Tourists have been coming to
Puerto Pollensa since
the 1920′s, and the hotels on the sea front still retain an old
fashioned air, having been built long before the concrete boom of the
1960′s developments. During the summer months the town attracts mainly
British families looking for something more than the hussle and bussle
of the popular south coast resorts. However, once the families have left
from October onwards, the resort then becomes very popular with middle
aged couples who are able to take advantage of extended stays, escaping
from the cold British winters.
Evening entertainment here is mainly hotel based, although the resort
does have one very well established disco called Chivas which first
opened it doors 1969, but don’t expect to find loud music and non stop
karaoke bars. If that is what you are looking for then Puerto Pollensa
is not for you.
The bay of Pollensa is home to a multitude of luxury yachts, as well
as a mixture of colourful local fishing boats which sadly in recent
years are now in the minority. There are a number of small natural
beaches in the area, as well as the recently extended artificial one,
all offering the usual selection of facilities and water sports.
Although, the warm shallow waters of the bay do make it especially
popular with families with small children.
Without a doubt the main feature of the resort is the dramatic Sierra de
Tramuntana mountain range that surrounds and shelters the town. For the
more active, there are numerous walks into these hills from where the
views back over the bay are stunning. A word of warning though, before
you venture into the mountains be sure to take a local guide book with
you which documents the walks, and tells you everything you need to
know.
Beyond the beach and the activities programme provided at many of the
larger hotels in the area, the actual resort itself really has little
in the way of family type attractions. You won’t find water parks or
karting tracks here, and is therefore perhaps more suited for those
seeking a quiet relaxing break. Although, if the prospect of doing
nothing for two weeks isn’t that appealing, there is a waterpark,
karting track and three mini-golf courses, less than 10 minutes away at
the Hidropark in nearby Alcudia.
Locality:
Puerto De Pollensa is situated near the north eat tip of the
island at Cape Formentor (38 mls NE of Palma and airport. 3¾ mls NE of
Pollensa. 5¼ mls NW of old town of Alcudia). This resort is facing South
across the wide Bay of Pollensa, on broad coastal plain backed by
mountains.
Puerto Pollensa is a
firm favourite with more mature visitors, although all ages will
appreciate finer points of scenery, good beaches and agreeable ambience.
Ideal family resort; on the quiet side but not without nightlife.
Accommodation is a near-equal mix of apartments and hotels, most of
which fall into mid-market, 3-star range. Many have distinctive
character of their own, so breadth of choice is quite wide. Some
apartments and hotels situated along main road and pedestrianised
section of promenade.
The beaches here are long, narrow strip of fine, white sand,
artificially enlarged near marina to create wider beach. Sea is usually
calm, sheltered by headlands and sand slopes gradually into clear water.
Sun loungers and sunshades for hire although they are expensive.
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. 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.
Puerto Pollensa 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.
Like everything else in Puerto Pollensa, the scene after dark remains
laid-back and quiet, visitors 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.
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.
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 as an unprotected outpost.
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.
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 holm
oak trees.
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.
