Porto Cristo Holidays

Porto Cristo is a working fishing village on Majorca’s east coast, in Spain. There’s an unhurried vibe here, with lazy days spent on the beach and relaxed evenings enjoying a plate of paella at the waterfront restaurants. And you don’t even have to move far to see one of the island’s top attractions – the Caves of Drach are literally on your doorstep.

Porto Cristo’s beach curves round a sheltered bay at the entrance to the harbour, with water that’s calm enough for easy swims and pedalo rides. Sunloungers and umbrellas dot the sands, and there are plenty of cafés and restaurants on standby. The coastline here is sprinkled with little coves and bays, should you want a change of scene.

You don’t need to have a car to get around the coast, as boats sail from Porto Cristo’s harbour to hidden beaches and difficult-to-reach coves like Cala Barques and the port of Cal Ratjada. Or, there are glass-bottomed boat trips where you can just sit back and enjoy the underwater landscape.

Ten minutes’ drive inland takes you to Manacor. The town’s biggest claim to fame is its artificial pearl industry, and a factory tour shows you this fascinating craft in action. Meanwhile, a walk around the narrow streets leads you to the Gothic church of Nostra Senyora dels Dolors, with its 75-metre high bell tower, and the 17th-century Convent Sant Vicenç Ferrer.