Quiet, largely unspoiled and truly sublime, for the last 40 years the north of Majorca has grown up to take the name as being one of Europe’s most popular summer hangouts. Virtually guaranteed sunshine every day, warm seas and fabulous beaches make this area of Majorca a relaxation hotspot.
Having visited this area of the island for the last 20 years I have grown rather fond of it, and whilst there are a number of resorts in this area, Puerto Pollensa and Alcudia are my two favorites.
PUERTO POLLENSA
Once a small fishing village which quickly developed into a popular holiday resort. It is surrounded by the Tramuntana mountain range and very strict town planning regulations have meant that Puerto Pollensa has grown very little over time and still remains a unspoiled and a truly wonderful place to kick back and relax. It is certainly the place to come, unwind and think of nothing but what your next drink is going to be. There are virtually no nightclubs and bars and restaurants close at around midnight too.
The town has two main beaches. The Pine Walk beach which is about 2km long and lined with pine trees hanging over the sand which gives the area its name. This is the ideal spot to come and relax in the shade or if you are topping up your tan then you will be able to find a sunny spot too as the beach does not get overly busy. At the other end of the resort, the beach is much wider and has shallow waters which makes it an excellent spot for trying out a selection of watersports including – waterskiing, windsurfing and scuba diving which can all be hired on the beach.
Puerto Pollensa is blessed with an excellent range of restaurants to suit all budgets and tastes. As a vegetarian I have noticed over the last few years that virtually all restaurants in the resort now offer a good selection of vegetarian food, so you won`t be living of omelet and chips.
The resort also has a good mix of accommodation too. If you are looking for something traditional and luxurious stay at the Illa Dor Hotel, which is one of the first hotels in the resort. If you are looking for a family friendly apartment complex the Villa Concha and Pollensa Park hotel both close to the sea front and easy access to the resort center.
ALCUDIA
In contrast to Puerto Pollensa, Alcudia is its slightly noisier neighbor. Again it is a family holiday resort with plenty of things to do for children and I say slightly noisier neighbor because it is still an extremely relaxing place to visit and nothing like the mega resorts in the south of the island.
Alcudia is made up of a number of areas. The old part is an excellent example of a traditional Majorcan town: narrow streets, small boutique hotels and cafes make this an excellent choice for either a morning coffee or a weekend break. Today one of the most striking things about the old town are the walls that enclose it which were erected in the 14th century and the remains of Romans buildings built when the town was once called Pollentia and the Roman capital.
The beach at Alcudia is probably one of the main reasons the resort is so popular with people return year after year. Miles of golden sand and shallow water make this the ideal place for swimming, sunbathing, doing watersports… you name it.
Alcudia also has a marina which could take on the French Riviera, with luxury yachts as far as the eye can see. Around the marina area there is a good selection of bars, restaurants and shops too.
Being a family destination this resort has plenty to do for kids. The main waterpark for this area of the island – the Hidro Park is located here. Make sure you have a full day set aside though as there are plenty of flumes and rides to keep you entertained for the full day.
Virtually every apartment complex in the resort has a kids club and excellent swimming pools if the beach is not for you and you want a few precious hours away from the children.
Accommodation varies as well – if you are looking for something traditional then the old town has a range of boutique hotels. If you are looking for a package holiday then there is an abundance of great value hotels next to the beach. And if you are looking for an all inclusive holiday then the Bellevue hotel and Club Mac hotel offer excellent deals in the summer months.
Getting To North Majorca
Getting to northern Majorca is remarkably easy, being around an hour drive and with easy access at the airport to a number of car hire companies you can be in either resort very quickly.
If you are booking a package holiday then your transfers to either of these resorts will be included in the price of the holiday.
And if you are being brave then you can catch the very frequent airport bus into Palma city and then catch a local bus to either of the towns which is actually easier than it sounds.
This article was written by Ross Fraser who runs a website about Puerto Pollensa.
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