10 Secret Calas Near Santanyi Only Locals Know
Turquoise water, pine cliffs and sunrise swims without crowds. Our field guide to the southeast coast.
Read soon → Est. in Palma • 120+ local bloggers
Mallorca, told first-hand. No filters, just island life.
Blogs First Mallorca is a collective of islanders, expats and slow travelers. We publish honest guides to calas, villages, food, hiking and living in the Balearics — tested on foot, by bike and by boat.
0Guides published
0Villages covered
0Local authors
0Years on island
CALAS • PALMA OLD TOWN • TRAMUNTANA • ENSAIMADA • SINEU MARKET • VALLDEMOSSA • SA CALOBRA • FORMENTOR • FELANITX • SLOW TRAVEL • CALAS • PALMA OLD TOWN • TRAMUNTANA • ENSAIMADA • SINEU MARKET • VALLDEMOSSA • SA CALOBRA • FORMENTOR • FELANITX • SLOW TRAVEL •
About us — who we are
Blogs first. Mallorca always. Community over clicks.
We started in 2016 as three friends sharing Google Docs about bus timetables and beach bars. Today Blogs First Mallorca is the island's largest independent blogging collective — writers, photographers, chefs, skippers and mountain guides who live here all year, not just in August.
🌊 Island-first ethics
No paid hype. We mark sponsored stays, protect secret spots, and promote low-season travel to support locals.
🥘 Tested on foot
Every hike, restaurant and cala is visited anonymously. If it's closed on Mondays, we tell you.
🏡 Live like a local
Long-term rentals, NIE tips, schools, coworkings — real expat life beyond postcards.
📸 Open archive
Free maps, GPX tracks and packing lists. Download, print, go.
2016First blog: “Bus 104 to Formentor for €3” goes viral among backpackers.
201940 authors join. Launch of Tramuntana hiking series and Palma food crawls.
2023100k monthly readers. Beach clean-ups with 2,000 volunteers.
2026New studio in Santa Catalina. Video guides, print zine and slow travel club.
What readers say
“We planned our entire honeymoon from your Valldemossa and Deia posts. Felt like a friend showing us around.” — Hannah & Tom, stayed 12 days
Curated by locals
Six Mallorca experiences you must try
From sunrise paddles to mountain refuges — our most saved itineraries this season.
Coast • Southeast
Secret Calas Crawl: Moro, S’Almunia & Llombards
Arrive before 9am, swim clockwise, lunch at fishermen’s hut. Includes parking hacks and shade map.
⏱ 1 day • ★ 4.9Guide →
Culture • Palma
Palma Old Town After Siesta
Cathedral rooftop, Arab Baths, tapas in La Lonja and sunset at Parc de la Mar. Evening route.
⏱ 5 hours • ★ 4.8Guide →
Hiking • Tramuntana
Torrent de Pareis Descent
UNESCO gorge, 300m walls, pebble beach finale. Difficulty, water levels and escape routes explained.
⏱ 6 hours • HardGuide →
Food • Markets
Sineu & Santa Catalina Food Tour
Sobrassada, Mahon cheese, olive oil tasting and vermut hour. Meet 5 vendors we love.
⏱ 3 hours • ★ 5.0Guide →
Villages • West
Valldemossa, Deia & Soller by Vintage Train
Chopin’s winter, cliff lunches and orange valley. How to avoid crowds and book seats.
⏱ Full day • FamilyGuide →
Sea • North
Formentor Sunrise Sail
Leave Port Pollensa at 6:30, swim at Formentor beach before boats arrive. Skippers’ contacts.
⏱ Half day • ★ 4.9Guide →
Journal — fresh from the island
Latest stories & news
Click any story to open its full page. Updated twice a week by our editors in Palma.
Palma Old Town in 48 Hours: Tapas, Rooftops & History
Cathedral at golden hour, Santa Catalina market breakfast, and the best ensaimada in town.
Read soon →Hiking Sa Calobra to Torrent de Pareis: Complete Route
The most dramatic gorge in Serra de Tramuntana — permits, timing, safety and photo spots.
Read soon →★★★★★
“Best Mallorca blog, period.” I’ve lived here 6 years and still learn new coves every week.
★★★★★
Saved us €400. Bus + market tips were spot on. No tourist traps.
★★★★★
Hiking guides are gold. GPX, water points, shade — everything.
Deep dives
Living in Mallorca: honest answers
Expat life
Renting long-term in 2026: prices, areas & scams to avoid
Santa Catalina vs. Portixol vs. Inca: real rents, deposit rules, and how to spot fake listings. Plus NIE timeline.
Transport
No car? No problem. Buses, boats & bikes
TIB bus passes, cycling the Via Verde, ferry to Menorca for €35. Our car-free 7-day plan with timetables.
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✓ Free GPX maps✓ Monthly meet-up✓ Local discounts
When is the best time to visit Mallorca?
May-June and September-October: 24-28°C, warm sea, fewer crowds. August is hottest and priciest. For hiking, February-April with almond blossom is magical.
Do I need a car?
Not necessarily. Palma, Soller train and TIB buses cover 80% of highlights. For remote calas in the southeast, rent a car for 2-3 days or join our carpool meet-ups.
Where to stay: Palma or beach?
First-timers: 3 nights Palma + 4 nights Portocolom or Cala Figuera for authentic fishing-village vibe. Families love Port de Pollensa; hikers base in Soller or Valdemossa.
Is Mallorca expensive?
Mid-range: €120-180/night boutique stay, €18-25 menu del dia, €3.5 bus rides. Our guides focus on local markets and free nature to keep budgets low.
Can I contribute a story?
Yes! We accept guest posts from residents. Pitch via contact section with 3 photos and 600+ words. We edit, translate and credit you.
Say hola
Contact & collabs
Studio in Santa Catalina, Palma. We reply within 48h, Monday-Friday.
📍 Visit us
Carrer de Cerdà 12, Santa Catalina
07013 Palma de Mallorca
Open: Tue-Sat 10:00-18:00
✉️ Write to editors
Tell us your dates, interests and budget — we’ll send a personal mini-itinerary.