Vacation Villas & Apartments To Rent in Majorca

villarent.es vacation villas and aparments to rent in majorca

****MAJORCA INFO

Pollensa

The municipality of Pollença is located at the northern end of Mallorca, within the mountain range of the Serra de Tramuntana, which is the island´s most extensive and valuable natural space. It is without doubt one of the most emblematic places in Mallorca, both due to its spectacular landscapes where the land and sea meet, and its traditions, which are the result of its intense history.

The village of Pollença was founded in 1229, when King Jaume I brought Mallorca into the Christian world and introduced Catalan culture. The square of Plaça Major, which is surrounded by bars which fill up during the months of summer, is the centre of the village. This is also the location of the Parish Church, which was built in the 18th century on the site of on older building from the 13th century. The architectural style of the current building fluctuates between Baroque and Classicism, with a basilical layout, a gently-pointed vaulted roof and lateral chapels. Inside the building are Baroque altarpieces and mural paintings. To the left of the church is the square of Plaça Vella, which, together with the surrounding streets, forms the early part of the town, which has a noticeably medieval character. At the small square of Plaça de l´Almoina is the water fountain of the Font del Gall, which was built in the 19th century and which has become one of the symbolic reference points of Pollença. At the end of the street of Carrer Costa i Llobera is the Oratory of Sant Jordi - an old 16th-century church with a basilical layout, cross-vault roof and a single chapel. On the street of Carrer de Jesús is the building of Monti-sion, which is an old Jesuit monastery constructed in the 18th century that was inhabited by this religious order until its expulsion from Spain. In the 19th century Pollença Council converted it into the Consistorial House and reopened the church, which has a basilical layout, a barrel-vault ceiling and lateral chapels, with an interior decoration in the French Baroque style. Of all the architecture here, the cloister of the old monastery is of particular note.

From the street of Carrer de Jesús it is possible to climb a long stairway of 365 steps to the peak of the hill where the small chapel of Calvari is situated. The chapel was constructed at the end of the 18th century and is in the neo-Gothic style owing to reforms that masked its previous Baroque style, which was typical during the time in which it was built. Inside there is a unique work of sculpture from 1448, showing Christ and the Mother of God at his feet with fragments of prayers in Latin and Catalan.

At the edge of Pollença´s historic heart, next to the Gardens of Joan March, is the Convent of Sant Domingo. It is situated on the street which bears the convent´s name and comprises a church and a cloister; the cloister has become one of the most representative centres for cultural activities in Pollença, including the International Plastic Arts Competition and the International Music Festival . It is also the home of the Pollença Municipal Museum, which has collections of contemporary painting and Gothic altarpieces, as well as various pieces related to the history of Pollença.

As you enter Pollença there is a small sanctuary known as Roser Vell, the origins of which are uncertain but which dates from the 14th century. Another of Pollença´s characteristic monuments is the Pont Romà (Roman Bridge), on the street of Carrer del Pont on the outskirts of the village; despite the bridge´s name, its origins remain unknown, though it is known to be very old.

Puerto Pollensa

El Port de Pollença, which is located on the Bay of Pollença in the north east of Mallorca, is the tourist resort chosen by the majority of tourists who opt to spend their holidays in a hotel or apartment within the region of Pollença. It is built along the coast, with a promenade for pedestrians next to the beach, which is where most of the bars, cafés and restaurants are located. It is not one of the island´s larger resorts and the hotels and apartments here are low-rise buildings. The resort has all the services needed to enjoy a holiday by the sea in a cosmopolitan and exclusive environment with unique surroundings and is a gathering point for people from different parts of Europe.

The marina at Port de Pollença attracts a great number of pleasure craft and it is the departure point for the boats which run trips along the coast to the peninsula of Formentor, which is one of the most beautiful and popular spots on Mallorca.

The town of Port de Pollença, which locals refer to as Moll, began to grow up at the end of the 19th century, when the first seafaring families settled here. Fishing and the start of tourism promoted the initial development of the town, bringing about the construction of the first hotels on the seafront and the summer homes of wealthy families. These buildings, which are separated from the sea by a promenade, provide one of Port de Pollença´s most distinctive scenes, with pines and tamarisks seemingly rising out of the sea.

Between 1930 and 1940, a base for sea-planes was constructed at the port in order to fight forest fires on the Balearic Islands.

The Fort of Albercuix is located at Punta de l´Avançada, at the western end of the Bay of Pollença; it was constructed in the 17th century in order to defend the bay from attacks by pirates from North Africa. At the end of the 19th century this threat had disappeared and the fort was sold. The new owners transformed it into a meeting place for artists and cultural figures connected to Pollença, but the Spanish Civil War put an end to art and glamorous festivals and the fort was used for military purposes.

Can Cullerassa, which is over 600 m long, has a pebbly beach and an old pine grove. To get here, follow the road PM-222 that goes along the coast Alcúdia to Port de Pollença and you will find the beach where the residential area begins.

Port de Pollença beach, also known as Llenaire, is one of the main attractions in this tourist resort. This beach, which is 1000 m long and 35 m wide, has fine white sands and a promenade. There is an ample parking area near the port.
Services: restaurants, open-air bars, lifeguards; sun loungers, parasols and pedal boats for hire.

Cala Albercuix includes several small beaches located along the Passeig Voramar, the promenade which has old villas running along it and which is shaded by ancient pine trees and tamarisks. There are sand banks and the seabed is almost flat, with the water only reaching a depth of half a metre at 300 m from the shoreline.
Services: restaurants; sun loungers, parasols and pedal boats for hire.

Cala St Vicente

Cala Sant Vicenç, which is situated within the municipality of Pollença on Mallorca´s northern coast, is a small tourist resort made up mainly of small summer homes. There are also hotels and apartments here, which, together with a few holiday homes, comprise the range of tourist accommodation in this peaceful location. There are some restaurants but not many shops. Beaches are one of the main attractions in Cala Sant Vicenç.

Cala Carbó, which is 50 m long and 30 m wide, is covered by pebbles and shingle. It is located at the end of Cala Sant Vicenç, from where you have to head right along the only road by the sea.

Cala Clara is a small beach which is 30 m long and 25 m wide. It is 100 m away from Cala Barques in Cala Sant Vicenç, and it is usually very crowded due to the proximity of a large hotel.

Cala Barques, which is 80 m long and 25 m wide and which has fine sand, is the biggest beach in Cala Sant Vicenç.
Services: restaurants; sun loungers, parasols and pedal boats for hire.

Formentor

is a narrow peninsula at the extreme north of Mallorca within the municipality of Pollença; it is 12 km long and reaches a width of 3 km, and there is a road which runs along it as far as the lighthouse of the Far del Cap de Formentor. Owing to its beautiful landscape, which brings together the sea and the mountains, it is one of the most emblematic and visited spots on Mallorca. If you follow the road along the peninsula, before reaching the beach there are two places from which spectacular views can be enjoyed. The first is the lookout point of Mirador de la Creueta, with the islet of Colomer in the background, which is one of the most photographed panoramas on the island. The second is the watchtower of Albercuix, which was constructed at the end of the 16th century and which formed part of Mallorca´s defence system; this is situated on a peak at 390 m above sea level and can be reached by road by taking a turn-off from the main road which runs along the peninsula.

The presence of man here dates back to prehistoric times. During the period of Roman rule there was a settlement here which produced ingots of pig iron, as iron is a characteristic element in these parts. Since the Middle Ages the area has contained one of the largest estates on Mallorca, in spite of the difficulties involved in cultivating the land and problems related to pirate attacks, which persisted until the French took control of Algeria. Evidence of this is provided by the construction of the old houses in Formentor, which are built with features which are typical of a fortification.

In 1928 Adan Diehl, who came from a wealthy Argentinian family connected to the Trocquist bank, bought the lands of Formentor, and he and his wife immediately set to work on the construction of a luxury residence, which was inaugurated as the emblematic Hotel Formentor a year later. Amongst the hotel´s guests in its magnificent early period, which was ended by the Spanish Civil War, were writers and well known artists, as well as internationally famous people such as Winston Churchill, Edward Windsor Prince of Wales, President Niceto Alcalá Zamora, the Duke of Alba, and Maharaja Kapurthala. It wasn´t until the 1950s that the hotel once again become the setting for international events, such as the first international congress dedicated to the 13th-century Mallorcan philosopher, writer and poet Ramon Llull. In 1960 the Formentor Novel Prize, which attracted top novelists and publishers, was awarded for the first time; this was worth 10,000 dollars and covered the international publication of the winning book, making it the highest-value prize of the time. In the 1990s a meeting of heads of state of the European Union was held at this hotel, which remains a highly exclusive establishment.

Cala Formentor is a beach divided into two by a pier used by tourist boats. It is about 900 m long and 10 m wide and has fine white sands. In front of the beach is the little isle of Formentor, and a pine grove provides shade behind it. To get here, there is a bus from Port de Pollença. By car, take the road PM-221 towards the Cap de Formentor, from where the beach is well signposted. There is an ample parking area for which there is a charge.
Services: open-air bar where food is served, showers; sun loungers, parasols and pedal boats for hire.

Beaches in Pollensa

El Caló is a small unspoilt beach with large pebbles and shingle; it is 55 m long and 20 m wide. The seabed is rocky and there is plenty of submarine vegetation, which makes it a perfect place for snorkelling. To get here is not easy, because the military facilities of the air-sea base do not allow free access from Punta de l´Avançada. Therefore, it is necessary to walk 4,000 m from the starting point at the bottom of the road that heads to the air-sea base from the PM-221, which is the road which runs along Formentor. Nearby there is a wall made of stones with a fence, which will guide you through the vegetation that covers this calcareous hillside, protected occasionally by some pine trees. Follow the wall to the peak and down to the sea, where you will find the beach nearby.

Cala Murta is an unspoilt beach made up of sand and shingle which is 60 m long and 25 m wide. The depth of the water is 8 m at 200 m from the shore and 4 m at 100 m, and the seabed is sandy. There are some facilities, such as a few barbeques, areas for camping, and benches and tables for picnics. To get here, take the road PM-221 towards Formentor, go past the turning leading to the beach of Formentor, and take the turning to Cala Murta at the 13 km mark. Although the surface is good, the use of vehicles is restricted and the last 1,700 m have to be walked. Almost the entire path goes through a pine grove.

Cala en Gossalba is made up of two small unspoilt beaches with a rocky seabed and a thick pine wood at the back; the beach is formed by pebbles and shingle and is 30 m long and 30 m wide. To get here, you have to walk 2,500 m north from Cala Murta along the cliffs.

Cala Figuera is an unspoilt fifty-metre-long beach with sand and pebbles which are usually covered by seaweed. It´s not difficult to find, because it can be seen from the road PM-221, which leads to the Formentor lighthouse; some kilometres after passing the turning to the beach of Formentor, you will see the beach on the left hand side. There is a parking area, from where there is a path that goes down to the beach.

Cala Boquer: this unspoilt and isolated beach is a good refuge for sailors; it is about 45 m long and 10 m wide, with pebbles and shingle at the shore. To get here, from Port de Pollença follow the road towards Formentor; go straight over the roundabout, leaving the residential area behind you, and you will see a hill with houses, which stands over the valley entrance and is where cars have to be left. Cross the fence and walk along the path surrounded by pine trees, passing by the front of the house without any difficulties. The path goes between two big rocks, before reaching the beach, which is about 1,500 m away.

Cala Carbó, which is 50 m long and 30 m wide, is covered by pebbles and shingle. It is located at the end of Cala Sant Vicenç, from where you have to head right along the only road by the sea.

Cala Clara is a small beach which is 30 m long and 25 m wide. It is 100 m away from Cala Barques in Cala Sant Vicenç, and it is usually very crowded due to the proximity of a large hotel.

Cala Barques, which is 80 m long and 25 m wide and which has fine sand, is the biggest beach in Cala Sant Vicenç.
Services: restaurants; sun loungers, parasols and pedal boats for hire.

Serra Tramuntana

The Serra de Tramuntana is the highest mountain range and the most extensive natural area on Mallorca, representing a zone of great ecological value. The range is approximately 90 km long, running from the cape of Formentor in Pollença to the cape of Sa Mola in Andratx, with an average width of 15 km. It runs from south west to north east and 12 km2 of the range lies above 1,000 m, where there is an average of 14 days of snowfall per year. The highest peaks on Mallorca are found in the central section of the range, with Puig Major (1,447 m), Massanella (1,352 m), Tossals Verds (1,115 m) and Puig Tomir (1,103 m). These mountains occupy most of the land space within the municipalities of Andrat, Banyalbufar, Bunyola, Deia, Escorca, Esporles, Estellencs, Fornalutx, Mancor del Vall, Pollensa, Puigpunyent, Selva, soller and Valldemossa, as well as taking up a significant portion of the surface area of the municipalities of Alaró, Alcudia, Calviá, Campanet, Lloseta, Palma De Mallorca and Santa María Del Camí.

The coastline along the Serra de Tramuntana is very rugged, with few coves and some steep cliffs. It is the most outstanding karst area on Mallorca, with a significant amount of limestone which has been eroded by the effects of weather and water. This gives rise to deep torrents, such as the Torrent de Pareis which reaches a height of 200 m in the area known as Sa Fosca.

The vegetation includes a series of endemic species. In the highest areas brushwood grows, whilst in the lower zones we find the most extensive holm-oak woods on Mallorca. These woods have long been exploited by man, which has reduced their surface area. There are also large sections of pine forest, which in some spots has replaced the holm-oak woods.

In terms of fauna, there are various mammals, such as goats and sheep, which help to maintain the vegetation and which serve as a source of food for black voltures. There are also pine martens, genets and weasels. There are many species of bird which inhabit the Serra de Tramuntana or pass through during their migrations. There is a wide range of birds of prey, such as the osprey and Eleonora´s falcon, which comes to the Mediterranean from the island of Madagascar. The Mallorcan midwife toad is an amphibian which was discovered in the 1980s, though it was already known as a fossil; the small population of this animal inhabit the least accessible pools and torrents of the Serra de Tramuntana.

Man has inhabited this zone since prehistory. There are important ethnological features which show man´s presence and the exploitation of resources in the area, such as the areas where olive trees have been planted, charcoal stores, ice houses, lime ovens and numerous tracks which formed a communication network and which are now used by walkers, who find the most spectacular landscapes on Mallorca here, with the sea always forming a spectacular backdrop. The land belongs to large estates, which have traditionally been in the hands of Mallorcan aristocracy and wealthy families, though some estates are publicly owned.