The East Coast Villas

The majestic peaks of the Sierras de Levante form the photogenic backdrop to this walled hill town, with its tiered streets of grandee houses and its intriguing labyrinth of alleys. Trek to the fortress/hermitage and you are rewarded with splendid panoramas. The former fishing village of Cala d’Or is barely recognisable now in the bustling resort that is its new persona. Small sailing craft are still in abundance, but these days they’re more likely to be yachts in the marina. Shops and restaurants are liberally sprinkled around the deeply indented shoreline and there are seven beaches to draw the visitors to picturesque coves. Cala Santanyí, nearby Cala d’Or is in a small cove enclosed by pine-clad cliffs, this little resort is popular with artists as is neighbouring Cala Figuera – a long narrow inlet where working fishing boats still bring in their catch. Just inland, the golden-stoned town of Santanyí has one of Mallorca’s liveliest markets and the most flamboyant-looking church organ brought, by land and sea from Palma in 1837.