Things To Do in Porto Cristo

Shopping wise, Porto Cristo has a range of shops selling souvenirs, and on Sundays the little market on Passeig de la Sirena has stalls selling food and mementos. Also, if you’re in nearby Manacor for Monday morning’s artisan market on Plaza de sa Bassa, you can snap up ceramics and olive wood crafts – a speciality of the town – at very reasonable prices.

Tourists bus in to see the famous Caves of Drach, but for you they’re just 5 minutes away. A guide takes you through caverns filled with spectacular stalagmites and stalactites, then you can watch in wonder as illuminated boats float across Lake Martel – one of the world’s biggest underground lakes – while an on-board orchestra plays Chopin.

Everything about Porto Cristo’s beach is easy. It’s a walk-to stretch right in the centre of town, with sunloungers, showers and cafés. The sea is calm, and as pedalos are the only watersport, things stay pretty quiet, too. If you have an urge to try windsurfing, though, Cristo Novo is a 10-minute drive away.

The harbour is a popular place to eat. You get fishing boats bobbing next to luxury yachts in the marina, and menus packed with ocean-fresh seafood. If you can give up the waterfront setting, though, Porto Cristo has several tucked-away eating places, next to the church square and hidden down side streets. Tapas, paella and suckling pig are just some of the mouth-watering dishes you’ll discover.

Although it has religious roots, this festival in Porto Cristo means 3 weeks of exhibitions and theatre along with music that runs from flamenco to Seventies pop. There’s also the traditional parade when a statue of the Virgin is taken down to the harbour and sailed out to sea on a fishing boat. It all ends with the Correfoc fire dance and a spectacular firework display.

Porto Cristo’s nightlife is blissfully relaxed, so you can happily settle into a bar with a bottle of wine. And when you do want a livelier pace, a 15-minute taxi ride will take to you Cala Millor. The pedestrianised seafront promenade here is alive with pubs, bars and discos.

On the food front, Porto Cristo dishes up everything from Chinese to Mexican. You’ve got a working fishing port here too, so it’s no surprise that seafood gets star billing on the menus. Settle into a restaurant table on the marina boardwalk for a classic paella or go with the freshly-netted catch of the day.

This exuberant little number is decked out in loud primary colours with installations by Basque artist S’Anto Inorrieta. It overlooks the waterfront boardwalk, so pull up an orange seat outside for some serious people-watching. As for the drinks, why not take a holiday from your usual tipple and try a shot of hierbas, the local Majorcan herb liqueur.

You won’t find a major retail hotspot in Port Cristo – just a clutch of shops in the streets along by the prom selling postcards and beachwear. You’ve got a couple of jewellery places here, too, if you fancy stocking up on the local pearls. Out of resort, you might want to hit the huge Caprabo supermarket at Sa Coma – it does everything from chorizo to trainers.

If you fancy a change from cod and chips, you might want to pop along to Porto Cristo’s annual fish festival. It’s a really simple set-up. You buy a ticket from the tourist office then do the rounds of the local restaurants, which for 1 night only serve up speciality fish and shellfish dishes for a few euros.

Handily located near the Caves of Drach, you’ve got the Porto Cristo Aquarium. It’s a good little place to spend an hour or so inspecting the tanks for exotic fish, many of which come all the way from the Australian Barrier Reef. The piranhas and electric eels don’t seem to have been upstaged, though.

The beach at Porto Cristo is a relaxing, family-friendly spot. You’re more likely to see local kids playing football here than holidaymakers tearing around on jet-skiis. In fact, a ride in a pedalo is about as fast as things get. If you do want more action, though, head over to Cala Millor – a 10-minute drive away – for banana boats and windsurfing.

Porto Cristo isn’t really into partying. An evening here is all about long, lazy dinners with a bottle of wine. You’re not a world away from a livelier night, however – a quick taxi to Cala Millor and you’ve got bars and clubs that will keep you entertained with Brazilian dancers, illusionists and DJs. Most places stay open ’til around 6am.

You’ll need to wander off the beaten track a bit to find tucked-away Sa Sal – but the elegantly crafted food makes it well worth the trip. Here, in a courtyard lit with candles and fairylights, you can savour date-stuffed pork, fried scallop with carrot and ginger mousse, and spaghetti with tiger prawns and lobster sauce. There’s also a great wine list to go with it.

You’ll find this low-key restaurant a few streets above Porto Cristo’s harbour. It’s on the snug side of cosy, with just enough elbow room for couple of groups, tops. Food-wise, the place does itself proud with tapas, seafood paella and a huge homemade ravioli. By the way, don’t be surprised if the waitress bursts into song to keep you entertained between courses.