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In the north of the island is the small Mallorca municipality of Pollensa with a population of around 15,000. And you cannot say that you have been to the island and know it well enough if you have not visited this northern part of Mallorca, where is also located the famous Cap Formentor, overlooking Pollensa Bay. The best way to get to Pollensa is to book a private transfer from Palma airport. You can book it HERE.
The friendliness of the people of Pollensa, the richness of the gastronomy of the region, the stunning coastline with beaches and coves, make Pollensa one of the top vacation destinations in Mallorca.
It is a unique place, charged with centuries of history. The lands of Pollensa were ruled by Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans and Muslims, eventually giving way to the Catalans who took over Mallorca.
The village of Pollensa is located inland, 13 km from the coast. This is due to the historical strategy of the past centuries, when settlements were built away from the danger of attacks by pirates and corsairs. Port de Pollensa is the tourist center of the region with a very well-developed infrastructure, long beaches of fine sand, beautiful sea surface, a variety of restaurants and a wide range of leisure activities that attract thousands of tourists to this part of Mallorca every year.
In the municipality of Pollensa you will find 16 beautiful beaches. All of them are different from each other, but have in common clean and clear waters.
Playa Llenaire, Port de Pollensa and playa Albercuix are typical urban beaches with long stretches and easy accessibility. And near Cap Formentor, you can enjoy Mallorca’s beaches such as Cala Murta, Cala en Feliu, Cala Gossalba or Cala Figera, which are corners of natural beauty and recommended for lovers of tranquility, as they are wilder beaches combining rocks and sand.
Pollensa is the quieter part of the island of Mallorca, a perfect place for a quiet, unhurried family vacation. Famous personalities such as Winston Churchill, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly have vacationed in this region many times, attracted by the grandeur and beauty of the area.
Among the bays in this region of Mallorca are Cala San Viquez, Cala Barques, Cala Clara, El Maressar, Cala Molins and Cala Carbo.
But Pollensa is more than just a place for sun and beach. This Mallorca municipality breathes history. There are many monuments, historical buildings and museums that can be found in the town of Pollensa. The Calvaria Chapel, the Convent of Santo Domingo, Puig Maria and the Royal Castle are part of the city’s historical heritage.
Nature lovers will love the “Sierra de Tramuntana”, a 90 km long mountain range that drops sharply into the sea at Cap Formentor, creating cliffs and ravines of unrivaled beauty.
In the first half of the last century, Pollensa was densely populated by artists and musicians who discovered the beauty of the region and could no longer leave it.
History and culture of the city of Pollensa
The oldest signs of life in Pollensa were left by the Talayots, who arrived in the town more than 3000 years ago. They were then replaced by the Romans, whose ruins from 123 AD can still be visited on the outskirts of the town – the ancient Roman bridge of El Pont Roma. It was built by the Romans over the Torrent of St. Jordan and is still in use today. The rule of the Romans lasted until 440. Then Pollensa was attacked by the Vandals, which de-escalated the city and forced the survivors to flee the place.
The Arabs, during their rule in Mallorca and in particular in Pollensa, created irrigation systems that allowed agriculture to flourish in the region. The Arabs were defeated in 1229 by King Jaime I, supported by thousands of Knights Templar.
After the successful invasion, the island was divided and the new ruler, Jaime I, granted the knights the town of Pollensa. Under their rule the town prospered and an ascetic church, Notre Señora de Angels, was built in the main square. The Templars’ palace is still in the town, next to Font des Wales. La Taverna de Temple Bar can be found in the main square, with the image of the knight still carved on its gate.
It was not until the fourteenth century that the Knights finally left the island, following a conspiracy led by the King of France.
Following the Templars came the Jesuits, who built the church of Pollensa called Monti Sion. Pirate attacks were quite common in this part of Majorca, but the most famous of which was the invasion of the Moors in 1550. Mallorquin Joan Mas led a small band of townspeople who fought the Moors and defeated the enemy armed only with sticks. This event is celebrated annually on August 2 with a reenactment of the battle, with residents dressing up as Christians or Moors as part of a regional Pollensa festival called Mare de Deu dels Aungels.
Things to do in Pollensa
Located 4 kilometers from the town of Pollensa is the Bodegas Ca’n Vidalet winery. This modern and cozy winery is the perfect place to relax and taste real chardonnay, muscat, merlot and buy wine for the holidays.
A good alternative to a beach vacation would be a visit to the 330-meter high Puig de Maria mountain. In the 14th century, a chapel and tower were built there as a defense point against pirates. The panoramic views from the top of the mountain are breathtaking and you will experience absolute peace and tranquility here.
You can also visit the Santo Domingo Monastery, built in the early 17th century, for free. Inside it is the Museo Pollensa, where various artists exhibit their works.
