Port Nous

Portals Nous is a seaside town on the west coast of Majorca's Palma Bay, situated between Palma and the twin resorts of Palmanova and Magaluf. The town's proximity to the capital Palma, with its international airport, and high-octane resorts just two the south has established its popularity with foreign visitors - but has also tended to protect Portals Nous from the almost unchecked tourist development seen elsewhere along this coast. Portals Nous has a peaceful character that makes it a popular destination for families with young children, older couples, and native Majorcan tourists on a beachside holiday. The town also something of a gathering place for Spanish celebrities and high-society figures. Members of the Spanish Royal Family often holiday in summer at the Marivent Palace in the area.

The town has three beaches. The largest is Oratori de Portals, a 200 metre-long stretch of fine white sand that runs along the main residential waterfront of Portals Nous, beside the port and very exclusive marina that is often thronged in summer with luxury yachts. The beach is sheltered from the open bay by the small rocky island of D'en Salas, about 200 metres directly off-shore. The rocks and reefs of the waters around the small are teeming with fish and other sea-life - and this is one of the most popular spots in the area for fishing and snorkelling. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available for hire on Oratori beach, and there is a beach volleyball court - but none of the jet skis, parasailing rides, or windsurfing schools that pepper the beaches of nearby Magaluf and Palmanova. The smaller Cala Bendinat is a beautiful secluded beach in Portals Nous' exclusive Bendinat neighbourhood, where the holiday homes of celebrities and millionaires can be glimpsed through the groves of pines that surround the waterfront. There are also several chic restaurants and cafes close to the beach. The third beach in the area, Playa d'en Blanes, is tucked on the far side of the marina from Oratori beach, completely surrounded by the courts of the Portal Nous tennis club and beside the Marineland aquarium - the oldest marine habitats in Majorca. Marineland is famed for its performing dolphins shows, and in high season these can cause an influx of tourist to Portals Nous from other resorts.

There are no nightclubs or all-night beach bars in Portals Nous, although there are several lively bars and restaurants throughout the town - but any visitors staying locally need only take a twenty minute taxi ride to experience the night-life and shopping of Palmanova and Magaluf just to the south - or a slightly longer drive into the capital Palma itself. Other attractions in the Portals Nous area include the Royal Bendinat golf course, a world-class 18-hole course set in the hills behind Bendinat, overlooking the sea. It is considered one of the finest and most challenging golf courses in Spain, and is one of the main attractions on many golf tours of Majorca in the summer peak season.