Fulfilling all the wishlist features for a perfect family holiday, Sa Coma is an attractive, modern resort.
Description
Fulfilling all the wishlist features for a perfect family holiday, Sa Coma is an attractive, modern resort amid the stunning beaches of Majorca's east coast. With a kilometer-wide crescent of golden sand shelving gently into shallow sea, it's a great choice for that first venture abroad with young children, especially when you add in its family-friendly amenities, traffic-free main promenade, and the small safari park nearby. There is no shortage of beautiful sandy beaches and charming towns and villages to explore along the coastline, and an abundance of beautiful scenery to enjoy. Paris Hilton, who owns a holiday home here, allegedly, thinks it is the most beautiful place in the world!
Who goes to Sa Coma?
Sa Coma is very popular with young families and it caters particularly well for visitors from the UK who make up the majority of tourists here. Many of the restaurants and bars are owned by ex-pat Brits who blend an understanding of british tastes with spanish cuisine and customs. Not too noisy at night, and not too quiet either, it's a resort providing a happy-medium of a holiday atmosphere, keeping it up there in popularity and continuing to attract thousands of tourists each year.
Destination Profile
Occupying a prime spot on this prettiest of coastlines, Sa Coma is an excellent choice for a spanish sunshine break with all the perks and pluses of a purpose built resort. Nonetheless, top on its lists of attractions is the fabulous blue-flag beach of fine, pale sand which dovetails gently with the warm Mediterranean, the sweep of the bay creating a safe enclosure of shallow sea. Here all sorts of water-based activities go on such as wind-surfing, scuba diving and pedalo riding, and relaxation essentials, including sunbeds and parasols, are available for hire. To enjoy the wonderful underwater world magnified through the sparklingly clear sea, take a trip in a glass-bottomed boat around the bay. If you're very lucky, you may even catch sight of a dolphin as it arcs in and out of the water further out to sea.
Behind the beach is a wide promenade which extends all the way northwards to Cala Moreya. It's free of traffic and edged with green lawns, shrubs, palm and pine trees which dapple the walkway with spots of welcome shade from the steady sun. Here you'll find a variety of cafes, bars and restaurants catering for all tastes. Many are british-run and sure to have something to suit even the pickiest tot, but majorcan food is a treat, however, so be sure to sample the local fare, too.
When a break from the beach is called for, a trip to the Auto Safari Park is sure to please little ones, especially when they clamber aboard the little road train which will transport you all around the park, saving your hire car from monkey damage! The nature reserve of Punta de n'Amer is a must see, to take in the spectacular vantage point of the watchtower there for a panoramic view of the coastline. Sports enthusiasts won't feel short-changed by the facilities on offer in Sa Coma, either, with tennis, squash, cycling and horse riding all available, and five golf courses, each with excellent facilities and stunning views within easy reach.
The pretty town and beach at Cala Millor is a short distance south, and can be reached by tram for a lovely day out and a change of scene. It's also the place to head for, for an evening out. When darkness falls in Sa Coma, there's no shortage of places to eat and drink, and plenty of life in local bars and restaurants, all of which will suit young families and older couples perfectly. But for the young set seeking higher octane, late-night partying and wilder times, Cala Millor will oblige with some lively joints. Take a taxi or tram the short ride there and back.
Things To Do
Auto Safari Zoo: This family attraction is to be found on the outskirts of Sa Coma, heading towards Cala Millor. You can drive around the 4-kilometer circuit or else travel on the miniature train. You'll pass through the monkey enclosure and see giraffes, zebra, elephants, lions, tigers and other big cats, too. If you are without your own transport, the park's courtesy bus makes regular trips from Sa Coma and Cala Millor between 9am and 7pm.
Balloon Rides: Early morning rides in a hot air balloon can be arranged from a site near Manacor.
Rancho Sa Coma Horse Riding: Sa Coma has its own small stables opposite the beach at the edge of the resort. It is very popular with visitors and so it's a good idea to book in advance, especially in high season. Rides to Punta de n'Amer take roughly an hour.
Golf: With five first class courses within easy reach, golfers are spoilt for choice. The courses at Pula and Vall d'Or are the closest to Sa Coma. Capdepera caters for all abilities while the course at Canyamel will suit those who like more of a challenge.
Mini-golf: Golf Paradis is a 54-hole mini golf complex that offers a choice of three different 18-hole courses in beautiful gardens with waterfalls, palm trees, lakes and even a windmill.
Tennis, Squash, Cycling, Go Karting: You will find facilities for all in Sa Coma.
Watersports: From the beach at Sa Coma, you can get involved in a variety of watersports including windsurfing, scuba diving and Pedalos.
La Reserva Water Park: This water park is part of Safari Park Hotel in Sa Coma, but is open to people not staying there, too. Two water flumes and a separate shallow area with smaller water slides for children make it a fun way to pass the day for all the family. There is also a large jacuzzi within the free-form swimming pool, plenty of sunbeds. and a swim-up bar and buffet.
Things To See
Arta: Just a few kilometers inland from the coast, Arta is the perfect antidote to an overdose of beach life, a refreshingly old, medieval town of stone buildings and narrow streets with a sleepy feel. Crowned with a 14th-century fortress where the panorama is incredible, the town promises a chilled day out browsing the many shops and enjoying some fine dining in its excellent restaurants and cafe-lined squares.
Castell de Capdepera: Visit the village of Capdepera, 8 kms east of Arta, to see one of the best preserved Moorish fortresses on the island, dating back to the early 14th century.
Caves of Drach: Located near Porto Cristo, are these four spectacular interconnected caves which extend to a depth of 25 metres and are around 2 kms in length. It is believed their formation may date back to the Miocene era. Inside is an underground lake. A visit here culminates in a short performance of classical music by four musicians aboard a boat and it is possible to have a short boat ride on the lake at the end. Also nearby are the Caves of Hams, discovered by Pedro Caldentey in 1905. Less impressive overall, they nonetheless also contain an underground lake, and are noted for their unusual rock formations within. Photography is permitted here, but not in Caves of Drach.
Jumaica Tropical Park: Near to Porto Colom and Porto Cristo is this Majorcan family attraction - 25,000 square metres of tropical gardens and landscapes with many different wild animals and tropical vegetation. It is the only tropical park with a banana plantation in Majorca. The Ca'n Pep Noguera restaurant is part of the complex and specialises in Majorcan and international cuisine.
Marine Life: Enjoy an up-close view of life under water when you take a trip out from the bay in a glass-bottomed boat. See the shoals of sparkly fish dart among the flora and fauna in the warm, clear Mediterranean.
Palma: Bring your flatties and plenty of euros for a day of sightseeing, culture and shopping in the island's capital of Palma. Full of museums and galleries, and with a castle and Gothic Cathedral, there is plenty to occupy the curious tourist. La Seo - the local name for the cathedral - is one of the most magnificent Gothic cathedrals in Europe, and contains an entire history of Mallorcan art from its Gothic and Baroque altarpieces to its famous gold work and additions of Antoni Gaudi, including his magnificent baldachin in the presbytery. Shops are plentiful, too, and if fashion is your bag, don't miss the swanky designer boutiques on the Avinguda Juame III.
Prehistoric Remains at Ses Paisses: Located on the outskirts of Arta, this is one of the best preserved prehistoric sites in the Balearic islands, where talayots - Bronze Age megalithic constructions - can be seen. Round or square, they are made of rough stone surrounding a central space in which a column is constructed to support a ceiling of stone slabs - also the floor of the storey above. They are not thought to have been dwellings, but used for tribal or religious ceremonies, or else for storage and distribution.
Punta de n'Amer Nature Reserve: At the northern end of Sa Coma is the 200-hectare nature reserve of Punta de n'Amer, a peaceful open space between Sa Coma and Cala Millor. It was declared a protected nature reserve in 1985 and is the last vestige of how the entire stretch of coast was before mass tourism took hold. Don't miss the ancient watchtower of Castell de n'Amer - it will take about 45 minutes to walk there from Sa Coma and here you can see a small display of weapons and other historical information about the tower. There is also a bar at the top selling drinks and snacks to be enjoyed with some splendid views of the coastline.
Local Events: From the start of March to the end of october, the Oficines d'Informacio Turistica de Mallorca (OIT) in Avenida de les Palmeres, Sa Coma, is open to provide information about events and activities in the area. However, some regulars on the calendar include:
Fiestas: the first fiesta on Majorca's east coast takes place mid January each year at nearby Sant Llorenc des Cardassar, in celebration of Sant Antoni, the patron saint of beasts of burden and pets. It begins with the lighting of small bonfires surrounded by locals sing traditional songs and roasting island produce. The following day there is a colourful parade culminating in the blessing of the animals. Sant Llorenc also celebrates the fiesta of Sant Joan Pelos on June 24 each year when a young local man dresses as the saint, accompanied by others dressed as devils, and performs a dance during Mass which is repeated as part of a parade around the town. The patron saint's day at Sant Llorenc falls on August 10 and heralds a week-long event with numerous sporting, musical and other more cultural events. And, on September 8th, is the fiesta of the Mare de Déu Trobada, who, according to legend was found in a field of thistles close to the Church of Nostra Senyora de Bellver.
Cala Millor Tourism Week: An annual event featuring a number of sports competitions, concerts, and a spectacular carnival of colourful floats.
Regata Internacional Bahia de Cala Millor: This takes place during the last 5 days of October each year, a spectacular event which took place in Palma until 1994. It attracts over 50 hot air balloon teams from all over Europe, as well as Kenya and the United States.