Cala Ratjada Holidays
Cala Ratjada Holidays – Experience Majorca’s ‘Bay of Rays’
Cala Ratjada, translated as the ‘Bay of Rays’, is a lively and scenic resort located in the Capdepera district on Marjorca’s east coast. The resort is built around a small but significant fishing port and the attractive harbour is a focal point for both visitors and locals. The fishing trade means that you can enjoy some of the freshest seafood in Majorca on Cala Ratjada holidays and an abundance of restaurants and bars will leave you spoiled for choice when it comes to evening entertainment. In addition, several larger nightclubs make Cala Ratjada a popular destination for young people in search of sun, sea and all-night dancing.
Cala Ratjada’s many coves and beaches offer fine golden sand and many have been awarded the European Union’s Blue Flag for cleanliness. With good facilities and a range of activities on offer you can easily while away your holiday drifting from sun-lounger to sea to beachside cafe. The weekly market held in the town square on Saturdays is also a must. If you are keen to explore the local area popular excursions from Cala Ratjada include the nearby Capdepera Castle with stunning views and the Alcudia waterpark, approximately 30 minutes drive from Cala Ratjada. You can also catch a boat from the harbour to the smaller Balearic Island of Menorca for the day.
When to go to Cala Ratjada
As with some of Majorca’s other livelier resorts such as Magaluf and Palma Nova, Cala Ratjada attracts a wide range of holidaymakers at different times of the year. The peak summer months of June, July and August are popular with young people in search of a party atmosphere when nightclubs such as Bolero and Co-Co Club become resort hotspots. In contrast, the quieter months of the year, especially December to March, attract those with the freedom to enjoy a long winter retreat in the Mediterranean climate. As a result, Cala Ratjada takes on a more relaxed tone at these times and is an idyllic base from which to uncover some of Majorca’s most spectacular scenery.
The weather in Cala Ratjada
Cala Ratjada enjoys temperatures in the mid-late 20s throughout the hot summer months (June-August) with average sunshine hours ranging between 10-11 hours per day. Temperatures during the night drop to around 19°C meaning that the long evenings are pleasantly balmy. Sea temperature at this time of year peaks at around 25°C in mid-August. This begins to drop off towards the end of September although is not at its coolest (14°C) until February and March. Air temperatures throughout the winter range from 14°C during the day to a minimum night-time temperature of around 7°C. This picks up again in spring (March to May) when daytime temperatures head back up into the late-teens and the days lengthen from 6 to 9 hours of daily sunshine.
Getting the best deal to Cala Ratjada
Cala Ratjada is a relatively new addition to many of the larger tour operators’ summer package holiday deals meaning that there are some good offers available at this time of the year. Prices throughout the resort do rise slightly during the peak season but there are also plenty of options for eating out so it’s more than possible to find something to suit your budget. There are also three large and reasonably priced supermarkets in the town.
Alternatively, travelling outside of the peak season is a great way to bag a bargain. Holiday accommodation in Cala Ratjada ranges from large hotels offering all-inclusive packages to private self-catering apartments and both tour operators and private owners are keen to offer good deals in order to fill their accommodation year-round. You can start your search by checking out some of the deals we’ve selected below.
Airport and transport need to know
When travelling to Cala Ratjada you will first arrive at the Palma de Mallorca Airport near the Majorcan capital Palma on the west coast. The airport is a modern building with good facilities and a wide selection of eating places as well as shops to keep you entertained whilst passing through. Don’t make the mistake of getting too distracted though as Palma de Mallorca Airport does get very busy during the peak tourist season and you will need to leave plenty of time to make your way from the check-in desks to departure gates. Flight time from most UK airports is approximately 2.5 hours.
As Cala Ratjada is on the east coast of Majorca, the transfer from the airport to your accommodation will take around 1.5-2 hours. Having said this, the journey is fairly straightforward and relatively scenic. Those making the transfer by taxi can pick one up from outside the arrivals hall at the airport and should expect to pay approximately €85 (£68). This may vary depending on arrival time and group size. Alternatively, if you are hiring a car you will simply follow the Ma-15 motorway from the airport all the way to Cala Ratjada passing through the towns of Manacor and Arta en route.
The best beaches in Cala Ratjada
With over 42km of rugged coastline to choose from there is no shortage of stunning beaches in and around Cala Ratjada. Most of these are sandy with spectacular scenery making them some of the finest in Majorca. We’ve picked out three of the top beaches for you to explore.
Best Beach for lazing on a sun lounger: Son Moll is one of the largest and most popular beaches in Cala Ratjada and is a great choice for spending a relaxing day in the sun. There are plenty of sun loungers and parasols for hire and the lack of water sports makes this is good choice for swimming in the clear turquoise sea. Do be aware however that the water deepens fairly quickly a few metres in from the shore.
Best Beach for activities: Cala Agulla beach, located just along the coast from Cala Ratjada is popular with surfers and wind-surfers taking advantage of the stronger winds. Pedaloes and beach volleyball are also on offer here during the summer months and the beach is easily reached on foot from Cala Ratjada. The natural forest at its far end is the perfect place to enjoy a shady stroll in the midday sun.
Best Beach for complete isolation: Sa Pedruscada is a good choice for those looking to spend an afternoon on one of Capdepera’s smaller and less crowded beaches. Located approximately 2km from Cala Ratjada, Sa Pedruscada is generally frequented by locals if at all and offers the chance to enjoy a tranquil slice of Majorca’s scenic east coast.
