A day in … · North
A day in Pollença: Sunday market, 365 steps and an evening by the bay
Last checked: October 2026
A day trip from Palma, planned hour by hour: the market on Plaça Major, up the Calvari steps, cloister and "Roman" bridge – and in the afternoon six kilometres on to the sea at Port de Pollença.
Quick answer
Is a day trip to Pollença worth it?
Yes – especially on a Sunday, when there is a market around Plaça Major. The old town is compact: the Calvari steps, the convent with its museum and the old bridge lie on a loop of under two kilometres. For swimming, take the bus to Port de Pollença. Without a car, TIB bus 301 runs from Palma to Pollença.
- Getting there
- TIB bus 301 Palma – Inca – Sa Pobla – Pollença – Port de Pollença; by car on the Ma-13
- Time needed
- a full day, ideally 09:00–20:00
- Costs
- Calvari steps and Museu de Pollença free; plus bus and food
- Best time
- Sunday for the market; spring and autumn for the steps
- Without a car
- easy – old town on foot, harbour by bus
- If it rains
- Museu de Pollença in the Sant Domingo convent
The day plan
Pollença in one day – how it works
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By bus to the north
Line 301 runs from Palma via Inca and Sa Pobla to Pollença and on to the harbour. By car, use the car parks at the entrances to town – there is hardly any space in the old town on market day.
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Market and coffee under the arcades
On Sundays there is a weekly market around Plaça Major and the lanes nearby, roughly 08:00 to 13:30: fruit, cheese, olives, crafts. It feels noticeably more local than the big tourist markets. Have your first coffee at one of the cafés on the square.
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365 steps to the chapel
From the old town the Calvari steps lead up: 365 stone steps lined with cypresses and 14 crosses of the Stations of the Cross. At the top is a small chapel, with a view over the valley to the bay and into the Tramuntana. The climb is free; if you would rather not climb, take the narrow road up.
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Cloister and Museu de Pollença
Construction of the Dominican convent began in 1558. Today the Museu de Pollença shows art from prehistory to the present here, partly from the town's sculpture competition. Admission is free. In July and August the Pollença music festival is held in the cloister.
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The "Roman" bridge
Around ten minutes' walk from Plaça Major, the Pont Romà crosses the Torrent de Sant Jordi. Despite its name, the bridge in its present form is medieval; it is recorded in 1403.
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Lunch in the old town
Up in the town you eat more quietly and more Mallorcan than at the harbour: for example at Celler El Molí with traditional celler cooking, or at Q11 with a market-led menu. On Sundays the old town is busy at lunchtime – book ahead.
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Six kilometres to the sea
The bus takes you to Port de Pollença in a few minutes. There you find the wide, shallow bay with the narrow sandy beach of Platja d'Albercuix.
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Swimming and the Pine Walk
Along the beach, the pedestrian "Pine Walk" promenade runs north under old pines. The water is shallow and usually calm, good with children too.
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Dinner by the water
La Llonja is at the fishing harbour, Stay on the jetty in the bay and Los Faroles on the promenade. Fish is often priced by weight – ask for the price per kilo first.
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Back to Palma
Line 301 starts in Port de Pollença. Services thin out in the evening – check the last departure on tib.org in the morning.
Costs
What does the Pollença trip cost?
| Item | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bus 301 Palma – Pollença | standard fare | cheaper by bank card than cash, current fares on tib.org |
| Calvari steps | free | open all year |
| Museu de Pollença | free | donations welcome, check opening hours |
| Main course, old town | usually €20–30 | menú del día in a celler is cheaper |
Check details
Timetables and opening hours change with the season. The timetables on tib.org and the information from each venue are binding.
Variations
Adapt the day
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For hikers: Puig de Maria
The 330-metre hill with the Santuari de la Mare de Déu del Puig rises right next to the town. The path branches off the Palma–Pollença road; the climb takes about one to one and a half hours. Check in advance whether food is available at the top.
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Coves of Cala Sant Vicenç
Instead of the harbour: the four small coves north of Pollença can be reached by bus 321. Clear water, sand and rock.
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Cap de Formentor
From Port de Pollença the road leads to the island's northern tip. In high season it is closed to private cars during the day, and a shuttle bus runs instead. Check dates and timetable before you go.
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With children
Children manage the steps well if you turn them into a counting game. In the afternoon, the shallow bay of Port de Pollença is the goal.
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If it rains
The Museu de Pollença and the cloister fill a wet morning; the arcades of Plaça Major keep you dry.
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For golfers
Golf Pollença is a compact 9-hole course among olive trees with views of the bay – good for a morning round.
Festivals
On Good Friday the Devallament procession descends the Calvari steps, and on 2 August the town celebrates the Festa de la Patrona with the battle of Moors and Christians. On these days the old town is very crowded.
In winter
The Sunday market runs all year and the old town stays lively. Between November and March some of the promenade restaurants in Port de Pollença close.
FAQ
Questions about a day trip to Pollença
When is the market in Pollença?
On Sundays, roughly 08:00 to 13:30, around Plaça Major, all year round.
How many steps do the Calvari steps have?
365 stone steps lead from the old town up to the chapel. The climb is free.
What is the difference between Pollença and Port de Pollença?
Pollença is the historic old town inland; Port de Pollença is the harbour and beach resort six kilometres away on the bay.
Does the Museu de Pollença charge admission?
No, admission is free; donations are welcome.
How do I get to Pollença without a car?
By TIB bus 301 from Palma via Inca and Sa Pobla. It continues to Port de Pollença.
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