3 Days in Cala Santanyí, Mallorca – A Memoir

The waves of the narrow cove quietly lapped onto the shore as the twilight deepened and dotted itself with stars. My sister and I sat in the sand on the water’s edge with a bottle of shimmering white wine between us. The combination of a stomach filled with delicious paella and the light buzz from the wine was elating, and our spirits felt as tantalizing as the twinkling stars above. The breeze carried our fits of laughter into the night, embedding the notes into the tranquil hum of Cala Santanyí. This is how we spent the first night of our 3-day vacation in the small cove on the famed island of Mallorca, and from the effortlessness of our first day, I knew that our time spent here would be just as serene as my yearning heart was hoping it would be.

Cala Santanyí is a small cove located on the island’s eastern side, and we arrived there by rental car earlier that morning. Our hostal was a simple room with no air conditioning, but it was located directly on the beach, making the sacrifice to endure the August heat worthwhile. As soon as we opened the window to the room, we were greeted with a view of the cove below. Stone pines blanketed the cliffs that hugged the edges of dazzling teal water. Swimmers bobbed like corks in the gentle waves, while sunbathers relaxed on a kaleidoscope of towels. Our noses filled with salt, sunscreen, and the aromas of fresh paella being made at the restaurant directly below us. These sensations blended into a tranquilizing summer elixir that left me feeling awestruck. I couldn’t believe I was finally there after seeing so many alluring pictures of the famed Spanish island.

What can I say for a relaxing beach vacation besides that it was, well, a relaxing beach vacation? My sister and I agreed that while we love to sightsee and explore, we wanted our trip to Mallorca to be spent sun drunk and plan-free. The following two days were a blur of simmering in the waves, having pizza picnics in the sand, going to fancy dinners (like Restaurante Voramar and Hostal Playa), ogling at villas in the surrounding neighborhoods, and melting into the serenity of Cala Santanyí.

Despite our goal to be without plans, we did wake up early on the last morning of our stay to join a yoga class, followed by breakfast and access to the pool at Cal Reiet Holistic Resort. Stepping onto the property of Cal Reiet felt like entering a bubbling garden oasis, where one’s problems immediately drifted away with the breeze. The atmosphere here could best be described as organic luxury, combining sleek amenities with bohemian architecture. The yoga class felt rejuvenating, the plant-based breakfast was vitamin-rich and fueling, and laying in a cabana by the quiet pool was a needed break from sandy towels. This enriching day was made possible by the day passes offered by the resort. These passes are available to anyone who wants to do yoga and enjoy the resort’s organic allure, regardless of whether you are staying there.

From laughing with my sister in the sand to honoring my body at a dreamy holistic resort, my stay in Cala Santanyí was just the recharge I sought. This trip reminded my type A personality that sometimes, travel without a schedule can be just as rewarding as vacations with more rigid plans. Cala Santanyí was a beautiful place to enjoy the raw beauty of Mallorca, and I will be eager to return here for an island getaway for years to come.

More Pictures from Cala Santanyí