The Roman port of Pollentia was further southeast by present-day Alcúdia, but came under seaborne attack so they moved inland to Pollença. The port here was a tiny fishing harbour, but developed small-scale tourism from the 1920s and mass tourism from the 1960s.
Get in
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Port de Pollença is 60 km northeast of Palma via Ma-13, a good highway. Near Sa Pobla you branch off onto Ma-2200 and skirt the edge of Pollença town, while Ma-13 continues to Alcúdia. From the airport take Ma-30 to bypass Palma.
TIB Bus 301 runs from Palma de Mallorca roughly hourly, taking 80 min via Inca, Sa Pobla and Pollença town. You may not ride it just for the last section between town and port.
Bus 322 runs from Alcúdia beach strip every 25 min via Alcúdia port and town centre, and continues into Pollença town.
Bus 334 also runs from Alcúdia every 40-50 min, then from Port de Pollença goes out to Formentor beach, cape and lighthouse. October-March it turns back at Formentor beach.
Bus 231 runs from Sóller March-Oct four times a day, taking 1 hr 45 min via Mirador de ses Barques, Escorca, Lluc and Pollença town, and continuing to Alcúdia.
1 Parada de Bus is the main bus stop, on the ring road 500 m inland. It's just a shelter.
Get around
[edit]Taxis wait at Passeig Saralegui by the marina. Operators include Radio Taxi Pollença (+34 971 866213), Pollensa Transfers (+34 605 801 707), Transfers Pollensa (+34 629 726748) and Taxis Conde (+34 658 752691).
Bike hire is available from a dozen outlets.
Car hire agencies include Formentor and Hiper Rent a Car.
See
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- A total solar eclipse on Wednesday 12 Aug 2026, starting at 20:31 and lasting 90 seconds. The chances of a clear sky are 65%, but you need be on the coast or hills with a clear view to the northwest horizon, as the sun will be setting over the sea. 15 minutes later, sunset ends the show.
- 1 Plaça Miguel Capllonch is the pedestrianised main square, with the parish church but otherwise modern low-rise. Miquel Capllonch Rotger (1861-1935) was a pianist and composer from Pollença.
- Church of Santa Maria north side of the plaza has a plain exterior but is decorated within.
- 2 Moll Vell is the old harbour wall enclosing the marina. The road atop it is restricted to authorised vehicles, but on foot you can stroll out for views of the harbour and cape. Nou Moll is the short modern pier within the marina.
- Pine Walk is a pleasant promenade from the marina north along the bay to Aeròdrom Militar. It's lined with cafes and souvenir shops.
- 3 Flying firetrucks are amphibious fire-fighting aircraft such as the "Super Scooper" Canadair CL-415. Their base at Aeròdrom Militar is off-limits but you may see them zooming around, especially if a brush wildfire breaks out.
- 4 La Fortaleza on the Avançada cape is private property and a very upmarket wedding venue: mere mortals will have to be content with a distant view from a boat trip. Only foundations remain of the original 17th century fortress defending the bay against pirates. It was rebuilt as an artists' colony from 1930, but in 1936 it was commandeered by the air force when Aeròdrom Militar was constructed. It returned to civilian ownership in 1984.
- 5 Cala Murta is a scenic pebble cove reached by a 3.5 km hike down a mule trail from the road and bus route to Cap de Formentor. Pack food very securely, as the wild donkeys will vigorously forage for it.
- 6 Cap de Formentor is the most northerly point in Mallorca, 13 km from the main village. The lighthouse has a cafe. In summer the access lane is closed to traffic and you take the bus or hiking trail.
- Cala Sant Vicenç is a small resort seen to the north from the hilltops behind town, but road access is from Pollenca town.
Do
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- Beaches are broad and sandy either side of the marina. North near the end of Pine Walk is narrow and stony.
- Hikes include Col de Síller the ridge northwest of the village, Vall de Bóquer to the north, Cala Murta as above, and Camí al Far de Formentor out towards the lighthouse.
- Boat trips: over a dozen boat operators ply from the marina.
- Scuba diving: Scuba Mallorca and Tramunta Diving are both based by the marina.
- Golf: see Pollença and Alcúdia for the golf courses inland.
Buy
[edit]- Hiper Centro is a large supermarket 200 m inland from the marina entrance at C de Vicenç Buades 15. It's open M-Sa 08:00-20:30.
- Eroski Center is even larger, by the ring road on C de Joan XXIII and open daily 09:00-21:30.
- Village market is the main plaza on Wednesday 08:30-13:30.
Eat
[edit]- Main plaza has Osteria 15, Dos Kanallas, Loqueria and Arux.
- Los Faroles, Passeig Saralegui 46 (at marina), ☏ +34 971 866863. Daily 13:00-15:45, 19:00-22:45. Good fresh seafood.
- Casa Vila di Mare, Passeig Londres 46 (midway down south beach), ☏ +34 971 536 569. Daily 11:00-23:00. Popular Italian restaurant.
Drink
[edit]- Bony Bar, Plaça Miguel Capllonch 6 (south corner of plaza), ☏ +34 639 273404. Daily 18:00-02:00. Quirky albeit touristy late bar with a lot of strange signage.
- O'Hara's Irish Pub is just off main plaza at C Ecònom Torres 12, open Su-F 17:00-03:00, Sa 13:00-03:00.
- Mully's is a lively place a block north within Mar Calma Hotel.
- Norai, Passeig Saralegui 6 (foot of Moll Vell), ☏ +34 628 124039. Daily 12:00-02:00. Pleasant late bar at the entrance to the marina.
- La Cervecería is next door at Passeig Saralegui 2.
- Wine: see Pollença for nearby vineyards.
Sleep
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- 1 Illa D'Or, Paseo Colón 265, ☏ +34 971 865100. Upscale hotel north end of the bay. B&B double €300.
- 2 MarSenses, C de Formentor 73, ☏ +34 971 886641. Great reviews for this smart place on the beach. B&B double €250.
- Puerto Azul Suite, C de Pere Melià 4 (inland from MarSenses), ☏ +34 971 886199. Efficient mid-price hotel 200 m from beach. B&B double €150.
- 3 Miramar, Passeig Anglada Camarassa 39, ☏ +34 971 866400. Smart hotel by the marina. B&B double €220.
- Daina, C Atilio Boveri 2 (100 m south of Miramar), ☏ +34 971 866250. Art-deco hotel, adults only. B&B double €350.
- 4 Aparthotel Duva, off Palma road, ☏ +34 971 868132. Apartments west edge of town with kitchenettes, buffet catering available.
- 5 Hoposa Villaconcha, C de la Nansa 5, ☏ +34 971 865711. Swish efficient hotel. B&B double €220.
- Apartamentos Hoposa Montelin are across the street and have use of the Villaconcha facilities.
- 6 Hotel Hoposa Pollentia, Passeig de Londres 62, ☏ +34 971 865200. Great reviews for comfort and service. B&B double €400.
- Hoposa Uyal is just south of Hoposa Pollentia.
- Cabot Pollensa Park Spa, C del Bot 5 (block inland from Hoposa Pollentia), ☏ +34 971 865350. Clean comfy mid-price hotel. B&B double €200.
- 7 Bahia Pollensa, C del Noguer 1, ☏ +34 971 864800. Friendly inexpensive hotel. B&B double €120.
- 8 Club del Sol, off Alcúdia road, ☏ +34 971 868300. Resort hotel / apartments 2 km south of town. B&B double €180.
- 9 PortBlue Club, off Alcúdia road, ☏ +34 971 897430. Comfy enough, but 8 km south of town. B&B double €180.
- Self-catering: lots and lots encrusting the slopes behind the beach.
Connect
[edit]As of August 2024 Pollença port, town and approach roads have 4G from Vodafone, and 5G from MasMovil, Movistar and Orange.
Go next
[edit]- Pollença town has a pleasant old centre. Ascend the Calvary Steps to the hilltop chapel.
- Alcúdia has kept its medieval street pattern and town walls. The ruins of Roman Pollentia are just south.