What to do in Palma de Mallorca, Spain: 10 tips!
Palma's cathedral: La Seu
Palma de Mallorca's main attraction is its magnificent cathedral, also known as La Seu. The imposing cathedral of soft yellow sandstone was built in the 14th century on the oldest city walls that surrounded Palma. The total construction took some 600 years. It is one of the tallest Gothic structures in Europe, with a nave already 44 metres high. The Roman Catholic cathedral overlooks a bay and is reflected in the waters of the sea.
During a visit, you will know why La Seu is also called 'the cathedral of light'. There are 61 stained-glass windows shining huge beams of light inside. The central rose window is one of the largest in the world. See the slender pillars supporting the roof and note the huge crown of thorns with 35 copper lamps hanging above the altar. It is a modernist creation by the famous architect Gaudí, who was asked to restore it in 1903. Artist Miquel Barceló also helped with the refurbishment. To visit the cathedral, you need to buy tickets. Address: Plaça de la Seu, s/n, 07001 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain. Website: www.catedraldemallorca.org
Wander through Palma's Old Town
One of the best things to do in Palma de Mallorca is wander through the picturesque old town, Casco Antiguo. The narrow medieval streets allow you to immerse yourself in the city's ancient history. Stroll past historic palaces, Gothic churches, stately 17th-century houses and charming squares. Through ancient doorways, you can glimpse shady courtyards. Some streets are so narrow that cars can't get through.
The old quarter is full of tourist attractions, cafés and shops where you can buy all kinds of trinkets. You can browse dusty bookshops or antique shops or buy traditional baskets at Mimbreria Vidal(www.mimbreriavidal.com), one of Palma de Mallorca's oldest basket shops. Stop at one of the cafés or bakeries for an ensaimada, a traditional Mallorca pastry. For all the ins and outs of the Old Town, take a guided tour or book a tour by Segway.
Palace of Almudaina
Palma de Mallorca is also home to the fairytale Palace of Almudaina, the residence of the Spanish royal family when they holiday on the island. Especially during the summer months and at Easter, King Felipe VI retreats to this palace, but it is unlikely you will ever catch a glimpse of the royals. In fact, the royal palace is open to visitors most of the year.
You can admire the numerous rooms, lavishly decorated with antique furniture and tapestries. You can also soak up the history of the palace, which was built in the 10th century as an Arab fortress. The palatial retreat is located opposite the cathedral overlooking Palma de Mallorca bay. Address: Carrer del Palau Reial, s/n, 07001 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain. Website: entradas.patrimonionacional.es
Enjoy the view from Bellver Castle
For spectacular views of Palma de Mallorca, visit Bellver Castle(Castell de Bellver), located on a hill to the west of the city centre. It was built in the 14th for King James II of Majorca, when the Balearic Islands were still an independent kingdom. It is one of the few round castles in Europe, still in surprisingly good condition. Long the residence of Mallorca's kings, Bellver Castle served as a prison from the 18th century to the mid-20th century.
Since 1932, it has housed a museum with exhibitions on Mallorca's history. From the hill you have panoramic views of the city, the sea and the surrounding pine forests. In summer, the central courtyard hosts classical concerts and other events. There is a car park at the castle, but you can also walk there via a winding path through the pine forests (20 minutes, in the summer heat this can be quite tiring!). There is a café where you can reward yourself with a cold beer. Address: Carrer Camilo José Cela, s/n, 07014 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain. Website: castelldebellver.palma.cat
Shopping on Passeig del Born
Take a stroll down Passeig del Born and you'll feel like you're in a metropolis like Madrid or Paris. This leafy promenade is Palma de Mallorca's most elegant street, lined with trees, historic buildings, statues, shops, cafés and restaurants. The promenade has been the bustling heart of the city for more than a century, with parties, demonstrations and families enjoying an evening stroll.
Now the Passeig del Born is a mecca for shopaholics, with boutiques by luxury designers such as Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Carolina Herrera and Rolex. It is Palma de Mallorca's main shopping street also known as the 'Golden Mile'. Most of it is pedestrianised, so it is an ideal place to perch on a terrace and people-watch. Also take a look at the striking building that now houses a Zara shop. It was home to the famous Born cinema until 1988.
Es Baluard Museum
Art lovers should definitely put a visit to the Es Baluard Museum on their list. This is where you come for modern art by famous artists such as Picasso, Joan Miró and Magritte. The museum even has the largest collection of Picasso ceramics in the world, but you can also come here for paintings and sculptures by contemporary artists from Mallorca and the Balearic Islands.
The museum opened in 2004 and should put Mallorca on the map as a destination where you go for art too - and not just to spend your holidays on the beaches. The Es Baluard Museum is located in a centuries-old military fortress within Palma de Mallorca's old city walls. For a glass of Rioja or a plate of tapas, take a seat on a beautiful terrace surrounded by modern sculptures and overlooking the harbour. Address: Plaça de la Porta de Santa Catalina, 10, 07012 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain. Website: www.esbaluard.org
Relax in Plaza Mayor
For a cup of coffee, an aperitif, a bite to eat or a nightcap, grab a terrace at one of the restaurants and bars on Plaza Mayor(Plaça Major), the main square in Palma de Mallorca's old town. It is a small version of Plaza Mayor in the Spanish capital Madrid and a lovely place to stretch your legs and observe city life and street performers.
The rectangular square was built in the 19th century on the site of a monastery and looks beautiful, with its yellow classical houses with green windows. Plaza Mayor is especially lively at night, with locals meeting up and artists playing live music. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 10am to 2pm, there is a market with locally made artisan products.
Palma Aquarium
Want to do something in Palma de Mallorca with kids? Take them to the Palma Aquarium for an exploration of the underwater world. In more than 50 aquariums, you will see some 700 different species of fish and marine animals from the Mediterranean, Atlantic, Indian Ocean and South Pacific. A highlight is the Big Blue, Europe's deepest shark tank (with a depth of 9 metres). There is an aquarium with 4,000 different species of jellyfish and a simulated Amazon rainforest with piranhas. While admiring the marine life, you will be accompanied by soft classical music. Address: Carrer de Manuela de los Herreros, 21, 07610 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain. Website: www.palmaaquarium.com
► Order your entrance tickets to the Palma Aquarium here in advance
Visit the studio of Joan Miró
One of the most famous painters of Spain is Joan Miró (1893-1983), who stood out with his playful surrealist paintings with abstract forms. He was born in Barcelona, but moved permanently to Majorca in 1956 (also because his wife came from the island). In Palma de Mallorca, he had a studio designed for him where he made thousands of works. This studio is now a museum, Fundació Miró, where you can get an idea of how Miró worked and what inspired him. The collection contains as many as 7,000 works donated by the artist and there is a peaceful sculpture garden where you can stroll. Address: C/ de Saridakis, 29, 07015 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain. Website: www.miromallorca.com
Take the train to Sóller
Fun to do is a historic train ride to Sóller, a pretty town in the hills north of Palma de Mallorca. It's a one-hour train ride through Mallorca's picturesque countryside, which becomes increasingly rugged as the train climbs into the Tramuntana mountains. There are many tunnels and bridges on the route and sometimes the train stops so you can enjoy the view. You will be on an old-fashioned wooden narrow-gauge train that has been operated by the Ferrocarril de Sóller railway company since 1912. The train departs from a station next to Palma's central bus station on Plaça d'Espanya. Website: www.trendesoller.com
What to do in Palma de Mallorca: practical tips
Travelling to Palma de Mallorca
Palma is located in the west of the island and is easily accessible via motorways and main roads from Majorca's main towns. The capital is eight kilometres west of the international airport, Aeropuerto de Palma de Mallorca (PMI).
Transavia flies about twice a day directly from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Palma de Mallorca, a 2½-hour flight. You can also fly with Transavia from Rotterdam/The Hague, Eindhoven and Groningen. A plane ticket can be bought from €25. ► Book a flight ticket with Transavia to Palma de Mallorca here
From the airport, a bus (line 1) departs every hour to the centre of Palma de Mallorca. A ticket costs €5. You can also take a taxi. Taxis have a meter and official fares apply. A ride to Palma de Mallorca costs around €25.
p the airport are several car rental companies if you want to rent a car and explore more of Mallorca. We have good experiences with Sunny Cars, with no excess and hidden extra charges. ► Compare Mallorca car hire rates with Sunny Cars
Staying overnight in Palma de Mallorca
As in the rest of the island, there is a wide choice of accommodation in Palma de Mallorca. In the old town, you'll find many stylish boutique hotels, often located in renovated historic palaces and mansions. When planning your stay in Mallorca, explore a wide range of excellent Mallorca Hotels on www.hotels-of-mallorca.com/en/.
You're within walking distance of the main sights and cafés, restaurants and shops are nearby. Much of the Old Town is car-free, so you may have to drag your (rolling) suitcase a bit through the narrow cobbled streets. The former fishing quarter Santa Catalina is Palma de Mallorca's trendiest district. There are many flats for rent here.
For an exquisite and luxurious stay in Mallorca, consider indulging in the opulent Palma de Mallorca Luxury Hotels. One of the best luxury hotels in Palma de Mallorca is El Llorenc Parc de la Mar, located in the city centre just a 5-minute walk from the cathedral. It is a 5-star boutique hotel with understated elegance and ingenious design by renowned Swedish designer Magnus Ehrland. The hotel has an exquisite restaurant and a large rooftop terrace with infinity pool, where you have dreamy views of the Mediterranean Sea.
A special place is the Hotel Joan Miró Museum, the only hotel in the world dedicated to the famous artist. The hotel houses almost 30 paintings by Joan Miró, donated by the artist's family. The hotel is a bit further away from the centre of Palma de Mallorca, but of course the true art lover has no problem with this ????
Eating and drinking in Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca is a foodie's paradise, with world-class restaurants and typical local dishes. Sweet tooths cannot leave Majorca's capital without trying an ensaimada, a traditional Mallorcan pastry available in numerous places in Palma. It is a sweet bun in the shape of a snail shell sprinkled with icing sugar. Order an ensaimada at Ca'n Joan de s'Aigo(www.canjoandesaigo.com), a classic restaurant and pastry shop that has been around since 1700 and has become an institution on the island. There are three branches in Palma de Mallorca.
What you should definitely do in Palma de Mallorca is make an evening reservation at a good restaurant. You already have a choice of two Michelin-starred restaurants to choose from, for example. A highlight in the old town is Marc Fosh 's restaurant(www.marcfosh.com), the first British chef in Spain to be awarded a Michelin star. He excels with modern and creative Mediterranean dishes using local fresh ingredients. Weather permitting, you can dine in the courtyard. The other starred restaurant belongs to Argentinean chef Adrián Quetglas(www.adrianquetglas.es), who combines Spanish and Russian cuisine in a special way.
For more information on what to do in Palma de Mallorca, check out the official website of Mallorca's tourist office: www.infomallorca.net
More handy tips for your trip to Palma de Mallorca
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