Puerto Pollensa holidays

Unlike other popular resorts, Puerto Pollensa has very few high-rise buildings and retains a small town charm. You’ll find restaurants serving traditional Spanish cuisine and fresh seafood, as well as international favourites. In the large marina, traditional Majorcan Llaüt fishing boats can still be spotted alongside modern vessels.

To delve deeper into the island’s past, take a day trip to Pollensa town, a 15-minute drive away. A journey back in time through a multitude of conquests, you can admire Roman remnants, Gothic buildings and more. For natural wonders and picturesque hiking and biking trails, visit the rugged peninsula Cap de Formentor, a 25-minute drive away.

Temperatures drop considerably in winter, with the January average around 10C during the day. But if you’re after a cheap holiday to Puerto Pollensa, it can be a great time to visit with plenty of sunny days for coastal walks and a round or two of golf.

In July, there are eight days of festivities in honour of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, patron saint of sailors and the sea. The closing party on the Sunday closest to July 16 features fireworks, parades and fancy dress.

With serene, shallow waters, Puerto Pollensa is ideal for getting out on a stand-up paddleboard or kayak. Set off around the Bay of Pollensa to discover craggy cliffs, hidden coves and underwater caves.

Kitesurfing is also popular, with collections of colourful kites often visible off the coast. Head south towards Alcúdia to hire boards and kites and arrange lessons. Back in Puerto Pollensa, divers can book trips or earn a PADI certificate at one of the schools near the marina.

Pollensa town

Set slightly back from the port is Pollensa, an ancient town with cobbled streets, Gothic architecture and Roman relics. The quaint Pont Roma bridge is one of the best-preserved Roman landmarks in Majorca – and you can still walk across it.

For sweeping bay views, head towards the hilltop Puig de Maria monastery. The unshaded 45-minute uphill walk can be challenging in the height of summer so take an evening stroll and enjoy the sunset instead. Alternatively, wander up the 365 El Calvari steps to look over Pollensa and out to the mountains.

Pine Walk

Fans of Agatha Christie can walk in her footsteps along the Pine Walk, following the waterfront for a little more than 3km (two miles). The inspiration for her collection of short stories, Problems at Pollensa Bay, the route passes golden beaches, pine trees and some of the island’s most impressive villas.

Parts of the coastal pathway are shaded by trees, but, if you need a break, you can stop at one of the hotel bar terraces overlooking the water.

Cap de Formentor

Walkers after something more challenging can head to Cap de Formentor – the meeting point of the Sierra de Tramuntana mountains and the Mediterranean. Be warned: the 25-minute drive from the port to the peninsula is a hair-raising journey along a craggy coastline famous for plunging ledges.

Hiking trails snake through the peninsula’s dramatic scenery, taking you from shingle beaches to steep gullies and pine woodlands. A rugged and still-active lighthouse is the cape’s defining landmark. Walk around its base to spot seabirds and falcons.

Golf

There are several courses nearby including Golf Pollensa, a 15-minute drive out of town. The nine-hole course has spectacular views of the Sierra de Tramuntana mountain range and the bays of Pollensa and Alcúdia. Home to two of Majorca’s longest holes, it is set amid olive and pine trees and has two lakes.

If you want a few tips on your swing, there’s also an academy where novices and seasoned players alike can work on their game with a pro.