This summer, we took a chance on a part of Majorca we’d never even heard of. A complete hidden gem. Somewhere not on the usual travel blogs. Somewhere that felt like a bit of a gamble.

It ended up being the best decision we’ve made!

It was me, my husband, and our two little ones, aged 4 and 2. We’ve done the classic spots: Santa Ponsa, Palma, Puerto Pollensa, Palmanova etc but this time, we were craving something… different. Somewhere that still worked for families, but with a bit more soul and style. Peaceful evening walks, great food, no party strips, and definitely no stag dos or “£5 English breakfasts”.

I was zooming in and out on Google Maps one evening, scanning the coastline for places with just the right feel. I came across a small town I didn’t recognise, typed the name into YouTube, watched a few walking tours… and I was hooked.

So we booked it. No idea what to expect. And honestly? We felt like we had found a little gem nobody is talking about.

It’s called Cala Ratjada (and that’s me below if you are new here!)

 

Is Cala Ratjada Worth Visiting?

Yes!! Especially if you’re looking for something a little off the typical tourist trail. Cala Ratjada offers a lovely mix of European charm, scenic coastal walks, and a buzzy but relaxed atmosphere. It’s not a resort packed with attractions, but if you enjoy good food, sea air and a trendy vibe the sun, it’s absolutely worth it.

For us, it felt like a breath of fresh air. We left feeling calmer, fuller (thank you to all the fab restaurants), and already talking about when we might go back.

First Impressions of Cala Ratjada

Cala Ratjada sits on the northeastern coast of Majorca. It’s a resort town, but with a European feel. Tripadvisor mentioned it was popular with German tourists, which felt like a welcome change from the typical Brits-abroad vibe you get in some areas.

The heart of the town runs along a beautiful promenade by the sea. It had exactly what we were looking for. Calm waters, a good variety of restaurants and bars, and a lovely atmosphere in the evenings when the sun starts to dip and families are out for strolls.

The town felt clean and looked after. It had that nice blend of being busy but not crowded. There was energy without chaos. Most people were either couples or young families like us. The coast had a slightly upmarket feel, with beachside restaurants and stylish bars that didn’t feel overdone.

We did a walk to Cala Agulla, which is about 45 minutes away, and that area was more typical of what you’d expect from a tourist spot. It was still nice, but the restaurants felt a little more generic and the crowd was younger.

Is Cala Ratjada a Party Place?

Not at all. Cala Ratjada is lively in the best way — full of atmosphere without the chaos. There are bars with music and some beach clubs, but no big clubs or nightlife scenes. It felt grown-up and sociable. Mostly couples and families enjoying good food, sea views and slow evenings. No loud party crowds, no stag or hen dos — just a relaxed kind of buzz.

Is Cala Ratjada Expensive?

It wasn’t cheap, but it didn’t feel overpriced either. We spent around €1500 for the week for a family of four.

Our hotel included breakfast, which helped a lot. Evening meals cost between €50 to €70 depending on where we ate. We didn’t usually order starters or desserts, but we did visit the gelato shop after dinner most nights, which became a bit of a ritual. Drinks and snacks during the day added a bit more, but nothing crazy.

You can definitely spend less or more depending on where you eat, but overall it felt fair for the quality and experience, and we came back with money in our pockets – so that was a win!

Is Cala Ratjada Good for Families?

It worked really well for us. With a 4yr old and 2yr old, we didn’t want a hotel packed with loud activities or kids’ entertainers shouting across the pool (my worst nightmare). We just wanted a clean, calm space with easy access to what we needed. And that’s what we got.

The streets are walkable and safe, the beach is close by, and there’s always somewhere to grab a bite to eat, get water, or just chill.

Does Cala Ratjada Have a Beach?

Yes – a few (3 close by). All are walkable from the town centre:

  • Son Moll – Around 10 minutes from our the Lago Garden Hotel & Spa (our hotel) and our favourite!

  • Cala Gat – A small, peaceful cove about 25–30 minutes on foot

  • Cala Agulla – A larger beach with more of a touristy vibe, about 45–60 minutes walk

The beaches are beautiful, but do get very busy in summer. If you want a front-row spot by the sea, get there super early. We didn’t spend full days there as my husband isn’t a fan of sand, but they’re worth visiting for a swim or a little exploration. The waters are crystal clear and very picturesque. If you bought a drink at Cala Gat, you get a token for the toilets (but there are no baby changing facilities).

Our Hotel: Lago Garden Hotel & Spa (June 2025)

We stayed at Lago Garden Hotel & Spa, a five-star hotel tucked away in Cala Ratjada. It wasn’t ultra-modern or flashy, but it had a warm, authentic feel. When I was researching hotels, I struggled to find many that stood out, maybe as it’s not as touristy for us brits there wasn’t as many options. But this one seemed pleasant, Spanish in character, and well-kept.

Check-in was smooth. They offered us welcome drinks, which we never actually got round to having! The hotel has an aparthotel setup, which worked well for us, so going back to the room felt like home and we had lots of space.

 

We had:

  • A bedroom and separate lounge area

  • A bathroom

  • A cot and sofa bed for the kids

  • A spacious balcony with a hot tub and pool view

Each day we came back to fresh towels, a tidy room, and little touches like fresh fruit or cheese plates. In the evenings, they left chocolates or sweets by our pillows, which felt really thoughtful.

Honest Thoughts on the Hotel

The room and hotel were lovely, though they did feel slightly tired in places. Nothing major, just small signs of age. The air conditioning was only in the rooms, not in the hotel’s main areas.

The gardens were beautiful, well looked after and full of lush greenery. My little one is obsessed with gardeners and leaf-blowers, so he was entertained each morning! It felt very peaceful to walk around or sit with a drink while the kids played. It had a real tranquil and calm feel about the place.

There was a small playroom and a tiny climbing frame tucked away in the garden, but we didn’t use them. The kids were happiest in the pool anyway!

What Were the Pools Like?

The pools were small but perfect. There were a few different ones, including a swim-up bar. No sunbed wars as we expected! There was no rush in the morning, and there were loungers always free.

Our kids were in the pool every day. Sometimes we’d fill the hot tub on the balcony with cold water and let them splash about while we sat in the shade with a drink.

The Food in Cala Ratjada

One of the main things we look forward to on holiday is eating out. Cala Ratjada had lots of Italian and Spanish restaurants, and a few beach club-style spots.

Our favourite spots:

  • Zumbo – Açai bowls, smoothies and pancakes.

  • Gousto – A lovely Italian place with pasta, pizza and fresh salads.

  • Euforia Tapas – this place had a real buzz, was always busy but we didn’t need to book an some good tapas.

We ate well. If you’re a foodie, you’ll find some gems here!

What to Do in Cala Ratjada?

This is a slow-living kind of place. For us, it was about soaking up the sunshine and not having to rush anywhere.

Some of our favourite things to do were:

  • Walking along the promenade at sunset

  • Eating out at different local spots

  • Beach-hopping between Son Moll, Cala Gat and Cala Agulla

  • Evenings at the marina with a gelato and the kids dancing along the pavement

There’s also a lighthouse with amazing views, and the area is great for exploring on foot.

Day Trips from Cala Ratjada

We only did one little trip. We drove to Manacor for the day. Most of the shops were shut, probably because we arrived during siesta time.

There were a few nice coffee shops and restaurants, and the streets were clean and calm, but it wasn’t quite what we expected. If you go, maybe plan it earlier in the day.

How Far is Cala Ratjada from the Airport and Transfer Time?

Cala Ratjada is in the northeast of the island, around 80 to 85 kilometres from Palma Airport.

The drive took us around 1 hour and 15 minutes. We hired a car directly from Palma Airport, which gave us a bit more freedom and made travelling with two little ones much easier. If you’re doing a shared transfer or coach, it could take up to 2 hours, depending on stops.

What is the Weather Like in Cala Ratjada in June and July?

In a word: hot! Well, it was for us.

Not sure if this is typical for end of June, beginning of July but for us it was around 30-32 degrees most days. Strong sun from early morning. It was beautiful, but it meant we kept our plans relaxed. The kids weren’t too keen on drinking much water, so we gave them all the ice lollies they wanted and stuck to shade when we could and factor 50! Mornings by the pool, early dinners, and slow evenings worked best for us.

We really enjoyed going to the park after dinner and an evening walk, which meant bedtimes were around 9.30pm (see below) – how beautiful, is that sunset?

Travelling with Kids: What We Learned

This time we took just two big cases between the four of us. It was tight, but made travelling so much easier (at Christmas we went to Spain and took 4!)

I keep saying I’ll write a proper packing list and stick to it, but I haven’t yet. You don’t need five pairs of shoes and twelve outfits for toddlers. You need snacks, suncream, and patience. As my husband says, if we run out we can buy more and we did (extra knickers and socks were needed).

We took two prams, even though our eldest is nearly 5. I was reluctant, as she no longer uses a pram, but was so grateful we did, we were walking a lot!

Final Thoughts: Would We Go Back?

Absolutely. Cala Ratjada gave us exactly what we needed. It wasn’t flashy, it wasn’t full of big attractions, and it wasn’t pretending to be something it’s not. It was simple, scenic and had a really lovely vibe. No drunks, just families and couples having a nice time.

These are the holidays that create memories… the ones that feel like real life, just with more ice cream and fewer emails!! (In fact, i didn’t even take my laptop!)

Love Claire xx