We fell for Pollença on our first visit, and the more time we spend here, the longer the list gets. These are the ten things we tell friends about when they ask why they should come.
1. Beaches and coves
Within a short drive you have wide sandy bays, quiet coves under the cliffs and wilder beaches you can only reach on foot. Our favourite is Cala Sant Vicenç, about 10 minutes from the villa. See our guide to beaches and coves.
2. Markets
Pollença's Sunday market fills the streets around Plaça Major from about 08:00 to 13:30, with around 300 stalls of fruit, cheese, sobrassada, honey, flowers and crafts. There are markets most days somewhere nearby. See our markets guide.
3. Fiestas
Noisy, colourful and great fun. Pollença's La Patrona fiesta ends with the Moors and Christians battle every August, and there's something on somewhere on the island almost every month. See our fiestas guide.
4. Food
Fresh fish and seafood, pa amb oli, ensaïmadas and roast suckling pig are all worth trying, with plenty of good restaurants in the old town and the Port. Our kitchen is big enough to cook for the whole group, and we're happy to recommend private chefs if you'd rather someone else did the cooking.
5. Nature
The Tramuntana mountains are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and start right behind the villa. Birdwatchers come for the migrating birds in spring and autumn, and the wetlands around Pollença and Alcúdia are well worth a morning.
6. Walking and hiking
From a short climb up Puig de Maria to a full day on the GR 221, there's walking for every level. See our walking guide.
7. Cycling
Pollença is one of Europe's favourite cycling bases, with flat coast roads and some of the island's best-known climbs close by. See our cycling guide.
8. Golf
There are several courses within an easy drive, open all year. See our golf guide.
9. History
The Roman city of Pollentia at Alcúdia, the ruins of Castell del Rei above Pollença and the old town's 365 Calvari steps are all close by.
10. Wine
Mallorcan wine is getting better all the time. Binissalem, about 30 minutes inland, is a good place to start a bodega visit, and you'll find a bottle from the island in our welcome hamper.
Where to stay
Villa Esquina is in La Font, at the foot of the Tramuntana. The old town is a 20–25 minute walk away, Port de Pollença is about 15 minutes by car and Cala Sant Vicenç about 10. The villa has five bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, sleeps ten and has a 15-metre saltwater pool.
Not sure whether to stay in town, by the sea or in between? Our guides to the old town, Port de Pollença and La Font may help, along with our checklist for choosing a villa.
We'd love to have you to stay. You can book directly with us – Sarah and I look after every booking ourselves, and booking direct is never more expensive than through our partners.
