Formentor Mallorca Spain

Formentor comprises a famous hotel, a ferry landing stage with a cafe for day-trippers and a few classy, well-spaced private houses, all situated on a narrow 1-ml dead-end road off the equally narrow Cape Formentor road. Surrounded by countryside of great natural beauty, this is an important location for the observation of migratory birds.

Formentor is situated toward the extreme N of the island, 6½ tortuously winding mls NE of Puerto de Pollensa, 44 mls NE of Palma and the international airport on mainly good roads. It is located halfway along the Formentor Peninsula, a spectacular promontory with sheer cliffs rising 650 ft above the sea. It is set alongside a small, sheltered, crescent-shaped bay with steep, pine-forested, rocky ground down to the sea edge.

Wealthy bird-watchers and upmarket seclusion-seekers will enjoy this destination. Otherwise attractions and activities are a bit limited.

Accommodation consists of just the one hotel, occasionally visited by the rich and famous. The beach here is Cala de Pi which is a thin strip of fine sand backed by pine trees. It can be crowded with day-trippers. There are a small number of pedalloes, catamarans and surfboards for hire.

Non beach attractions include bird-watching; horse riding; walking in surrounding countryside. Nightlife here is low key, provided by the hotel in season.

Local excursions include a trip to: Cape of Formentor; village of Pollensa; ferry trips to Puerto de Pollensa; Alcudia.

Cala San Vicente Mallorca Spain

Set around a rugged bay which is dominated by the Hotel Don Pedro, Cala San Vicente is a modest fishing village of character, with older houses, a church and several beach restaurants clustered about the larger beach, one side of which is still used by fishermen for repairing nets and storing goods.

The stunning location is surrounded by parched hills and craggy cliffs, reached via a good road from Palma airport. The cliffs of Formentor peninsula are spectacular and give a fabulous back drop to this village. Set back from the beach is a sleepy hamlet of leafy villas and a few ammenities which provide a modicum of holiday provisions. It is a family venue and entertainment is something most visitors create for themselves unless they’re staying in the resort’s large hotel complex.

Locality:

Cala San Vicente is located on the N coast of Mallorca, 35 mls NE of Palma and airport, 3½ mls NE of Pollensa.
The area is suited mainly to mature couples and families with older children; this is a quiet retreat for the discerning, and those who enjoy exceptional coastal and rural scenery.

A clutch of hotels from simple to middle grade, with one or two small luxury establishments form the accommodation options in Cala San Vicente.

Beachwise, Cala Barques is the principal and prettiest, separated by a rocky knoll and a hotel from the tiny Cala Clara. Located around a sizeable headland is Cala Molins, a third sandy beach, this one augmented by imported sand each May. The waters are beautifully clear and the views tremendous.

Shopping provides only basics and souvenirs but greater variety is found in nearby Pollensa, which also has a colourful Sunday market.

Entertainment and activities like most of Mallorca’s resorts don’t spread too far away from the beach. Walks and general relaxation is about as much as the area offers, although for this purpose the area is fanatastic.
By night the larger hotels put on shows but this is more of a place for quiet enjoyment than organised nightlife. Puerto Pollensa is the nearest port of call for a more lively night with greater options.

Excursions tend to consist of several excellent walks, prehistoric caves just inland, an Inca Market and the old town of Pollensa and its port and Alcudia.

Can Picafort Mallorca Spain

The holiday resort of C’an Picafort is the principle coastal development of the municipality of Santa Margalida, 60km NE of Palma, at the E end of the Bay of Alcudia, on the N coast of Mallorca/Majorca.
Transfer time into the resort from the Son Sant Joan international airport on the outskirts of Palma is usually around 1.1/2 hours.

The town of Santa Margalida itself actually lies approximately 10km inland of C’an Picafort, and this is where most of the resident population of the area live.

This resort is much quieter than nearby Puerto de Alcudia, this is a place for families and couples to enjoy a relaxing seaside break.
There are a variety of hotels concentrated near, but generally not on, the 2 beaches, the better ones being at Son Baulo. Quality ranges from simple hostels to presentable 4-stars.

Locality:

C’an Picafort is on the north east coast, (it is 38 mls NE of Palma and airport, 6 mls S of Puerto de Alcudia). It is NE-facing, on land that slopes gently down to the sea, with a vast, flat agricultural plain farther inland.
The resort has a wide traffic free beachside promenade, which is lined with restaurants and bars running from the marina and fishing harbour to the more modern Son Baulo area of the town a further 2km away to the east.
For beach lovers of all ages, the best of the resorts two main beaches is found in the Baulo district too, where you will also find a small protected nature reserve.

Parents with small children should be aware that this area has a large pool of stagnant water and is host to a number of other “less protected” species of wildlife. Although again the local council are keen to point out that the presence of Mediterranean tortoises, red pheasants, hares, rabbits, weasels, dormice and Algerian hedgehogs, all contribute to making this area of great environment significance. In all fairness this beach a very clean has does have good facilities.

Other than the numerous bars and restaurants, the resort really has very little other tourist attractions, and with the notable exception of the two nightclubs in the town, evening entertainment is generally hotel based.

A regular bus service runs along the coast road, running through Playa de Muro into nearby Alcudia.

Alcudia Mallorca Spain

The resort of Alcudia is situated in the north east coast of Mallorca at the top of a long curving bay with an endless white sandy beach. It is situated 34 mls NE of Palma and the airport by way of a good, mainly straight road.This sprawling, purpose-built resort, together with its neighbour Playa de Muro, stretches for five miles (eight km) either side of the coast road and is particularly popular with British, German and Scandinavian families. It has a fairly relaxed atmosphere; its spectacular beach is the major attraction, though it is also well placed for exploring the attractions around the north of the island.

The activities in Alcudia are mainly focused along the spectacular five-mile (eight km) beach that fronts the resort. All sorts of watersports can be arranged from scuba diving to banana rides.
There are tennis and squash courts in the resort and nearby attractions include a water park, a go-kart track and horse riding stables. Boats trips can be arranged to the stunning Formentor promontory where passengers can snorkel or simply take in the views.

The nearby towns of Pollenca and Alcudia (old town) and the mountain village of Lluc are worth exploring in search of a little culture, while those looking to get away from it all can take a trip to the mountainous western side of the island. Alcudia doesn’t have a distinct shopping centre: shops selling buckets and spades and tourist trinkets line the beach road and the other small shopping areas dotted around the resort also cater for tourists. The satellite resort of Playa de Muro has an upmarket mall with some nice boutiques and the port area has a selection of designer shops.

The supermarkets are good, stocking all the well-known brands along with cheap alcohol and cigarettes. The local market opens on Tuesday and Sunday mornings and the market in Inca, 15 miles (24km) inland, opens on Thursdays. Good buys include the porcelain and leather goods, but bargain hard.

As far as eating options, most restaurants in Alcudia cater for the unadventurous British palate with plenty of fast-food joints and cafés offering something with chips. There are also a few Italian, Indian and Chinese restaurants. The better restaurants are mostly in the port area, where diners can find some decent Spanish, French and seafood restaurants within a lovely harbour setting.

Alcudia has lots of bars, pubs and discos catering for most tastes but this is not the resort for those after some serious clubbing. Many of the hotels offer in-house entertainment ranging from flamenco dancers to comedians.
The resort of Alcudia is not known for its architectural merit; its skyline is dominated by 1960s style apartment blocks. To the relief of many, Alcudia is not the resort for party animals; those looking for some serious clubbing should head for the south of the island.

Local excursions include the nearby old town of Alcudia with medieval streets and Roman remains; Puerto de Pollensa and peninsula of Formentor; monastery of Lluc and onward to Soller, Deya and Valldemosa; Caves of Drach and Hams; Palma; market at inland town of Inca (Thurs); jeep safaris; boat cruises; evening shows.

Mallorca Spain Travel Guide

This elegant island has to offer anything a visitor might dream of. Tourism at Mallorca started to develop already in the 1920s, and until the Spanish Civil War it was mainly intellectuals and artists who were attracted by this island. Mallorca’s wonderful climate, beautiful landscapes as well as its cosmopolitan ambience make it a privileged holiday resort, with a cultural offer comparable to the one of many European capitals. The Auditiorio de Palma , for instance, ranks among Europe’s top concert halls. At Mallorca, you will find relaxation, inspiration, culture and entertainment.
Mallorca has a serious range of mountains, the Serra de Tramuntana, along the north-west side and a range of pine-clad hills along the east (the Serres de Llevant).

In between is the vast plain to the east of Palma called Es Pla, sprinkled with little-known historic country towns and planted with around six million almond trees.

Elsewhere olives, artichokes and melons vie for space alongside wild flowers, cactuses and migratory birds stopping off between Europe and Africa.
Towns such as Felanitx, where local farmers fill a colourful market around the old church on Sundays, and Petra, where families sit at quiet cafes in tree-shaded squares, give a glimpse of what life was like before the tourists arrived.

The flat north-east coast is heavily developed at Alcúdia but still has its out-of-the-way attractions, such as the Iron Age cemetery at Son Real, just outside Ca’n Picafort. The east coast is dotted with sandy coves.

Head for Cala Mondragó or Porto Petro, where low-rise development hasn’t destroyed the original charm. Of the competing caves in this area, those at Artà are the most impressive.
Mallorca’s south coast is a mix of lonely, windswept sand dunes, ideal for a romantic walk.

 

The liveliest resorts are around the bay of Palma – S’Arenal (more popular with German visitors), Magaluf and Palma Nova are where the massed ranks of hotels and apartments are crammed along the superb, sandy beaches.

Things to see in Mallorca include:

• Palma de Mallorca – the island´s capital is worth a trip on its own. Very old city where you will find architectural wonders, culture and mediterranean food.
• Serra de Tramuntana – wonderful range of mountains that run along the north-west coast of Mallorca
• Playa de Palma – Busiest destination on Mallorca.
• Valldemossa – Georges Sand and Frederic Chopin spent some time in this beautiful village
• Soller and Port de Soller – a beautiful town in the mountains that can be reached by a combination of train and tram
• Caves – several caves are open to the public, the Dragon Caves (Coves del Drach in mallorquin) being the most visited.

Things to do in Mallorca include:

• Beaches – this is what the most people come for. The main tourist areas are on the S and E coast but places may be crowded in high season. More secluded and quiet beaches can be found on the island but expect a difficult route (e.g. cliffs) and minimal parking. A must visit is Es Trenc, near the Colonia de Sant Jordi, but there are also many beaches which are not that popular that are well worth a visit.

• Hiking – The Serra de Tramuntana offers some fine trails.

• Cycling – In spring the island’s roads are popular with several professional teams in preparation for the next season.

• Palma – the island’s capital offers the famous cathedral as well as a nice city centre to stroll around. Cultural visits, shore excursions and private guided tours lead by official Mallorca Tour Guides to Jewish quarter and other sites and villages around the Island.

• Golf – There are eighteen, 18 hole golf courses on the island that are open to the general public. These are Andratx, Alcanada, Bendinat, Canyamel, Capdepera, Poniente, Pula, Golf Park Puntiró Mallorca, Golf Maioris, Santa Ponsa 1, Son Antem East, Son Antem West, Son Termens, Son Vida, Son Muntaner, Son Quint, Son Gual & Vall d’Or. There are two 9 holes courses open to the general public; Son Servera & Pollença. The courses Santa Ponsa 2 & 3 are ‘members only’ and finally there is a 9 hole golf course in the grounds of La Reserve Rotana, a boutique hotel located in the North-East of the island, just outside of Manacor.

• Nature – S’Abulfera is a large salt marsh near the town of Alcudia. Large numbers of bird species can be seen, including many species of heron, waders, ducks and warblers. The cliffs of Fortmentor are good for sea birdwatching and is one of the best places for a chance of seeing the rare Elenora’s Falcon.

• Free Classical Music Concerts – during the summer, free open-air classical music concerts are usually organised on Saturday evenings on the Bendinat Golf Course.

• Deep Water Solo / Psicobloc – the island’s unique geography has helped it become the premier destination for rock climbers wishing to experience deep water soloing or psicobloc, rock climbing above deep water.

• Yacht charter and sailing – Windward Islands – Windward Islands, one of the worlds largest yacht charter companies, can take care of all charter requirements, from bareboat to crewed in the Baleares. Operating from 9 offices worldwide (USA, Spain, UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Caribbean, Honk Kong and Dubai).