Palma de Mallorca, places to visit?

A stay on the island of tranquillity

The main Balearic island is a real oasis of peace, kissed by the Mediterranean sun. Mallorca is an island of tranquillity and light, an oasis of peace and relaxation with great beauty. Cheerful and radiant in any period of the year, in winter the island is covered in the blossoms of the almond tree.

Mallorca is the main island of the Balearics; it has 550 km of coast, with enchanting bays and beaches, and mountains kissed by the Mediterranean sun. Half of the 600,000 inhabitants of the island live in the capital Palma de Mallorca. Founded by the Romans, this city conserves important remains that also recall the centuries of Muslim presence.

The Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca

The symbol of the city is the magnificent Cathedral (La Seu) in Gothic style dating back to the fourteenth century, with a grandiose rose window by the architect Gaudì and a central nave that is one of the most imposing and highest in the world. Its façades are true architectural gems: the Gothic Mirador façade faces the sea; el Portal Major to the west is in Renaissance style and el Portal de l’Almoina is the entrance to the cathedral.

The image of the cathedral, with is majestic bell tower, is reflected in the waters of the lake in Parc de la Mar, and from here La Almudaina (the citadel) can be reached. A marvellous example of Gothic architecture, this building was inhabited in the first place by the Moors and was the residence of the Spanish royal family in Mallorca.

The squares in Palma de Mallorca

In Plaza de Cort is the Ayuntamiento, the Baroque town hall, and nearby is the Church of Santa Eulalia, the oldest in Palma, also in Gothic style. Plaza de Espana is the centre of the modern city.

Calle de San Miguel, a busy pedestrian area, leads to Paseo del Borne, a splendid historical street, lined with trees and a place for meeting and relaxation. La Rambla, with its flower sellers, is another popular and colourful walk. It leads to the Botanic Garden with its ficus nitida, the largest tree in Palma.

The Paseo Maritimo in Palma de Mallorca

The seafront walk (Paseo Maritimo), with its graceful, green palms, hugs the enchanting bay for 3 km. From above, in the heart of large wood, Bellver Castle, an unique example of Gothic military architecture, dominates the city and offers a wonderful panoramic view. Inside you can visit the Palma's History Museum, inaugurated in 1932.

The beaches of Palma de Mallorca

The approximately 300 beaches of the island of Mallorca have a unique charm. To the north of the island the beaches are mostly sandy and rocky, with slightly colder crystalline water, while to the east there are white sand beaches with turquoise waters that can be reached on foot by crossing forests or walking along the rocks. Calas de Mallorca is an area with numerous small bays from where, on a clear day, you can see Menorca.

The Playa de Palma beach, also known as El Arenal ("the sands"), has a seafront promenade with a special bike lane and numerous tourist attractions including shops, restaurants and discos. The beach has fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.

The cuisine of Mallorca

In the island of Mallorca the pork is the king of typical dishes to taste, like: the botifarrons and the sobrassada (pork with a lot of paprika). Try also the Arròs Brut (meat, rice and vegetables) and the Frit Mallorquí or Freixura. Among the typical soups not to be missed: Sopes mallorquines, prepared with chard, cabbage, tomatoes, peppers and homemade bread. To finish the meal there are desserts such as greixonera de brossat (a fresh cheese cake) and l'ensaïmada (prepared with saim, pork fat).

Arròs Brut

Sobrassada

Ensaimada

Text by Federica Fusco

Aggiornamento a cura di Alisè Vitri

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Where to sleep in Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca is a welcoming city and offers different possibilities for accommodation.

To find the ideal hotel and the best offers you can do a search for the stars but also for districts or landmarks.

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DISTRICTS

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LANDMARKS

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LANDMARKS

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AIRPORT

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Palma Airport (PMI)

WHERE TO GO in palma de mallorca

Monuments in Palma de Mallorca

PALMA DE MALLORCA CATHEDRAL

The cathedral, built over the city walls of Palma de Mallorca's old town, was erected during the reign of Jaime II, and it comprises three naves. The main nave is home to the Trinidad chapel, where the remains of Kings Jaime II and Jaime III are laid to rest. The reforms carried out by the architect Antonio Gaudí in the early 20^th century are reason of attractions. The Cathedral of Palma also has a tower with nine bells. It is particularly worth noting the size of the bell known as "N'Eloi", which measures two metres in diameter and weighs 4,517 kilos.

BELLVER CASTLE

Bellver Castle is located on the crest of a hill, around 3 kilometres from the historic centre of Palma and is in Gothic style. Its circular structure is unusual, and it has three towers and a keep divided into four sections. Inside the castle there is a circular bailey with two storeys and a courtyard built over a cistern. There is a chapel on the second floor. Over the course of its history has had various different uses: King Jaime II ordered its construction as a royal residence instead in the 19^th century it was converted into a mint.

PALMA MARKET

Built in 1426 by Guillem Sagrera, the Palma Market - located in the city's historic quarter - is one of the most beautiful civil buildings on the whole of the island Palma de Mallorca. The base of the building is rectangular and its interior is made up of a single roof with an ogives dome supported by helicoidal columns. It is separated by a Garden of the Consulado del Mar, a beautiful Renaissance building, now headquarters of the Regional Government.

ALMUDAINA ROYAL PALACE

The Almudaina Palace, wich name means a citadel outside the city walls, was the seat of the independent kingdom of Mallorca during the reigns of Jaime I, Sancho I and Jaime II. The castle visible today is the result of modifications to the Muslim fortress constructed from 1281. The building comprises a rectangular tower, home to the King's Palace, Queen's Palace, a hall known as Tinell, the Royal Chapel and courtyards. Inside, special mention should be made of a range of tapestries and furniture from different periods of history.

Museums in Palma de Mallorca

ES BALUARD: MUSEUM OF MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART

The Es Baluard Museum contains a varied and select collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures by artists representing the most significant international trends since the late 19^th century to the present. Visitors can see works by such artists as Cézanne, Gauguin, Picasso, Miró, Magritte, Polke, Barcelóand Schnabel. In the museum there is also a noteworthy collection of Mediterranean landscapes and works by artists with links to the Balearic Islands, such as Santiago Rusiñol, Anglada-Camarasa and Gelabert. In addition to the permanent collection, the museum also offers a programme of temporary exhibitions.

Palma de Mallorca. Pilar and Joan Mirò Foundation.

PILAR AND JOAN MIRO' FOUNDATION

A little-known side of Miró. The building which houses the Foundation was designed by the Spanish architect Rafael Moneo. From 1956 until his death in 1983, Joan Miró lived on the island of Mallorca, where he produced a prolific amount of art. The museum’s collection consists mainly of the numerous works donated by the artist from the four workshops he had in Mallorca, and comprises primarily paintings, drawings and graphic works. At the Foundation, there is also an important collection of documents and in the gardens is possible to see some of Miró’s sculptures.

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Excursions in Palma de Mallorca

PALMA CATHEDRAL

Fast Entry Ticket for Palma Cathedral & Diocese Museum. The sandstone cathedral is a work of ecclesiastical art. The main nave houses the Trinidad Chapel where the remains of the kings Jaime II and Jaime III can be found. Admire the columns of the main door, the sculptures by Guillermo Sagrera on the Portal del Mirador, the additions made by the architect Antoni Gaudí and the works by Miquel Barceló in the Santísimo Chapel. The Diocese Museum exhibits paintings, pulpits, prayer books and Arab tapestries. Ticket for 1 day. More info: Palma Cathedral Tour.

OLD TOWN TOUR

Discover the historic areas of Palma and the best tapas bars with a local insider. A night time city tour of the old town of Palma to discover the Palma Cathedral, La Llotja Exchange, Consolat del Mar, Almudaina Palace, Es Baluard Museum, Plaça Major and Plaza del Mercat, the Gerber District, the Parc de la Mar, the Es Baluard Fortress and the Balearic Catapult. At the end of the approximately 1 hour and 45 minute tour, take a seat in a typical tapas bar to taste pintxos and tapas. Duration 2 hours. More info: Old Town Tour.

CABRERA ARCHIPELAGO NATIONAL PARK

South of the island of Majorca, in the Balearic Islands just over an hour by boat from Mallorca, you will find an unspoilt island ecosystem, a place of 10.021 hectares with great natural beauty. The marine ecosystem stands out in this cluster of calcareous islands and islets and it is one of the best conserved sea beds on our coast. There are also many endemic plants and important bird colonies. For these reasons it was declared a Land and Sea-based National Park in 1991.

CAVES OF HAMS

Situated in Porto Cristo, the caves are renowned for their singular fish-hook shaped formations. There are three main caves, the round cave is a vast open area which includes a botanical garden and is full of different species of free-flying birds that are native to the island of Mallorca. In blue cave, with its blue lighting LED, you can enjoy the educational documentary, “Discovering the past” and than be amazed by the Magical Mozart show in the underground lake called The Sea of Venice. Duration 1.5 hours. More info of tour: Caves of Hams.

BUS TOUR OF PALMA

Explore Palma de Mallorca with a 24 hour hop-on and hop-off bus ticket. Jump off at any of the 18 stops to explore the city’s attractions, such the Catedral El Seu, the Almudaina Palace, the Castell de Bellver, Plaza Espana, the beaches and gardens of Palma. Buses run every 20-25 minutes, from 9:30 a.m. in summer, spring and autumn, and from 10:00 a.m. in winter. Is possible to add a 60 minute Boat Tour or the Bellver Castle to your bus ticket. Tour duration: 80 minutes. Tiket duration 24 hours. More info: Bus Tour of Palma.

CAVES OF DRACH

Guided tour from the south of Mallorca to the Caves of Drach, in the town of Manacor. Formed millions of years ago by the water pressure of the Mediterranean sea, comprise four caves full of stalagmites and stalactites. The most interesting attraction is their underwater Lake Martel. While inside the caves, admire a light show synchronised with the melodies of a small orchestra. Finish your visit with a stop at an exhibition on Manacor's pearl farming industry. Transport via coach. Duration 4 hours. More info of tour: Caves of Drach.

ISLA DRAGONERA CRUISE

Excursion on a catamaran to explore the Dragonera Island, a nature reserve. The buffet on board includes paella, green salad, pasta salad, water and sangria. The catamaran has submarine vision - peer out its underwater windows to see the marine life of the island. Sailing along the coast of Mallorca, you'll pass by Cala Fornells, Camp de Mar, Cala Llamp, Puerto de Andratx and San Telmo. Once on Island, you'll get the chance to explore it for a full hour - swim in its cave, visit the museum, see its flora and fauna. Duration 5 hours. More Info of tour: Isla Dragonera Cruise.

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