Puerto Pollensa, set in the northern reaches of the Spanish island of Mallorca (or Majorca) is the kind of place you’re drawn to return. Once visited, it’s genuinely hard to forget the laid back ambience (no high-rise here!), gorgeous scenery of ocean and mountains, and the warm welcome from the locals. It’s become a popular place with Brits who like to think of it as their own little secret, and even if you’ve only got a few days, it’s not hard to get to the real heart and soul of Puerto Pollensa. But be warned, it will find its way into your heart and soul just as easily…
- 3 Days, 3 Highlights of Puerto Pollensa
- Day One: Stroll the Harbour, Promenade, and Beyond…
- Day Two: Visit the Old Town of Pollensa
- Day Three: Take to the Water… Sports
- Where to Stay
- How to Get There
3 Days, 3 Highlights of Puerto Pollensa
It may be small, but the region packs a big historical punch (particularly in Pollensa, itself, which is a short distance away) alongside its more obvious attributes displayed in the natural beauty of the Tramuntana Mountains and its spectacular beaches. Literary enthusiasts may know it as the setting of one of Agatha Christie’s famous novels, “Problem at Pollensa Bay”, written after she visited the island in 1932 and fell in love with the area.
Murder mysteries aside, there is so much to love about this magnificent part of Mallorca, so if you’ve only got three days, here’s a suggestion of how to spend them – with plenty of time allowed for relaxing, sunbathing, dining, drinking and pampering as well.
Day One: Stroll the Harbour, Promenade, and Beyond…
You’re on holiday, right? So there’s no need to make sightseeing a rushed affair, ticking off highlights and not taking the time to really enjoy the destination itself (sound familiar?). So on your first day, we strongly suggest you take it easy and get to know the lay of the land by exploring around your doorstep. Puerto Pollensa is highly walkable – in fact it’s the very best way to enjoy the scenery, ambience and weather.
As you stroll along the promenade, you’ll take in views over the Mediterranean and out towards the two headlands in the distance. The seaside walkway takes you past quirky shops, bustling restaurants, lovely beaches and bays, and along to Pine Walk, which will show you why this stunning region has earned its stripes as one of the most beautiful locations on Mallorca. Walk for an hour, or less, or more, it’s up to you – and if you keep the ocean in your sights, you’ll never get lost.
If you’re feeling energetic, you could venture further afield and take on the Boquer Valley walk, or the Ruta de Pedra en Sec (The Dry Stone Route), which you can follow right up to an old monastery set deep within the Tramuntana Mountains – but that’s basically a full-day hike. Neither of these hikes are for the uninitiated, however, (particularly the latter) so make sure you’re up to the job before you set off.
Day Two: Visit the Old Town of Pollensa
Around 6 km inland from the port is the town of Pollensa itself. It’s very easy to reach if you have a rental car, but there is also a local bus that can get you there, or plenty of taxis. The town has a long and storied history encompassing Roman, Talaiot, Moor, Jesuit and other heritages – all of which have left their mark on the culture, food and architecture. Spend a few hours wandering the narrow streets of the Old Town (and beyond) on a veritable history lesson, encountering relics of the past at every turn, including the famous Pont Roma, Plaça Mayor, and the small monastery of Puig de Pollensa, picturesquely located on a cypress-lined hill on the outskirts of town.
Popular with creatives over the centuries, today there’s a new crop of devotees to the spectacular beauty and inspiration of this area, with a modern “colony” of writers, artists and musicians who have moved here to enjoy the lifestyle.
Top tip: don’t miss a visit to Ca’n Xim, a famous local bakery run by mothers and their sons that serves up mouthwatering sweet and savoury treats.
Day Three: Take to the Water… Sports
If you’ve always had a penchant to try water sports but never quite got around to it, this is the perfect place to dip your toes in a great range of activities, from slow and sedate to proper adrenaline-fuelled pursuits.
The calm waters are perfect for stand-up paddle boarding, and you can give it a go without any tuition if you fancy, although classes are available to teach you the basics. Windsurfing is something else altogether, though, and if you want to try this high-octane sport you’re advised to get some tuition first, so you’ll understand how to control the sail and use the prevailing winds to navigate. It’s tricky, but well worth the effort!
If you want all the speed without all the effort, jet skiing could be for you – and Puerto Pollensa is a fantastic (and very picturesque) place to head out into the bay and explore around the cliffs. No licence is required, but there are certain safety rules you’ll need to stick to, which the rental company will advise you of.
Other watersports you can try include diving, snorkelling and flite boarding (a kind of electric surfing!).
The above three ideas are just some among many on offer on a short three-day break in Puerto Pollensa. Of course, if you had longer, it’s also the ideal conveniently placed base from which to explore further afield around the rest of the island, too. Maybe next time…
Where to Stay
Hotel Miramar Mallorca: With a stellar waterfront location, superior amenities, and its own private beach, it’s hard to find a reason not to choose this fabulous hotel. The spacious rooms feature elegant interiors, stylish decor, and all the best appointments, along with air-conditioning, Wi-Fi and a balcony to take in the ocean views over the harbour. There’s an onsite wellness centre for pampering, as well as an outdoor pool and a lovely beachfront restaurant. Holiday perfection.
Hoposa Uyal: Set in an unbeatable seafront location against stunning views of the Tramuntana Mountains, this traditional Majorcan-style hotel offers comfortable, well-appointed rooms and a wonderfully relaxing stay with touches of authenticity and luxury. Just a short stroll into the centre of town, the hotel’s facilities include a swimming pool, restaurant, numerous places to relax, and a fabulous rooftop terrace.
Toni A: Beachfront accommodation walking distance to everything? Yes please! Toni A apartments puts you right on the doorstep of the fabulous beach, with everything you need to self-cater. It’s also an easy walking distance from cafes, shops, restaurants and supermarkets. It’s perfect for a relaxing, laidback holiday with the extra bonus of room to move, including a fabulous terrace to enjoy breakfast, dinner and sundowners with a front row seat to the sunset.
How to Get There
Getting yourself to Puerto Pollensa is relatively quick and can be completely stress-free. Book a flight into Palma Mallorca Airport (PMI), which, as a very popular route, has a great range of options to get you there. Numerous well-known airlines offer flights for the 2 hour 35 minute journey, including British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Iberia, and Tui.
If you pre-book your ride from Palma Mallorca Airport to Puerto Pollensa with Shuttle Direct before you leave home, the start (and end) of your holiday will be a breeze. Whether it’s an affordable shared shuttle you’re looking for, or a luxury private Puerto Pollensa transfer right to the door, we’ve got something to make you smile.
Overview
UK to PMI Flight Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes approx.
PMI to Puerto Pollensa: 66 kilometres
Shuttle Direct Transfer: 40 minutes approx.
Types of Transfer
Organising your Palma Mallorca transfer doesn’t have to be a headache. When you make a pre-booking with Shuttle Direct, we take all the logistics away from you, and the best news is we’ve got an airport transfer to suit every kind of traveller. Choose the service that suits you best, and rest assured our reputation for reliability, punctuality, professionalism, and safe, comfortable vehicles always stands.
Shuttle Bus: Value for money doesn’t get any better than our fantastic shared shuttle buses. This is our most popular and cost-effective service from the airport. You’ll meet your driver at a designated spot, then travel aboard a comfortable, modern shuttle bus with other passengers to a central drop-off point in your destination.
Taxi: If you want a little more convenience but hate the queues, one of our pre-booked local taxi services from Palma Mallorca Airport to Puerto Pollensa is the answer. Your driver and vehicle will be waiting at the correct time to whisk you right to the door of your accommodation. No queuing required!
Private Transfer: If it’s all about style and luxury for your holiday, one of our private Puerto Pollensa transfers will give you everything you’re looking for. A professional driver will meet you inside the terminal, then escort you to a high-end vehicle for the journey to your accommodation. No waiting, no other passengers, no problems!
Minibus Transfer: If you’re going on holiday with a large family or a group of friends, pre-booking a private minibus to get you from Palma Mallorca Airport to Puerto Pollensa will make life so much easier. The large capacity vehicle has plenty of room for multiple passengers and luggage, so you can all travel together right to the door of your accommodation.
Choosing the Right Transfer
At Shuttle Direct we understand travel is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Everyone has their own needs and wants, which is why we offer more than one kind of option. Of course, deciding what’s right for you is a “you” decision, but basically it will come down to whether you prioritise cost or convenience.
Convenience: If you’re all about making life as easy as possible, one of our private transfers from Palma Mallorca to Puerto Pollensa is the way to go. You’ll travel in a luxury vehicle or a clean, comfortable local taxi right to the door of your accommodation. Couldn’t be easier!
Cost: If you want to save a bit of money, though, and you don’t mind sharing your ride with other passengers, a safe, reliable shared shuttle bus from Palma Mallorca Airport to Puerto Pollensa will suit you down to the ground. It’s not door-to-door, so you’ll save money on that feature, but you’ll be taken to a convenient central drop-off as close as possible to your accommodation.
About Shuttle Direct
Shuttle Direct provides one of the most trusted and renowned services for onward airport transfers in the world. Getting to and from a vast range of destinations is easy when you pre-book with us. We’re known for our punctuality, friendly drivers and great communication, not to mention an affordable range of services from economical shared shuttle buses, to top of the range luxury private transfers. Book with Shuttle Direct and the only thing left to do is sit back, relax and look out the window at the scenery – we’ll take care of the rest.
