Cala Figuera, a Fishing Harbour in Mallorca

Cala Figuera is an old fishing harbour on the coast of Santanyí, in south-east Mallorca, near Cala d’Or. It’s still a working port, so you can see traditional barques de bou, the boats used for trawling in the Balearic Islands, moored alongside plenty of llaüts, Mallorca’s traditional wooden boats.

Cala Figuera has no beach, which is probably one reason it feels quieter than some parts of the island. People tend to come here for a more peaceful visit.

It’s a lovely place to go for a walk or stop for a meal. The harbour is shaped like a Y, and you can follow the waterfront past the moorings. One of our favourite sights is the row of houses with boats tucked away right underneath them.

We’d start towards Caló d’en Busques, continue to Caló d’en Boira and come back the same way. Allow around half an hour for the walk.

At the end of Caló d’en Busques, there’s a street on the left. The house just to the left was one of the first built here and appeared in a 2016 Estrella Damm advert starring Jean Reno and Laia Costa.

We wouldn’t take a pushchair on this walk. In a few places we had to step across large stones to keep our feet dry.

The little seafront promenade has a friendly, relaxed feel, with several restaurants serving different kinds of food and a few shops. There’s also a small viewpoint with a lovely outlook over the harbour.

Where to eat in Cala Figuera

One place we’ve tried is Bon Bar, which serves Mediterranean food with an emphasis on fish and seafood. Its terrace sits practically above the fish market and has beautiful views over the harbour.

We also enjoyed Restaurante Pizzería Es Port, which we tried on a recommendation. The pizzas were good and there were plenty of tapas to choose from. We asked for a table when we arrived, and the friendly manager let us know as soon as one was free.

Torre d’en Beu

If you have a little more time in Cala Figuera, the historic Torre d’en Beu watchtower is close to the harbour. It’s one of the many watchtowers around Mallorca (articles in Spanish).

If you’re driving, we’d go to the tower first and park before the dirt track where there’s a permitted space. We found room for only four or five cars further along, and the track was rough. It took us about five minutes to walk from the start of the track.

Right beside the tower is a navigation beacon, something local fishermen had long called for.

Walk a little further along the clifftop and you’ll get lovely views back over the harbour.

Beaches near Cala Figuera

If you’d like to spend some time on the beach during your visit, there are several nearby.

One of the best-known is Cala Santanyí (guide in Spanish), where you can also see Es Pontàs, a natural rock arch out at sea.

Cala Mondragó and S’Amarador are in Mondragó Natural Park. If you enjoy walking, we’ve picked out four routes in our Mondragó walking guide (in Spanish).

Santanyí weekly market

If you’re visiting on a Wednesday or Saturday morning, we’d make time for Santanyí market (guide in Spanish). The stalls spread through the old town, selling everything from crafts to fresh vegetables.

While you’re at the market, we recommend stepping inside Sant Andreu parish church to see its magnificent 18th-century organ.