Visit beautiful Palma
This hotspot offers beaches, culture and much more besides!
1 Sunshine!
If you need to top up your Vitamin D, this is the place to do it. The Mallorcan capital boasts 11 hours of sunshine on an average July day and generally gets up to 25°C in September (the warmest month). Even in the coldest month – March – it still tends to be a balmy 15°C.
2 Amazing art
Culture vultures have plenty of reasons to pop to Palma. For one, the Es Baluard Contemporary Art Museum has some real gems, including Picasso and Miro, and is based in a former 16th Century fortress. There are various seasonal exhibitions and a rather charming restaurant terrace.
Es Baluard tickets €6 adults, €2 if you arrive by bike, under 12s free. Call 971 908 200, visit www.esbaluard.org/en/
3 Stunning scenery
While Palma itself is lovely – especially the harbour and old town – one of Mallorca’s prettiest spots is up the coast. Sa Foradada (five minutes’ drive from Deià) is a perfect place to pull over and watch the sunset. Clouds permitting, you’re guaranteed a spectacular show, as vibrant pinks and oranges spill across the sky and are reflected in the sea.
4 Nearby Deià
The artists’ town of Deià is a great place to spend a day or two. A 40-minute drive (albeit a windy one) from Palma, it’s full of small cafés, lemon trees and gorgeous mountain backdrops. For a real treat, book a half-day pottery class with Maria De Haan – you’ll get to use a potter’s wheel while looking out over incredible views. Afterwards, pop into the Deià Archaeological Museum, filled with locally discovered gems.
5 The Cathedral
The gorgeously gothic Catedral de Mallorca can be found looming over the clifftops, which makes for amazing reflections in the sea on a calm day. It was, like most cathedrals, built in stages. Started in the 13th Century and completed in the 17th, famous architect Gaudi redesigned some of the interior in the early 20th Century. Arrive at 11am for a treat – the organ gets an airing! If you decide to climb the 215 steps of the bell tower, don’t miss the 17th Century graffiti en route.
Entrance €6 adults, €4 children. Call 902 022 446, visit www.catedraldemallorca.org
6 Cool castle
For perfect photos, climb the Castell de Bellver (the clue’s in the name – Bellver means ‘lovely view’) for a 360° panorama over the foothills and forests surrounding Palma. It’s a round fortress that’s been standing for around 700 years and now houses the city’s museum of municipal history.
Adults €4, children €2. Call 971 735 065, visit http:// castelldebellver.palma.cat
7 Great food
Typically, Mallorcan fare involves tapas, paella and pa ambo li (a delicious tomatoey oiled bread) and you won’t go far wrong seeking out seafood or fresh veggies. You’ll also find some of the juiciest, biggest oranges and strawberries you’ve ever seen! For one of the city’s best paellas, head to Restaurante Bugambilia in Cala Major. This open-air seaside bar is really laid back – eat in your swimwear if you want (!) and affordable too, with a set menu for around €15.
Open from the start of April until winter (call ahead to confirm closing date). Call 971 402 741 or look up Bugambilia on Facebook
8 Beautiful beaches
Wander past the cathedral for another 15 minutes and you’ll reach the city’s palmlined beach, but if you’re looking for a quieter spot try the coast at Portixol (just under two miles east). This little fishing village is great for taking a dip, thanks to its calm waters, and has various cafés and bars to enjoy.
9 Great day tips
There are all sorts of excursions you can take, but one of the most intriguing has to be the Cuevas del Drach (Dragon Caves). These stunning caves are packed with stalactites and stalagmites and you’re sure to get some other-worldly photos. You’ll also visit a pearl factory and watch a classical music concert as part of the half-day outing.
Tickets €38 adults, €19 children. Call 971 897 067, visit www.click-mallorca.com/
10 Rich history
The city has had an interesting past, as you will see when you wander the various quarters. The Arab and Jewish quarters are fascinating, thanks to their elegant medieval mansions. It’s also worth visiting the Arab Baths (Banys Arabs) which date back to the 10th Century and are the only remaining Moorish building in the city. Here you can see two small rooms and get a sense of time gone by, before exploring their lovely garden setting.
Adults €2.50, children free. Call 972 190 969, visit www.banysarabs.org/es
We’ve included local phone numbers to use once in Mallorca, but if you want to call from the UK, just add 0034 to the start of each number. Obviously international rates will be higher.
The local currency in Mallorca is the Euro. At the time of going to press, €1 was worth 84p.