Around the area
Transportation
As Mallorca is an island there are only a couple of ways to reach us!
Flying: You can fly direct from all London airports (and many other UK cities) to Palma. From Palma it’s about a 45 minute drive North to Puerto Pollenca. There are thousands of hire cars in Mallorca and you may prefer to hire one for a few days to drive up and see some of the rest of the island.
Driving: You can also drive from the UK, which is actually a more enjoyable journey than it sounds. You can either drive to Toulon or Barcelona and then get the ferry directly to Alcudia. From Alcudia it's a 15 minute drive to Puerto Pollenca.
Activities in the area
Boats: There are lots of boating activities. You can hire a small boat without a licence for the day, which you can pilot to some of the coves up the coast, or take around to Formentor Bay. The main port area in Puerto Pollensa is the place to find hire boat activites.
Cycling: Mallorca is well known for fantastic cycling routes. You don’t have to be an expert, there are some small beginner routes too and none of the climbs are particularly steep. There are loads of cycle hire shops in Puerto Pollenca if you fancy going for a spin, although note there are none in the old town!
Watersports: There are a few places in Puerto Pollenca to organise water sports from. A lot of these activities now take place in the Bay of Alcudia, but the ski schools will drive you round to the correct location.
The Bay of Alcudia is also popular for kite surfing. There are plenty of schools if you want a lesson or to rent a kite and board.
Vineyards: There are a few local vineyards worth a visit. Can Axartell is a modern winery built into an old quarry right next door to Finca Es Fangar. They produce white, red and some of the best rosé in the region. They offer tapas with a wine tasting a tour which is a nice way to spend an afternoon.
Formentor Beach: This is a small beach within the next bay around the corner from Puerto Pollensa. This is the prettiest beach in the area and some say the best in the whole of Mallorca. We recommend heading down early (10am latest) if you would like a sunbed. You can either drive, taxi, bus or cycle here, taxi probably being the best option. It's about €20 from Puerto Pollensa.
Here they also offer stand up paddle, pedalos and canoes, all of which you can enjoy for 10 minutes until you get knackered.
They also have a restaurant here - this does get busy. We would recommend taking some cold beers down to the beach.
Resturants & watering holes
Pollenca old town:
- Jimmy’s - they have a really pretty courtyard at the back of the bar. They do the most amazing cocktails, we would definitely recommend this for pre-drinks. They also offer treatments and yoga classes if you are staying nearby. We wouldn’t recommend having a cocktail at the same time… maybe after.
- C'an Mir 45 - this is a superb tapas restaurant just off the central square. We would recommend booking and this is a very popular place. I don’t think they are open some evenings so worth checking this too. They don't have a website but they are here: Carrer de Sant Isidre, 15, 07460 Pollença, Illes Balears, Spain.
- Son Brull - if you are feeling fancy they do a tasting menu and also have a bistro which is in a beautiful setting. If you go for lunch you will also be to access the spa.
Puerto Pollenca:
- Stay - this is a lovely restaurant overlooking the harbour. They have lots of choices and something for everyone, good at lunch or dinner.
- Amazo - this place is a bit different to your normal Spanish cuisine. You will be sitting inside, but the decor makes up for this. The food is incredible, we would recommend having more starters than mains. Cocktails here are also very nice.
- Illa D'or - this is a perfect spot to watch the sunset with a pint or pina colada. From the centre of Puerto Pollenca you walk can walk along the sea front and down the pretty ‘pine walk’ and paddle in the sea whilst watching the sun disappear over the mountains. We would recommend arriving around 6pm for the best choice of tables.
- La Llonja - this a lovely restaurant in the centre of Puerto pollenca set on a pier overlooking the marina. The tempura prawns are a must!
- Hotel Llenaire - this is just outside of Puerto Pollenca in the hills. You can see over the bay of Pollenca. Make sure you arrive an hour before sunset so you can have a drink over looking the bay.
- Na Ruixa - this is a favourite of ours. It’s a family-run restaurant and every aspect is great. The portions are big so if you're hungry great! Paella and Steak are our usual choices. It's also great for sharing.
- Bahia - this is nice for paella, situated on the main pinewalk.
Palma:
If you have time, we would really recommend spending a day or two wandering around the pretty streets of Palma. There is a beautiful cathedral and the resturants are amazing. Some of our favorite places to go in Palma:
El Camino - They do delicious tapas and you can watch the kitchen whilst you eat. I would definitely recommend booking before.
Vandal - This is a great tapas restaurant which also does super cocktails.
Alcudia old town - its a very pretty town to walk around, with lots of restaurants and a good food market.
Soller - Further south of the Island. This is a beach front place where you can also get the train from the old town to the seafront.
Deia- This is beautiful, it is where some of the series the night manager was filmed.
Andratx - a very pretty port town on the opposite end of the island to PP, but it's a lovely drive across the island and through the mountains.