SANTA PONSA
Area: Majorca
Country: Spain


Location:
On SW coast, in Calvia region, 13 miles SW of Palma and 19 miles from airport, by fast road. 3 miles SW of Magalluf across broad headland.

Telephone code from UK:
34

Website:
http://www.calvia.com

Position:
Deeply incised, gulf-like bay with fine sandy beach and large flat area behind; hilly pine woods to N and S. Developments have flourished on the steep flanks and extended to hill summits on edges of resort.

Description:
A densely developed resort with few traces of the village that stood here before the massive expansion of tourism in the 1960s. Many of the hotels are located in the flat area behind the main beach, where there is a lengthy frontage of souvenir shops backed by long, rather characterless streets. The sloping ground and roads to the NW and SW are generally more attractive, some offering panoramic views of the bay, and there is a secondary resort centre in the NW of town. On the southern headland is a narrow inlet leading to the nautical club and moorings. Near here you can find a stone cross commemorating the landing in 1229 of King Jaime of Aragon, who drove the Moors from the island.

Suitability:
Generally family-orientated resort of good standing, with balance of both beach and nightlife, neither in excessive measure but with enough evening excitement to satisfy younger livelier crowds. Golfers can choose from number of courses in vicinity, including one on E edge of resort. Steep inclines and steps in some parts of resort may not suit those with mobility difficulties.

Accommodation:
Wide selection, tending more towards apartment-style accommodation, making it a popular choice for families. Most hotels are middle-market offerings with handful of larger, higher-rated aparthotels on NW side of resort; number of long-established family-run options. Apartments range from adequate to good, but few outstanding. Many properties only open during summer season (May_Oct).

Shopping:
Large supermarket on main road from Palma; good supply of minimarkets distributed among apartment complexes and in main resort centre. Many banks and other essentials. Not exactly shopper's paradise, but good choice of small outlets and stalls, including clothes, beach wear and accessories, arts and crafts, souvenirs and jewellery shops; a few designer outlets. Serious shoppers should head for Palma.

Beach:
Principal white-sand beach, Santa Ponsa, runs width of bay and has been considerably extended with imported sand in recent years _ necessary when you consider the number of visitors it has to accommodate. Second small, sandy beach of Calo d'en Pellicer towards nautical club; third tiny beach of Castellot, to N, needs its sand renewed each spring and tends to be exclusive to establishments situated alongside it. Beaches well provided with sun loungers and shades in clumps along length. Swimming is safe, with generally no strong currents and fairly shallow waters.

Entertainments:
Daytime: Santa Ponsa and Poniente golf courses; tennis; water sports including scuba diving (PADI courses); horse riding; football and sports grounds including skateboarding; boat trips; cycling. Nightlife: plentiful bars including late-night venues, karaoke, music and themed (Irish and Scottish); handful of discos and clubs. Casino with nightclub at nearby Magalluf.

Eating:
Plentiful restaurants and eateries serving local Majorcan, Spanish, Chinese, Italian and Indian; one can even have ostrich and kangaroo steaks. Variety ranges from fast-food outlets and kebab houses to a la carte dining with sea views.

Public-transport:
Summer bus service from Santa Ponsa to Palma and main destinations in between, at roughly 15-minute intervals. Through-service Palma_Andraitx hourly. A few taxi ranks around resort and radio taxis. Car-, motorcycle- and bicycle-hire outlets.

Local-excursions:
Half day: Monday morning market in Calvia and various other markets in area. Full day: sightseeing and shopping in Palma; old town of Andraitx and pretty villages of rugged NW coast; water and marine parks at Portals Nous and Magalluf. Long day: E coast caves (best near Artes); Soller; Inca and its market; Pollensa and Formentor.