Porto Cristo, Mallorca: Caves, Coves and Family Holidays
Illes Balears · Balearic Islands · Spain · 7,355 residents · on the coast
Porto Cristo is a small coastal town of around 7,355 people on Mallorca, sitting barely 6 metres above the sea. Its draw is underground as much as on the shore. The Coves del Drach lie about a third of a mile from the centre, the Coves dels Hams under a mile away, and a cluster of smaller caves and protected sites sits within four miles. Above ground, the coves of Cala Anguila, Cala Mendia and Cala Moreia are all within three miles. Summers peak at 30°C in July and August, and Palma de Mallorca airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is roughly 45 minutes away by car.
Why go
- The Coves del Drach sit about a third of a mile from town, an easy family outing.
- Three coves, Cala Anguila, Cala Mendia and Cala Moreia, all lie within three miles.
- Palma de Mallorca airport has direct UK flights and is about 45 minutes' drive away.
Top sights in Porto Cristo
Caves, coves and a basilica
The headline sight is the Coves del Drach, a cave site about 0.3 miles from the centre and by some distance the best-known place in the area. Close behind are the Coves dels Hams, another cave system roughly 0.8 miles out. Between them they explain why Porto Cristo suits families and anyone curious about Mallorca's geology. Also around 0.3 miles from the centre is the Basílica de sa Carrotja, a church listed as an archaeological site, which adds a cultural stop to a cave morning.
For the sea, Cala Anguila is about 1.4 miles away, Cala Mendia about 1.7 miles and Cala Moreia about 2.8 miles. Further out, a ring of smaller caves and protected areas rewards the curious: Cova des Pont and Cova des Moro at around 2.9 miles, Cova des Pirata at about 3 miles, and Cova de sa Gleda at roughly 3.9 miles.
Tours and tickets for the caves and the wider area can be booked directly on this page, where you will find the current booking options.
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Tours & tickets in Porto Cristo
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Porto Cristo can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Porto Cristo
Choosing a base in town
Porto Cristo is a compact coastal town rather than a sprawling resort, so most stays put you within reach of the main sights. Staying in or near the centre means the Coves del Drach and the Basílica de sa Carrotja are both about a third of a mile away, close enough to walk with children.
If beach time matters more than caves, look towards Cala Anguila and Cala Mendia, roughly a mile and a half out, so the sand is on your doorstep. Those wanting more going on in the evenings could weigh the larger resort of Cala Millor, about 5.6 miles up the coast. Live hotel prices for Porto Cristo are shown on this page.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Porto Cristo and the villages around it is a hire car from Palma de Mallorca (PMI), about 45 min away.
Best time to visit Porto Cristo
When to go to Porto Cristo
- 16°CJan40 mm
- 16°CFeb92 mm
- 18°CMar22 mm
- 20°CApr47 mm
- 22°CMay57 mm
- 27°CJun25 mm
- 30°CJul8 mm
- 30°CAug59 mm
- 27°CSept59 mm
- 25°COct41 mm
- 20°CNov37 mm
- 17°CDec22 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months are June, July, August and October. July is the driest month of the year, with just 8 mm of rain over about four days, and both July and August reach highs of 30°C with nights around 23°C. June is a touch gentler at 27°C, while October still offers around 25°C by day and 19°C at night, a good choice for a quieter autumn fortnight.
February is the wettest month by volume at 92 mm, though May has the most rainy days, around 13, and September follows with about 11. Winter is mild rather than warm, with highs of 16°C in January and February, which suits cave visits and walks more than swimming.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16°C | 10°C | 40 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 16°C | 9°C | 92 mm | 8 h |
| Mar | 18°C | 11°C | 22 mm | 11 h |
| Apr | 20°C | 12°C | 47 mm | 11 h |
| May | 22°C | 15°C | 57 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 27°C | 20°C | 25 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 30°C | 23°C | 8 mm | 14 h |
| Aug | 30°C | 23°C | 59 mm | 13 h |
| Sept | 27°C | 20°C | 59 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 25°C | 19°C | 41 mm | 10 h |
| Nov | 20°C | 15°C | 37 mm | 8 h |
| Dec | 17°C | 10°C | 22 mm | 8 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, ferries and the drive
The nearest airport is Palma de Mallorca (PMI), which has direct flights from the United Kingdom. It is about 32 miles from Porto Cristo, a drive of roughly 45 minutes, so car hire on arrival is the simplest way to reach town.
If you are travelling by sea, Palma's ferry port, about 37 miles away, has crossings from Barcelona, Valencia and Dénia on the mainland, as well as from Ibiza and Maó. Alcúdia, about 23 miles away, takes ferries from Barcelona and from Ciutadella on Menorca, which makes it useful if you are combining islands.
By air
- Palma de Mallorca (PMI)32 miles, about 45 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Nearest ferry ports: Alcúdia (23 miles), Palma (37 miles), Ciutadella (42 miles).
Porto Cristo is good for
Around Porto Cristo
Nearby towns worth a day
Cala Millor and Son Servera are both about 5.6 miles away, and Manacor, the largest town nearby with around 42,600 people, is roughly 7 miles inland. Down the coast, Portocolom is about 9 miles off and Portopetro, a small place of fewer than 800 residents, around 14 miles.
Inland, Felanitx is about 11 miles away and Petra roughly 13 miles, while Capdepera lies around 12 miles to the north. With a hire car, any of these fits comfortably into a morning or afternoon.
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Tips from Robin
Practical points before you book
Porto Cristo sits only 6 metres above sea level, and July and August highs of 30°C come with warm nights around 23°C, so plan outdoor walks and beach time for mornings and late afternoons, and save the caves for the middle of the day.
Don't assume spring is dry: May brings the most rainy days of the year. With around 7,355 residents, the town itself is small, so a hire car opens up the outlying caves, the further coves and the inland towns far more easily.
Questions people ask
How far is Porto Cristo from Palma airport?
Palma de Mallorca airport is about 32 miles from Porto Cristo, a drive of roughly 45 minutes. It is the nearest airport and has direct flights from the United Kingdom, so most British travellers fly into Palma and pick up a hire car there.
How close are the Coves del Drach to Porto Cristo?
Very close. The Coves del Drach are about 0.3 miles from the centre of Porto Cristo, so you can easily walk there. The Coves dels Hams, another cave system, are around 0.8 miles away. Tickets and tours can be booked on this page.
Is Porto Cristo good for a family holiday?
Yes. The town is small and coastal, with the Coves del Drach and Coves dels Hams within a mile, and the family-friendly coves of Cala Anguila and Cala Mendia under two miles away. Cova des Pirata and other caves add further outings within about four miles.
What is the weather like in Porto Cristo in October?
October is one of the best months to visit. Daytime highs average around 25°C and nights about 19°C, with roughly 41 mm of rain over about seven days. It is cooler than July and August but still warm enough for the beach.
What is the hottest month in Porto Cristo?
July and August are the hottest months, both averaging highs of 30°C and lows of about 23°C. July is also the driest month of the year, with only around 8 mm of rain over about four days.
Can I reach Mallorca by ferry from mainland Spain?
Yes. Palma's port, about 37 miles from Porto Cristo, has ferries from Barcelona, Valencia and Dénia. Alcúdia, about 23 miles away, has crossings from Barcelona and from Ciutadella on Menorca.