Pollença

Town · Mallorca, 🇪🇸 Spain

Pollença is a historic town in the north of Mallorca, in the Balearic Islands, at the foot of the Tramuntana mountains. It has a stone-built old town, a famous stairway of 365 steps up to a hilltop chapel, a Roman bridge and a lively Sunday market.

The municipality also includes the seaside Port de Pollença, with a sheltered bay, and the Formentor peninsula, with the island's most dramatic coastal road, a lighthouse and some of its best beaches. It is popular with walkers, cyclists and people who want a quieter side of Mallorca.

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When to visit

Spring and autumn are the best seasons for walking and cycling, and the sea is warm until October. July and August are hot and busy, with heavy traffic on the Formentor road. Winters are mild but can be wet, and some businesses at the port close.

The Pollença Music Festival (July and August) holds concerts in the cloister. The Moors and Christians festival (Moros i Cristians) on 2 August reenacts a battle in the streets.

Best time to visit: April, May, June, July, August, September, October

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Fair

14° (feels like 10°) · extremes 6°–17°
10° at night
8 rainy days
9 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
15°C · too cold to swim
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in February

Good

14° (feels like 10°) · extremes 6°–17°
9° at night
8 rainy days
11 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
14°C · too cold to swim
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in March

Good

16° (feels like 13°) · extremes 7°–20°
11° at night
7 rainy days
15 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
14°C · too cold to swim
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Great

18° (feels like 16°) · extremes 10°–22°
13° at night
7 rainy days
16 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
16°C · too cold to swim
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in May

Great

22° (feels like 21°) · extremes 13°–26°
16° at night
6 rainy days
18 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Light breeze
18°C · cool for a dip
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in June

Great

26° (feels like 27°) · extremes 17°–31°
20° at night
3 rainy days
21 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Calm winds
22°C · cool for a dip
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in July

Great

29° (feels like 30°) · extremes 20°–33°
23° at night
2 rainy days
23 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Calm winds
25°C · warm for swimming
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in August

Great

29° (feels like 31°) · extremes 21°–33°
23° at night
4 rainy days
21 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Calm winds
27°C · warm for swimming
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in September

Great

26° · extremes 18°–30°
21° at night
9 rainy days
13 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Light breeze
25°C · warm for swimming
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in October

Great

22° · extremes 14°–27°
18° at night
9 rainy days
11 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Light breeze
23°C · cool for a dip
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in November

Good

18° (feels like 15°) · extremes 9°–22°
14° at night
11 rainy days
6 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
19°C · cool for a dip
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in December

Good

15° (feels like 12°) · extremes 8°–18°
11° at night
9 rainy days
7 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
16°C · too cold to swim
UV index 1 · low

Climate data: NASA POWER + Copernicus ERA5-Land and ERA5 · 1996–2025

Top sights

Cap de Formentor LighthouseThe Formentor or Cap de Formentor Lighthouse is an active lighthouse on the Spanish island of Majorca.

Es Colomer ViewpointPurpose-built scenic viewpoint featuring paved paths and terraces that look out over the Mediterranean Sea and the Illa del Colomer. The site provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Cala Figuera BeachThe beach consists of small stones. Crystal clear water, however there are no services by the beach.

Calvari StepsBeautiful stone stairway leading to a chapel. It has 365 steps.

Formentor BeachA very narrow beach with fine, white sand. If the crystal clear water isn't enough to make your day, rent a pedalo or a jetski.

King's CastleTake a walk to the medieval ruins of a castle built by the Moors. Please note that you need to ask for permission at the Town Hall in…

Roman BridgeAlso known as 'Puente de Cubelles' in the past, this stone bridge was built by the Romans. Popular photo spot.

Dionís Bennàssar Museum HouseFormer house of Dionis Bennàssar currently displays his most important work.

Puig de MariaA lovely hike offering wonderful views. There is a restaurant and a monastery on top of the hill.

Calvari Steps is the Calvari, a stairway of 365 steps between cypress trees, leading to a small chapel with views over the town.
The Plaça Major is the main square, with cafés and the Sunday market.
Pont Romà is a Roman-style stone bridge over a dry riverbed on the edge of town.
Museu Dionís Bennàssar is a museum of local art, in a former convent.
The church of Nostra Senyora dels Àngels is the main parish church, in the old town.
puig de Maria is a hill with a 14th-century sanctuary and a view of the bay, reached by a path and a road.
Castell del Rei is a castle ruin on a hilltop over the north coast.
Far de Formentor is a lighthouse at the end of the Formentor peninsula, on a cliff about 200 m above the sea.
Es Colomer Viewpoint is a lookout tower with views of the coast and the cliffs, on the Formentor road.
Formentor Beach and Cala Figuera are beaches on the Formentor peninsula.

Featured Lists

Denise Zanardi / CC BY-SA 3.0 es

Pollença Essentials

Pollença spans from the foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana to the dramatic cliffs of the Formentor peninsula. The historic center features the Roman Bridge and the 365-step Calvari stairway leading to an 18th-century chapel. Nearby, the Puig de Maria offers a medieval monastery and panoramic views. Along the coast, the Cap de Formentor Lighthouse marks the island's northernmost point, while the 16th-century Talaia d’Albercutx watchtower provides a vantage point over the bays of Pollença and Alcúdia. Sandy stretches like Port de Pollença and Cala Molins complement the rugged stone coves of Formentor.

12 places

Dmitry Svarytsevych / CC-BY-SA

Natural Wonders

This collection highlights the diverse landscapes of northern Mallorca, centered around the Formentor peninsula and the Serra de Tramuntana. It includes the dramatic coastal cliffs of Cap de Formentor and Mirador des Colomer alongside the Bronze Age hypogeum of Coves de l'Alzinaret. Higher elevations like Puig de Maria and Puig Gros de Ternelles provide panoramic views of the bays of Pollença and Alcúdia, while the Talaia d'Albercutx stands as a historic watchtower overlooking the rugged coastline.

13 places

CC-BY-SA-3.0

Best Beaches and Coasts

Pollença’s coastline features a diverse range of Mediterranean environments, from the expansive sandy shores of Port de Pollença to the secluded pebble coves of the Formentor peninsula. The region is home to the four distinct inlets of Cala Sant Vicenç and the iconic Platja de Formentor, known for its fine white sand and pine-fringed backdrop. Many locations, such as Cala Bóquer and Cala Murta, require hiking through the Serra de Tramuntana foothills, offering access to clear waters and dramatic views of the Cavall Bernat ridge.

12 places

CHM / GFDL

Historic Churches and Sanctuaries

Pollença’s religious heritage spans from 13th-century Knights Templar foundations to hilltop sanctuaries. This collection includes the iconic 365 steps of the Calvari, the historic parish church in the main square, and the fortified Puig de Maria monastery. These sites showcase Gothic and Baroque architecture while offering insight into the town's defensive history and local traditions, such as the Good Friday procession and protection from historic pirate raids.

5 places

Pla / Public domain

Historic Sites of Pollença

Pollença’s history spans millennia, from the Bronze Age burial caves at Coves de l'Alzinaret to the Roman stone bridge of Pont Romà. The landscape is dotted with defensive architecture, including the 16th-century Talaia d'Albercutx watchtower and the medieval ruins of Castell del Rei. In the Tramuntana mountains, the "Cases de Neu" reflect traditional ice production, while the coastal La Fortalesa stands as a 17th-century military stronghold. These sites offer a comprehensive look at the architectural and strategic evolution of northern Mallorca.

7 places

What to experience

Climb the 365 steps of the Calvari at sunset.
Go to the Sunday market in the Plaça Major.
Drive or cycle the Formentor road to the lighthouse, stopping at viewpoints.
Swim at a beach on the Formentor peninsula.
Walk up to the Puig de Maria sanctuary.

Tours & Activities

Pollença — Map

Day trips

l'Alcúdia (about 12 km): a walled town on a wide bay.
Cap de Formentor (about 20 km): a winding road with viewpoints, to the lighthouse.
Cala Sant Vicenç (about 6 km): a group of coves.
Palma (about 55 km): the capital of Mallorca.
Sa Calobra and Torrent de Pareis (about 40 km by road): a canyon and a pebble beach in the Tramuntana.

Where to explore

Other places nearby:

Mallorca: Mallorca, Palma, l'Alcúdia and Cala d'Or.

Getting there

By air: Palma airport is about 55 km away, about an hour by car.
By bus: Public buses run from Palma, Alcúdia and Port de Pollença to the town. A bus links the old town and the port.
By car: The Ma-13 road from Palma and the Ma-2200 from Alcúdia lead to the town.

Getting around

On foot: The old town is compact and walkable, with some steep streets. The port is about 6 km away.
Bus: Local buses link the town, the port and the Formentor peninsula in summer.
Cycling: The area is well known for road cycling, particularly the Formentor road.

Driving

Is a car worth it?: Useful for Formentor and the coves. In summer, traffic and parking on the Formentor road are very busy, so go early.
Parking: Paid parking is available near the old town. Check for current access rules for the Formentor road in summer.
Roads: The Formentor road is narrow and winding, with tight bends and many cyclists.

Food & drink

Mallorcan cuisine is simple and island-based. Try pa amb oli (bread with oil and tomato), sobrassada (soft cured sausage), tumbet (a vegetable dish), frit (fried offal and vegetables) and fresh fish at the port. The ensaïmada, a spiral pastry, is the best-known sweet.

Local almonds and olives appear in many dishes.

Breakfast

Churros Churros con ChocolateFried dough sticks served with a thick, dark hot chocolate for dipping — a classic Spanish breakfast or late-night snack.

Lunch

Paella ValencianaA saffron-scented rice dish cooked in a wide, shallow pan. The traditional Valencian version uses chicken, rabbit, and green beans — best eaten at midday.

GazpachoA cold, blended soup of raw tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar, originally from Andalusia. Served as a drink or a starter, especially in summer.

Dinner

Pulpo a la GallegaBoiled octopus sliced onto a wooden board and dressed with olive oil, coarse salt, and smoked paprika — a signature dish of Galicia.

Snacks & street food

Jamón IbéricoDry-cured ham from acorn-fed Iberian pigs, sliced paper-thin and eaten on its own or with bread. The finest grade, jamón ibérico de bellota, is one of Spain's most prized products.

Tortilla EspañolaA thick potato and egg omelette, served warm or at room temperature, found in virtually every bar in Spain. Often eaten as a tapa or a quick meal.

Patatas BravasFried potato chunks served with a spicy tomato sauce or aioli — one of the most common tapas across the country.

PintxosSmall snacks anchored to slices of bread with a toothpick, the Basque Country's answer to tapas. Found in bar counters across San Sebastián and Bilbao, often with elaborate toppings.

CroquetasCrispy breaded cylinders with a creamy béchamel filling, typically made with jamón, bacalà (salt cod), or mushrooms.

Drinks

Rioja Wine Vino de RiojaSpain's best-known wine region produces full-bodied reds from Tempranillo grapes, aged in oak. The crianza, reserva, and gran reserva labels indicate increasing age and complexity.

Safety & health

Pollença is safe. In summer, use sun protection and drink water, particularly on the Calvari and at the beaches. Take care on the Formentor road, with sharp bends and cyclists. The cliffs at the lighthouse are high, so keep to the paths.

History

The area has been settled since the Bronze Age, and the Romans built a bridge and a nearby town, Pollentia, at Alcúdia. In 1550 pirates attacked Pollença, and the Moors and Christians festival commemorates the defence of the town against them.

In the 19th and 20th centuries artists and writers visited the area, and it became a retreat for painters and travellers. The Calvari steps were built in the 18th century.