Cala San Vicente:
The scenery along most of the north west coast of Majorca is rugged and dramatic, and Cala San Vincente is no different. The resort has three beaches, Cala Barques is the largest and prettiest of the three, offering visitors the choice of a few small restaurants, bars and shops, and there's usually ample sun beds, beach umbrellas and pedaloes for hire there too. One thing we did find at the time of our visit was a particular problem with tar on the beach, although a local tip was to use butter to remove it from your feet. From Cala Barques if you take the path around the rocky knoll you'll find the tiny beach of Cala Clara. This beach, although being less than 100m from Cala Barques, is often very crowded during the summer due to its close proximity to one of the few hotel in the resort. Finally, the third beach called Cala Molins, further round the sizeable headland, is the most popular beach for bathers due to its fine sands.
Puerto Pollensa:
The sedate resort of Puerto Pollensa stretches along a sheltered horseshoe-shaped bay lined with sandy beaches, set against the backdrop of the Boquer mountain range on the north coast of Mallorca. The resort has grown up around the scenic fishing port that serves the picturesque old Roman town of Pollensa, situated a few miles inland. Cafes, restaurants and tourist shops line on the famous pinewalk and the promenade along with some elegant hotels, which overlook the wide sandy beach and the bay, dotted with the colourful sails of yachts. Puerto Pollensa is renowned for hosting some of the best fish restaurants on Mallorca. While this is undoubtedly so, there is also a wide selection of restaurants catering to all tastes.
Pollensa (old town):
Situated in the hills, towards the north east of Mallorca, Pollensa is a peaceful old town that has been largely unaffected by tourism. The town was established a few miles inland to protect against any sudden pirate attacks; its harbour, Puerto Pollensa. Some of Pollensa's medieval centre remains around the Plaça Major, the main square, including the church of Nostra Senyora dels Àngels. From the outside the church is fairly austere, the sheer stone façade is pierced only by a large rose window, but the interior is highly decorative particularly during the packed Sunday morning services when it is ablaze with candles. Other than the church, the main square houses a cluster of bars and cafés, and on Sunday morning, a busy market. Just north of the square is the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross), a long stone stairway, bordered by ancient cypress trees. At the top, in a small chapel, is a much-revered statue of Mare de Déu del Peu de la Creu (Mother of God at the Foot of the Cross).
