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Puerto Pollensa

Overview: The sedate holiday resort of Puerto Pollensa stretches along a sheltered horseshoe-shaped bay lined with sandy beaches, set against the backdrop of the Boquer mountain range on the north coast of Mallorca. The resort has grown up around the scenic fishing port that serves the picturesque old Roman town of Pollensa, situated a few miles inland. Far quieter and more laid back than the exuberant resorts of Magalluf and Palma Nova, Puerto Pollensa and its near neighbour, the tranquil resort of Cala San Vicente, it attracts families and couples. Holidaymakers generally take inclusive packages at the resort's family hotels, or rent sophisticated villas on the port's celebrated Pine Walk promenade. Cafes, restaurants and tourist shops line the promenade along with some elegant hotels, which overlook the wide sandy beach and the bay, dotted with the colourful sails of yachts. Those willing to make the effort to be up for sunrise are rewarded with an inspiring sight as gentle waves lap the shore in the dawn light.

Shopping: While Puerto Pollensa may not be a shopping Mecca as such, it is very adequately supplied with shops and boutiques catering to the tourist trade and holidaymakers will enjoy a spot of shopping. It is the local markets, mainly, that delight shoppers in Mallorca, and one of the liveliest and biggest takes place every Sunday in the church square in the Pollensa old town. Stalls extend down the side streets, filled with a variety of goods from fresh fruits and vegetables to local crafts and carvings, leather goods, ceramics and lace. Market day in Puerto Pollensa itself is Wednesdays, when stalls are set up in the Church Square. The port is connected to the old town by a regular and frequent bus service.

Restaurants: Clivia, Giardino, Ca'n Costa and Little Italy come highly recommended for holidaymakers when dining out in Puerto Pollensa. The resort is renowned for hosting some of the best fish restaurants on Mallorca. While this is undoubtedly so, there is also a wide selection of restaurants catering to all tastes, from the best of British to pizza, Chinese, the local tapas and even a Kashmiri restaurant.

Nightlife: Like everything else in Puerto Pollensa, the scene after dark remains laid-back and quiet, tourists and locals alike taking time for the traditional 'paseo' or stroll from the marina along the Pine Walk, as far as the elegant Illa D'Or hotel. After lingering over a delicious dinner most are content to watch the world go by from a pavement café. There is entertainment offered by most of the hotels, but the main resort of Puerto Pollensa is not designed for the techno clubbing set, though there are nightclubs in neighbouring Alcudia, a few miles to the south. The old town and resort experience plenty of festivals, however, when things get lively, like on January 16 when bonfires are lit in honour of St Anthony, and in July when the patron saint is honoured with parades, concerts and plenty of dancing in the streets. In February an annual carnival is held, and during the second week of November celebrations centre on the annual trade fair.

Activities: Puerto Pollensa offers all the usual watersports enjoyed by holidaymakers, with facilities and equipment available from various operators at the marina and along the beach. Glass bottom boat trips are available from the port. There are also opportunities for hiking along walking trails in the surrounding hills and scenic mountains. Sightseeing in the port itself and the neighbouring old town, particularly on foot, is an interesting option. Excursions to the lighthouse at Cap Formentor, along a hair-raising but beautiful drive, are popular, also trips to other places of interest on Mallorca. On the outskirts of the adjacent resort of Cala San Vicente there are ancient burial caves. The island is small, and no matter where you start from on Mallorca no destination is more than 75 miles (120km) away. Generally, though, most visitors come to Puerto Pollensa purely for relaxation on the magnificent beaches.

Negatives: Negatives about Puerto Pollensa are expressed only by those who go anticipating bright lights and wild nightlife. The resort is quiet and the beaches uncrowded, even in the height of the season; most visitors are families with young children or older couples. Entertainment in most hotels is geared primarily towards children. Restaurants can be very pricey.

Nearby Attractions

Pollensa (Old Town) Situated in the hills, towards the north east of Mallorca, Pollensa is a peaceful old town that has been largely unaffected by tourism. The town was established a few miles inland to protect against any sudden pirate attacks; its harbour, Puerto Pollensa, was left...  see full details

Alcudia (Old Town) The ancient town of Alcudia, not to be confused with the modern resort two miles (3km) to its south, has a fascinating and turbulent history. The Phoenicians and Greeks settled here and the Romans made it their capital in the 2nd century BC....  see full details
Arta The ancient hilltop town of Arta close to the east coast of Mallorca has been occupied for about 3,000 years, and today welcomes visitors to the remains of its Bronze Age settlement at Ses Paisses, just outside the town in a grove of olive, carob and...  see full details
Lluc About 20 miles (32km) beyond Soller, after a precipitous drive through the Serra de Tramuntana in the north of the island, is the remote mountain village of Lluc, in a valley that has been an important place of pilgrimage since the 13th century....  see full details

Activities

Castell d’Alaro: Mallorca’s most popular hiking trail is the climb from the town of Alaro up to a ruined castle and hilltop chapel, which offers panoramic views of the sea and plains as far as Palma. From Alaro the walk takes about two hours to complete. The castle ruins on the hilltop date from the 15th century and dominate the landscape. At the summit there is a restaurant and bar to refresh weary climbers. On Sundays the trail becomes rather busy.