Portals Nous and its delightful surroundings

Exploring the coast of Calvia leads through very desirable places on the sea

Hardly anywhere in Mallorca is more desirable as a second home, or even to live and work, than the area south-west of Palma or to be more precise, the coastline of Calvia. A large proportion of the international island residents are aware of the advantages of Cas Catala, Illetes, bendinat, Costa d’en Blanes, Portals Nous or Palmanova and have settled there. The excellent connections and access to Palma and the airport and the ample number of international and public schools in the vicinity offer a perfect living environment. Apart from the excellent infrastructure, the gentle hilly beauty of the region, the numerous diverse beaches and bathing coves with their crystal-clear water,  as well as one of Europe’s best-known luxury-harbours and its illustrious visitors leave only one question unanswered: Is there anywhere on the sea in Europe where it is possible to live a better life than here?

Cas Catala, a central residential area set in the midst of greenery

Cas Catala is the first district in the municipality of Calvia. Coming out of Palma the Joan-Miro road leads south-west via Marivent, Cala Major, and Sant Agusti, all lively and very desirable coastal districts which all belong to Palma. After the port of Palma Nova the road becomes the Carrer de Andratx and Cas Catala begins: a well-maintained, very high-quality residential area made up of stylish, newly-built detached houses, old villas and beautiful gardens and which climbs the gentle hills of the Serra Na Burguesa. Very well-known is the old, venerable 5-star Hotel Maricel, located on the sea and one of the best hotels on the island (residents know that here a world-class luxury breakfast can be enjoyed). La Bougainvillea is the name of the small municipal-beach of Cas Catala which is often overlooked by tourists who also miss the small beach bar directly on the rocks with its excellent cuisine. Just after the little bathing cove we fork off to Illetes.

Illetes – the place of the ‘little islands’

Illetes is popular with Palma residents, especially at the weekends, because of its three lovely beaches – the Platja de Illetes, the Cala Comtessa and the Platja Xinxell. They can be easily reached by the number 3 bus from the city. On the main beach visitors find two noble beach clubs, the new Puro Beach Club and the Balneario de Illetes, as well as massage and wellness treatments situated  directly on the water. The little cove of Cala Comtessa is fringed by pine trees and has a nice chiringuito (beach bar) above the rocks, whereas the somewhat hidden Xinxell beach is located on a    pristine headland where yachts and sailing boats anchor in summer. Illetes actually means ‘little islands’ as just off the coast are several small islands which can be reached by swimming or by pedalo. The tourism here is international and top-level to which the few but very high-quality hotels and restaurants testify. Even years ago celebrities such as Errol Flynn, John Wayne, Ava Gardner and Peter Ustinov appreciated this resort which is characterized by its rich vegetation, and is not only a holiday resort but also a desirable residential area where almost all apartments face the sea.

Live beautifully in Bendinat

We leave Illetes and follow the coast road in the direction of Bendinat, separated from Illetes by a green, wooded and former military area, universally popular for walks. The legend has it that King Jaime I ate very well here during the conquering of Mallorca in the 13^th century and let this be known by uttering ”ben dinat”, and thereby giving the site its present-day name.  Bendinat is one of the oldest and most venerable urbanizations on the island and the Spanish monied aristocracy and very wealthy newcomers have properties and summer homes here. At the small (and also the only) hotel in Bendinat there is a long rocky outcrop which is used for swimming and snorkeling and is also popular with local residents.

Luxury and quality of life in Portals Nous

Just as luxurious is Portals Nous with its famous noble harbour, Puerto Portals, a hotspot for  the rich and beautiful. Huge yachts are moored in the relatively compact marina, and good restaurants range side by side with exquisite boutiques. The international high society and the jet set from Spain, England, Germany and other countries meet here. The place itself has a perfect infrastructure with, for example, two international schools both with very good reputations – King Richard school, Mallorca’s oldest British school, and the Agora school which is considered to be very demanding. As well as the main beach with its trendy chill-out beach bars Portals also offers two other, smaller bays. The little chapel,situated above the bay and from where there are beautiful views over the bay and a small island is only one of the romantic, quiet spots which has been preserved in this well-loved and popular coastal resort. Directly on the Carrer Andratx is also the newest of the nine locations of Porta Mallorquina Real Estate, the real estate shop Portals Nous.

Costa d’en Blanes and Palmanova

Above Portals Nous villas and beautiful building plots meet in the urbanization of Costa d’en Blanes, an area which is also one of the most expensive on the island.Noble properties and modern detached houses spread up the hills all,  of course, with wonderful views of the sea and with large swimming pools.

Our Calvia-coast exploration ends in Palmanova, a holiday resort well loved by Germans and the British who can find here everything a holidaymaker desires: Trendy beach bars, a wide-ranging gastronomic selection, and all kinds of watersports on three long beaches. Palmanova is also a popular meeting place for the international volleyball scene. Those who live here, or rather in the whole area, enjoy the privilege of living where others go on holiday. Everything is close by – large supermarkets, shops, kindergarten, schools and even a branch of Calvia’s town hall which is very well organized and greatly simplifies visits to the local authorities. The whole coast is connected by both local roads and motorways, and even from Palmanova it is only 20 minutes to Palma and a good half an hour to the airport. A good, continuous cycle path also connects the districts and those who prefer walking can enjoy lovely coastal strolls. It should also be emphasized that Calvia’s municipal government makes a great effort to look after its residents and provide a continuously-rising quality of life.

In this top-level real estate segment owners who wish to sell attach great importance to discretion. For this reason the franchise partners in the region of Portals, Mirjana Antic and Timo Weibel are not able to present all available properties in the internet. These real estate experts recommend, therefore, that interested persons contact them direct by email or telephone in order to sound out the  current property availability in this wonderful region.