Northern Mallorca - Mallorca - page 223

The beaches immediately south of the main port area are broad, sandy and gentle. Tufts
of beach are sprinkled all the way along the shady promenade stretching north of town -
these rank among Port de Pollença's prettiest corners. South along the bay towards Alcú-
dia, the beaches are a grey gravel mix, frequently awash with poseidon grass. At the tail
end of this less than winsome stretch, the stiff breezes on Ca'n Cap de Bou and Sa Mar-
ina (just before entering Alcúdia) are among the best on the island for wind- and kitesur-
fing.
Some of the island's finest diving is in the Badia de Pollença. There's plenty of wall
and cave action and reasonable marine life (rays, octopuses, barracuda and more) along
the southern flank of the Formentor peninsula and the southern end of the bay leading to
Cap des Pinar.
SANTUARI DE LA MARE DE DÉU DES PUIG
South of Pollença, off the Ma2200, one of Mallorca's most tortuous roads bucks
and weaves up 1.5km of gasp-out-loud hairpin bends to this 14th-century former
nunnery (Puig de Maria; 9am-6pm Oct-Mar, 8.30am-8.30pm Apr-Sep) , which sits atop
333m Puig de Maria . If you come pilgrim style, the stiff hike through woods of
holm oak, pine and olive will take you around an hour - Pollença shrinks to toytown
scale as you near the summit. Be sure to avoid the midday heat.
No taxi driver is foolhardy enough to venture here, which speaks volumes about
the road, but if you crank into first gear, take it steady and say your prayers, you
might just make it to the final parking bay, around a 20-minute walk from the
refuge.
At the top, take a contemplative stroll through the refectory, kitchen, heirloom-
filled corridors and incense-perfumed Gothic chapel of the former nunnery. That's
if you can tear yourself away from the view. Though modest in height, this fist of
rock commands one of Mallorca's finest outlooks: to the west the hauntingly beau-
tiful peaks of the Tramuntana range, to the east the gently curving bays of Alcúdia
and Pollença and the jagged Formentor peninsula.
You can stay the night in a converted hermit's cell ( Click here ) to rise at an un-
godly hour for a spectacular sunrise, or simply enjoy the silence over a bite to eat.
The paella is one of the best you'll get in these parts, but place your order well in
advance. Life moves slooowly up here.
Activities
Bike & Kite ADVENTURE SPORTS