Things To Do in San Agustin (Majorca)

Ten minutes’ walk from Sant Augusti is Cala Mayor’s 200-metre-long sandy beach. There’s a gentle shelf into the sea so it’s good for paddlers, though some people like to sit on one of the big rocks and dangle their feet. You’ve got all you need in the way of sunloungers and umbrellas, and there’s a bar-lined promenade. Plus, if you fancy kite-boarding or sailing, the Cala Nova Nautical Club will sort you out.

Some of Sant Augusti’s restaurants have terraces out on the rocks, and both here and in Cala Mayor the menus run through international favourites and Spanish-style tapas. For something really traditional, head up into the hills above Cala Mayor to the village of Genova. Not only will you get fantastic views over Palma, you can tuck into suckling pig, Majorcan lamb shank and snail soup.

Over in Palma, you can visit Poble Espanyol to see reproductions of famous Spanish buildings – like Granada’s Alhambra Palace and El Greco’s House in Toledo. As well as taking a tour of the themed village, you can watch artists making handicrafts in their workshops and tuck into traditional food in the Plaza Mayor. You’ll find it in the Son Espanolet district just outside the city centre – the Palma Tourist bus stops here.

The 200-metre long white sand beach at Cala Mayor, with its handy bar-lined prom, is a popular spot. You’ll find plenty of sunloungers and umbrellas to keep everyone happy, as well as big rocks to sit on while you dangle your legs in the shallows. Sloping gently into the clear sea, the beach is great for younger kids. And if you're feeling lively, there’s a club where you can book lessons in sailing and kite-boarding.

Mocubar, on Palma Nova’s waterfront, is a great place for a leisurely breakfast – in fact, they don’t stop serving the full English ’til 4pm. So you won’t have to wait long to start on the pre-dinner mojitos. Evaristo and Sally run a clean, modern bar here, and they’re also rather good at putting together delicious meals – do try the fresh-from-the-oven bread with their homemade garlic cream.

With a busy working harbour it's no surprise that seafood is king in Sant Agusti, with crayfish, gigantic prawns and razor clams taking pride of place on local menus. When seafood’s as fresh as Sant Agusti’s all you need to add is a squeeze of lemon and a chunk of fresh bread. You’ll find a bit of everything else here too – pizza, curry, paella, French cuisine and traditional tapas are all covered.

It’s not just about pizzas at this restaurant, which comes with terrace views of Cala Nova Nautical Club. Owner and chef Steven also rustles up great starters like wild mushroom croquettes, stuffed jalapeno peppers and noodle-wrapped prawns, not to mention a very original parma ham and melon sorbet. This place is really popular with the locals, so you’d be wise to book ahead.

Nit de Foc – literally Night of Fire – certainly lives up to its name. The festival’s main event is the correfoc, where locals dressed as devils run through Palma’s streets letting off firecrackers and fireworks. Thousands come to the Parc de Mar, by the cathedral, to join in the party atmosphere and dance into the early hours at the free pop concerts.

This seafood spot with nautical décor has been hauling in hungry tourists since 1960. And it certainly serves up the goods, with the lobster tanks showing just how fresh the food is. Pick from squid fritters, fish soup, little meatballs of prawn and mango with coconut-milk sauce – and lobster, of course. They do veal tenderloin and garlicky lamb chops too, if you’re a feeling a bit more carnivorous.

For picnics and beach essentials, Sant Agusti's supermarkets and small shops will cover you for the basics. But the real retail action is at Palma, where you’ve got boulevards filled with department stores and designer boutiques. You’ve also got the Mercat Artesanal, or craft market, on the Plaça Major. It’s great for one-off souvenirs, street performers – and practising your haggling skills.

Sant Augusti’s small shops and supermarkets leave the way clear for Palma – you might even see Queen Sofia browsing the racks while you’re there. Avinguda Jaume III has designer shops, international chains like H&M and El Corte Ingles department store. Every Monday, Friday and Saturday morning there’s a craft market at Plaça Major – and there are some lovely little specialist shops leading off from here.

Restaurants, an Irish pub and a few other quiet bars are your laid-back nightlife choices in Sant Agusti. To up the ante though, a 10-minute drive will drop you over to Palma Nova. Here the prom lines up Brit pubs, karaoke and tribute bands, as well as a disco that keeps the old-school classics pumping out ‘til 4am. And for the serious clubbers, the foam parties of Magaluf are just a few more minutes down the coast.

This lively Palma Nova bar has been living it up since the Eighties, with free entry and live acts every night. Catch tributes to Take That, Abba, Elvis, Queen and more. Or grab your own piece of the limelight on the karaoke mic.