PORT DE POLLENCA OR PORT DE SOLLER: WHERE SHOULD YOU STAY?
Port de Pollença and Port de Sóller are classic examples of two places that look quite similar on the map. Both are coastal, scenic and well set up for a holiday, but feel quite different to one another once you arrive.
If you are trying to choose between them, the decision comes down to what you value most in a holiday setting. In this article, we will set out what you can expect at each resort, and they key differences between the two.
Port de Pollença or Port de Sóller: Location
Geographically, there are small differences.
Port de Pollença sits in the north of Mallorca. It opens out onto a wide bay, with views towards Formentor and easy access to nearby towns like Pollença and Alcúdia. It is quite a way from Palma de Mallorca (64km) and the airport (69km) – you can expect transport to take around 90 minutes. That said, once you’re there – there’s little need to move around too much.
Port de Sóller, by contrast, is tucked into the northwest coast within the Serra de Tramuntana. The setting is more enclosed, with mountains wrapping around an idyllic horseshoe bay. It feels more contained and a little more remote.
From Sóller, everything tends to flow through the valley, whether that is heading inland to Sóller via the tram, or out to nearby villages like Deià and Valldemossa. It is also conveniently located for Palma de Mallorca, and the airport (35kms).
Port de Pollença or Port de Sóller: Things to do
In Port de Pollença, the range of things to do is broad and family friendly. Much of it revolves around the bay and the surrounding area.
You have simple pleasures done well, walking the Pine Walk, cycling along the coast, or taking a boat out towards Cap de Formentor. The calm water makes activities like paddle boarding or kayaking particularly easy to pick up.
There is also a strong sense of it being a base and a resort town. You can head inland to Pollença (only 7km away) for markets and wine bars, hike sections of the GR221, or take day trips across the island without too much planning.
In Port de Sóller, the experience is more concentrated. The town itself, the bay, and the connection to Sóller via the historic tram are central to the stay. From there, walking routes into the Tramuntana mountains, trips to hidden coves like Cala Tuent, or sunset at Far des Cap Gros give the place a slightly more active, outdoors led feel.
It is also well placed to visit the inland town of Sóller as well as various other Tramuntana villages, like Valldemossa.
Port de Pollença or Port de Sóller: Beaches
This is one of the clearer differences and for some, the deal-breaker.
Port de Pollença has the better beach overall. It is wide, sandy, and gently sloping into very calm, shallow water. You can walk along it for a long stretch, and it never feels overly confined. It works equally well for swimming, relaxing, or just spending an entire day without needing to move. You can also access smaller bays nearby, on foot or by boat.
Port de Sóller has a perfectly good beach and wonderfully clear water. But the space is a little more limited – it is split into sections along the bay.
Where Sóller compensates is in access to more rugged, interesting spots nearby. Boat trips to tiny bays like Sa Calobra or Cala Tuent offer a very different kind of beach experience.
Port de Pollença or Port de Sóller: Budget
Neither destination is especially budget focused, but there is a noticeable difference.
Port de Sóller tends to be more expensive across accommodation, dining, and general day to day costs. Its setting within the Tramuntana mountains, combined with a slightly more boutique feel, pushes prices up, particularly in peak season.
Port de Pollença offers a broader range. You will still find high end hotels, but also more mid range and budget friendly options. Eating out can be as simple or as refined as you like, and there are lots of well-priced supermarkets. It is easier to keep costs under control without sacrificing quality.
Port de Pollença or Port de Sóller: Dining out & nightlife
Both places have a range of lovely restaurants.
In Port de Pollença, dining is varied and relaxed. You can have a long seafood lunch overlooking the bay, something more local by the port at places like La Cantina del Moll Nou, or an easy evening meal on the promenade. Voramar 57 Pizzería is a good example of somewhere that gets the setting just right. There are also options for wine tasting and more casual tapas spots, particularly if you head into nearby Pollença town in the evening.
In Port de Sóller, the emphasis is slightly more on setting. Restaurants line the bay, and much of the experience is about securing a good table with a sea view. Places like Kingfisher or Giro offer that classic holiday combination of good food and a strong atmosphere. There are also more niche options, such as Espiritu Libre, which adds a slightly more contemporary feel.
Port de Pollença or Port de Sóller: Families
Port de Pollença is very clearly set up for families. The beach alone makes that obvious, calm, shallow water, plenty of space, and an easy going atmosphere. Add in playgrounds on the beach, casual restaurants, and a promenade that is simple to navigate, and it becomes an easy place to settle into with children.
Port de Sóller works for families too. The beach is easy to access, but it is more compact. The tram, short walks, and boat trips add interest, but the overall experience is less centred around the classic beach holiday with children.
Port de Pollença or Port de Sóller: Couples
Port de Sóller has a natural advantage when it comes to setting. The mountains, the curve of the bay, and the slightly more enclosed feel give it a quieter, more romantic quality. Add in the beautiful Sóller town, opportunities to hike and visit quaint villages, and it feels quite idyllic. We also appreciated how easy it is to visit Palma de Mallorca for a bit of culture, from Port de Sóller.
Port de Pollença should not be overlooked for couples. It is relaxed without being dull, and there is enough variety to have an interesting vacation. Cycling one day, a beach club the next, dinner inland in Pollença the evening after. It suits couples who want flexibility but without faff.
So, where should you stay?
If your priority is beaches, flexibility, and an easy, well balanced holiday, choose Port de Pollença.
If you are drawn to scenery, a slightly more distinctive setting, and a holiday that leans into landscape and atmosphere, choose Port de Sóller.
Travel guides to both towns
Below, you can find our travel guides to Port de Sóller and Port de Pollença.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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