LCW Mallorca - Our Insider Guide to Colonia Sant Jordi

LCW Mallorca 2023 - 20th/21st/22nd April – Back with a bang... and an incredible new location!

Exploring Colonia Saint Jordi

The stunning Mediterranean island of Mallorca has been home to the Long Course Weekend since 2017. Following 3 successful years in the northern town of Alcudia we decided to make the switch to the South, and the mesmerising area of Colonia Saint Jordi. The reason? Authenticity! We want our athletes to experience the real Mallorca. The cuisine, the culture, the atmosphere. English is not widely spoken here as many of the visitor’s hail from mainland Spain and Palma. Don’t let this put you off. This is a true Mallorcean experience from start to finish and will live in the memory for a lifetime.

Plans in Colonia de Sant Jordi: Es TRenc

Location

CSJ is located just 40 minutes from Palma Airport on the South Eastern coast of the island. Set on rugged coastline the town is surrounded by water on 3 sides and is split into 3 main areas. To the North you have the world-famous Es Trencs beach with its stunning white sand, beach restaurants and super yachts. Here is where you will find the majority of hotel accommodation ranging from 3-5 star with both beach and inland options. The main high street forms the spine of the town and connects the north and the south. Here you will find an array of cafés, bars and restaurants as well as car/bike hire, banks and souvenir shops. Although calm and peaceful during the day time, this area comes alive at night with street markets and live music venues. To the South you will find the quaint fishing port. A hub of activity for local fishermen, island sea cruises and a more chilled selection of eateries offering fresh fish and paella.

The walk from Es Trencs beach (North) to the port (South) will take 20-30 minutes through the main high street however we recommend the board walk as the more scenic option. Hugging the coastline, with memorable cliff top views, this route can take up to an hour, but is a great way to see the more rustic parts of the town and grab a sneaky beverage in one of the strategically placed beach bars.

Top Tip

Grab the earliest flight you can from the UK and you’ll reach CSJ for mid morning. Pre-book one of the local taxi firms to collect you from the airport (no more than 55 Euro each way) and request an early check in with your accommodation provider. Port Blau (on the harbour) is the ideal spot for an early lunch and a best way to start your trip.

The Local Community

Whilst the area is not used to hosting international events, the local community are warm and welcoming to its visitors who are predominantly Swiss, German and Spanish. English is sparsely spoken here however many of the staff are able to converse in broken English and will understand your very basic Spanish. Most of the apartments and properties are owned by Spanish residents from Madrid, Barcelona and Palma who use CSJ for their summer get away with June – August understandably being the busiest period. The area is best known for its salt marshes with one of the largest located just behind Es Trencs beach. Here you will also find the nature park. A protected area with running and walking trails only accessible with a special pass. If you’re heading to Mallorca for an authentic, Spanish island experience then CSJ ticks all those boxes and more.

Top Tip

Immerse yourself into the local community as soon as you arrive. Explore the local tourist shops, introduce yourself, say hello and ask questions. The locals love to meet new visitors and are extremely helpful when it comes to advice on the dos and don’ts, and the best places to eat.

Accommodation

There are accommodation types to suit every taste and budget but don’t expect global hotel chains here. Our official hotel partner Universal offer 4 options in the area from 3-5 star, all with beachside locations and a range of board and adult only options. There is also the THB Sur, Villa Chiquita and inland Blau Hotel. All hotels are in the North of the town and offer secure bike storage facilities.

For those looking for self-catering options, these are centred around the southern port side with many options to suit all budgets. The majority have bike storage available but please double check this before booking. There are several well stocked supermarkets, butcheries and fish markets within easy walking distance.

Top 10 Accommodation Options

Hotel Don Leon
Hotel Cabo Blanco (Adults Only)
Hotel Romantica
Hotel Marquis
Blau Hotel
Blue Water Hotel
Villa Chiquita
THB Sur
Hotel Honucai
Fontsanta Hotel Termal and Spa (Adults Only)

Top Tip

Take advantage of our fantastic partner rates with Universal Hotels. They have 4 hotels in the area and cater for every budget. The food in all hotels is incredible, with a varied offering of fresh fish and meat each evening. The staff are welcoming and personable and go above and beyond to ensure you enjoy your stay. We’d recommend a half board basis which will allow you to sample some of the mouth-watering restaurants in the area.

Where to Fuel

The important bit! And probably the most enjoyable experience of CSJ. When we say it has it all, we mean it has it all! The freshest of fresh seafood, rich meats and world-famous paella. As with all Spanish towns the area comes alive from 9pm with restaurants spilling out onto the streets. The main high street has a host of varied fare from pizza and tapas to steaks and fish. Head to the port for the best Paella on the island at Restaurant S’Arrosseria or just 2 streets over you’ll find Restaurante Grill Argentino offering the juiciest steaks and meats in a Mediterranean garden setting. For pizza it’s got to be Pizzaria Visuvio and for the best fish platter in town there’s no better option than the world-renowned celebrity hot spot, Cassai Beach House.

Top 10 Eateries

Restaurante S’Arrosseria (Port)
Restaurante Grill Argentino (Centre)
Pizzeria Visuvio (Port)
Restaurante Sal De Coco (Port, Harbour Wall)
Cassai Beach House (Centre, Beach)
Restaurante Antonio (Beach)
5Illes Beach & Sunset (Es Trenc Beach)
Bistro Ma De Sal (Es Trenc Beach Side)
Port Blau
Cafe & Sal (Es Trenc Beach Side)

Top Tip

For a once in a lifetime experience head to 5Illes on Es Trenc Beach and try the curried mussels with fresh bread and a crisp Alberino. You won’t be disappointed.

Quench your post-event thirst

Whilst CSJ is not famed for its decadent nightlife (like other parts of the island), there are plenty of options to suit every taste. The town comes alive after 10pm with the main high street becoming a hive of activity for all age groups. Start the night in Es Punt and sample one of their signature Gin and Tonics. These are not for the faint hearted and we have installed a max 2 rule. This is a live music venue covering blues, rock and acoustic acts with fantastic hosts and staff. For the slightly younger generation you have Laos. A contemporary, 3 storey venue with Mediterranean restaurant on the ground floor, chill out zone on the 1^st floor, and roof top dance terrace on the top floor. For the ultimate experience you need to hit up Alberto and his team at El Cubano. Live Latin music and street dancing every Thursday and Saturday. Leave all your inhibitions at the door! This is a must for anyone visiting CSJ.

Top 10 Bars

Es Punt
Laos
El Cubano
Tambucho Bar
Sunset Sea Club (Adults Only)
Bar Al Mar
Bar Can Gori
Honucai Roof Top Bar
Cocos Club
Casa Heike

Relax & Explore

If rest and recuperation is top of your agenda then CSJ has a lot to offer. The white sand beaches and warm, crystal-clear Mediterranean waters are the perfect answer. Take an evening stroll along the board walk or grab a coffee on the port front. If you’re looking for something a little more of grid then a trip to Cabrera Island is a must. This protected nature reserve is an hour from the mainland and is steeped in un-touched history. There are 3 and 8-hour cruises leaving hourly from the port, all run by friendly, local operators. All trips include a dive in the world-famous Blue Caves. Make sure you take a camera and a snorkel! A little closer to home you’ll find an array of unblemished beaches, caves and cliffs. Grab a hire car from our friends at Auto Verger on the high street and let your sat nav go wild. Head to the famous V Rai Vineyard and indulge in one of their wine tasting and lunch tours. Take a tapas stop in the picturesque town of Campos or follow the coast road to Cala Figuera and immerse yourself in the magic of this quaint seaside village, famed globally for its harbour and cliff top views. For families, the aquarium in the port is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Just yards from the finish line there is plenty to keep the young ones busy if they’ve had their fill of the beach. High Octane, pulse racing ventures are few and far between in CSJ, however there are ample activities to keep the support crew occupied.

Top Tip

Book in advance! It can be difficult to just turn up and indulge in your chosen activity. Plan ahead to avoid disappointment. For us, the diving in the blue caves was a bucket list moment and one not to be missed.

Top 10 Activities

Cabrara Island Cruise – Blue Caves
Aquarium Cabrera
Boat Hire - Port
V Rai Vinyard
Best Centre Olympic Swimming Pool
Auto Verger Care Hire
Team Double J Bike Hire
Bus Trip to Palma
Aventura – Snorkelling and Water Sports
Katama Sailing Centre – Surfing and Windsurfing

Do We Have Your Attention?

Across our whole global race portfolio, we are immensely proud to host our races in unique, bucket list locations. Colonia Sant Jordi is another fantastic example of this ethos. A true Mallorcean escape offering world class cuisine, history, value and above all authenticity. We know our family and supporter experiences are just as important as our athletes and CSJ has been hand picked with this in mind. There is no other place on this majestic island that we’d rather be. We look forward to welcoming you in April!