NOEL

PINE WALK ILLA DOR AREA

MALLORCA

BALEARICS

SPAIN

Facilities in and around Puerto Pollenca / Puerto Pollensa/ Port de Pollensa

Markets
There are several weekly markets in the area, the nearest, in the Puerto Pollensa town square, is held on Wednesday mornings and usually finishes around 1 pm. As well as fruit, vegetables, Palma Ham, cheese, olives, flowers and so on, you can also buy hardware, toys, leather goods, clothes carpets and souvenirs. Other morning markets are held at Pollensa Town (Sunday), Alcudia (Tuesdays) and INCA (Thursdays).
These markets are an absolute must, not just for purchases but as a social activity, followed by a drink at one of the surrounding cafes. The leather goods, belts, bags, shoes, etc., are incredibly cheap by our standards.  
Usually, there is an Indian/Gypsy group playing in the centre of the market, led by a member on Pan Pipes. 

 Eating at home
There are several small food stores (Supermercados) or shops within walking distance, the nearest, but limited, small shop is next to the Bonanca Bar and Tennis Court, between Noel and the Illa Dor, others nearby are located as follows; on the opposite side of the road at the rear; in the area of the Coral restaurant; at the end of the Calle del Pescador, beyond the Hotel complex. 
A number of larger Supermercados are in the main road immediately leading out of Puerto Pollensa towards Pollenca, SYP is the nearest and, further on, Caprabo is the most extensive. If you have transport there is a another SYP further up on the left of the the going towards Pollenca, wine can often be cheaper here.

If you don’t feel like cooking there are a number of  ‘take aways’.

Eating Out
There is a good choice of restaurants in Puerto Pollensa all offering amazing value by comparison with the UK. Especially when they provide an all inclusive menu including bread and wine. The following are recommended:- The nearby family run Coral Bar and La Roc Restaurants, LA FORTALESA on the one way  street leading into the Port, STAY at the end of the quay on the other side of the Port, MAXIM, in the town square, C’AN  PACIENCA on the right side of the road leading to Pollensa and BALAIXA, which also has a swimming pool available for customers, on the left of the same road.  

Our favourites are the Coral, close by, just off the Pine Walk, it is our first call after arriving back in Puerto Pollensa, Illa Dor for lunch outside on the terrace beside the sea, the Stay Restaurant on the second quay for dinner (stay on the 'Table D'hote' it is great value and includes decent wine) and the C'AN PACIENDA for that special (expensive) dinner. 

If you are in a party mood try the Tiberi, off the square, and sample every dish in their unique Tapas menu, or Positos, a homely Mallorcan Restaurant run by a family serving Mallorquin dishes, in Calle Llebeig.

BARS. There are a host of bars in Puerto Pollensa. Most serve the usual range of spirits, wines, beer and soft drinks. If you want white coffee ask for Café con Leche. Many also serve snacks (try Tapas, which may include liver, tripe, squid, artichoke, prawns and others when in season).

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SWEETS, POSTCARDS, SOFT DRINKS, POSTAGE STAMPS.

Can be bought at the Pastelaria(which its not) named shop on the promenade next to the yacht hirer and sales.  As well as sweets, postcards, soft drinks, ice cream and postage stamps (for cards you buy there) he also sells cigarettes and tobacco.

The Post Office is normally situated just off  the one way Formentor Road at the Rotunda but has currently moved whilst the building is being refurbished. You should post your cards and letters to the U.K. where marked in the ESTRANJEROS  (Foreign).

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PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Palma, Alcudia and Pollensa are all year round services which depart from the Bus Station situated at the marina in Puerto Pollensa. The Palma bus also stops at Inca.

In the summer there are also services to Formentor and Soller. (The sea trips by Glass Bottom Boats from the Quay are a more relaxed alternative to motoring!). Unfortunately, if you want to visit Soller by boat you probably will have to do so via Palma. However Alcudia is a possibility. Schedules vary from time to time.

At Soller Port you can board the electric tram into Soller itself  or the train into Palma, with some spectacular views on the mountainous track, and return by bus from Palma.  

Taxis

Outside the Air Terminal there is a well serviced Taxi Rank. We however always use the same driver who is based in Puerto Pollensa. This way we can arrange with him to collect us from the apartment when we are returning home. If you use him make sure you get your meeting times correct. He will be waiting for you inside the terminal with a board and is the largest of the drivers you will see waiting for passengers!
Here are his details;

Juan Perez Ruiz 

e-mail;  taxi54@terra.es

Tel; 00 34 620 922 737 

 Places to visit.

Palma itself is worth a visit with its (Cathedral, shops and some Arab style streets and houses. 

Other places to visit are the Caves of Drach and highly recommended Valdemosa where Chopin and George Sands once stayed. 

Much easier to get to is the town of Pollensa with its medieval atmosphere. If you go on a Sunday morning there is also the market which covers the town square as well as another area nearby. 

Binisalem is also worth a visit as are many of the numerous  ports around the island.

If you are driving from Palma to Puerto Pollenca look out for Menestralia, near Inca, where there is an inexpensive restaurant and glass blowing factory. There is also a leather factory shop next door.

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CAR HIRE

Car hire firms are numerous. We have been using local companies but have recently switched to EasyRentaCar, which you collect at the airport. However they seem to have withdrawn from Mallorca so see the Car Rental Page. The most common cars available are  the Fiesta, the Corsa and Saxo. If you do hire a car and you are tempted to go to the Cap de Formentor or Sóller be warned, the roads are seriously mountainous and narrow; they are absolutely not trips for the faint hearted!!!!! Having said that there is now a tunnel that removes the worst part of the route to Soller.

Remember to wear your seat belts at all times. The police will pull you up if you're not. Bear in mind that many petrol stations are CLOSED on Sundays. Always leave the car locked and NEVER leave, cameras, etc. inside.

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CHEMIST                                                                                   

Nearest Chemist is opposite junction of Pollensa Road with Formentor Road in Puerto de Pollensa. Chemists are called “Farmacias”  look for the red or green cross. Interestingly, drugs, which need a prescription at home, can be bought over the counter without one! However new drugs may take a little longer to be listed in their Pharmacopoeia.

MEDICAL CENTRE AND DOCTOR

On the top left leaving the Church Square.

CHURCH                                                        

Nearest Church (Catholic) in the main square in Puerto de Pollensa,  an Anglican service is taken every Sunday Morning.

CROSSINGS                                                        

Look both ways on zebra crossings and keep looking. Motorists here pay little or no attention, usually the latter, at crossings.

PICK POCKETS                                                   

Beware of people trying to sell you carnations or jewellery. Do not buy anything from them. They are very quick at stealing wallets and purses.

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MARKET DAYS (MORNINGS)

Alcudia               Tuesday and Sunday

Inca                    Thursday

Palma                 Saturdays

Pollensa             Sunday

Pto. Pollensa     Wednesday

The weekly markets are a vital and live part of the Mallorquin way of life....  

POLLENSA TOWN                                                                  

In the Church square, fruit, vegetables and flowers, a second market houses stalls selling leather goods, clothes, shoes and jewellery

LA PUEBLA                                                                          

In the town centre.... anything and everything for sale... Famous for their Potatoes, which you find in the local supermarkets at home.

ALCUDIA                                                                             

Held in the square, outside the Old Town Wall.... plenty of parking, slightly more expensive than Pollensa.

PUERTO DE POLLENSA                                                          

In the local Church square... everything in a compact area...

INCA                                                                              

The largest market on the Island, half an hour by car.

 NOTE: Normally each market finishes around 12 Noon.

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 NEWSPAPERS 

English newspapers are now available on the day of publication. There is also a local paper in English “The Mallorca Daily Bulletin”. Whilst most Supermercados sell news papers the nearest paper shop is on the left hand side at the far end of the one way Formentor Rd going towards the centre from the apartment.

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TIPPING

Generally expected. In Bars or Restaurant it is usual to leave 10% of the bill.