THE RESORTS
Here we offer some personal views on the different resort areas. We try to be as objective in our ratings and opinions as possible. If you agree or disagree, let us know in the forum! Your views are very welcome.
We also offer some general observations about things such as driving and tourist information.
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| Can Picafort |
| Santa Margalida - coming soon |
| Son Serra de Marina - coming soon |
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| Click Resort to read more... |
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Other places : Alcudia  Cala San
Vicente Formentor Inca
Muro
Playe de Muro
Pollensa Puerto Alcudia Puerto Pollensa
Sa Pobla
General Observations : Driving
Hours
/ time
Keeping in touch
Language
Medical Pirated
goods Post Offices
Safety/Police
Tourist information
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Ca’n Picafort
Where does the name Ca’n Picafort come from? There is a story knocking around that “Picafort” is the combination of the verb “picar”, meaning to bite or to itch, and the adjective/adverb “fort”, meaning strong.
So, Picafort is, literally, “itching strongly”. Add the Ca’n, and you have - roughly - “The place of the strong itch”. And why strong itch? Er, well, mosquitoes. Sounds feasible, except it’s wrong. There was a Picafort who emanated from Santa Margalida, and he established a house by the coast. “Ca’n” is something you will see frequently in Mallorca. It means house of. So Ca’n Picafort is “the house of Picafort”. Not as interesting as the mosquito story, but there you are.
Ca’n Picafort was, until the 1960s, a tiny, sleepy fishing village. The onset of mass tourism changed all that, making Ca’n Picafort what it is today, a purpose-built and modern holiday resort.
Ca’n Picafort is a part of the municipality of Santa Margalida (a.k.a. Santa Margarita), this town being some 9 kilometres inland. Santa Margalida is an ancient town, called “Hero” by the Romans and “Abenmaaxo-bar” by the Arabs. In common with much of Mallorca, Santa Margalida has a history associated with invaders and occupying forces.
Out of season, Ca’n Picafort remains a small place in terms of population, the whole municipality of Santa Margalida barely boasting 10,000 residents.
In season, Ca’n Picafort is a popular resort with nearly 50 hotels in what is a relatively small place.
Though there is a slight vestige of its fishing past (and present to a degree), it’s hard to escape the perception that Ca’n Picafort is an essentially purpose-built resort. Not that this is a negative thing; plenty of other resorts in Mallorca are similar.
The town’s marina is not one of the island’s bigger “puerto deportivos” and doesn’t seem to attract quite the same grand vessels that some others do.
Apart from the hotels, there is also an abundance of restaurants and bars, with some German and Scandinavian influence, reflecting the importance of Ca’n Picafort to these markets.
OUR RATINGS
Beaches in Can Picafort - 9/10
Ca’n Picafort main beach: very good.
Sandy, well-maintained, plenty of umbrellas and loungers. Good lifeguard security, though the sea is generally pretty shallow and calm. Usually enough breeze to take an edge of the heat. Promenade runs along the back of the beach with bars and restaurants for refreshments and lunch.
Son Bauló/Son Real beaches - these form part of the protected nature park, so are “rustic” in that nature is left more to take care of itself. Son Bauló is a semi-circular beach, almost like a cove without the rocks or cliffs. Son Real is quieter with no facilities immediately to hand. It is reached by going east from Son Bauló beach.
Ca’n Picafort has a pretty good reputation for its nightlife. There are discos, music bars and regular bars. As everything is close by, you can bar hop and enjoy a really good night out.
Highlighted bars/nighlife : Cafe Paris
A fine choice, everything from traditional Mallorcan to international fare and Chinese and Indian restaurants. Highlighted restaurants : Cafe Paris, China Town, Es Turó, Patagonico, Zodiac
There is quite a good selection of shops in Ca'n Picafort, with fashion, jewellery, toys etc on offer as well as more conventonal tourist-style stores. Highlighted shops : Perfumeria Venus
As we say elsewhere, there is a large number of hotels in Ca'n Picafort. Indeed one could be forgiven that hotels are all that there is! Most of the hotels are pretty modern and come up to a good to high standard. The bulk of the hotels are in easy reach of the beach, only a handful being on the south side of the main road. (Remember, Ca'n Picafort beach faces north!)
Character and ambience : 6/10
Hard to give a higher rating, even six maybe a tad optimistic. It’s not meant to sound negative; just that Ca’n Picafort is - as we’ve said elsewhere - pretty much a purpose-built resort and that’s it. A fairly lively atmosphere at night.
Within Ca’n Picafort, getting around is a synch. Compact, it takes, for example, 20 minutes on foot from one end of the town where the promenade starts to the beach at Son Bauló.
One of the plus points of the resort’s modernity is the fact that the town is well laid-out; it has none of the narrow, house-lined streets that are indicative of an older Mallorca, making driving inside the town relatively easy. The western part of Ca’n Picafort, as one enters from Puerto Alcúdia and Playa de Muro, is laid out in an essentially grid fashion; the eastern part by Son Bauló has a circular layout.
There is no real need to use transport within Ca’n Picafort because it isn’t that big. For more on getting around outside Ca’n Picafort, go to Travel, and for some advice on driving, click here - Driving.
Good beach, plenty of entertainment, other than that provided by hotels. Ca’n Picafort offers a good family destination.
Sights : 7/10
Within Ca’n Picafort there really isn’t much to see, but as you get outside a bit then there is. Really this rating should be higher, but it reflects the absence of anything much centrally.
Outside, there are the natural reserves of S’Albufera (to the west) and Son Real (to the east) as well as the ancient necropolis at Son Real.
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OTHER PLACES -
For these we give just general outlines
Alcudia
The historical old town of Alcudia nestles along the southern part of the bay of Pollensa and behind mountainous headlands. Some 7kms. from Puerto Pollensa, Alcudia may not have quite the “magic” of the town of Pollensa, but it is still a delightful place. Home to the Roman ruins of Pollentia, Alcudia boasts some very fine restaurants and cafes, and to its north are the beaches and small resorts of Barcares, Mal Pas and Bonaire.
Unlike Pollensa, which is detached from its “port”, Puerto Alcudia is more or less attached to the old town, so movement between the two is that much more straightforward. For more detailed information on Alcudia visit - www.thealcudiaguide.com and - if you go there - the guide “Hello”, available at the tourist office and many other places.
Cala San Vicente
This is a small and quiet resort between Puerto Pollensa and Pollensa. It’s a bit out on a limb and has - to be frank - lost some of its rather exclusive charm. Some fine hotels, and some restaurants and bars. Two small beaches. For more detailed information on Cala San Vicente visit - www.thepollensaguide.com and - if you go there - the guide “El Puente”, available at the tourist office.
Formentor
Leaving Puerto Pollensa heading north-east you enter the peninsula that ends with the Cap de Formentor. The drive is not for the faint-hearted, but if you can bear it you are rewarded with some fabulous views - across the bay, of the cliffs and the pines. The beach at Formentor is fine and sandy and lies next to the Hotel Formentor, one of the island’s grandest hotels, opened in 1929 which was singularly unpropitious as it coincided with the start of the Depression and forced the hotel into bank hands.
Still, it survives and today, according to the hotel’s website - “respecting the classical beauty of the Mediterranean landscape that surrounds it, the hotel does not refuse the modern life’s new-technological advances that assure comfort to its guests in every aspect”. Yes, quite.
You can get as far as the lighthouse and enjoy views across to Menorca (on a good day). The sights on the peninsula are truly stunning.
Inca
You now mercifully pass by Inca on the way from Palma to Alcudia, thanks to the motorway extension. It is one of Mallorca’s larger towns and is singularly unlovely. It is though the centre of the island’s leather trade, and there are several factory outlets where you can get high-quality stuff - shoes, bags, coats, jackets. It has an enormous market on a Thursday, and it is possible to arrange excursions to this.
Muro
Architecturally quite interesting and historic, it was declared a “town” in 1300. Muro is indicative of a “real” Mallorca, though like its neighbour Sa Pobla, it is assuming a more cosmopolitan air. Places of interest include the Ethnology Museum of Mallorca.
Playa de Muro
The beach resort part of Muro is separated from the town that gives it its name by several kilometres. You can be forgiven for thinking it to be a mere continuation of Puerto Alcudia as there is little to indicate where the two start and finish. While Playa de Muro enjoys the same superb coastline as Puerto Alcudia and a beach just as excellent, one cannot deny that it lacks something in character. Fine hotels (a couple absolutely outstanding), some pretty good restaurants and bars, but there is no focal point that would add something.
However, Playa de Muro is home to the remarkable wetlands of S’Albufera and its abundant
wild- and plantlife, while the “rustic” part of its beach is quite popular with naturists. For more detailed information on Playa de Muro visit - www.thealcudiaguide.com and - if you go there - the guide “Hello”, available at tourist offices and many other places.
Pollensa
A charming town, guarded by the mountain Puig Maria. A fair amount of history here, exemplified by, for instance, the Roman bridge (in truth something of a
disappointment) and the Calvari steps. Pollensa has a strong artistic and musical heritage, a school of art having been established in the early 20th century and the annual Festival of Pollensa attracting classical performers from various countries.
There are some first-rate restaurants, and Pollensa is blessed with attractive squares and their cafes. For more detailed information on Pollensa visit - www.thepollensaguide.com and - if you go there - the guide “El Puente”, available at tourist offices and many other places.
Puerto Alcudia
Puerto Alcudia enjoys a deserved reputation as an excellent holiday destination. The main beach in Puerto Alcudia is one of the finest to be found in the whole Mediterranean, and the resort boasts a multitude of bars, restaurants and shops.
There are really two main parts to Puerto Alcudia (three if you include the small resort of Alcanada which adjoins it and is home to the golf course, Golf Alcanada). The port itself has a wide promenade (now
extended) and a marina. There is a very good atmosphere, especially in the evenings.
The second part of Puerto Alcudia is formed by the areas known as Ciudad Blanca and Magic. This area is unashamedly touristic. It isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it is extremely popular, and there is something here for everyone.
For more detailed information on Puerto Alcudia visit
- www.thealcudiaguide.com and - if you go there - the guide “Hello”, available at tourist offices and many other places.
Puerto Pollensa
Separated from the town of Pollensa by some 5 kilometres, Puerto Pollensa is a most attractive resort, much smaller than Puerto Alcudia and generally quieter. That said, it has a surprising number of nightspots in a relatively small area in the centre.
There is a good beach, a marina and yacht club, plenty of things to do on the water, and diverse restaurants.
Some say that its “exclusive” feel has been partially lost these past few years. Puerto Pollensa is about 7 kilometres from Alcudia along the coast road. For information on Puerto Pollensa and Pollensa, we recommend www.thepollensaguide.com and - if you go there - the guide “El Puente”, available at tourist offices and many other places.
Sa Pobla
A town inland that lies past the far side of S’Albufera and around which there is a substantial amount of market gardening. Not a tourist place as such, and in August much of it closes down, as is common with “working” towns. In summer though there are music events, in particular a jazz festival.
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General observations
Driving
Mallorca has a poor record for accidents, and there are a load of nutters around. If you hire a car, and there is plenty of choice, here are some tips or things to watch out for:
1. Roundabouts : Indicating at roundabouts can be confusing if it occurs at all. Just make sure where the guy on the roundabout is going before pulling out.
2. Pedestrian crossings : As most drivers here ignore these, watch out in case someone’s too close behind you. Shunting is a very common type of accident, and is partly explained by the fact that drivers don’t expect the car in front to stop.
3. Turning right : When turning right, especially onto the Carretera Arta, check that all is clear not only to the left but also to the right. Fortunately the natural instinct for Briitsh drivers would be to do this as if there’s one big rule for driving here, it is to expect the unexpected. It’s been our experience to start to pull out only to realise that someone is overtaking and therefore on our side of the road or for there to be a cyclist or runner coming along in seemingly the wrong direction.
4. Cyclists : In the summer there are fewer cyclists around, but in spring there are many, especially cycle teams. The cycle lanes along the Carretera Arta are not that wide, so do look to give a wide berth. Again don’t be too surprised if a cyclist appears to be going in the wrong direction - this happens all the time!
5. Under-taking : On the main roads it is quite common for someone on a scooter (or even occasionally a car) to go past on your inside. Always check to your right to see who may be there.
6. Mobile phones : The use of mobiles while driving is banned, not that you would know it.
7. Accessories : Make sure you have the required items in your hire car, such as the hazard triangle and luminous jackets. Check with your car-hire agency that you do have everything.
8. Speed limits : The motorway is 120kph, the Carreteras (main roads) vary as they are dotted with speed restrictions. The Carretera Arta, through Ca’n Picafort is 50kph.
9. Side roads : By which we mean, firstly, the ones that run parallel to the Carretera Arta. These can be an accident waiting to happen. Though there is not always a sign to do so, as a matter of course, always give way to a car exiting the Carretera. Secondly, there are roads that cross each other on the grid road system. It is not always clear who has right of way.
If in doubt, always anticipate giving way to a car coming from the right.
10. Drink driving : Random checks are commonplace, especially late at night. To be safe, just don’t do it.
Hours/time
The working day for many shops starts at 10:00am, finishes for lunch at anything from 13:00 to 14:00 and then starts agan from 16:30 or 17:00 till around 20:00 or 21:00. Many essentially tourist shops stay open all day, including supermarkets. The main supermarkets (Caprabo, Mercadona and Eroski Syp) have long hours, normally to 21:00 and are open Sundays till 14:00 in summer. Watch out for local holidays as these can mean that places are shut. Banks close at 14:00. Bars, cafes and restaurants will tend to vary.
Some restaurants will close for two to three hours from around 16:00, and some will close one day a week.
In the evenings, the kitchens are open till pretty late, some into the early morning.
The Spanish sense of time differs to British in the sense that “mornings” extend to 14:00, “afternoons”
finish at 20:00, and evenings ... well, who knows. The concept of midday (mediodía) is a very loose one. It normally never means 12:00, but any time till 14:00.
Keeping in touch
Most hotels have Internet facilities and you’ll find these in some bars. Generally speaking hotel Internet charges are higher. British newspapers are available on the day at numerous places. There is also a local English-language paper, “The Daily Bulletin”. Telephone kiosks abound, and cards are available at newspaper and tobacco outlets.
Language
The indigenous language is Mallorquin, a dialect of Catalan (though many claim it to be a language in its own right). Spanish - or more strictly speaking Castellano - is spoken by all local folk as well.
The Mallorquin accent is very different to Spanish, and is quite different to Catalan spoken on the mainland. Just some examples of how Castellano and Catalan differ - buenos días (good morning) is bon dia; adiós (goodbye) is adéu; de acuerdo (agreed or
ok) is d’acord.
English is widely spoken but often not very well.
Hotel staff will generally speak English well, certainly at reception, and bar/restaurant staff (those that aren’t British that is) will normally have sufficient to handle orders. At chemists and banks, English is normally spoken. But there are plenty of places where English won’t be spoken or only spoken poorly, the main supermarkets for instance.
Medical
Do make sure to have insurance. There are a number of doctors’ surgeries, as well as dentists.
There are two hospitals - Hospital d’Alcudia, which is in Alcudia town, and Hospital General de Muro, which is in Las Gaviotas just inside Playa de Muro. These are both private, but insurances are usually ok. There are two chemists in Ca’n Picafort. English is normally not a problem in the chemists.
Pirated goods
Do not be surprised if you are approached by guys offering CDs, DVDs, sunglasses, watches, jewellery. This is all fake, and often complete crap. Would you pay 90 euros for some fake goldie chain?
Post offices
The main post office (“Correos”) is off the main promenade (Antoni Garau) on the corner with the Paseo Colon. As it is the only one it can get very busy and you may have to queue a while. There are numerous yellow post boxes, and stamps for things such as postcards can normally be bought with the cards.
Stamp in Spanish is “sello”, pronounced “say-o”.
Safety/Police
The resorts are mercifully quite crime-free. Police and the Guardia Civil are pretty much in evidence, and there is a keenness to promote the emergency number 112 if you have any problems.
Inevitably there is some crime but mostly petty theft.
Do take particular care at the markets and even at bus stops, where pickpockets can be active. And do also watch out for people approaching you selling flowers and the like. Don’t get involved. It’s normally an attempt to distract you while someone else lifts something of value. The local offices for the police and the Guardia Civil are in the same municipal building as that of the tourist office - centrally located between Ca’n Picafort west and the eastern part of Son Bauló.
Tourist information The tourist office is only open during the main holiday season. Ca’n Picafort has some of its own published information available from the tourist office, where you can also obtain all manner of other information on excursions etc. Please note that the tourist office does not undertake bookings for excursions.
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