PORTO COLOM
Area: Majorca
Country: Spain


Location:
Near the centre of the E coast, 40 miles SE of Palma and its international airport.

Telephone code from UK:
34

Position:
In a dry region of the S, where pine woods slope gently to the shore.

Description:
An expansive natural harbour, nearly a mile long. Old buildings on the shore and fishing boats drawn up, or safely tucked into shelters along the margin. Most of the tourist infrastructure is away from the harbour itself, on the higher ground above the "centre" and at the beach of Cala Mar?al on the other side. The short road towards the beach has been improved and resurfaced.

Suitability:
The place has character, and a good beach, but not much else. Fine provided you can amuse yourself on a rainy day and do not want a lot of activity or entertainment. Popular with British and, to a lesser extent, German families. Steep hills either side of the main beach can pose difficulties for those with mobility problems.

Accommodation:
Holiday hotels and apartments tend to be economical, good value, with the odd larger 3- or 4-star hotel but nothing in the luxury bracket.

Shopping:
Full range of usual small-town shops in Porto Colom harbour, more touristy up on the hill and down in Cala Mar?al. Sunday market in Felanitx.

Beach:
Cala Mar?al has fine sands with some rocky areas, is deep rather than wide and is backed by road; buildings are visible on both sides. Not the most attractive but certainly adequate, and less crowded than some in this area.

Entertainments:
Daytime: water sports and beach-oriented activities. Also the area is good for cycling trips. Nightlife: two discos and lots of bars; diverting but it's not Monte Carlo.

Eating:
Seafront restaurants and tapas bars on the harbour road; beach restaurants and some ex-pat establishments near the beach. Mostly local cuisine although some operations do cater to German and English tastes. One Chinese.

Public-transport:
The E coast bus service has acquired a poor reputation and in the case of Porto Colom it is meagre anyway. Local bus to Felanitx; three per day go on to Palma. No notable coastal service.

Local-excursions:
Old town and market of Felanitx; around the harbour to Sa Punta; caves of Drach and Hams; hilltop sanctuary and broad vistas from San Salvador. Longer excursions are possible but being a bit isolated it makes for a long day.