18 THINGS TO DO IN PORT DE POLLENCA (PORT DE POLLENSA).
“this was the site I was looking for…”
Agatha Christie when visiting Port de Pollença in the 1930s.
We recently walked the full length of Mallorca on the GR221. I mention this because our walk finished in the fantastic town of Port de Pollença. For me, this was my first time in the town, and I couldn’t have been more relieved to find myself washed up there after 9 days of walking, with a chance to relax, unwind and cool off by the beach.
For John (half of Lotus Eaters Travel), this was a return to Port de Pollença. A distant memory of a family holiday from many decades ago. And I think that just shows the value of this lovely town. Many years on, we were delighted to see so many families continuing to enjoy the sort of holiday we remembered growing up.
What struck me most was how Port de Pollença manages to balance everything so well. It is relaxed but not sleepy, family friendly but not overrun, and scenic without feeling overly polished.
In this blog post, I’ll set out 18 wonderful things to do in Port de Pollença to make your holiday great, as well as some tips on where to stay and how to get there.
Is it Port de Pollença or Puerto Pollensa?
It’s both. You will see both versions, one Catalan and the other Spanish. For the purpose of this blog post, I’ll be using Port de Pollença for consistency.
What’s the difference between Pollença and Port de Pollença?
There’s sometimes a little confusion between the two. They are actually distinct towns. Pollença is inland, around 7km away, while Port de Pollença is the coastal resort town.
Both are well worth visiting and you can find more on that below.
Why visit Port de Pollença?
Port de Pollença is one of those wonderful places that really does suit almost every type of traveller.
You have a huge sandy bay with calm, shallow water that is ideal for swimming. You have mountain views in the distance, giving it that classic Mallorca feel. And you have just enough going on in terms of restaurants, activities and day trips to keep things interesting without it ever feeling overwhelming.
It is also a brilliant base. Whether you want to explore the Tramuntana mountains, visit nearby towns, or simply enjoy long, slow days by the sea, everything is within easy reach. And, if it’s good enough for Agatha Christie – it’s good enough for us.
Best time of year to visit Port de Pollença?
April through to November, even December, can be great times to visit. The coldest months are January to March, while the warmest are June to August.
You can get glorious weather in the shoulder months, especially October.
Peak season is the school summer holidays, from late July through to early September. If you’d prefer a quieter and more affordable experience, aim for outside of this period.
Just keep in mind that things like beach loungers and some activities are more available in the summer months.
Is Port de Pollença good for families?
Port de Pollença is an excellent choice for families. The beach is vast, with very calm, shallow water that is perfect for children.
There is a lovely mix of relaxed restaurants and smarter eateries, plenty of accommodation, a couple of beachside playgrounds and more inflatables than you could ever need.
What makes it especially nice is that it still feels like a proper town. Adults will not feel short changed, particularly with the option to head into nearby Pollença for a bit more culture and some excellent wine bars.
18 best things to do in Port de Pollença
Of course, a lot of your time will be spent on the beach or by the pool. But beyond that, here are 18 wonderful things to do.
1/ Seafood luncheon
You are by the sea, so it would feel almost wrong not to lean into it.
Think grilled fish fresh from the catch of the day, prawns with a squeeze of lemon, a chilled glass of white wine, and a table looking out across the bay.
The restaurants along the promenade are perfect for this, especially if you want that classic holiday view. But our favourite was La Cantina del Moll Nou. Set by the port, it feels a little more local and less polished than the seafront spots.
2/ Try Stand Up Paddle Boarding
If there’s one “active” thing you should try in Port de Pollença, it’s Stand Up Paddle Boarding. The water hear is so calm and the giant horse-shoe shape bay is perfect for exploring on a board.
The Mallorca SUP company offer rentals or experiences, including taster sessions with instructors.
Tip: if SUP isn’t for you, consider a kayaking trip instead. A slightly more sedate option.
3/ Pine Walk
One of the most famous spots in town, the Pine Walk is said to have been named by Agatha Christie.
It is a beautiful shaded walkway with incredible views across the bay towards Formentor. The scent of the pine trees and the gentle lapping of the water make it a perfect first day stroll.
You can find the Pine Walk in the area of Platja d’Albercutx.
4/ Shop for souvenirs
Port de Pollença has a perfect blend of good old fashioned souvenir shops, mixed with boutique style stores. If you hanker after a floaty dress, some quirky jewellery, or a class postcard, you can find it all in the stores along the seafront.
Some favourites of mine are TerraCuita (pottery), Suki (clothing) and Madero (jewellery).
5/ Join a beach yoga class
Is there anything more relaxing on a holiday, than beach yoga? Parampara Yoga offer a selection of great classes – you can do an outdoor one, or take things a little further and try yoga on a paddle board on the water.
Classes tend to run in the mornings in summer months. You can find the full schedule for Parampara Yoga here.
6/ Hire a bike
By far, the most popular sport in Port de Pollença is cycling. It’s a wonderful place to hire a bike and head out exploring, whether you want to stick to the coast or head up into nearby mountains.
There are many hire places in the town, of which Bike Island Mallorca is highly regarded.
7/ Head for ice cream
If you need to jumpstart on holiday mode, head for ice cream. There’s no shortage of great gelato in town, but Ca Na Mina is our top pick. Incidentally, they have a few lovely options for anyone swerving dairy too.
8/ Hike some of the GR221
The GR221 (or Dry Stone Route) is a long-distance hiking trail running from Port d’Andratx to Port de Pollença via the Tramuntana Mountains for 150km.
I’m a little biased, because we completed the route – but I have to say, it is really very beautiful. From Port de Pollença, you can walk the route into Pollença (not the prettiest stretch), or take to the mountains above Pollença for a bit more of a challenge.
Read: Find our detailed guides to the GR221.
9/ Visit Formentor
Cap de Formentor is one of the most dramatic parts of Mallorca.
The winding road, rugged cliffs and sweeping sea views make it well worth the trip. You can drive, cycle, walk, or even take a boat. Formentor Beach itself is also a beautiful spot for a swim.
While the main beach is fantastic, it is worth seeking out quieter spots.
Cala Boquer is a great option if you do not mind a short hike, while Cala Sant Vicenç offers a couple of smaller, more sheltered coves.
11/ Try local wine
Mallorca has some excellent wines, and Port de Pollença is a great place to try them.
Bodega Pollença offers tasting experiences, while Loqueria is perfect for natural wine and tapas. Alternatively, you can book a wine tasting trip.
12/ Take a boat tour
If you fancy something different, consider a boat tour. You can opt for sailing, with Sailing Experience Pollensa or an experience including snorkelling in sea caves.
13/ Pizza on the shore
Voramar 57 Pizzería is a top-rated pizza restaurant in Port de Pollença. In summer months, they bring tables outside onto the promenade and even onto the sand – you can’t get more beachfront than that. It’s a popular spot, so get there early to secure a table.
Tip: they open at 11:30, ideal for an early kids lunch or a holiday hangover brunch.
14/ Horseback riding
For something a little different, try horseback riding in the surrounding countryside.
There are a few local stables offering guided rides through rural landscapes, which is a lovely way to see a quieter side of Mallorca.
15/ Head inland to Pollença
Just a short 5 minute bus or taxi ride away, is Pollença. I loved Pollença, it’s so charming, quirky and lively.
Climb the Calvari Steps for views over the town, explore the Sunday market if you are there at the right time, and wander the narrow streets filled with galleries and cafes.
If you can, spend an evening there. The bars and restaurants come alive and it has a lovely vibe – a lot of holiday makers dress up for the evening, which felt really nice.
Tip: You can also walk to Pollença – it’s an easy 7km walk on flat terrain. It’s not the most interesting walk, but takes less than 90 minutes if you’d like to stretch your legs.
16/ Buy a retro inflatable
We saw lots of stores selling brightly coloured inflatables for the beach or pool. There’s something fantastically retro about the idea of rafting up an inflatable crocodile with a flamingo and floating around the shore. Even for grown ups – let the joy in.
17/ Take a day trip
Port de Pollença is a great base for exploring.
Head to Sóller for its historic tram and pretty streets, Valldemossa for its mountain village charm, or Alcúdia for its old town and Roman history.
If you have a car, you can drive to any of these destinations. Or you can book a tour, making things much easier.
Tip: If you’re keen to see more of the island, book a full island tour with No Frills Excursions – this includes pickup from your hotel.
18/ Run or walk the promenade
The promenade along Port de Pollença is 2 miles long. That’s 2 miles of sea views and pedestrianised space. Rise at dawn, or come out for a sunset stroll or run along the promenade.
Where to stay in Port de Pollença
BUDGET: Pension Bellavista
MID-RANGE: Hotel Sis Pins
LUXURY: Hoposa Uyal or Hotel Illa d’Or (pictured.)
How to get to Port de Pollença
The nearest airport is Palma de Mallorca Airport. From there, it takes around 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes to reach Port de Pollença.
You can hire a car, which is the most flexible option, especially if you want to explore the island. Alternatively, there are airport transfers and public buses, though these can take a bit longer and may require a change.
If you are planning to stay mostly in town, you can easily get by without a car, but for day trips, it can be useful. If you plan to just take one or two day trips, tours may be more cost effective.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
More Mallorca Blog Posts
USEFUL LINKS FOR FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSPORT
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Please note that some links on our website are partnered with affiliates. Using an affiliate links does not make it more expensive for you to purchase. We receive a small commission whenever you buy something which in turn allows us to keep writing independent travel guides and your support is greatly appreciated.
Leave a Reply