Portals Nous is located in the municipality of Calvia on the south west coast of
Mallorca. This area of the island is well noted for its nightlife attractions,
particularly the nearby resort of Magaluf. Although relatively close to Magaluf,
Portals Nous is very much its own location and this is one of the reasons it is
held in such high regard amongst families and older visitors.
Of course, the appeal the area holds to such groups is invariably reflected in
the attractions and amenities that are on offer here. Many of these attractions
are specifically orientated towards those whom wish to wind down and relax
during their stay on the island. These are aptly exemplified in the array of
leisurely activities available.
A very popular attraction to those with young children is the Marineland located
in the resort of Portal Nous itself. The park is situated on the Costa d'en
Blanes beach and is a fine example of marine zoology presented in a stimulating
and fascinating manor. Focusing upon Mallorca’s rich natural heritage, a wide
variety of shows are available to the visitor, which includes performing sea
lions, parrots and dolphins. Indeed, the later is internationally acclaimed and
ranks as the parks top attraction.
Although young children may be disappointed to hear that swimming with dolphins
is not allowed, they may find consolation in the underwater tunnel that the park
has. This feature allows the visitor to get closer with the dolphins as they
swim in their own environment. Owing to this "close up and natural" interaction
with wildlife, the Marineland is a favourite amongst children and it is for this
reason that the park gets very busy during peak times. For more information and
opening times, their contact details are:
Marinaland Mallorca
Costa d'en Blanes, Ctra. Palma-Andratx km 10
Telephone: +34 971 675 125
Fax: +34 971 675 554
Web site:
www.marineland.es
Continuing on leisurely themes aimed at both young and old alike, the mini golf
course at the Golf Fantasia Palmanova offers the visitor a more informal and
relaxed game then that of its nearby royal counterpart the Bendinat golf course.
Founded in 1989, the park was one of the first of its type in Europe and boasts
three different 18 hole mini golf courses.
Each course is set in beautiful tropical parkland of caves, waterfalls and lakes
and its close interaction with nature on the island is emphasised by the
different forms of wildlife that can be found in the grounds. Contestants are
rewarded at the end of the game with a bonus hole in the form of a snack bar!
This enables the intense rivalry and competitiveness to be put to one side, as
visitors are afforded the opportunity to relax with a cocktail and various
snacks.
It may come as no surprised to learn that the Golf Fantasia Palma Nova is a
popular attraction with all types of tourists on the island. As each course is
referred to simply as red, blue or yellow, the visitors are allocated different
courses throughout the day so as to avoid any unnecessary queues. However, the
wonderful scenery and enjoyable course create an environment that is very
popular, and this is especially exemplified during peak season. Contact details
for more information is:
Golf Fantasia
Calle Tenis 3
07181
Palma Nova
Telephone: +34 971 135 040
Fax: +34 971 680 392
Web site:
www.golffantasia.com
Other than the everyday basics of life, there are surprisingly few shops in the
town, with most visitors appearing to prefer the sophisticated designer label
outlets in nearby Palma. Although the city of Palma is the commercial and
cultural centre of Majorca, the depth of history, culture and nightlife there
often takes visitors by surprise. The easiest way to "see Palma in a day" is by
the Number 50 sightseeing bus, which runs on average every 20 minutes throughout
the day, and takes in all the major sights of the city. In common with most City
Tour buses around Europe, you can hop on and off the bus at any point, and
tickets are valid for a 24 hour period. The total journey time for the round
trip is 1 hour 20 minutes. For more information their contact details are:
Telephone: +34 902 10 10 81
Fax: +34 902 10 10 28
One of the most popular evening attractions with all nationalities in the south
of the island is the Pirates Adventure (Els Pirates), which is based on the
outskirts of Magaluf. It takes the form of a Dinner/Show with a pirate theme,
and has short dialogues in English throughout. The season commences early April
and runs through until the end of October, with performances most evenings. In
addition to the family show, there is also a special late night adults only
"Pirates Uncut" performance. Contact details for more information and bookings
for either show are:
Pirates Adventure
Carretera la Porrassa
Magaluf
Telephone: +34 971 130 411
Fax: +34 971 130 083
Web site:
www.piratesadventure.com
The nearest weekly market to the town is held in nearby Andratx every Wednesday
morning. Special market buses are always laid from the larger south coast
resorts throughout the day, although these are always very full by the time they
arrive at the market. So, if there are a number of you that can travel together
it's often worth considering taking a taxi for the short trip.
Older children in particular will enjoy racing around the kart track on the
outskirts of the Magaluf, near to the Aquapark. They're Open every day from 10am
to midnight in high summer, and for the rest of the year it's 10am to sunset.
Contact details are:
Karting Magaluf
Cami de Sa Porrassa
Magaluf
Telephone: +34 971 131 734
Web site:
www.kartingmagaluf.com
The Western Park on the edge of the resort is a giant waterpark with death
defying slides, thrilling rides for older kids and some tamer ones for the
toddlers. They're open every day May to October from 10am in the morning to 6pm
in the evening, but do close during the cooler winter months for general repairs
and refurbishment of the park. Contact details are:
Western Park
Carretera Cala Figuera Sa Porrasa 12-22
07182
Magaluf
Telephone: +34 971 131 203
Fax: +34 971 131 193
Web site:
www.westernpark.com
The House of Katmandu is an enormous, upside-down Tibetan-style mansion which
seems to have fallen straight out of the sky. Visitors move through a series of
rooms as the House tells the story of its owner, Kilgore Goode. A rugged
adventurer on a life-long quest for a legendary red jewel, Kilgore’s strange
tale involves an ancient monk, a mysterious sherpa, a magnificent mermaid
princess and most illusive of all, the yeti – a legendary, large-footed snow
beast of the Himalayas. Starting in the warehouse, visitors will learn the
legend of these characters as their self-guided tour takes them through the
Galley of Plunders, the Workshop of Wonders, the Library of Illusions, Katmandu
Valley, the Genetics Lab, the Chamber of Pain, and finally, the Cave of Shivers.
All the while, the adventure unfolds around every corner as the suspense builds
to the inevitable yeti encounter. For more information on opening times and
admission prices, their contact details are:
The House of Katmandu
Avda Pedro Vaqer Ramis 9
07182
Magaluf
Telephone: +34 971 134 660
Fax: +34 971 681 649
Email:
administracion@houseofkatmandu.com
Web site:
www.katmandupark.com
At the rear of the House of Katmandu is the 4D Experience extreme motion cinema.
With 6 rides to choose from this unique cinema experience with it's specially
designed seating and special effects - plus special dimensional glasses - place
you in the middle of all the action. Contact details are:
4D Experience
Avda Pedro Vaqer Ramis 9
07182
Magaluf
Telephone: +34 971 134 660
Fax: +34 971 681 649
Email:
administracion@houseofkatmandu.com
Web site:
www.katmandupark.com
It is worth noting here that although many of the resorts in and around Portals
Nous are popular with young children and families, this is not to say that the
town holds little appeal to those couples of a more reserved demeanor. For many
visitors to the area the attractions contained at the Puerto Portals and the
Royal Bendinat golf course are reason enough to visit Mallorca. The professional
and "well to do" nature of these places give a very exclusive feel to the town
and its surrounding area to those that seek it. This is epitomised none more so
then the golf courses honorary president His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain
whom we are led to believe is a regular visitor. The course itself features 18
holes with a full grid of buggy paths in place. The view that the course and its
adjacent club house enjoys is what you would expect, with fine sea views on one
side contrasting to those of the beautiful pine woodland valley on the other.
An organisation based in nearby Magaluf called "Mallorca Golf Connection", are
the official TUI Thomson golf booking agency for the island, and can organise
tee-off times, transport to and from the course and discounted green fees.
Contact details are:
Mallorca Golf Connection
Avenida Solivera 5
Local 17
07182
Magaluf
Calvia
Mallorca
Telephone: +34 971 221 973
Fax: +34 971 221 974
Web site:
www.mallorcagolfholidays.com
Additional attractions that might be of interest to the more professional
individual tend to centre upon the Puerto Portals area of Portal Nous. This
modern boat marina has even been referred to on one occasion the finest in
Spain, although we will leave you to form your own judgement here! Either way,
the refined restaurants and bars that are located here, along with the large
numbers of yacht owners mean that this is an area that would certainly hold an
element of appeal to the modern professional.