POLLENCA

 

The picturesque Roman town of Pollenca has a olde-world charm with whitewashed houses, Gothic churches and a maze of narrow cobbled streets, dotted with craft shops, boutiques, bars, restaurants and cafés. Pollenca, on the northern tip of Mallorca, is a hotbed of culture and history with more than its fair share of chic art galleries and Bohemain bars.There has been a settlement here for thousands of years, but the town as we know it today was formed when the Moors arrived in the 12th century and built irrigation systems for agriculture which allowed the village to prosper.  Among its many historic buildings on Placa Major, the attractive main square, is a former Jesuit convent which is now the town hall. The square is also home to the 18th century Nostra Senyora Del Angels church with a remarkable rose window. From the central square at Carrer del Ombra, if you can climb the 365 'Calvari' steps which are lined with cypress trees to get to the ancient Calvari Church with its ancient wooden cross. From here you will enjoy astounding views of the convent Puig de Maria, the Bay of Pollenca and the plains of Mallorca.

 

Pollenca is a great place to visit to pop in for a quick coffee, or take your time over a long lunch or dinner. There is a great playground for the children to expend some energy, or take  them up the Calvari Steps to find their 'birthday step'. There is an incredible, must-see, market on Sunday mornings (finishes by 2pm), you will find everything here from food, veg, nuts, olives, spices, to Spanish artisan pieces, pottery, clothing, baskets, jewellery and much more. We would suggest going early so you can park, or walking in from Villa Longa. Pollenca has such a lovely atmosphere & for us it really comes to life in the evening. The ice cream parlour at the bottom of the main square is a hit with everyone... offering some of the best ice creams you can imagine!

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PUERTO POLLENCA

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Picturesque Puerto de Pollenca sits in a gorgeous setting, nestled between an oyster-shaped bay and the Serra de Tramuntana Mountains which loom up behind the town. It is a small town with a big impact. The port and marina are stunningly beautiful against their mountain backdrop. The narrow streets are lined with old cottages painted in an array of pastel colours. The shady, cobbled promenade know as the Pine Walk is lined with stone houses and whitewashed villas with pine trees leaning into the sea. It is perfect for a romantic walk at sunset. 

 

Pollenca Beach is a wide expanse of pale golden sand well protected from strong winds by the mountains. The water is clam and warm & therefore perfect for children of all ages, and there are all the facilities you might need - sun loungers & parasols, beach bars, jetty jumping or crabbing, beach playgrounds etc. You can find  busier or quieter parts along the long stretch of white sand. Family-friendly Albercutx Beach (south of the marina) comes with plenty of water sports options including wind-surfing, kayaking, pedalos and water skiing, and plentiful supply of sun loungers and parasols. There’s a Windsurfing school directly on the beach. If you are feeling energetic you could use the public volleyball net - or simply watch the competitive games going on there at any time of the day or night. There is also an inflatable assault course in the sea for the more adventurous (6+yrs recommended).

 

Puerto Pollenca offers an abundance of bars & restaurants to chose from & to suit every appetite along the promenade, the main square, Plaza Miguel Capllonch, in the marina, along the Pine Walk (some of our favourites are here), or on the beach itself. You can dress up or keep it simple in swimmers... anything goes. We would highly recommend enjoying a 'weekend sundowner' in one of the beach bars, listening to live music & dancing the warm evenings away with the children.

  

CALA SAN VICENTE

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Cala San Vicente may be one of Mallorca’s smallest resorts but it is also one of the loveliest, tumbling down the foothills of the Sierra de Tramuntana mountains to small sandy coves and rugged, dramatic rocks below. The peaceful fishing community is on the northwest tip of the island half way between Pollenca & Puerto Pollenca. It is now a well-established seaside town, with pretty beaches much loved by the islanders but less know to tourists. Fishing is still a vital part of the local economy here, and you will see the local fishermen repairing their nets on the beach.

 

A rocky headland divides the seashore below the town into two beaches, Cala Barques and Cala Molins, both great for swimming and snorkeling. Cala Barques is the biggest with plenty of sunbeds, umbrellas and beach bars to keep you refreshed. It is a Blue Flag beach, patrolled by lifeguards. Two smaller beaches, Cala Clara and Cala Garbo are in easy walking distance if you seek peace and seclusion. Whichever beach you chose, you will enjoy beautifully clear water and wonderful views of the dramatic cliffs of the Formentor peninsula.

 

Cala San Vicente is built into the hillside, so the views from the beaches and the town are magnificent. The coastline around Cala San Vicente is full of drama with sandy coves and interesting rock pools to explore. If you like walking (or biking) there are plenty of well-established trails through spectacular scenery. The town itself is fairly quiet, with a supermarket for the basics and some good bars and restaurants. 

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 CAP FORMENTOR

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Formentor is one of the island's most famous & idylic beaches, the stunning beach has a long white sandy beach which wraps around a beautiful bay with still, crystal clear water (prefect for children to swim & play in). The bay is set against a backdrop of  the nature reserve behind, with a splattering of incredible Sydney-style homes built into the landscape, some of which have private gardens leading directly onto the bay - it is a definite must see. From Puerto Pollenca, you can hire a speed boat 7 go across by water, for the more adventurous you could go by kayak, or simply by car - taking in the dramatic scenery up & down the mountain range (watch out for lots of bikes, as this is a famous bike path for biking enthusiasts). There are a number of great places to go for a coffee or lunch or dinner. We would recommend you go & spend the day here & soak up the Formentor vibe.

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ALCUDIA

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Alcudia on the north sea coast is a tale of two halves – you can divide your day between the historic old town and the buzzing coastal resort. The old town of Alcudia is encircled by 14th-century walls, protecting narrow cobbled streets, bustling squares and ancient churches. By way of contrast, if you fancy a night on the town, Alcudia has a number of late night bars, nightclubs and live music venues.

 

Head for the town centre on a Tuesday or Sunday for the market, you can buy fruit and veg from local farmers and in another section you can find shoes, handbags, football shirts, souvenirs, jewellery and clothing. Alcudia offers so much more than water slides and pools, if you fancy a few rounds of golf, head for Alcanada Golf club, which has the glamour factor with its clubhouse and restaurant in a converted mansion with stunning views of the 18 hole course & the 54 hole Super Golf course.

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Alcudia Beach gives you golden sand, a marina, great places to eat and drink and all kinds of water sports including kite-surfing and wind-surfing. If you prefer to be on the water rather than in it, you can hire a doughnut , banana boat or ski tube. The Blue Flag beach stretches along the coastline for seven kilometres, shelving gently into calm, clear shallow sea. Boat trips are widely available from the marina, and you can catch a ferry for a day trip to Menorca.

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CYCLING

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Cyclists come from around the world to cycle in Mallorca & specifically the Pollenca area. I'm Spring you will find the roads full of the pro-teams like SKY who come to train in the mountains & alone the flats. Pollenca is a cycling mecca. You can be a cycling novice, a professional, an entusiast or simply there to enjoy the scenery at a moderate pace  and there are routes to suit every ability. You will also be spoilt for choice with the array of bike/ cycle shops you can go to hire or fix your kit. If you prefer, we can put you in contact with a bike shop we rate highly who will be able to pre-perpare your equipment & have it ready to drop-off at Villa Longa or collect from their shop.

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We welcome sporting holiday groups at Villa Longa and for the cycling enthusiasts, we have a lockable bike rack at Villa Longa, long with a work table & a few tools available for you to tinker with your bikes.

 

To give you just a little taster of the world renowned & spectacular cycling near Villa Longa, we have created a short video... to watch click the arrow below

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GOLF

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There has never has there been a better time to enjoy a spot of Golf in Mallorca. Now one of Europe's top golfing destinations, the island is home to more than 20 golf courses that are open all year round and geared up for golfers of all levels. With winter temperatures that rarely fall below 14ºC, there is every reason to tee off in Mallorca.

 
One of the best courses in the north is at the Alcanada Golf Club in Alcudia, winner of numerous awards. Enjoy spectacular scenery and delicious food on site. www.golf-alcanada.com

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Golf Pollença is also on the doorstep to Villa Longa, Golf Pollença is an idyllic 9 hole course in which to enjoy golf and the views of the Sierra de Tramuntana mountains and the bays of Pollença and Alcúdia. It has been redesigned in 2000 by Michael Pinner. New investment is also being ploughed into it www.golfpollensa.com

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WALKING

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Find over 143 of the best walking routes in Pollenca. www.mapmywalk.com/es/pollenca-balearic-islands. Walking routes in Pollenca tend to be overshadowed by the route to the Puig de Maria, the historic sanctuary atop the small mountain that overlooks Pollenca, although a beautiful walk with stunning views this is not the only hiking option available to you in the Pollenca area. A hike up the nearby, lesser known Puig de Santuiri is a gentler option which still affords great views from the summit and is a much quieter, more rural family hike. You can pick up a map of this and other walking trails in the area from the tourism information office. The map contains 10+ trails called Biodiversity Routes for their natural and cultural interest, they will lead you through historical sights, bird filled wetlands, waterfalls, and areas rich in flora and fauna. The map gives you all the information you need regarding where to find the start of each trail, length, time and gradient of the route as well as points of interest along the way.

 

For those looking for hike-style walking options there are plenty of walks to keep you very busy. We have a map & supporting guide book of all the longer, heartier walks at Villa Longa which you are welcome to borrow during your stay.

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WATERSPORTS

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You are literally spoilt for choice in the Pollenca area with the availability of watersports. Being a family who love the water, it was one of the main draw cards for us to this area. You can literally do anything & everything imaginable.

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Kitesurfing & windsurfing enthusiasts particularly come from far & wide to catch the wind & ride the waves in Pollenca bay (at the Alcudia end of the bay). There are a couple of well known 'kite' schools along this stretch of the bay where you can hire all the equipment &/or have lessons. It is a serious spectacle to see when all the kite & sails are in the water...

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