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Dating back as far as 2000 BC, the beautiful Mallorcan village of Calvià is a traditional and rural location for those looking to experience a more tranquil side of the popular Balearic island destination. Nestled in the southwest of the island, on the foothills of the Tramuntana mountain range, the village is ideally located near some of Mallorca’s most popular attractions, beach resorts and cities.
Unlike other areas of the island, Calvià remains practically untouched by the influence of Mallorca’s bustling tourism scene. Instead, its delightful ochre-toned houses dotted across the hills, and its quaint local shops and eateries lined with olive and palm trees make it one of the most picturesque destinations on offer.
For those who want to experience the authentic, and more traditional, side of Mallorca, Calvià is the place to be. But fear not, it’s conveniently located to some of Mallorca’s bustling beach resorts and cities, making it the best of both worlds for experiencing the diverse offerings of this breathtaking Balearic gem.
If you’re looking for the best places to go in Calvià during your visit, here are our top recommendations for a truly memorable experience.
The seaport town of Puerto Portals is a leisurely marina hotspot for tourists in southwest Mallorca. Frequently vacated by many famous names, including the likes of Brad Pitt, Bill Gates, and Paris Hilton, the town is a sought-after, high-end island destination that you’ll love if you’re in search of places to go in Calvià.
Puerto Portals is located a mere 13-minute drive from Calvià village, placing it on the top of our list as the best seafront destination within close proximity of Calvià. Its quayside is lined with designer boutiques, yacht agents, and luxurious eateries where you can sit and people watch whilst soaking in the Balearic sunshine as the day goes by.
You can start a day here with some designer shopping at the town’s many exclusive shops and boutiques, before heading down to the beach for a dip in the crystal blue Mallorcan waters. We would recommend Cala Portals Nous, with its low-key vibes and popularity amongst locals, as it makes for a quieter seaside experience.
Then, when you’re feeling slightly peckish, vacate the beach to visit any one of the delectable restaurants or cafes on the pier front to refuel and watch the sun set beneath the horizon before heading home for the day.
Located on the tip of the southwest of Mallorca, Andratx lies at the lowest foot of the Tramuntana mountains. It is a charming, ancient town lined with olive and orange pine trees and radiates a rustic feel.
Andratx’s narrow streets in the town centre are often packed with visitors during the summer months, but it’s located only 21-minutes away by car from Calvià village and is home to some of the loveliest locations on the island, making it a great spot for a day trip.
5km away from Andratx town you’ll find Port d’Andratx. A gem on the Mediterranean coast, it’s a glamorous port with a great yacht club and is still a working fishing port.
Here, you’ll observe beautiful yachts moored in the port berths and boats sailing in and out collecting and delivering the daily catches whilst meandering along its seafront promenade.
The port front is lined with plenty of bars, cafes, and restaurants so you can enjoy a spot of people watching and staring out along the seafront with a cold beverage - it can’t get much better than that!
CCA Andratx is a hub for Mallorca’s art scene and has been for over 15 years. It’s a creation and production space as well as a platform for artists to showcase their contemporary pieces.
One of the largest centres of contemporary art on the Balearic islands, the gallery is open from 11 am to 5 pm from Tuesdays to Saturdays and is only a 4-minute drive from the centre of Andratx town. You can visit the location to see some of the best contemporary art from local, and even international, artists, providing a unique cultural experience for the gallery’s visitors.
The coastal town of Paguera is a sight to behold. Its ochre-coloured houses are tiered in front of its seafront location, overlooking the bright blue ocean and white sand beaches.
Paguera is a resort community only 15-minutes away from Calvià village in the southwest and has been nicknamed ‘little Germany’ because of the high number of German tourists that flock to visit the town annually.
A perfect day out in Paguera would include visiting any of its three sandy beaches - Paguera Tora, Peguera Palmira, or Peguera Romana, offering tourists the perfect base to get their holiday dose of sun, sea, and sand. For lunch, perhaps head to any one of the town’s cafes, bars and restaurants for a bite to eat.
Finally, take a stroll down the Avenida Paguera - the main shopping street - to grab yourself some boutique clothes, leather goods, or gifts to take home with you.
The coastal town of Santa Ponsa, located on the west of the island, is a dreamy family holiday resort that offers sun, sea, and stunning scenery. With a backdrop of the Tramuntana mountain range, this seaside location offers a little bit of everything for everyone to enjoy.
Santa Ponsa is one of the destinations we would most recommend when visiting Calvià village, as the town is only a 15-minute drive away.
Playa de Santa Ponca is all you would envisage a resort beach to be. Picture a huge stretch of white sand beach lined with parasols and deck chairs, with a backdrop of the tiered Santa Ponca town landscape.
The beach is popular with those interested in watersport activities or those who just simply want to bask in the Mediterranean sunshine. Providing 1300 metres of coastline - making it one of the longest beaches on the island - it’s the ideal beach resort location for those looking for a day out to the beach during their holidays.
Preserved since 2022, the archaeological site on the hillside of Santa Ponca, Puig de sa Morisca, is a popular public park that contains nine architectural elements and over 15 sites of ethnological interest. It stretches across 35 hectares of its hillside location, and visitors enjoy the picturesque hiking route up to the site to enjoy the magnificent views over Santa Ponca and the wider Mallorcan landscape.
There is a 1-hour 20-minute loop trail from Santa Ponca to the archaeological site, spanning 5.1km in total, that is ideal for those looking to do some hiking whilst also discovering a historic site on the island.
Galilea is the definition of a Mallorcan hidden gem. Nestled within the Tramuntana mountains, this tranquil mountain village is a window into traditional and rustic Mallorcan life, despite only being a stone's throw away from bustling holiday resorts including Magaluf and Palma.
Its rural origins and traditional lifestyle make it a lovely mountain top village to base yourselves and get away from the hustle and bustle that Mallorca is known for, making for an authentic experience during your trip. The village can be easily accessed in 19-minutes by car from Calvià village.
Galilea’s prime location in the Tramuntana mountain range means you can get your steps in as you can clamber through the mountain landscape and experience panoramic views of rural Mallorca, making for a phenomenal mountain-top retreat to connect with nature in the Balearics.
Calvià’s central location makes it the ideal destination to discover some of the better-known destinations, but also hidden gems, in this part of Mallorca during a stay. If you’re wanting a varied and diverse holiday experience, being based in Calvià and venturing out for day trips will mean you get to explore and discover the different aspects that Majorca has to offer.
Whether it be beachfront resorts, mountain-top villages, or bustling port towns, you’ll never be bored when it comes to places to go in Calvià.
For more information about planning a holiday to Calvià, why not read our guides on the best time to visit and the best things to do in the town?
If you are planning a trip to Calvià and need accommodation for your visit, Vida Villas offer a stunning selection of rental properties around the island, which you can browse here. Alternati
