Puerto Pollensa is the perfect base from which to explore this most beautiful part of the island. Whether you’re escaping to mountains, relaxing in hidden beaches and coves, or immersing yourself in the rich historic culture of towns like Pollensa – you’ll be spoilt for choice.
L Hale – Cheltenham
The main towns in Majorca were always built inland to stop the pirates from raiding them, so Pollensa is much older and is full of historical buildings and winding lanes. In fact it is so old it has a Roman bridge!
It has 2 main squares which are just a delight with their markets and cafes.
They are a buzz of activity even in the depths of winter especially on Sundays when the market is held.
And everyone who visits, challenges themselves to walk up the 365 Calvari steps, stopping at the top for the breath taking views (and a drink in the church!)
There are so many festivals on all year, from classical ones held in the beautiful churches to Art exhibitions.
There is no need to hire a car to get here; the bus service is so regular and it costs 2 euros each. Taxis home after muchas sangrilas are only 11 euros!
Alcudia is another favourite of ours, especially the old town which is also Roman but has the extra feature of intact ancient walls.
The Roman ruins of the ancient town of Pollentia can be easily accessed from here and has a totally different feel from Pollensa yet it is only 5 kilometres south.
If you want noisy nightlife or a visit to a much bigger town, Alcudia itself is just another mile on.
Palma is the ‘pearl of the Mediterranean’ and offers a vibrant lifestyle by day or night, brimming with Mediterranean flair which attracts millions of visitors each year.
The Sunday Times has named it one of the world’s best place to live.
Palma was first occupied in the Roman times in 123BC and invaded by the Byzantium Empire in the 6th century then the Moors in the 12th century which gives it is rich, diverse culture.
As well as the most famous landmark, La Seu Cathedral, a gothic masterpiece which took over 400 years to build, there are many districts to visit on foot or via the popular horse and carriages.
The vibrant city centre of the Borne is known as the ‘Golden Mile’ and the main shopping street of Avenida Jaime III with top designer shops such as Louis Vuitton and Hugo Boss are situated here.
My favourite is the historic area of Palma old-town; the area of Santa Catalina, and the fisherman’s barrio of Portixol and Playa de Palma.
One of city’s most important museums, Es Baluard Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art offers art from Cézanne, Gauguin, Picasso and Miró and if you love the latter’s primary colour work, there is the museum Pilar & Joan Miró Foundation
Although there is so much to see and do Palma is compact enough to visit in a day.
A typical old Mediterranean town, Soller is made up of narrow streets lined with traditional style houses with the famous green Mallorcan shutters. It is easily accessible by train from Palma.
Port de Soller, the town’s resort can be reached by an open tram that winds through orange groves to the picturesque fishing village situated in a horseshoe bay on the west coast of Mallorca
This stunning mountain top village is just like walking back in time; beautiful houses and gardens nestling in the most incredible scenery.
Fredrick Chopin was once a visitor and the monastery has a small museum dedicated to him. You can also hear his music played in the churches.
I love this village on the other side of the Tramuntana Mountains. Deia is an idyllic village of honey-coloured houses that was once home to the poet, Robert Graves which helped establish its reputation as a foreign artists’ colony.
Today the village is still very much an artist’s town with a number of art galleries and gift shops, along with a good selection of restaurants while controlled urban expansion has meant that this little village has maintained its traditional beauty and charm.
The tiny Cala Deia has a wonderful fish restaurant where Hugh Laurie famously sped into by speedboat for dinner!