Cala Bona holidays

For those who want to improve their swing, Cala Bona is close to three golf courses. You’ll find manicured greens and sun-drenched fairways on courses designed to blend into the natural scenery. With views of rolling hills and impossibly blue seas, the hardest part will be concentrating on your game.

In the evening, you'll get to enjoy the resort’s laid-back vibes. Cala Bona may welcome more visitors than it once did but still has a relaxed, family-friendly feel. Choose a restaurant on the promenade for a dinner of fresh seafood and watch the fishing boats bobbing in the harbour as the sun goes down.

With fewer tourists flocking to the town, there more chances to nab a cheap holiday to Cala Bona from November to April. It’s offseason, but temperatures still average around 15C with perfect conditions for cycling or walking in the countryside.

On July 16, Cala Bona celebrates the day of its patron saint, Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The town is in party-mode for several days, with processions and local delicacies for visitors to try.

Cala Bona has two long, sandy beaches protected by manmade breakwaters, making the warm water safe for swimming. Bring beach shoes or flip-flops for little ones, as there are rocks in the sea. On the busier sections of sand, you’ll find sun-loungers and umbrellas, with cafés and restaurants on the adjacent promenade.

Near the harbour, a diving school offers courses and excursions to see marine life including groupers, moray eels and barracudas. You can also strap on a snorkel to spot schools of shiny fish and, if you’re lucky, undulating jellyfish and octopus.

Drach Caves (Cuevas del Drach)

Just 15 minutes south of Cala Bona, in Porto Cristo, is a network of subterranean grottos. These otherworldly limestone caves are nearly 1,200m long, and a tour will take you up to 25m below the surface. Inside, the sound of dripping water echoes through the four interconnected chambers packed with stalactites and stalagmites.

The tour of this underground labyrinth includes a boat trip on Lake Martel, one of the largest underground lakes in the world. It finishes with a recital of classical music in the surreal setting. Tickets can be purchased at the box office on the day.

Cycling

Alongside the hotels, restaurants and bars lining the beachside promenade, a cycle path invites you to explore the town and its surrounds on two wheels. One leisurely route, lined with palm trees on one side and with the Mediterranean on the other, leads a couple of miles up the coast to Costa dels Pins. Relax for a moment or two on its beach (Platja de Sa Marjal) before cycling back.

For something more challenging, cycle the 29km (18-mile) Via Verde (Green Way). Following an old railway line, the path passes historic towns including Sant Llorenç des Cardassar and Son Servera.

Cala Varques

Considered one of Majorca’s most beautiful bays, the remote Cala Varques – inaccessible by car – is one of the best places to visit from Cala Bona.

The secluded beach’s pristine sand leads to turquoise waters and is surrounded by cliffs and pine forest. You won’t find much in the way of amenities, but that only adds to the feeling of exclusivity when you arrive. Boats are available to charter from Cala Bona harbour.

Golf

With three renowned courses within a 15-minute drive, golfers are well catered to in Cala Bona. Serious players can take on the challenging championship course at Pula Golf Resort, teeing off with a view of the Llevant hills.

Meanwhile, at Son Servera, golfers team sea views with a grove of native trees including olive, carob and holm oak. And, at Canyamel Golf, a José Gancedo-designed course incorporates historical elements of the area, including an ancient stone house on the ninth hole.