Recently I went to Mallorca (or ‘Majorca’ in English) for a wedding and after all the beautiful celebrations I took the opportunity to see what the island has to offer. Mallorca is the largest island in the Balearic Islands which belong to Spain. Neighbouring islands including Menorca, Formentera and perhaps most famously, Ibiza.
For years people have been flocking to Mallorca to enjoy the sun, sand and sea. But since I’m not really a beach gal, Mallorca had never been on my list to visit. Nevertheless, I was pleasantly surprised by what else it has to offer.
To fulfil my quest for adventure I first went to the beautiful town of Sóller nestled in the North to use as a base for hiking, and then I headed down to Palma, the island’s charming capital, for my culture fix. What I found in Palma was a city brimming with glorious architecture, stunning museums and cuisine that never failed to satisfy my senses.
Here are a few reasons why Palma exceeded my expectations, and what there is for you to discover if you’re planning a visit.
Marvel at the cathedral of Palma de Mallorca
Easily one of the most impressive cathedrals in the world. No trip to Palma would be complete without a visit to this spectacular sandstone cathedral, La Seu, that symbolises much of what Palma is about: decorative, inspiring and full of beauty.
It took a whooping 600 years to build, and with its colossal size and painstaking Gothic details, it’s easy to see why it took so long to complete. It boasts one the world’s largest rose windows, and some of the 20th-century renovations were undertaken by the famous modernist architect Antoni Gaudí, making it truly a vision not to be missed.
The interior of Palma Cathedral is just as rousing as the eye-catching exterior, dripping with Gaudí-designed details, gold motifs and sacred art. Outside, you can stroll through the Parc de la Mar and enjoy views of the Bay of Palma.
Entrance fee (approx €10).
Explore the Royal Palace of Almudaina
Directly sitting next to the Cathedral is the Royal Palace of Almudaina. This landmark building dates back to the early 14th century and is still the local residence of the Spanish monarch today.
The palace is one of the best places to unravel the city’s fascinating history. The word ‘Almudaina’ comes from the Arabic for ‘fortress’. However, long before the Moors arrived in the 10th century, the site had already been used by Romans, and even further back, by the Talaiots. When the Christians took possession of the island in the 13th century, the Moorish features were largely demolished. Under King Jaume II, the palace adopted the Levantine Gothic style that you see today.
Enter the studio of artist Joan Miro
There’s a certain quality that reverberates through the grounds of Joan Miró’s former studio that’s hard to express in words but can be felt. Not only is it interesting for the myriad art, but the architecture which houses Miró’s work is utterly and truly divine too.
The artist moved to Mallorca permanently in the 1950s and achieved his lifelong dream of having his own studio, which was designed for him by architect Josep Lluís Sert, and where he worked right up until his death in 1983. There is also a gallery, sculpture garden and library and video hall, and its peaceful location in the hills on the outskirts of Palma allows for magnificent views over the city and the sea.
Address: C/ de Saridakis, 29, 07015 Palma
Website: www.miromallorca.com
Tickets: Book your tickets in advance here.
Absorb the architecture of the Old Town
Wandering down the narrow cobbled streets of Palma de Mallorca’s Old Town (Casco Antiguo) is the best way to discover the city’s glorious architecture. You’ll find elegant archways, grand historic palacios, medieval churches and charming squares. This area was once surrounded by fortified city walls, one of which remains along the waterfront, and today offers an array of great shops and restaurants, art galleries, fun bars and charming cafes. For architecture lovers, you’ll spot a few buildings by Gaudí and many facades ranging in the style of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance period. Every corner is photogenic, so ensure to have your camera ready.
Visit the historic Arab Baths
One of the most unique things to do in Palma de Mallorca is a visit to the Arab Baths (Banys Arabs). These historic baths date back a thousand years and offer a glimpse into Mallorca’s Arab past.
Built between the 10th and 12th centuries, the Arab Baths feature a peaceful garden and a caldarium and tepidarium with crumbling columns believed to have been recycled from Ancient Roman buildings.
Entrance fee: Approx €3 (payable only in cash).
Indulge at the restaurants
You’ll find no shortage of traditional tapas bars in Palma including a scrumptious array of options in the Old Town . I suggest strolling through atmospheric alleyways during the evening and stopping at wherever takes your fancy.
To get you started in the right direction, here are a few of the best tapas restaurants in Palma:
- Bar España
- Tast Union
- El Camino
If there’s one place you shouldn’t miss it would be Bar España, I went twice it was so delicious, and it’s also located near Can Forteza Rey, a gorgeous art nouveau building that looks just like a jewel (fittingly since it was designed for the Spanish jeweller and architect Lluís Forteza-Rey). Anyway, I digress, let’s get back to food talk. While out exploring Palma’s best tapas bars be sure to sample classic Spanish dishes like jamon iberico, patatas bravas, croquetas, and chirozo al vino.
If you want to try a local specialty, ensaimadas are sweet pastries dusted with powdered sugar and a firm favourite amongst those with a sweet tooth.
Discover the history of Bellver Castle
One of only a handful of circular castles in Europe, this 14th-century fortress sits on a pine-forested hill overlooking the city below. Its past has been one of many changes: originally a royal residence, then a refuge from the plague and then a prison. Bellver Castle is now open to tourists, with a comprehensive museum dedicated to Mallorca’s history. Classical concerts and other events take place in the central courtyard throughout the summer so it’s worth checking its website before heading there. For those who like to hike, begin in the pine forest below and enjoy a pleasant winding walk to get there – you can always reward yourself at the top with a refreshing drink and a slice of tortilla while admiring the panoramic views,
Relax on the beach
Given Mallorca is a Mediterranean island, you’re never too far away from the beach, including in Palma. From Illetas Beach to Ca’n Pere Antoni, Cala Mejor, and Portals Nous, there are a lot of options for sand and sea in the area around the city.
If you’re looking for somewhere a bit more remote, I suggest heading to Calo Des Moro, it takes approximately an hour to get there from Palma by car, but you’ll find a stunning cove tucked away with a white sandy beach and picturesque rock formations surrounded by turquoise sea.
Enjoy a day trip to Sóller
Sóller is located about 30 minutes north of Palma in the Tramuntana Mountains and is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Mallorca. The best part is that you can get there via a historic wooden train that departs from Plaza Espana right in Old Town. You can also take the wooden train a bit further to Port Sóller, an old fishing village along the coast. I wanted to make a real adventure of it, so I packed my hiking boots and ended up taking the route by foot which took approximately 6 hours there and back. The coastal views at Port Sóller are certainly worth it!
Where to stay in Palma de Mallorca
There are lots of options for accommodation in Palma and a wide variety to suit tastes, needs and budgets. Since I was in Mallorca for a wedding, myself and some of the guests stayed at Hotel Can Cirera which is bit fancier than most of us might usually stay for a regular short-trip break. However, this place is simply beautiful. It combines rustic Spanish charm with modern touches and staying in the Old Town with its beautiful architecture and romanic atmosphere made our visit feel especially special in addition to the wedding itself.
Are you Planning your own trip to Palma de Mallorca?
Hopefully this list of things to do in Palma has provided you with plenty of inspiration to visit. To simplify your planning and to ensure you get to visit all the major attractions and more, book your tickets in advance. To see the full list of bookable attractions, click here.
