Portocolom Holidays: Beaches, Lighthouse and Talayotic Sites
Illes Balears · Balearic Islands · Spain · 4,586 residents · on the coast
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Portocolom is a small coastal town of around 4,600 people on the east side of Mallorca, in the municipality of Felanitx and barely above sea level at 15 metres. What sets it apart is how much sits within walking distance. Cala Marçal beach is less than half a mile away, the Porto Colom lighthouse and the archaeological site of Closos de Can Gaià are both under a mile, and the beach at s'Algar is just over a mile. Palma de Mallorca airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is roughly 41 minutes by road. Summers are hot and very dry, with July highs around 30°C, and winters stay mild at about 16°C.
Why go
- Cala Marçal beach lies less than half a mile from the town, ideal for families.
- Closos de Can Gaià and the Talayotic town of l'Hospitalet Vell bring ancient Mallorca close.
- Palma de Mallorca airport has direct UK flights and is about 41 minutes away by car.
Top sights in Portocolom
Ancient sites, coves and a lighthouse
Culture is Portocolom's strongest suit. The archaeological site of Closos de Can Gaià, a listed cultural property, sits about 0.7 miles from town, and the Talayotic town of l'Hospitalet Vell, another archaeological site, is around 4.6 miles away. Seeing both gives a good sense of the island's prehistoric past without a long drive.
For the sea, Cala Marçal is the nearest beach at roughly 0.4 miles, and s'Algar, a beach on the east coast in the Felanitx municipality, is about 1.2 miles out. The Porto Colom lighthouse, some 0.7 miles away, makes a pleasant walk for couples, particularly towards the end of the day.
Tours, tickets and activities in and around Portocolom can be booked directly on this page through the booking cards below.
Tours & tickets in Portocolom
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Portocolom can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Portocolom
Choosing a base in Portocolom
This is a small town, so distances are short and most stays put you within easy reach of everything. Families who want sand on the doorstep may prefer to be near Cala Marçal, while those drawn to the lighthouse and the Closos de Can Gaià site will find that side of town convenient for walks.
With a population of under 5,000, Portocolom suits travellers looking for a quieter coastal holiday rather than a lively resort scene; larger towns such as Manacor are a short drive away if you want more going on. The page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Portocolom and the villages around it is a hire car from Palma de Mallorca (PMI), about 41 min away.
Best time to visit Portocolom
When to visit Portocolom
- 16°CJan30 mm
- 16°CFeb99 mm
- 18°CMar26 mm
- 19°CApr50 mm
- 22°CMay40 mm
- 26°CJun18 mm
- 30°CJul3 mm
- 30°CAug46 mm
- 27°CSept50 mm
- 25°COct24 mm
- 20°CNov32 mm
- 17°CDec15 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months are June, July, August and October. July is the standout for reliable sunshine, with only around 3mm of rain over two rain days and highs of about 30°C. August is just as hot, at 30°C by day and 23°C at night, though slightly more showery.
October is a lovely shoulder month, with highs near 25°C and modest rainfall. February records the heaviest rainfall, around 99mm, while May and September have the most rain days, at 12 and 10 respectively. Winter is mild, with daytime highs of 16 to 17°C from December to February.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16°C | 9°C | 30 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 16°C | 8°C | 99 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 18°C | 11°C | 26 mm | 11 h |
| Apr | 19°C | 12°C | 50 mm | 11 h |
| May | 22°C | 15°C | 40 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 26°C | 19°C | 18 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 30°C | 23°C | 3 mm | 14 h |
| Aug | 30°C | 23°C | 46 mm | 13 h |
| Sept | 27°C | 20°C | 50 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 25°C | 19°C | 24 mm | 10 h |
| Nov | 20°C | 15°C | 32 mm | 8 h |
| Dec | 17°C | 10°C | 15 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 29 miles from Portocolom, and the drive takes roughly 41 minutes, so car hire on arrival is the simplest way to reach town.
If you prefer to travel overland and cross by sea, Palma's port, about 35 miles away, has ferries to and from Barcelona, Valencia and Dénia on the mainland, as well as Ibiza and Maó. Alcúdia, around 30 miles from Portocolom, has sailings to Barcelona and to Ciutadella on Menorca.
By air
- Palma de Mallorca (PMI)29 miles, about 41 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Nearest ferry ports: Alcúdia (30 miles), Palma (35 miles), Ciutadella (50 miles).
Portocolom is good for
Around Portocolom
Day trips from Portocolom
Portopetro, a small coastal village of under 800 people, is only about 4 miles away. Felanitx, the municipal town, is around 7 miles inland, and Santanyí lies about 8 miles to the south.
Further afield, Porto Cristo is roughly 9 miles up the coast and Manacor, the largest town nearby with over 42,000 residents, about 11 miles. Ses Salines (12 miles), Campos (13 miles) and Porreres (14 miles) round out a varied circuit of southern and inland Mallorca within easy driving distance.
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Tips from Robin
Practical tips for your stay
A hire car pays off here: the airport is a 41-minute drive and most of the day-trip towns sit between 4 and 14 miles away, so having your own wheels opens up the wider area.
If you plan to travel in May or September, pack a light waterproof, as these months have the highest number of rain days. And because Portocolom is a small town, it stays fairly low-key; book activities and accommodation early for the peak summer months of July and August.
Questions people ask
How far is Portocolom from Palma airport?
Palma de Mallorca airport is about 29 miles from Portocolom, roughly a 41-minute drive. The airport has direct flights from the United Kingdom, making it the natural choice for British travellers, with car hire the easiest way to complete the journey.
Is Portocolom good for a family beach holiday?
Yes. Cala Marçal beach is less than half a mile from town and is well suited to families, and s'Algar beach is about 1.2 miles away. July and August bring highs of around 30°C, with July especially dry.
What is the best month to visit Portocolom?
June, July, August and October offer the most pleasant conditions. July is the driest month, with about 3mm of rain, while October is cooler at around 25°C and works well if you prefer to avoid the peak summer heat.
Are there historic sites near Portocolom?
Several. The archaeological site of Closos de Can Gaià is about 0.7 miles from town, and the Talayotic town of l'Hospitalet Vell lies around 4.6 miles away. Both give a glimpse of Mallorca's prehistoric settlements and are easy half-day outings.
Can I reach Portocolom by ferry?
Yes, via Mallorca's ports. Palma, about 35 miles away, has ferries from Barcelona, Valencia and Dénia, while Alcúdia, around 30 miles away, has sailings from Barcelona and Ciutadella. From either port you would continue by road to Portocolom.
Is Portocolom warm in winter?
It is mild rather than warm. Daytime highs from December to February sit around 16 to 17°C, with lows of 8 to 10°C. February is the wettest month by rainfall, so a winter visit suits walking and sightseeing more than beach days.