Want somewhere you can go from sand to sightseeing in minutes? Introducing, Palma! This sun-kissed city on the island of Majorca is set to wow with its charming Old Town, amazing architecture and Blue Flag beach. Wondering what to add to your must-do list? Read on...
What to do
Have a beach day
Beach break or city break? In Palma, you can have both! Can Pere Antoni Beach is your best bet if you don’t want to venture far from the centre, boasting Blue Flag status and a handful of beach bars and restaurants. If time is on your side, take a trip to sun-kissed Cala Mayor, which is just around the bay.
Take the vintage tram to Soller
Fancy a trip back in time? All aboard the vintage tram to Soller! Dating back to the early 1900s, these trams are a truly unique way to travel through the Majorcan coast and countryside. Once in Soller, there’s plenty to explore, like a beautiful church, buzzy squares and an art museum.
Go to the Museo de Mallorca
The Museo de Mallorca is a great starting point if you’re interested in learning all about the island’s history. Look out for relics and remains from the Roman era, along with Christian art and Moorish ceramics.
Visit the Fundaicio La Caixa
Art fans should spare an afternoon to visit the Fundaicio La Caixa, a modernist building that’s renowned for hosting both permanent and temporary exhibitions. The building itself is pretty impressive too!
Wander around Parc de la Mar
Parc de la Mar is a lush green spot nestled at the foot of La Seu Cathedral’s medieval walls. A serene saltwater lake takes centre stage, glittering under the Majorcan sun and reflecting the image of the cathedral that towers above – it's the prime place to snap some Insta-worthy photos!
What to see
The Arab Baths
Palma’s Arab Baths date all the way back to the eleventh century when noblemen once occupied many grand buildings on the island at the time of Moorish rule. It’s believed the building was once intended for hot baths due to the double floor allowing hot water and steam to circulate throughout the room.
Plaza Sant Francesc
One of Palma’s many plazas, Sant Francesc is home to an impressive monasterial building of the same name. With striking sandstone walls and Gothic cloisters, this beautiful building is well worth a visit.
La Seu Cathedral
Thanks to its soaring spires and Gothic façade, it’s not hard to see why La Seu Cathedral is Palma’s most iconic landmark. The 61 stained-glass windows are a real highlight, filling the cathedral with hundreds of beams of coloured light. If you don’t want to fork out to go inside, marvelling from afar is spectacular enough and its sheer scale is bound to take your breath away.
Where to eat
Mercado de Santa Catalina
This colourful market is the real heart of the Santa Catalina neighbourhood, with family-run stalls and piles of fresh produce. You’ll see lots of locals shopping here, as well as chefs stocking up on all their ingredients. Why not pick up some bits for a picnic on the beach?
Mercat 1930
When it comes to different cuisines, you name it, Mercat 1930’s got it. From Pad Thai and sushi to pizza and tapas, all taste buds will be catered for in this gastronomic paradise. There are also two different drinks stalls if you fancy a tipple or two after you’ve munched your way around the market hall.
Bar Espanya
For reasonably priced dishes and bargain glasses of vino, it’s got to be Bar Espanya. Expect to find all the classics like patatas bravas and garlicky prawns, along with a few other Asian-style bits like spring rolls and chilli dipping sauce.
Where to shop
The night market
If you’d rather shop when the temperatures have dropped, make your way to La Lotja Night Market on Passeig de Sagrera near the harbourfront. Along the lantern-lit walkway, you’ll find stall after stall of handicraft bits and bobs and unusual pieces of art.
This designer shopping spot lays on a taste of luxury, with everything from Louis Vuitton to Hugo Boss. Restaurants and cafés are ideally placed along the palm-lined pathway, ready to welcome shoppers spending their pennies.
Posted: 13th Oct 2023.