Discover Puerto Pollensa old town

Puerto de Pollensa old town and its beaches attract thousands of visitors every year, but the old town holds secrets that most tourists never discover. The tourist area may be popular, but the real charm and hidden gems of Puerto Pollensa's old town await beyond the crowded tourist sites.

The narrow streets of Puerto Pollensa's old town transport visitors directly into the heart of authentic Mallorcan culture. This historic quarter has something special, from its centuries-old architecture to the most cherished local traditions, that no guidebook can capture. The unique and hidden corners of the area make it a truly extraordinary place to explore.

The soul of the old town of Puerto Pollensa shines with its own light in its market weekl, that goes far beyond the typical tourist sites. The square Miquel Capllonch comes alive every Wednesday from 9:00 to 13:00 with a bustling market. Visitors can explore:

• Local, fresh produce and Mallorcan specialities
• Traditional foods such as sobrassada and honey
• Local crafts and works of art
• Seasonal flowers and plants

The most precious corners of the city are hidden in the streets behind the promenade. Book lovers often visit the Allen Graham charity shop on Calle Médico Llopis, which has become a real community centre.

In the heart of the old town of Puerto Pollensa you will find a wide variety of restaurants where you can discover the authentic Mallorcan essence with the best local cuisine. Restaurants, that go far beyond the typical tourist sites. In the Miquel Capllonch square you will find the Cultural Restaurant, one of the most avant-garde places in Puerto Pollensa.

Another of our recommended options is the Bahía Restaurant overlooking the bay of Pollensa where you can enjoy Mediterranean food, fish or seafood, meat and rice dishes.

Hoposa also recommends places where you can experience the authentic essence of the old town of Puerto Pollensa. The local gastronomic scene adds another rich dimension to the authentic village life. Celler La Parra has been serving authentic Mallorcan cuisine for over 60 years, and is proof of the town's culinary heritage. The restaurant continues to welcome guests in its original cellar, where locals gather to sample traditional dishes such as the variat or frit mallorquí.

After visiting the old town of Puerto Pollensa you cannot miss the opportunity to visit the heart of Pollensa. This charming village will captivate you with its cobbled streets. Below, we tell you everything you need to know about the old town of Pollensa.

The old town of Puerto de Pollensa is a beacon of artistic and literary heritage that has inspired creative minds for generations. The historic Cloisters of Santo Domingo have hosted the prestigious Festival de Pollença since 1962. More than eight hundred of the best artists have performed under a starry sky.

The city's rich artistic legacy lives on in the Casa Museo Dionís Bennàssar. The works of this celebrated local artist capture the essence of Mallorca through vibrant paintings and sculptures. His studio remains just as he left it in this 17th-century building, complete with his easel and painting materials. Cultural landmarks include:

• The Museum of Pollença, a display of contemporary art and archaeological treasures
• The Joan March gardens, with a medieval tower
• The 13th century Church of Our Lady of the Angels

Visitors can experience this cultural heritage first-hand at the Festival de Pollença, which takes place every year in August. World-class performances revolutionise the town to make it the cultural capital of Mallorca. The festival continues to bring together outstanding artists, making it one of the most important summer cultural events in the country.

The municipality of Pollensa has an extensive calendar of festivities that keep alive the traditions of the time and the essence of the area. Here we tell you all the details you need to know about these traditions.

• Sant Antoni (17th January) - Climbing the pine tree and blessing of animals
• Semana Santa - The spectacular Good Friday procession
• Corpus Cristi (June) - Traditional dances dating back to the 17th century
• Festivities of Sant Pere (end of June) - Dances, maritime displays and music in the heart of Puerto Pollensa
• Virgen del Carmen Festivities (mid-July) - The most important festivities in Puerto Pollensa.
• La Patrona (25 July - 2 August) - Battle drills and festivities

The ancient traditions of the old town of Puerto Pollensa are kept alive all year round. The most important date on the calendar of celebrations is Sant Antoni 17 January. Locals create an unprecedented spectacle by pulling a 20-metre pine tree through the streets and placing it in the main square to climb to the top.

The spectacle starts early in the morning when the pine tree is fetched from the Formentor estate and taken across the bay to the beach of Puerto Pollensa and transferred to the square of Miquel Capllonch where the pine tree is raised to crown it.

In the middle of summer the old town of Puerto Pollensa comes alive with its festivities. The Plaza Miquel Capllonch is dressed up to celebrate the festivities of Sant Pere, with a festival in June with dances, maritime displays and music in his honour. This two-day event includes a number of processions, both maritime and land-based.

The most important festivities in the old town of Puerto Pollensa are the Virgen del Carmen festivities, which take place in mid-July and bring brightness and joy to the Miquel Capllonch square with live music, dances and fireworks. In addition, this festivity is celebrated by the town's sailors decorating their boats in a unique spectacle.

As in Puerto Pollensa, the first date on the calendar of festivities is Sant Antoni on the 17th of January. The Pollencins set off from the Fuente de la Almoina fountain, in the heart of the old quarter of Pollensa, in the direction of the Ternelles estate to fetch the pine tree.

Unlike in Puerto Pollensa, the pine tree is pulled down on a cart and taken to the centre of the village in the Plaça Vella where it is lifted and the pine tree is raised, which is celebrated in the evening.

The old town comes alive at Easter with one of its most moving traditions. The ceremony of the Davallament takes place on Good Friday, when actors with torches perform a reenactment of the Passion on the historic staircase of Calvary's 365 steps.

Corpus Cristi is held at the end of June and is a traditional dance that dates back to the 17th century and is celebrated throughout the historic centre of Pollensa. The figures that represent this traditional scene are "Sant Joan Pelós" and the "àguiles".

La Patrona is the biggest celebration of the summer in the village. The festivities begin on 25 July and culminate on 2 August with the famous battle of the Moors and Christians. Since 1860, this dramatic battle revives the historic victory of the people of Pollensa over the pirate invaders.