Pollenca, Spain: The Ultimate Travel Guide 2026

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Denis P.

Nestled at the eastern edge of the Serra de Tramuntana, Pollença, also spelled as Pollenca or Pollensa, is a captivating rural town steeped in history. This charming Mallorcan town boasts a wealth of ancient architecture crafted from blonde stone, setting it apart from many other tourist-driven destinations. While tourism has long been a draw here, Pollensa has managed to embrace and adapt to it without sacrificing its authentic character.

The town’s inhabitants are predominantly locals, making it a favored haven for those seeking a more culturally immersive Mallorcan experience, away from the bustling tourist beach resorts. Pollença thrives on café culture, especially on Sunday mornings when Plaça Major transforms into a vibrant marketplace, drawing both locals and visitors for leisurely café gatherings. While boutique hotels are available in town, the lush countryside and surrounding hills offer luxury retreats and spacious villas for those seeking a quieter escape.

Rich in history, Pollença boasts numerous points of interest that beckon travelers from afar. Some noteworthy highlights include the ancient Roman bridge known as the ‘Pont Romà,’ the 18th-century Mare de Deu dels Angels church adorned with a renowned rose window, and the Convent de Sant Domingo. The picturesque countryside surrounding Pollença also features enchanting ancient monasteries.

A few kilometers to the north, you’ll find Pollença’s port, Port de Pollença, which boasts magnificent beaches and a diverse selection of restaurants and cafés for further relaxation and enjoyment.

History of Pollenca

Although the majority of the buildings in Pollenca were built in the 17th and 18th centuries, this is a town rich in history dating back to medieval times.

Roman times

In 123 B.C., the Romans landed in Mallorca and set up their base in an area close to what is now known as Alcúdia. Their settlement was named Pollentia, from which Pollenca later got its name. This was a time of peace on the island, until 440 A.D. when vandals caused destruction and those who survived the attack fled the island.

Pollença in the Middle Ages

Pollenca, as we know it today, was founded in the late 12th century by the Arabs who set up a settlement in its current location. After King Jaume I conquered Majorca between 1229 and 1231, Pollenca was gifted to the Knights Templar by the king. During this time, the church in the main square, Parròquia de la Mare de Déu del Àngels (Parish of Our Lady of the Angels) began to be built. Following a conspiracy led by the King of France, this period of calm and prosperity came to an end during the 14th century, and the knights fled the island.

From the 16th to the 20th century

From this time onwards, there were continued attacks on this part of the island by pirates and watchtowers such as the Atalaya de Albercutx were built along the coast. The most famous one took place in 1550 when Joan Mas led a small band of locals armed only with sticks to fight off the Moorish bandits. This is celebrated with La Patrona Festival each August. The Jesuits arrived in Pollença and in 1697 constructed the iconic church, Monti Sion, situated close to the foot of the Calvari steps.

The arrival of tourism

Until the early 1900s, Pollença was mainly an agricultural town and, in fact, its coastline was sparsely populated. It all changed with the turn of the century when its port town, Port de Pollença, was developed as a tourist hub, mainly thanks to the artists who arrived here attracted by its landscapes and light. The “Escuela Pictórica de Pollença” included famous Catalan painters such as Hermenegildo Anglada-Camarasa, Santiago Rusiñol or Joaquim Mir as well as local artist Dionis Bennassar. It was in the 1960s when the tourist boom really reached Pollença so much that around a 70% of the town’s economy today is based on this industry. However, Pollenca still remains very much untouched, providing a glimpse into the traditional life of the Mallorquins.

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Visiting Pollenca for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Pollenca on the first visit. To help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!

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