North Mallorca: Pollensa, Puerto Pollensa & Cala San Vicente
Puerto Pollensa nestles between the Mediterranean Sea and
the foot of the Tramuntana mountain range on the north-western edge of the Bay of Pollensa
in the North of Mallorca. Eight kilometres inland from Puerto Pollensa is the historic
town of Pollensa, to the north is Formentor, with its exclusive millionaires' homes and
beautiful beach and to the north-west is the sleepy beach resort of Cala San Vicente with
its little aquamarine bays and gorgeous cliffs.
The climate is hot, sunny and dry through the summer months and mild by day but cold by
night through the winter. Of course, we experience the odd Mediterranean storm with
thunder and lightning but bad weather never lasts long here. Warm summer weather and calm
seas make it the ideal spot for relaxing holiday-making. Either side of summer, it is
haven for walkers, cyclists, climbers and birdwatchers.
The bay of Pollensa is large, sheltered and lined with soft, sandy beaches, which slope
gradually into a normally calm sea and, in the centre of the port, are reached via a
pedestrianised promenade. This makes the whole beach area very safe for families.
There are great sports facilities in the sports centres in Puerto Pollensa and Pollensa
(poliesportius). In the port there is an indoor pool, tennis courts, squash courts, while
Pollensa has tennis courts plus a football pitch, athletics track and outdoor pool. There
are sports clubs, gyms and facilities for activities such as beach volleyball, sailing,
canoeing and windsurfing.
Waterskiing, wakeboarding and parascending are available in the bay with a licenced
operator and pleasure boats can be hired in the marina in Puerto Pollensa.
There are golf clubs at nearby Aucanada (18 holes) and Pollensa (9 holes). Both have good
restaurants and courses with stunning views and at Pollensa there is a lovely swimming
pool which can be used by lunch guests.
There is also tremendous availability for more specialised outdoor pursuits throughout the
Pollensa area including: bird-watching, walking/hiking, rock climbing, canyoning, mountain
biking, cycling, horse-riding, fishing and boating. Scuba diving is available with various
organisations in Puerto Pollensa.
On Wednesday, an extensive market fills the square of Puerto Pollensa where fresh produce
is on sale alongside funky reading glasses and jewellery, flowers, clothing, home and
leather goods and arts and crafts. A similar market is held weekly in Pollensa main square
on Sundays.
The Pollensa area has a huge cultural heritage which is regularly celebrated during the
many fiestas and cultural activities which take place through the year. The Festes del
Virge Carme take place at the beginning of July and last for a week, during which most
nights there are live concerts and dancing in the square, activities on the seafront,
childrens' entertainers, culminating in a fabulous firework display on the beach at
midnight.
The Patrona is the annual Pollensa fiesta, Los Moros y Cristianos (The Moors and
Christians), which takes place at the beginning of August and commemorates the invasion of
Pollensa by the Moors and its defence by the victorious people of Pollensa. A huge
re-enactment of the battle through the narrow streets of Pollensa, spilling out onto the
edges, is an experience for all to enjoy.
There is a fiesta or celebration nearly every month: in January, the renowned Sant Antoni
celebrations take place both in Puerto Pollensa and Pollensa when hordes of young men
fight to climb a 20m pine tree and so win their pick of any of the local women (well, in
the old days!).
In February, we have Carnaval when everyone dresses up for a big parade throughout the
centre of Pollensa; in April the Fira del Vi which allows everyone a taste of the new
wines from all over the island and particularly the local Pollensa producers.
In June, the Fiesta of San Pedro (patron saint of fisherman) invites everyone to enjoy
music, wine and dance on the fishing quays in the marina in Puerto Pollensa and to watch
the procession of the statue of the Virgin and the blessing at sea.
In November, the Fira de Pollensa is a big event which attracts crowds of visitors from
all over the island. It features craft stalls, displays of artesanal works and foods, live
music, an animal fair. There are also lots of exhibitions, shows and a craft market open
for the whole weekend.
There is a wide range of restaurants in the area to suit different tastes and pocket. From
back streets bars, which offer a daily lunchtime menu del día for a very
reasonable price starting around 8€ (up to 17€ on Sundays). At the other end of
the scale, are a number of restaurants to be highly recommended that provide food of a
very high standard in beautiful waterfront situation but charge accordingly. Cadwell
Developments can recommend good to great places to eat and enjoy in the Pollensa area,
Alcudia and Palma as well as in other parts of the mountains and the island.
Throughout the Pollensa area, there are clothes and gift/jewellery shops to suit all
styles and tastes. Whether a serious shopper or simply picking up holiday presents to take
back to friends and family, there is plenty of choice.
Whether by car, bus or even boat, it is very easy to travel and enjoy the surrounding
countryside and coastline. Alcudia, on the other side of Pollensa Bay, is a 15 minute
drive away. Alternatively you can catch a ferry from the marina in Puerto Pollensa and
enjoy panoramic views of the Mediterranean coastline on your way around into the bay of
Alcudia. Ferries also operate daily between Puerto Pollensa and Formentor and, from
Alcudia, there is a daily ferry to the very lovely port of Ciutadella in Menorca.
A trip up in to the mountains to Lluc or any of the mountain villages, ie. Fornalutx or
Estellencs is well worth it. Palma is about 65km away and has many historic buildings,
gorgeous shops, a delightfully preserved centre with traditional markets, restaurants and
museums and a lively, vibrant seafront area around the Club Nautico and the Lonja areas.
The scenery along the northern coast of Mallorca is rugged and dramatic with clusters of
beautiful coves surrounded by towering cliffs at the end of the Sierra de Tramuntana
mountain range. On this breath-taking coastline is located the pretty fishing village,
Cala San Vicente, whose sheer, natural beauty has drawn generations of artists and
inspired countless paintings. The crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean sparkle in the
sunshine and lap its fine, sandy beaches.
The beaches of Cala Molins and Cala Barques are easily accessible and are great for play
and bathing. The largest beach is Cala Barques, where there are a number of
restaurants/bars on the edge of the beach and there are sunbeds, sunshades and pedalos for
hire. It's still a fishing port, so you'll probably even share the beach with the
fishermen, their boats and nets. Cala Molins is smaller and situated on the other side of
the village, with beach bars and souvenir shops nearby.
There is no fast paced nightlife in the Cala. Instead count on balmy evenings under clear,
starry skies enjoying delicious local food and wines or cocktails to the accompanying
sound of the sea. Lovely!
Pollensa and Puerto Pollensa are about 10km away and if your idea of a complete getaway
does not involve car hire, the bus service is very good.
Pollensa is well worth a visit with its quaint narrow streets, stone houses, arty cafes
and busy Sunday market. There are excellent walks all around this area including the climb
to the Puig de Maria, a monastery at 330m above Pollensa from which you can see Menorca.
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