Port Des Canonge: Coast, History and Camí de Baix

From ancient harbour to fishing settlement

Port des Canonge was already used as a harbour in ancient times; archaeological remains attest to this use. Three centuries after the conquest, the place was documented as “lo Port del Canonge” and developed into a small fishing settlement. The former connection to the harbour and the later settlement give the local history a tangible sense of development. If you’re interested in historic places, Port des Canonge is not just a coastal destination, but also a place with several chapters of history.

Beach, fishermen’s huts and esquers

Port des Canonge beach is about 70 metres wide and surrounded by fishermen’s huts and esquers. Esquers are ramps that fishermen used to haul their boats ashore. The shore is made up of coarse sand and stones and is often covered with Posidonia. There are no beach services. If these kinds of facilities are important for your day’s plans, take that into account when planning and check before your visit whether anything has changed. This way, you can factor in the nature of the shore and the lack of beach facilities from the outset when picturing your stay.

Walking the Camí de Baix

The Camí de Baix, also called the Camí de Baix de Son Bunyola, is an easy, vehicle-width path with a low level of difficulty. It is particularly recommended for family outings. The route is 4.4 kilometres long and takes about 1 hour and 25 minutes to walk. It includes 65 metres of ascent and 203 metres of descent. The descent is therefore more pronounced than the ascent, a useful distinction to bear in mind when looking at the elevation profile. The duration is a guide: allow some leeway depending on your pace and conditions, and check local conditions before setting out.

The Camí de Baix’s landscape features include pine forests, coastal areas, coves and headlands; it also has ethnological elements. Its character is shaped by both landscape and culture. For planning purposes, it offers a specific way to make your stay about more than just the beach. The distance, walking time and elevation gain and loss also help you consider the scale of the hike as a focus in its own right.

Hiking and diving as different focuses

The seabed off Port des Canonge is also well suited to diving. This means the Camí de Baix and diving are different options for shaping your holiday. You can base your search for a holiday rental on which of these aspects of the area you want to shape your stay: the history and character of the shore, the Camí de Baix or diving. This choice is based on specific features of Port des Canonge and makes it easier to picture how the destination fits into your holiday plans.

For the wider travel overview: Banyalbufar.