern was erected in honor of Dios Nuestro Señor. The king established an endowment for the celebration of Mass, and the first friar is said to have been Pedro Bosch. The name Sant Salvador means “Holy Salvation / Redemption / Liberation.”

Stalactite Caves

Anyone who loves natural wonders will enjoy the numerous caves along the east coast. The largest and best-known ones are open to visitors on guided tours. The Cuevas del Drach caves near Porto Cristo are home to the largest underground lake in Europe. Right nearby is the Cuevas del Hams cave. The Artà caves near Canyamel are the largest caves on Mallorca.

Fishing Ports

No coastal landscape with bays and coastal villages would be complete without fishing harbors. Portocolom has retained the charm of a fishing village. Many excellent seafood restaurants invite you to enjoy freshly caught fish right there on the spot. Porto Cristo features a natural harbor that forms a bay sheltered from the sea. Mainly pleasure boats and yachts anchor here, and the harbor promenade is perfect for a leisurely stroll.

The east of Mallorca polarises with its contrasts and at the same time offers the perfect destination for everyone. Nature lovers, active holidaymakers, bathing enthusiasts and night owls are drawn to the multifaceted region with probably the most beautiful bays on the island.