Puerto Pollensa is a jaw droppingly beautiful resort nestled in the north side of Mallorca. Thanks to protective building restrictions, long stretches of white sandy beaches have remained untouched by the kinds of unsustainable overdevelopment you often encounter in highly popular tourist traps.
What’s more is this hidden-away natural paradise boasts an incredibly rich history and culture. Famous figures such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin are all known to have spent time here on retreats, and Agatha Christie was even inspired to use the town as a setting for her story ‘Problems at Pollença Bay’ after her stay.
Following in their footsteps, exploring and relaxing in this old fishing port, you’ll not only get to soak up some regional culture but you’ll have the perfect opportunity to try out some traditional local dishes too. The Balearic Islands are well known for serving up some of the world’s tastiest plates, and Puerto Pollensa is no exception.
There are over 100 restaurants in the area for you to choose from, and whether you’re craving authentic savoury specialties or hoping to sample some iconic sweet treats, you and your taste buds won’t be left disappointed. Here are some of the most fabulous foods you should look out for during your trip.
Ensaimada
Perhaps the most famous Mallorcan product, the ensaimada is a spiral pastry concocted from a mix of yeast, lard, flour, and icing sugar. The majority of supermarkets, cafes and bakeries will have these in stock across the island, so if you want to partake in one of Mallorca’s most authentic breakfast dining experiences, be sure to pick one up for yourself one morning.
There are even bakeries which are entirely dedicated to this pastry in all its forms, selling unusual variations on the classic by filling it with dairy cream or fresh fruit. Even if you don’t end up tasting one of these during your trip, the airport will be selling boxes of these delicacies in a range of sizes. Why not bring some Mallorcan cuisine back home with you and share it with your loved ones?
Seafood
If you’re a fan of fresh fish, make sure to stop by Puerto Pollensa’s marina. It really is a seafood lover’s paradise.
Mallorca’s traditional fishy dishes include classics such as paella stuffed with shellfish, hake topped with asparagus, and sea beam served alongside tumbet—one of the island’s specialty sides, where roasted aubergine, bell peppers, sliced potatoes and tomatoes are arranged into delectable layers and baked in an earthenware dish.
While you dine here, you won’t be short on entertainment; the seafront terraces are often treated to live music under the warm evening sun. A glass of hierbas mallorquinas—a thick, herbal alcoholic liqueur made from mint, fennel, lemon, aniseed and rosemary—certainly wouldn’t go amiss here as it is known to settle the stomach after a big meal.
The sunset is sure to look particularly stunning over the marina’s fishing boats, too.
Sobrassada
Although this island nation’s cooking culture understandably revolves largely around seafood, Mallorca’s traditional cuisine also features lots of pork due to its deep connection with pig breeding and farming.
The Spanish affinity for the production of tasty sausages such as the longaniza and the chorizo is evident in Mallorca, too—the sobrassada sausage, made from the meat of the black Balearic pig, originates from the island. The sobrassada is in fact a raw, thick red sausage created from minced pork loin and seasoned with a healthy helping of paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Stuffed into sausage skins, it is left to cure for a few weeks. Thanks to the humid climate, however, the sobrassada remains softer than the other dried varieties of sausages in the Balearic Islands.
Top tip: Local farmer’s style bread is the perfect crusty accompaniment.
Whichever of these delicious dishes you decide to try, your stay in Mallorca is bound to be fondly remembered for its mealtimes.
Where to Stay
Hoposa Bahia – this is a charming hotel situated just a stone’s throw away from the seafront. In addition to promising spacious, modern and well-lit rooms with spectacular seaside views, the hotel’s waterside restaurant features plenty of local dishes on its menu.
Hotel Eolo – this hotel lies in the heart of the town and can be found right next to Puerto Pollensa’s Sailing Club. Thanks to the hotel’s central location, there are a great range of bars and restaurants nearby where you can easily locate some of the Mallorcan staples mentioned above. The Eolo also has a seasonal terrace restaurant, where homemade fresh pasta and wood-fired pizzas provide an excellent source of comfort food.
The Mar Calma Hotel – can be found just 100 yards away from the marina in Port de Pollença. This hotel offers a daily buffet breakfast and caters with an à la carte menu in the evening too. Whatever the time of day, the dishes always star local produce.
How to Get There
Travellers from the UK are best booking a direct flight from Stansted or Southend to Palma Mallorca (PMI). Several airlines serve the route (British Airways, Qatar Airways, easyJet, Jet2, and TUI, just to name a few) and so the prices are very reasonable.
To ensure the most hassle-free start to your holidays, I would recommend pre-booking a transfer to take you from Palma Mallorca airport right to your hotel doorstep in Puerto Pollensa. The ride is far more comfortable than on public transport and it will get you settled in faster, leaving you with more time to relax, soak up the local culture, and taste the best of the island’s food.
Overview:
UK to PMI Flight Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
PMI to Puerto Pollensa Distance: 67km
Shuttle Direct Transfer Time: 52 minutes
About Shuttle Direct
As one of the leading companies providing airport transfers across Europe, we take great pride in our professional and friendly service. We offer both private and shared options, and if you pre-book with us you can look forward to a stress-free journey that will take you to your destination in comfort.
