Pollensa
In my previous post I wrote about our stays in Port de Pollensa but only briefly mentioned that we had also stayed in Pollensa.
Although they are only a couple of kilometres apart they are completely different with Port de Pollensa being on the coast and Pollensa (the Old Town) being inland.
Pollensa, also known as Pollença is as I mentioned previously in the north of the island. It is an old town with pretty narrow streets and the usual Spanish main square, lined with cafés, restaurants and bars.
Over the centuries Pollensa has been conquered many times and has a long rich history. It has also been popular over the years with artists, writers and musicians.
Pollensa is full of history from it’s many inhabitants. Over the years Pollensa has been inhabited by the Romans, the Knights Templar, Jesuits and has Moorish influences.
Where to Stay In Pollensa
When we stayed in Pollensa we stayed at the lovely Hotel Son Sant Jordi. The hotel is situated in the heart of the Old Town and is made up of a cluster of 17th Century Villas that have been restored to form the hotel.
There’s a wonderful pool in the pretty gardens with an honesty bar close at hand. The gardens are surrounded by trees which makes it a pleasant place to escape the from the heat.
The rooms are large and spacious with little touches of character. The rooms are decorated in typical Mallorcan style with lots of wood, tiled floors and large wooden beds with crisp white linen.
Breakfast is served outside in the garden. The breakfast is a buffet style with the wonderfiul selection of fresh fruit, homemade jam, yoghurts, cheese, cured meats, Mallorcan breads and pastries.
It’s worth noting there’s very limited parking at the hotel but there is a public car park just a short distance away.
Where to eat in Pollensa
The best cafes and restaurants can be found dotted around the main square, Placa Major. You’ll be spoilt for choice, we enjoyed some great tapas at Ca’n Moixet next to the church.
Ca’n Moixet is a traditional Spanish bar and we ordered far too much food as we wanted to taste a bit of everything. The food was rustic but lovely and we had a wonderful leisurely evening sipping Rioja and valiantly trying to eat our way through the numerous plate of tapas, we eventually admitted defeat.
Another memorable meal in Pollensa was at La Fonda just off the main square where we enjoyed melt in your mouth local lamb. The restaurant serves local Mallorcan dishes and uses fresh seasonal produce.
La Fonda is located in a an old restored townhouse and is decorated with local artwork. If you are planning on eating there in high season it’s best to book in advance
What to do in Pollensa
When you’ve had enough of relaxing by the pool you can take a stroll around the old town. There are plenty of small boutique shops and galleries to browse. You’ll find them selling jewellery, leather, bags, scarves and traditional Mallorcan fabrics.
On Sundays there is a lively market in Placa Major, in fact it’s one of the biggest in Mallorca. There are lots of stall selling fruit, vegetables, spices, cheese and wine. There are also lots of handicraft stalls which spill out onto the surrounding streets.
If you’re looking for something a bit more cultural you can take a wander around the town and take in the Roman bridge or ‘Pont Romà’, the 18th-century Mare de Deu dels Angels church with a famous rose window and the Convent de Sant Domingo.
Pollensa was gifted to the Knights Templar by the king. During this time, the church in the main square, Parròquia de la Mare de Déu del Àngels (Parish of Our Lady of the Angels) began to be built.
There has been a history of Pirates invading this part of the island over the centuries. There was a famous battle in 1550 when a local man and his band of helpers armed with only sticks fought off the Moorish invaders. There’s a festival in August that celebrates this. It’s the La Patrona which is celebrated on the day dedicated to the Mare de Deu dels Angels on August 2nd
The highlight of the fiesta is the mock battle between the Moorish pirates (baddies) and the Christians (goodies). There’s also concerts, markets, all night parties and markets going on during the festival.
During the weekend of the ‘fira’, which always takes place on the fourth Sunday after San Lucas, which is normally the second Sunday of November, the Santo Domingo convent, Plaza Mayor, Plaza a les Munnares and many other places are filled with exhibitors.
The fair has food, crafts and even animals on show and there is street art and performances going on during the weekend. This is great if you want to holiday out of season. The weather is cooler at this time of year, but you could still expect it to be pleasant with temperature of 16 tor 17°C.
Overview of Pollensa
Pollensa has a slightly bohemian feel to it and is more laid back than its neighbour Port de Pollensa. If you’re looking for somewhere to kick back and indulge in the café culture watching the world go by then Pollensa is for you.
And, if you’re fascinated by history and culture remember you’ll be walking in the footsteps of the Knights Templar and Moorish Pirates.
I loved our stay in the Old Town and Hotel Son Sant Jordi and I’m sure we’ll make a return visit soon.
