Puerto Portals is one of those places in Mallorca worth including in a route around the southwest of the island, even if you have no particular interest in boating. Here you’ll find a marina surrounded by yachts, restaurants, terraces and boutiques, all in a pleasant setting for a stroll by the sea.
If you’ve landed here looking for Port de Portals, we’re talking about the same destination: Puerto Portals, located in Portals Nous, within the municipality of Calvià and very close to Palma.
Personally, I wouldn’t plan the visit as a trip just to spend a few minutes looking at boats. What’s worth doing is setting aside a few hours to explore the marina and then, since you’re already in this part of Mallorca, taking the chance to discover other corners of the coast. With a car, it’s especially easy to organise the day your own way.
What is Puerto Portals and where is it?
Puerto Portals is a well-known marina in Mallorca located in Portals Nous, in the municipality of Calvià. It’s close to Palma and also has convenient access from the airport, so it fits easily into a holiday based in the capital as much as into a route around the southwest of the island.
A common question is whether Puerto Portals and Portals Nous are the same thing. Not exactly. Portals Nous is the town, while Puerto Portals is the marina and its commercial area by the sea.
The marina brings together berths, restaurants, cafés, fashion boutiques, nautical services and other establishments. Beyond the exclusive atmosphere it’s known for, it’s a pleasant place to walk around and look at the boats without needing to do any particular activity.
Is it worth visiting Puerto Portals?
I’d say yes, especially if you’re spending several days in Mallorca and want to combine beaches, villages, Palma and different coastal areas.
Puerto Portals has a different atmosphere from a traditional Mallorcan village or a cove. Here the appeal lies in strolling around the marina, looking at the yachts, sitting on a terrace and enjoying the harbour atmosphere.
You don’t need to dedicate a full day to it. For a first visit, a few hours can be enough, especially if afterwards you want to continue exploring this part of Calvià.
My recommendation would be to fit it into a wider day out. That way you can enjoy the marina without rushing and then head to a beach afterwards or continue on to other parts of the southwest of Mallorca.
What to see and do at Puerto Portals
Stroll around the marina and the yachts
The simplest plan is also one of the best: walking calmly around the marina.
Along the way you’ll find boats of different sizes and a shopping area running parallel to the berths. There’s no need to prepare a complicated itinerary; part of the charm lies precisely in taking it slow.
Eat or grab something by the sea
Food is another reason to visit Puerto Portals. There are restaurants, cafés and terraces for different times of day.
If you’re going to have lunch or dinner at a specific place, I’d book ahead, especially during the busier months.
Go shopping
Puerto Portals is also known for its boutiques and fashion brands. Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, the shops are part of the marina’s characteristic atmosphere and combine easily with the stroll.
Head to a beach
The marina is surrounded by coastline and beaches, so you can combine the visit with a few hours by the sea. If you’re planning several days on the island, you can also check our beaches and coves of Mallorca guide to organise your days by area.
How to get to Puerto Portals
One of the advantages of Puerto Portals is its location. It’s about 10 kilometres from central Palma and around 16 kilometres from the airport, according to the marina’s official information.
From Palma
If you’re staying in Palma, Puerto Portals can easily become a few hours’ excursion or the start of a route around the southwest.
By car you also have the option of continuing your route after visiting the marina without depending on timetables.
From the airport
If you’ve just landed and will have a vehicle throughout your holiday, you can plan this area from day one or leave it for the end of the trip.
At Autos Mallorca we’re just a few minutes from the airport and transfer our customers from the meeting point by courtesy minibus. In our guide on how to get around when arriving at Palma airport, we explain the process in more detail.
Where to park at Puerto Portals
If you’re going to Puerto Portals by car, the marina itself has parking areas and publishes its parking conditions.
Even so, my advice in Mallorca is simple: during the tourist season, whenever you can, arrive with some time to spare. Taking it easy makes the visit much more comfortable and lets you change plans if there’s more activity than expected.
It’s also worth remembering that parking rates and conditions can change, so it’s best to check the marina’s updated information before your visit if you want exact prices.
What to see near Puerto Portals
One of the reasons I find it useful to have a car is that Puerto Portals doesn’t have to be the only destination of the day.
You can combine it with Portals Nous and the Calvià coast, continue on to other beaches in the southwest, or head back to Palma afterwards.
Personally, I’d always try to group places by area. If you’re exploring this part of Mallorca on a given day, it makes more sense to visit several nearby spots than to return to your accommodation after every stop.
That way you save on travel time and, above all, you can improvise: if it’s a spectacular day, you can extend your time on the coast; if you’d rather change the atmosphere, Palma is relatively close.
A driving route through Puerto Portals and the southwest of Mallorca
For a simple day out, you can use Puerto Portals as one of the main stops on a route around the southwest.
One option would be to start the morning exploring a nearby coastal area, then arrive at Puerto Portals to stroll and eat, and finish the day heading towards Palma.
If you only have half a day, I’d do the opposite: visit Puerto Portals calmly, have something to eat or drink by the harbour, and then choose a nearby second stop.
I wouldn’t try to fit five or six destinations into a few hours. Mallorca is much more enjoyable when you leave room to stop if you come across a beach, a viewpoint or a spot you fancy exploring.
That freedom to change your route is precisely one of the advantages of travelling by car.
Is it worth hiring a car to visit Puerto Portals?
Just to get to Puerto Portals, hiring a car isn’t essential. The difference comes when you want to use your holiday to explore different parts of Mallorca.
If you’re planning to visit Palma, beaches, villages, the Serra de Tramuntana and different coastal areas, having a vehicle makes organising things much easier.
That said, when comparing rentals I wouldn’t look only at the daily price. Also check:
- the insurance excess;
- whether they hold money on your card;
- whether there’s a mileage limit;
- how the fuel policy works;
- how much extra drivers cost.
At Autos Mallorca we offer car hire in Mallorca with no excess, with no pre-authorisation holds on your balance, unlimited mileage, a full-to-full fuel policy and up to three additional drivers at no extra cost.
For us, that transparency matters especially when you’re going to explore the island: you know from the start what your rental includes and can focus on planning the trip.
If you want to check the paperwork, pickup, fuel and conditions in more detail, you can also consult our car rental guide in Mallorca.
Tips for visiting Puerto Portals
I’d keep three things in mind.
First, don’t rush the visit. The marina is best enjoyed by strolling around and stopping at a terrace.
Second, if you’re planning to eat or dine at a specific restaurant, check the opening times and consider booking.
Third, make the most of its location. If you already have a car, plan Puerto Portals as part of a route around the southwest rather than as a completely isolated visit.
At Autos Mallorca we work with unlimited mileage precisely because we know that once you start discovering Mallorca, it’s hard to stay in just one area.
Frequently asked questions about Puerto Portals
Are Puerto Portals and Portals Nous the same thing?
No. Portals Nous is the town in Calvià where Puerto Portals is located, which is the marina and its commercial area.
Is it worth visiting Puerto Portals?
Yes, especially if you enjoy walks by the sea, good food, boats, and want to discover one of the best-known areas of southwest Mallorca.
How much time do I need to visit Puerto Portals?
A few hours are enough to get to know the main area well. If you’re going to eat, go shopping or combine the visit with a nearby beach, you can dedicate half a day.
Can you get to Puerto Portals by car?
Yes. It’s a particularly convenient option if afterwards you want to continue exploring Calvià or other parts of Mallorca.
Is there parking at Puerto Portals?
Yes, Puerto Portals has parking facilities. Conditions and rates can vary, so it’s worth checking updated information before you go.
Do I need to hire a car to visit Puerto Portals?
Not exclusively for Puerto Portals. However, if you want to make the most of the trip to visit different beaches, villages and areas of Mallorca, a car offers much more freedom.
Puerto Portals, a perfect stop to discover the southwest
Puerto Portals is worth visiting not only for its yachts and well-known atmosphere, but because it can fit perfectly into a day exploring this part of Mallorca.
My advice is to enjoy it without rushing, combine it with other nearby places, and leave room to improvise during the day.
If you want complete freedom to do so, you can hire your car in Mallorca with Autos Mallorca and explore the island with unlimited mileage, a full-to-full fuel policy and fully comprehensive insurance with no excess.
