Palma de Mallorca Spain

 

Palma de Mallorca Spain
Marina Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca Spain is the capital of the Balearic Island of Mallorca ( Majorca), the city also has long been a favourite for international tourism.

Steeped in history it is home to an exceptional cathedral as well as many remnants from its Moorish and Christian past.

The undeniable main attraction in Palma is the stunning Santa Maria Cathedral, also known as Le Seu, an imposing Gothic cathedral, built by Jaime I, the first conqueror of the island.

The city hall and the market Placa Mayor is well worth visiting as ell as El Pueblo Espanol, an interesting outdoor museum with beautiful Spanish and Moorish houses.

A good starting spot to exploring the area is the city's main plaza, the  Plaça d’Espanya, here, you will find a tourist information centre, an excellent place to pick up free travel leaflets to help you plan your holiday itinerary. The plaza is also a good place to relax and people watch whilst enjoying a refreshing soft drink or an energising coffee in one of the many cafés.

The Plaça d’Espanya is flanked by medieval walls and is the gateway to Palma’s old quarter. The area is a maze of interesting alleyways and pedestrianised cobbled streets displaying signs of its Arab past.

For perfect long walks and shopping treats, head off to the Passeig des Born, which houses plenty of designer shops plus plenty of upmarket restaurants, bars and cafes.

Another must place to visit is the sprawling Marina around the port area, full of luxury boats and yachts of every shape and size. The port area is noted for its numerous high-quality fish and seafood restaurants.

 Top 10 Things To Do In Palma de Mallorca

  1. Visit the impressive Cathedral - Catedral Basilica de Santa Maria de Mallorca.
  2. Spend a morning in the Bellver Castle & Museum - Castell de Belver.
  3. Explore the Mediterranean and Tropical seas at the Palma Aquarium.
  4. Go Snorkelling in one of Mallorca's best beach coves at Calo des Moro.
  5. Take an evening stroll along the tree-lined promenade Passeig Des Born.
  6. Get up early and visit the renowned food market - Mercat de I'Olivar.
  7. Ride the 100-year-old railway from Palma to Soller.
  8. Visit the stunning Arab Palace - Palau de L'Almudaina.
  9. Chill out on the popular beach at Playa de Palma, El Arenal.
  10. Taste the delights of Palma cooking starting at the Catalina Market.

Palma Cathedral ( Le Seu )

Palma de Mallorca Cathedral
Basilica de Santa Maria Cathedral ( Known as Le Seu )

Palma de Mallorca Cathedral, also known as La Seu, is a magnificent 14th-century cathedral and is one of Europe's tallest Gothic. It is impossible to miss this imposing golden sandstone building.

The cathedral is built on the on a mosque which once stood opposite the Royal Palace of La Almudaina during the Moorish occupation of Mallorca.

The story of La Seu began while Jaume I was on his voyage to the island: battling rough seas, his fleet of ships and men faced great danger, and the young king swore that he if succeeded in his mission to rid the island of the Moors, he would build a massive cathedral.

This impressive cathedral has 61 stained-glass windows, with the most spectacular being the central rose window, which harnesses the morning sun, flooding the building with beams of coloured light.

The slender pillars supporting the roof are some of the slimmest load-bearing pillars in the world. The fact that the place remains standing is down to the sturdy external ornate buttresses - through the western wall of the cathedral was badly damaged during an earthquake in 1851.

In the early 20th century, La Seu underwent some changes at the hands of one of the students of the famed architect Antoni Gaudí.  The dramatic additions included the enormous crown-of-thorns illuminated canopy that hangs over the altar.

You can visit the Cathedral Mondays to Fridays from 10:00 hrs (closing times depend on the time of year). Saturdays from 10:00h to 14:15 hrs.

 5 Interesting Facts about Mallorca

  1. Before mass tourism arrived in Mallorca has been the doyen of many a celebrity who chose the island as an escape from their hectic lifestyles.
  2. The stunning mountain range of Serra de Tramuntana was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2011 as being an area of Physical and Cultural significance.
  3. Nearly half of the permanent residents of Mallorca reside in Palma, making it a lively hub of activity whatever time of year you visit.
  4. Mallorca is the training ground of choice for some of the world’s top cyclists including Bradley Wiggins who take advantage of the challenging and varied terrain of the island.
  5. Palma plays host to the annual Kings Cup - Copa del Rey yachting competition held at the end of July each year.

 

Nearby Attractions

 

The Caves of Drach  ( Cuevas de Drach )

Drach Caves
Drach Caves

Listed in tourist guides as the Caves of Drach,  this natural phenomenon is found on the islands east coast close to Porto Cristo. A spectacular array of giant stalagmites, stalactites and shimmering lakes await those who visit this wonderful underground world.

website:  http://www.cuevasdeldrach.com/en/

La Reserva del Puig de Galatzo

Puig de Galatzo

A beautiful nature park where you will enjoy an array of animals and plants unique to the area as well as a pool complete with a waterfall to cool yourselves down in the summer heat. Website: http://lareservamallorca.com/

Family attractions, water and leisure parks in Mallorca

» Jungle Parc -  Santa Ponsa.
» The Wave House - Magaluf
» Tirolinas Park  - Palma de Mallorca
» Katmandu Park - Magaluf
» Marineland  - Calvia
» Hidropark - Por D'Alcudia
» Aqualand - El Arenal

The gastronomy of Mallorca

Tumbet
Tumbet

Palma de Mallorca's gastronomy is heavily influenced by its Mediterranean location and its history of being a trading hub.

Its cuisine features fresh seafood, meats, vegetables, and fruits, which are used to create flavourful dishes. Local specialties include sobrasada, ensaimada, tumbet, and pa amb oli.

A great place to visit to find out all about the local produce is at the famed Santa Catalina Food Market (Mercat de Santa Catalina), where you can browse and purchase fresh produce, meats, and seafood.

The use of olive oil, and garlic, are used in Mallorcan dishes.

Overall, Palma de Mallorca's cuisine is a mix of traditional Spanish and Mediterranean flavours, with an emphasis on fresh and locally sourced ingredients.

Popular dishes from Palma de Mallorca

Ensaimada
Ensaimada

- Sobrasada: A soft, spicy cured pork sausage spread on bread or cooked with honey.

- Coca Mallorquina: A flatbread topped with roasted peppers, onions, tomatoes and parsley. Similar to pizza without cheese.

- Ensaimada: A spiral-shaped pastry dusted with sugar. Made with flour, eggs, water, sugar and pork lard.

- Pica Pica: A dish of fried squid rings, potatoes and peppers in a spicy tomato sauce. Served as a tapa or a main course.

- Tumbet: A vegetable casserole of red peppers, eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes and garlic. Sometimes accompanied by fried eggs, fish or meat.

- Cocarrois: A crescent-shaped pastry filled with vegetables and meat, such as spinach, raisins, pine nuts and lamb. Baked until golden and crispy.

Recommended areas to eat in Palma de Mallorca

There are two main recommended areas where you will find the best selection of eateries. La Lonja is located around the port area and has a special atmosphere, full of cafeterias, restaurants and tapas bars. It also offers up a vibrant nightlife with some great clubs to spend those long summer nights in.

The other popular dining area in Palma is the trendy area around Santa Catalina market where you will find lots of interesting stalls selling fresh fish, vegetables and other local delights.

Getting to Palma and the transport options

Palma Airport
Palma Airport

Palma de Mallorca is well connected by various modes of transport, both within and outside the island. Here are some of the main transport options to Palma de Mallorca:

- Flights: Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) is the main airport of the island, located about 8 km east of the city centre. It serves domestic and international flights from various airlines, including low-cost carriers. The airport has four terminals and offers various facilities and services for travellers and is one of the busiest airports in Spain.

- Trains: Palma de Mallorca has two railway lines that start from Plaça d'Espanya in the city centre. One line goes to Sóller, a picturesque town in the northwest of the island, passing through the scenic Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. The other line goes to Inca, a town in the central plain of the island, known for its leather industry.

- Buses: There is an extensive bus network that covers the city and its surroundings. The buses are operated by EMT (Empresa Municipal de Transports) and TIB (Transport de Les Illes Balears). The EMT buses are blue, white and green and connect the airport with the city centre and other urban areas. The TIB buses are red and yellow and connect the airport with other towns and resorts across the island.

- Taxis: The city has plenty of taxis available. The taxis here are white with a red stripe and show a green light on the roof when available. The fare for taxis is displayed on a metre and is determined by the distance, time, and zone. For other places, like the airport, there are also set fares.

- Bike: Palma is a bike-friendly city that has many bike lanes and paths along its streets and waterfront. The city also has a public bike-sharing system called BiciPalma, which allows users to rent bikes from various stations around the city. The bikes are electric and have a GPS system that shows the nearest station.

- Others: Palma also offers other transport options, such as car rental,  scooter rental, ferry service and metro service.

PALMA DE MALLORCA WEATHER

Recommended accommodation in Palma de Majorca

Luxury High-End

The Hotel Gran Melia Victoria is a very stylish 5 star hotel located just a short drive from Port of Las Palmas and the Palma Cathedral. It offers  multiple facilities including a sauna, a fitness centre and a poolside snack bar. Each bright room at the Hotel Gran Melia Victoria includes a mini bar and bathrobes. The hotel is only a 10-minute walk from Bellver Castle, and an easy drive from Magaluf. The hotel is located within a few minutes from shops, bars and a variety of local and international dining options. Regular Reviewer Rating: 8.9

Mid Range

For a unique experience see the charming Hotel Convent de la Missio located in the Sant Juame district of Palma. Situated within a converted convent the architecture and atmosphere are special. The hotel features a rooftop terrace, an outdoor pool and a sauna and is a short walk nearby restaurants, clubs and bars. Reviewer Rating: 9.3

Budget Accommodation

For excellent value budget accommodation try the 3 star Brick Hotel & B2 Homes which offers 36 rooms with all the essentials to ensure a comfortable stay. Ideally located close to Palma Cathedral and all the cities top attractions. Reviewer Rating:  8.8