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Spain, Majorca, Porto Cristo

Porto Cristo, in the city of Manacor, Palma de Mallorca, has often been referred to as a holiday place for middle-aged couples.

Might we add that it is probably the most ideal spot for couples looking to spend summer holidays together but want to “do their own thing” once comfortably ensconced in their hotel. The wife can go shopping for pearls, furniture, or leather goods, while the husband can simply saunter off to one of the fishing boats along the coast for a relaxing morning spent with bait and tackle.

This is what Porto Cristo is all about. It aims to please both husband and wife who are looking for some peace and quiet from the harried and noisy city life they have grown accustomed to. Couples who desire a “toned-down” vacation without much of the urban fuss and hoopla will find Porto Cristo a warm, welcoming haven.

Don’t get us wrong, though.

Porto Cristo is also known to be a family-oriented vacation spot. Just because it is a fishing village does not mean that it can’t cater to the whims of teens itching for some action. A handful of hotels on the beach have disco nights where they can dance the night away and speak Spanish with the locals. Buenvenido a Porto Cristo, señorita!

To reach Porto Cristo, one needs to get to Manacor, which is a 45-minute drive from downtown Palma.

Activities in Porto Cristo

Porto Cristo is more than just fishing. Its genuine traditional character offers visitors a kinder, gentler kind of entertainment. If visitors like to engage in aimless meandering and a long, lazy stroll by the beach, Porto Cristo is the answer. And should boredom creep in, which we doubt, a taxi ride to Calla Millor should rejuvenate the tired soul.

Craving for a cave adventure? The town’s got it. In fact, it has two - the Caves of Drac and Caves of Hams. But if you prefer the open air, Porto Cristo is rich in farmland, orchards and mountains. In Manacor, people will find exquisite pearls and a furniture factory that visitors will want to check out, and the leather goods store in Inca should definitely make it to every vacationer’s “must visit” list. Need to stock up on food? Porto Cristo’s Monday market will make the senses come alive as visitors sample the local fare. For nostalgia, the old town of Arta may reveal some of its secrets. Spain’s Catholicism still runs strong, so the Monastery of San Salvador should spark some curiosity.

Hotels in Porto Cristo

While hotels and other types of accommodations are available with the usual amenities, there are no hotels that go above three or four star rating. In fact, accommodation is said to be low-key, modest and not so glittery. But travelers will find that the hotels have everything they need: buffet breakfasts, bars, restaurants, satellite TV, discotheques, and swimming pools. And yes, most of them are air-conditioned.

Examples of three and four star hotels are the Hotel Felip (3-star), Castell del Hams (3-star; this one has a gym and tennis court), Club Cala Mandia (4-star and three pools).

Car Hire in Porto Cristo

It’s probably best (and safer) to reserve a car in Palma de Mallorca International Airport, one of Spain’s busiest. It is home to all the reputable car rental agencies familiar to most travelers: Hertz, Alamo, National, Discount, Thrifty, etc.

Just for fun, we tried doing an online reservation (some online services will not take reservations that stretch out to more than 30 days) for the period April 30 to May 15 for both a compact car (couple) and a full size van (family). This is what we obtained, rate-wise:

Compact car, two weeks: manual, air conditioning, and unlimited mileage – from £265 to £480.

Full size van, two weeks: manual, air conditioning, and unlimited mileage – approximately £690.

Car rental rates vary according to the season, so travelers must book ahead of time to avoid any unpleasant surprise. The airport also has shuttle coach and limo services.
To book a car to hire please visit our car hire page