Things To Do in Sa Coma

This Michelin-starred restaurant comes with a chef who’d give Heston a run for his money. Tomeu Caldentey likes his menus a bit off-the-wall so you can look forward to vacuum-cooked beef steamed in herbal smoke, and chocolate and duck liver crème. And there’s ice-cream and mustard for dessert. Prices, of course, are upscale – but apparently the bread and water are free.

When it comes to nightlife, Sa Coma doesn’t take things too seriously. The bars here up the fun factor with quizzes, karaoke and old-school bingo – with the emphasis firmly on family participation. If you do want to ramp things up, though, the neon-lit bars of Cala Millor are only five minutes' drive away.

Outside, this place looks like a stuccoed Majorcan villa, but on the inside it’s a genuine Irish pub. You’ll get that from the huge map of the Emerald Isle on the wall, not to mention the owners’ heavy accents. Ben and Catherine are a friendly couple who’ve got Guinness on tap, Celtic games on the box and a mix of pop and Irish tunes on the playlist

Tacked on to the western edge of the beach is a pretty nature reserve called Punta de n'Amer. The woodland's lovely to wander through, but serious hikers will want to climb the hill in the centre. At the summit is a 17th-century watchtower, with an interesting military museum inside. And, on the top of that, there's a café with fantastic views over the bay.

The resort’s promenade has a line-up of sports, duty-free shops and perfumeries. If you like a good market, though, head 10 minutes out of town to Son Servera. Here, on a Friday, this Medieval town swells with around 200 different stalls. You'll be able to shop for crafts like locally-made lace, but you can also just wander around and see the artisan sausages and colourful fruit.

The restaurants mostly cluster around the seafront, with al fresco tables scattered over the promenade. As lots of Sa Coma's eating spots are owned by ex-pats, you'll find the flavours here are Spanish, with a Brit infusion. That means you won't be hard pushed to find a plate of fish 'n' chips, but it'll share the menu with paella and tapas.

A handy mini-train links the resort with 6 kilometres of Majorcan coast. You can stop off at neighbour S’Illot with its dinky sandy cove and freshwater lagoon, or keep going to Porto Cristo where local kids play footie on the beach. The other direction takes you to Cala Millor – it’s a top spot for snorkelling, and you can buy cheap snorkels and masks from the seafront shops here./p>

During the day, this laid-back cocktail bar is busy doing nothing, with the odd local popping in for a sangria. But come after sunset – around 8pm – the place fills up with a party crowd, here to let off some steam with a few drinks. The karaoke nights are legendary, too, so this could be the moment to brush up on your Bon Jovi.

Sipping a cocktail here is always an option, but Sa Coma is mostly about getting up and having fun. There are lots of pub quizzes and karaoke nights to join in with, and the odd round of bingo. If you need a bit of grown-up action, though, head to Cala Millor – it's got a busy strip filled with bars and clubs.

Every June, the locals over in Son Servera honour their patron saint with this festival. Farmers come to sell their wares in the streets, while a funfair pops up in the town square. Later on, local dancers perform the Balle de Bot – a knee-bending Majorcan version of line dancing – before fireworks and traditional music finish things off.

Over in Son Servera, this week-long festival does their patron saint proud. Things get going with famers’ markets and children’s games – but the real fun comes on the last night. That’s when you’re treated to a display of the Ball de Bot, a sort of Majorcan line dance. Fireworks and traditional music keep the party atmosphere going late into the night.

'Italian' is writ large all over this place – from the huge green, orange and white flag to owner Gianlucca's effusive welcome. The pizza menu is practically floor length, and the gnocchi is a homemade treat. Tuna carpaccio with soft, creamy mozzarella is a good pick, too. Ask Gianlucca to recommend a wine – he's got one for every dish.

If you’re thinking of having a picnic, take a trip to the Friday market at the Medieval town of Son Servera, about 10 minutes’ drive away. It’s packed with 200 stalls selling pretty much everything, but the food here really stands out. You’ve got piles of olives, rows of spicy sausages and cheeses as big as your head.

Most of the eating places are around the 2 main streets, Avenida de les Savines and Avenida las Palmera. Food-wise, you’ve got a big German and Brit influence here so expect a friendly alliance of sauerkraut and fish ’n’ chips on the menus. Of course, the Spanish get a look-in, too, with their paellas.