Santa Ponsa sizzles under Spain’s Mallorcan sun
Lying at the south-western end of Mallorca, Santa Ponsa’s temperatures soar whilst, at times, many northern mainland areas freeze. Convenience is another factor in the resort town’s ever blooming popularity. Palma, the island’s capital city, is 14 miles or so away. So too is the international airport, making transfers after a long flight, hardly painful at all. Notoriously famous party resorts are close by, but just far enough away not to spoil the appeal of Santa Ponsa. Here, the white sandy beaches and busy marina are prime attractions.
Mediterranean speciality dishes are … Moorish
There are some Mallorcan regional dishes which you really must try. Some Santa Ponsa hotels do create their own versions, but they tend to fall short on the ultimate enjoyment front. Search out the local restaurants; sample the paella, of course and wash everything down with generous glasses of sangria. Just perfect! Everyone, including vegetarians, loves Coca de Trampo which is a tasty vegetable pizza. Sorry veggies, but Panades is an impossible to resist meat pie and Pa amb Oli is irresistible local bread topped with oil, tomato, and sometimes other goodies. Many main dishes are accompanied by Tumbet; a sort of Ratatouille, but very different. Frito is based on lamb, potato, tomato and other ingredients and Arroz Brut is a rice based stew. The Mallorcans love their stews! As a rule of thumb, local and regional specialties fall outside the remit of hotels in Santa Ponsa. They are best enjoyed in the town’s restaurants where they are lovingly offered as their more than dishy, dish of the day.
Stop Press: even Moor Christians take over the beach
You can only blame King James 1 of Aragon for the debacle that is the two-week long September fiesta; Les Festes del Rei en Jaume. He landed in 1229, defeated the Moors and subsequently conquered the island. The marina, though, may be older than you thought because there’s a cross there marking James’ arrival. There weren’t, though, so many hotels in Santa Ponsa in those days! Now and with the customary Spanish desire to party at the drop of a hat, the latter end of September disintegrates into a programme which includes a mock battle re-creation of events. More relevant to many, though, are the pop concerts, firework displays and excessive eating and drinking. Fiesta and festival addicts need only go along the road to the capital, Palma and to experience more, seemingly monthly festivities. In October, there’s even, would you believe, a fiesta event in celebration of black pudding! Whatever the event, your hotel in Santa Ponsa will provide all details to ensure your maximum enjoyment.
Wild life and then some night life
When considering hotels in Santa Ponsa, you’ll see that the concentration is around the resort’s busier beach areas. A further study of the map reveals access to some hotels with a slightly more laid-back style. Santa Ponsa Park Hotel, for instance, provides four-star accommodation, just a few minutes’ walk from the beach. It’s good, sometimes, to get away from the Santa Ponsa night and wild life, so take a look at Palma Bay and a number of water based fun parks. Western Water Park in Magaluf, offers water slides and the gulp-evoking 30-metre vertical drop. There are more night-time, hair-raising features awaiting you in Magaluf. It is, though, a 10-minute journey from Santa Ponsa, so slightly out of sight and out of mind! Then, there’s Jungle Parc and an unexpected Tarzan-like experience for visitors. La Reserva is a further opportunity to experience natural wildlife and activities that are far removed from those encountered in Santa Ponsa and its associated resorts.
Santa’s gifts
In Santa Ponsa, the main strip of Ramon de Montcada is where you’ll find a concentration of shops, many of which are of the souvenir and gift variety. There’s a very small market that’s held on Sundays but enthusiasts of Spain’s markets will need to undertake a little travelling. The market on Wednesdays, for instance, at nearby Andratx is a very popular attraction for tourists. There are excursions, bookable at many a Santa Ponsa hotel, but it’s easy just to get a taxi or join the locals using the bus service. There’s another market at neighbour Calvia and this is held on a Monday morning. Also on offer in Santa Ponsa, are three golf courses, one of which is available to the public. The beaches are, though, Santa Ponsa’s pride and joy and the main one has Blue Flag status. The remaining, smaller beaches are Pelluicer and Castellot. When tired of shops, markets, beaches and golf; it’s just a half-hour road trip to the historic capital of Mallorca, Palma.