Mallorca is home to a rich and diverse plant and animal life and has long been a location popular with birdwatchers, the north of Mallorca boasts several large wetland areas such as the S’Albufera Nature Park and the slightly smaller Albufereta, both of which areas attract birdwatchers all year round to view their ornithological offerings.
A short walk in the La Goya Nature Park, Puerto Pollenca
A peaceful little nature park right in the middle of Puerto Pollenca
But you don’t need to head off on any long day trips or take a massive hike to commune with nature in Mallorca. If you’re looking to get your nature fix, but can't or don’t want to wander too far from civilisation, then La Gola natural park is the place for you. Situated in the centre of Puerto Pollenca only one street back from the beach, you can take a wander through a nature park, get your fill of wildlife and be back on the beach within the hour.
La Gola natural park is a small wetland centrally located in Puerto Pollenca town, small though it is, it’s a lush and beautiful spot to see and to walk around and is an area of ecological and ornithological importance being home to over 60 species of birds. Formed where the mouths of the two rivers the Siller and the Gommar meet this small wetland runs down to the sea which also flows back into the park making the water a mixture of salt and fresh and making for an area rich in bio diversity. Like the larger wetland areas Albufereta and S’Albufera, La Gola is an important feeding and resting for migrating birds and is also an oasis spot for birds during the hot and dry summer months in Mallorca.
A walk around the whole of La Gola will take you no more than 30 minutes as this small trail is only 1km long but there is no need to rush through the area, there are benches and look out points stationed along the trail which make for great spots to sit and to watch the birds or to come for a picnic lunch if you tire of the beach. If it's information you’re after then head to the Ornithological centre inside the park for displays and information about which birds you can expect to see in North Mallorca and keep an eye out for the information boards dotted around the park with pictures and information about the birds you are likely to see. This park is home to a plethora of ducks and sea gulls but you may also see Ospreys, Hoopoes, Herons and Crossbills and it’s not just birds you need to be looking out the river is packer full of fish and other river life and keep an eye on the ground for quick moving lizards as well as camouflaged grasshoppers and praying mantis’.
La Gola natural park is a great spot to take the family for a break from the everyday business of being on holiday, soak up some nature in this peaceful little spot with its over grown trails and back ground noise of babbling water and ducks quacking. The trails are easy to find, well marked and well maintained, and there are wooden bridges where needed to cross the streams. In some areas the path runs out and you are free to wander alongside the edge of the river bank. The park is easy to find, if you walk along the main beach front road of Puerto Pollenca you’ll come to a bridge that crosses the wetland stream, follow the road one street back and you’ll find the entrance to the park.
Unfortunately, in places this nature park has taken on a somewhat urban jungle vibe, with graffiti and abandoned bikes and rubbish marring the scenery - but for the most part it’s a beautiful place to spend an hour or two. Hopefully the powers that be in Puerto Pollenca will get on the case soon to see that this park returns to its unspoilt state.
What to see
Sights in Mallorca
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S'Albufereta Nature Reserve 
S'Albufereta Nature Reserve
Great natural spot for bird watching, in the north west of Mallorca
S'Albufereta de Pollensa is a wetland nature reserve in the north of the island, however, it is largely private property. Visitors can drive along the main road from Pollenca to Alcudia to view the habitats.
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Dionis Bennassar Museum House
Art gallery featuring the works of Dionis Bennassar
This seventeenth century house is where artist Dionis Bennassar lived for half his life. It is now home to the Dionis Bennàssar Foundation, which is a cultural foundation of private non-profit organization created to promote, publicize and defend the manifestations of the human spirit.
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Plaça Major 
Plaça Major
19th-century square with the local church
This traditional town square is located in the heart of Pollença and is the centre of the town's social and commercial life.
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Santuary de la Mare de Deu del Puig 
Santuary de la Mare de Deu del Puig
At the top of Puig de Maria, Pollenca
Nuns settled on Puig de Maria ('Mary's mountain') in 1371 and remained for several hundred years, refusing to leave even when the Bishop of Palma ordered them down for their own safety.
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Roman Remains of Pollentia
Ancient Roman town & theatre in the north of Mallorca
Pollentia was founded by the consul Qintus Caecilius Metellus in 123 BC in the strategic location between the bays of Pollenca and Alcudia. It was the most important city in the Balearics duing the Roman period and covered an area of 15-20 hectares.
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Castell del Rei
Ruined castle on the coast that you must hike to
The hike to this remote mountain castle, 7 km north of Pollenca, is one of the loveliest in Mallorca.
Where to lunch
Restaurants & Dining in Port de Pollenca (Puerto Pollensa)
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La Cafetería by La Goleta Bar and Restaurant
Fresh, homemade cuisine and relaxing seaside vibes on the maritime promenade
La Cafetería by La Goleta, located on the ground level of La Goleta Hotel in Mallorca, offers a relaxed and welcoming space right on the maritime promenade. It’s the perfect spot to start the day with a healthy breakfast or a leisurely brunch, with fresh, homemade options designed to satisfy both early risers and those who like to take their time.
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Swing Restaurant
Seasonal flavours and Mediterranean classics served with style
Swing Restaurant in Mallorca offers a delightful culinary journey in a stylish and welcoming setting. Located in a prime spot, this restaurant specialises in a diverse menu that fuses traditional Mediterranean flavours with contemporary touches. Every dish is crafted using top-quality, seasonal ingredients, ensuring freshness and flavour in every bite.
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Ambrosia Restaurant 
Ambrosia Restaurant
Popular laid-back Mediterranean restaurant serving homemade dishes
Ambrosia Restaurant, located on the seafront in Port de Pollensa, Mallorca, is a popular spot for both locals and holidaymakers. Known for its laid-back atmosphere, it offers a relaxed and welcoming environment where guests can enjoy homemade food without any fuss.
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Tiberi Food Lovers
Trailblazing street-food pioneer serving bold, soulful flavours in Puerto Pollença
Step into the world of Tiberi Food Lovers, a pioneer of street-style cuisine long before the trend hit Mallorca. Located in the heart of Puerto Pollença on Calle Migjorn, this vibrant eatery has been serving bold, soulful dishes since 1998, blending passion, creativity, and a touch of rebellion in every plate.
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AmázO Restaurant
Creative South American-inspired cuisine in an elegant Mallorca setting
AmázO Restaurant in Mallorca offers a unique dining experience where South American flavours meet subtle international influences. Chef and owner Raul López Pérez draws on years of travelling the world, blending culinary traditions to create a menu that is both creative and precise. The focus is on quality, with each dish crafted to highlight the natural aromas, textures and flavours of the finest Mediterranean ingredients, especially those from Mallorca.
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La Llonja Restaurant
Fresh Mediterranean flavours with panoramic views over Port de Pollença’s harbour
Set within the old fish market of Port de Pollença, La Llonja Restaurant enjoys a truly privileged position right on the waterfront. Surrounded by the sea and framed by the mountains, this beautiful space offers several ways to enjoy its setting, from a summer terrace opening directly onto the shore to an upper-floor terrace with sweeping panoramic views across the bay.
What to do
Things To Do in Port de Pollenca (Puerto Pollensa)
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Private boat trip
12 person full or half day sailing boat trip in Puerto Pollensa
Step away from the crowds and enjoy the serene beauty of an unforgettable sailing adventure.
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Shared boat trip
12 person sailing boat trip with swimming and snorkelling in Puerto Pollensa
Step away from the crowds and enjoy the serene beauty of an unforgettable sailing adventure.
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Sunset boat trip
Swim, snorkel and sail as the sun sets over the bay
Shared or private sunset sailing trip with swimming and snorkelling.
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Kayaking & snorkelling
Explore hidden sea caves and vibrant underwater life
Discover Mallorca’s stunning coastline from two unique angles - glide past cliffs and caves by kayak or dive below the surface on a guided snorkelling tour. These separate activities offer different ways to connect with the island’s wild beauty.
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Motor Yacht Trip (Princess S62)
Private motor yacht trip with swimming and snorkelling in Mallorca
Enjoy a fun full-day or half-day boat trip aboard this stunning Princess S62 motor yacht.
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Motor Yacht Trip (Sunseeker Superhawk 55)
Private motor yacht trip with swimming and snorkelling in Mallorca
Enjoy a fun full-day or half-day boat trip aboard this breathtaking Sunseeker Superhawk 55 motor yacht.
Where to stay
Cycling Hotels in Port de Pollenca (Puerto Pollensa)
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La Goleta Hotel
Adults only, modern beach front boutique hotel with fantastic restaurant
This wonderful beach-front hotel has a maritime theme with its name 'Goleta' meaning schooner in Catalan.
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Illa d'Or Hotel
Classic seafront hotel in Port de Pollença with spa and iconic waterfront terrace
Located in Port de Pollença, Hoposa Illa d’Or is a classic seafront hotel known for its timeless style and long-standing reputation, welcoming guests since 1929. Set right on the water’s edge, it offers a peaceful and elegant setting with views across the bay.
