Palma De Mallorca is the capital city of Majorca (Mallorca), the largest of the Balearic Islands.

Palma de Mallorca has beauty & charm all of its own. When approaching the city from the Port, walking or driving, the Cathedral (La Seu) is instantly recognisable, an immense sandstone building of magnificent architectural design (French Gothic) with a huge stained glass window which contains 1236 pieces of stained glass. At night Palma Catherdral is beautifully lit. This is well worth a visit. There are also many other historic venues, Bellver Castle, La Lonja, Majorca Museum, La Palau de Almundaina to name a few, the 10th century Arab Baths ruins are also to be found in the Historic area (see below for prices & opening times).

The Port & Marina stretch the entire length of the city and this is a complete maze of small boats, large yachts and even Cruise Ships. In recent years Palma has proved to be a very popular destination for Cruise Ships of all sizes to dock for a day or two. The number of major Cruise Ships which visited Majorca between January and November 2010 was 500 which broke all previous records. In fact 1.5 million visitors are expected in 2011. This has greatly increased tourism in Palma itself. Along the Port road there are many restaurants and bars as well as popular night-clubs such as Titos. Other nightclubs include Pacha, Garito Club, Jahfarai, L’Havanna to name a few. See other nightspots around Mallorca.

In Palma you will also find the very famous Spanish department stores of El Corte Ingles. There are two, both in the city, the largest is on the Avenida Alexandre Rossello and the other on the street Avenida Jaime (Jaume) III, just along from C&A, yes the store which disappeared in Britain many years ago is still operational in Palma de Mallorca! You will also find stores such as Cartier, Boss, Zara & H&M. See our comprehensive shopping guide to Mallorca

Why not wander into the many ancient sidestreets which stretch from the Plaza de Espana, the train station, down to Avenida Jaime (Jaume) III. Within these quaint little streets are many bars, cafes, designer boutiques, a little something for everyone. If you are hungry, we recommend lunch at one of the many menu-del-dia cafes or restaurants where you can have a two or three course lunch with wine, water/lemonade for a very small price (10-15 euros) or enjoy dinner, we guarantee you will be spoiled for choices of where to eat.

Car Hire is easily available at the airport or from the resorts.

If are staying for more than one day in Palma Majorca we recommend a visit to Portixol. You can reach this by foot along the coastal promenade from Palma or take a short taxi trip. This is a little haven, found on the west side as you are approaching Palma city from the airport by car. This original fishing port (El Molinar) has great charm and character of its own, restaurants and bars and a strip with stylish restaurants serving various cuisine from Japanese to Italian food.

If you are unlucky enough to visit Palma in bad weather, visit Porto Pi, a beautiful indoor shopping-mall full of shops, cafes and bars (but mostly shops!!).. Also Carrefour is on the lower ground level. This is a huge hypermarket which sells almost everything you could think of at very reasonable prices.

Try the bar Maritimo on the Paseo Maritimo (frontline), near La Lonja for a coffee or traditional tapas, they also have menu del dia.

Palma is a wonderful city with natural beauty and charm and amazing architecture. A delight to visit and return to time after time.

Sightseeing Bus

Palma City Sightseeing Bus – is an inexpensive 16 stop bus jump on and off. Start point Plaza Reina, ends Avenida Jaume III. Current cost June 2011 Adult 15.00 child/oap/student 7.50. The buses run every 20 mins, in Summer start from 0930 until 2200 reducing to 2000 in Winter. Commentary in numerous languages.

Historic Centre of Palma

Cathedral – La Seu (Palma’s crowning glory!)

The entry price is 4 euros, children & residents are free

Opening Times

June – September Monday-Friday 1000-1800 Saturday 1000-1400

November – March Monday-Friday 1000-1500 Saturday 1000-1400

April, May & October Monday-Friday 1000-1700 Saturday 1000-1400

Closed Sundays

Palma’s most distinctive landmark with amazing architiecture (Gothic).

Interior hall was designed by Gaudi

Palace de L’Almundaina

to the west of La Seu (looking at Cathedral from sea)

Calle Palau Reial

Residence of the Royals of Mallorca

The price is 3.20 euros

Opening Times 1000-1400 1600-2000 (Winter 1000-1315)

Free to all european citizens on Wednesdays

La Lonja

This building in the historic centre to the west of La Seu (looking at the Cathedral from the sea), and can be seen from the Paseo Maritimi. At present this is used for art exhibits, a beautiful masterpiece of gothic architecture.

Normally only open for exhibitions.

Iglesia de Santa Eulalia/San Francisco

Two churches located close to each other just to the east of La Seu (looking at the Cathedral from the sea), Santa Eulalia mallorca’s oldest church and San Francisco, a truly beautiful church, well worth a visit. The Plaza de Cort, a beautiful 17th century building is beside the churches (town hall).

Opening Times (Summer) 0800-1230 & 1730-2030

Arab Baths

These date back to Muslim domination in Mallorca

Calle de Can Serra

(east – looking at the Cathedral from the sea)

The price is 2 euros

Opening Times 0900-1900 (1800 in winter)

Castel De Bellver (Bellver Castle)

Calle Camilo Jose Cela (City suburb El Terreno)

the price is 2.50 euros, 1.00 euros children under 16

Considered to be one of the three jewels of Palma architecture along with La Seu & La Llonja.

This castle is located in the outer edge of Palma’s historic area. You can walk but it is very long, approx 1km, you could take a taxi or a No.3 Bus from Placa Rei Joan Carles.

Paseo de Borne (One of Palma’s ancient streets)

This is one of the busiest ancient streets in Palma, a tree lined promenade with stone Sphinxes at either end.(near to Plaza de Reina)

You can enjoy wandering through some of the many ancient streets of Palma from here stretching to the Plaza de Espana (train station)

You will find a huge variety of bars & restaurants in this area, you will be spoiled for choice!

Excursions around Palma by boat

You can arrange many day trips from Palma by boat, here are a few:

You can take a short boat trip (1hr) in the Bay of Palma de Mallorca, see more than 4,000 yachts. Buy tickets from the ticket office at the port (harbour). The price is 10.00 euros adults/children and this operatoes hourly March – October (Monday-Saturday).

You can also sail in a Catamaran from Palma to San Jordi 1000-1530 May – October (most days of the week) price 48 euros (children over 3 half price), lunch included 00 34 971 456 182



Source by Denise Monaghan