Mallorca, Balearic Islands
Cala Ratjada & Capdepera
A medieval hilltop fortress, a bustling harbour town, and the wild beauty of the northeast coast.
The Northeast
Fortress, harbour, coastline
Cala Ratjada and Capdepera form one of Mallorca’s most compelling pairings. Capdepera crowns its hilltop with one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses on the island, its crenellated walls enclosing a small village and a chapel with extraordinary views.
Below, Cala Ratjada is a lively harbour town with a working fishing fleet, a long coastal promenade, and some of the finest sandy beaches in the northeast.
Where to stay
Recommended hotels
Three considered stays for a relaxed base near the harbour, beaches, and Capdepera’s historic heart.
Hotel Son Moll Sentits Spa
€€€€
A refined adults-only hotel with a celebrated spa, set in lush gardens close to the beach at Cala Ratjada.
Hotel Ses Rotges
€€€
A charming, long-established hotel in a converted 19th-century house, with a fine restaurant and a loyal following.
Cala Ratjada Hotel
€€
A well-located, friendly hotel in the heart of the town, close to the harbour and the beaches.
Fascinating facts
A few details that make Cala Ratjada and Capdepera especially memorable.
A medieval stronghold
The castle at Capdepera is one of the largest and best-preserved medieval fortresses in Mallorca, built in the 14th century to protect the local population from pirate raids.
Mallorca’s eastern edge
Cap de Capdepera is the easternmost point of Mallorca. On a clear day, the lighthouse offers views all the way to Menorca, some 45 kilometres across the water.
A working harbour
Cala Ratjada was a quiet fishing village until the 1960s, when it became one of the first resorts in the northeast to attract international tourists. The fishing fleet still operates from the harbour today.
Walk to the lighthouse
The lighthouse at Cap de Capdepera is a rewarding walk from the town, with dramatic sea views across to Menorca on clear days.
Beaches nearby
Cala Agulla and Cala Mesquida, just to the north, are among the island’s most beautiful beaches: wide, sandy, and backed by dunes and pine trees.
Two places, one stay
Base yourself in Cala Ratjada for the harbour atmosphere and easy access to beaches, then make time for Capdepera’s walled village and panoramic views.