Manacor Holidays

On the up

Manacor may not be as popular with the tourists as some of Majorca’s other spots, such as party central Magaluf, or beach resort Palma Nova. But its popularity is growing. It’s one of the biggest towns after Palma, and it’s just a 20-minute car ride from some of Majorca’s best beaches – Porto Cristo and Cala Millor are the standouts.

Pick of the beaches

You’re not right by the coast in Manacor, but you still have the pick of the island’s eastern beaches within a 30-minute drive. For a quiet secluded stretch, there’s Cala Varques – this natural unspoilt cove is great for getting away from it all. For the more traditional sand-and-sea combo, you’ve got Cala Millor and Porto Cristo. Cala Millor’s a big sandy stretch, while Porto Cristo is slightly smaller and has virtually no waves, thanks to its Z-shaped bay.

The dramatic Drach Caves

If you’re staying in Manacor, you’re only a 15-minute drive from one of the most visited tourist spots on the island. As you venture down to the Drach Caves, you’ll see dramatic stalactites hanging down and pointy stalagmites jutting out of the floor. Inside the cave, there’s one of the largest underground lakes in the world. If you’re lucky you’ll witness illuminated row boats emerging from the darkness, playing classical music.

Rafael Nadal’s hometown

Tennis superstar Rafael Nadal was born in Manacor. To celebrate his success, there’s a whole museum all about him. The interactive exhibits showcase his latest trophies and have high-tech simulators for mountain biking, tennis and F1.