Starting in the extreme north of Mallorca at the Cap de Formentor, located on a long headland at the northern end of the Serra de Tramunana mountains, the Formentor Peninsular is an area of steep cliffs rising to a height of 1,300 feet. From here you can enjoy some breathtaking views of the sea and coastline, you may even catch a glimpse of the neighbouring island of Menorca on a clear day, you can also enjoy the varied birdlife, many species nest in this rugged and remote area. Some of the best views can be enjoyed from the Mirador des Colomer, look out for the Talaja de Albercutx, a 16th century watchtower built to look out for invading pirates.
The historic town of Pollensa (Pollença), situated in the foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana, was founded by the Romans, it is still relatively unspoilt and retains much of its traditional Mallorcan charm. Worth a visit in Pollensa is the parish church of Nostra Senyora dels Angels, originally built by the Nights Templar in the 13th century, the Municipal Museum, houses in the former Convent de Santo Domingo, the Plaça Major (Main Square) where you can enjoy a coffee in one of the many traditional cafés, the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross), leading to the El Calvari chapel and the Ponte Romà, claimed to be a Roman bridge but probably much later. Pollensa itself is an inland town, placed to protect it from raiding pirates, its coastal limb being Puerto Pollensa, these days a busy holiday resort, attracting families to its excellent sandy beach and attractive harbour.
Another of the northern town of Mallorca and probably one of the oldest is Alcudia, originally a Phoenician settlement, it was rebuilt by the Romans and called Pollentia and subsequently became the capital of Mallorca until sacked and destroyed by the Vandals in 456 AD. The present name Alcudia originates from the Arab occupation, when their fortress Al-Kudia was built there. Worth a look in Alcudia is the port area, the 13th century Gothic church of Sant Jaume, the remains of a Roman theatre from the 1st century BC (the smallest Roman theatre in Spain), the Porta de Moll gateway and the Museu Monographic, with some interesting exhibits from the Roman occupation.
Also worth visiting whilst in the north of Mallorca is the Monastery of Lluc, a place of pilgrimage for over 800 years, the Natural Park of S’Albufera, an important area of wetlands to the south of Port d’Alcudia and the agricultural town of Muro, dominated by the huge Gothic church of Sant Joan Baptista.
