The grandeur of a Gothic Cathedral towering above the town, a labyrinth of brightly colored partitions enclosing tiny streets, shaded squares sound-tracked by birdsong and free-flowing fountains, and a plethora of scrumptious eating places and nightlife. Welcome to Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the Balearics.

The primary time I visited the island, I hadn’t consulted a information to Palma metropolis, and my solely plan was to keep away from Magaluf and discover a few of the different reasons to visit Mallorca island. Sadly, whereas doing so, I ended up unintentionally avoiding Palma altogether. Having lately returned to spend every week within the metropolis itself, I’ve managed to right my mistake and uncover most of the finest issues to do in Palma.

Actually, I’d go so far as saying that Palma is a perfect metropolis break, which is kind of stunning for an island vacation spot – but, it ticks all of the containers; gastronomy, historical past, tradition, and greater than sufficient locations to eat and drink in type.

Right here’s a fast metropolis information to Palma de Mallorca and what to anticipate from an extended weekend in probably the most underrated cities in Europe.

When to go to and the way lengthy to spend in Palma de Mallorca?

Relying on the way you want to spend your time on the island of Mallorca, you could possibly make Palma a two-day go to or a two-week vacation.

Due to the common flight schedules, even within the winter months, coming for a weekend or an extended weekend will provide you with an opportunity to discover the highest issues to do in Palma and get a flavour of the island’s capital metropolis. If you happen to decide to make use of Palma as a base for longer, then it’s a great base (particularly with a automobile) to take day journeys out to different components of the island – whether or not the story-book type inland villages or the breathtaking cove seashores of crystal clear waters. 

Deciding when to go to can be comparatively simple, because the climate is fairly form all 12 months spherical. Sadly, I skilled the rainiest week the island had seen in twenty years, but we nonetheless had a good time. After all, if you’re seeking to go to the island extra for sunbathing and seashores, most guides to Palma de Mallorca will recommend that summer season is the perfect time to go to. Nevertheless, with larger costs and extra crowds, you could wish to assume once more.

The shoulder seasons in Spring and Autumn are all the time the perfect, for my part, for visiting Europe’s in style coastal locations, and the identical applies to this metropolis information to Palma de Mallorca. Given the town doesn’t shut down outdoors of summer season, it’s additionally one of many best winter destinations in Europe, albeit not as scorching because the Canary Islands.

The place to remain in Palma de Mallorca? 

Palma is a a lot greater metropolis than most individuals realised earlier than arriving, which suggests there may be an array of lodging choices for all budgets and group sizes.

For a lot of, an island getaway means reserving a white-washed luxurious villa, particularly if you’re travelling with a giant group of mates or relations. Mallorca definitely has loads of pleasant choices to select from, though many are extra concentrated across the smaller coastal resorts.

There are, nonetheless, some good villa choices very near Mallorca hosted by Vida Villas, definitely shut sufficient to take a bus or taxi out and in of the town, or you could possibly decide to remain nearer to a seaside resort and drive into Palma for day-trips. 

On my latest go to, as I used to be travelling solo, I discovered the lodging choices to be fairly reasonably priced in late November. I secured personal rooms at each the New Artwork Hostel and Hostal Pinnar for beneath €30 an evening and would fortunately suggest each. For sea views and a bit extra luxurious, the bigger resorts like Melia or charming El Llorenç Parc de la Mar is likely to be higher decisions for a romantic metropolis break.

The way to get to Palma de Mallorca? 

Palma de Mallorca is the primary gateway to the Balearic Islands, and I used to be fairly shocked at simply how massive the airport is – this island is definitely no Spanish hidden gem. It’s nicely served by funds and flag-carrying airways from Europe and can quickly begin internet hosting direct flights from the USA. It’s a brief drive from the town centre (count on to pay round €20 for a taxi) and is related by the airport bus. 

An alternate, particularly if you’re coming from one other island like Menorca or Ibiza, Barcelona or Valencia, is to do like me and take the ferry.

The island hopping routes are shorter, however to and from the mainland, you possibly can select from varied operators, some with day and a few with night time sailings. I paid €19 for an in a single day crusing with GNV from Valencia and ended up napping on a sofa with my sleeping bag. Waking as much as the views of Palma Cathedral via the window at blue hour was significantly good. 

Issues to do in Palma de Mallorca

One of many largest joys for me about Spanish cities is simply slowly taking within the vibrant and historic buildings, the tile work, the plazas, and stopping right here and there for a vinho or tapa. There are, nonetheless, some spectacular points of interest in Palma, and it’s nicely price including one or two of those finest issues to do in Palma de Mallorca into your schedule.

Palma Cathedral – the highest factor to do in Palma de Mallorca

If there may be one attraction that stands above the remaining, each actually and figuratively, it’s Palma Cathedral. This Gothic Roman architectural feat appears to be like good from all angles, whether or not admiring it from the skin throughout the nonetheless waters or seeing the stain-glass home windows bouncing mild across the imposing pillars inside. 

Royal Palace of La Almudaina

Simply subsequent door to the Cathedral is the Royal Palace, additionally nicely price visiting inside for the elaborately adorned carpeted rooms and idyllic setting within the courtyard. Relationship again to the 14th century, there may be loads of historical past to find inside the Palace’s partitions. 

Castell de Bellver

A brief stroll from the town centre and promising improbable views throughout Palma and the Marina, the uniquely formed Bellver Fort is a discount to enter for just some euros. The rounded inside is fairly spectacular, and the views from the rooftop are particularly particular at sundown. 

Es Baluard Modern Artwork Museum

With primarily trendy artwork collections from artists of the Balearic islands and worldwide artists, this contemporary museum is good for a wet day go to.

Fundació Miró Mallorca

Housing an intensive assortment of work by the artist Joan Miró, who, whereas born in Barcelona, made his house later in Palma, the huge show consists of sculptures, gardens and a few of his most well-known works. 

Head to the Seashore

It wouldn’t be an island metropolis break with no little bit of seaside time, and the Platja de Can Pere Antoni is correct on the town’s doorstep. Whereas there are definitely way more tranquil bays additional alongside the coast, you don’t have to go far to have your match within the sand and a dip within the Med. 

Information to Palma’s finest locations to eat

After exploring all the perfect issues to do in Palma, it’s time for Palma’s spectacular meals scene. From two Michelin Star restaurants right down to tiny tapas homes, you’re very a lot spoilt for selection. I did appear to seek out myself consuming greater than consuming throughout my final go to, however that is my information to Palma de Mallorca’s foodie spots that I actually would suggest. 

Mercat 1930

A improbable idea for some meals and drinks, Mercat 1930 is actually a giant classic bar space with tiled flooring and an occasional DJ, the place meals stalls encompass the tables within the center with conventional Spanish and worldwide delicacies. Discover a seat, seize a drink from the bar, after which hit up the stands for as many small or massive plates as you possibly can handle. The proprietor and employees will exit of their approach to make sure you have night time that goes far past simply grabbing a chunk to eat on this very social ambiance. 

De Tokio a Lima

By far, the perfect meal I ate throughout my time in Palma was at De Tokio a Lima. With soothing music, dipped lighting, and spectacular artwork, this swanky joint serves up a fusion menu of Peruvian and Japanese dishes with a Mediterranean twist. 

The ceviche was completely acidic and spicy, the Tuna Tartar delightfully dressed with Guava, and the meat was completely tender. Couple this with nice cocktails, wine pairings {and professional} however not overbearing service, and also you’ve acquired a improbable lunch or dinner choice as a deal with. 

Tapalma Tapas Occasion

If you end up in Palma throughout late November, then you should definitely seize your self some coupons for the Tapalma pageant. These little cash could be exchanged for small plates at loads of eating places across the metropolis, every highlighting their signature tapas dishes. One in all my favorite little spots we ended up going to as a part of Tapalma was La Trastienda Mallorca off the primary boulevard; nice meals, service and a very good shady location beneath a tree.

Information to Palma’s finest locations to drink and social gathering

Whereas lots of the ‘social gathering’ consideration in Mallorca, particularly within the UK, is targeted round Magaluf, you’ll be happy to listen to the nightlife within the capital metropolis is way more pleasant and, dare I say it, subtle. There are terrace cafes and bars on squares and boulevards, late-night cocktail venues with moody lighting, and loads of fashionable and hip spots to sip a craft brew.

Right here is my information to Palma de Mallorca’s finest spots to drink, together with my favorite locations I discovered myself boozing throughout my final go to. 

Rooftop views: SKYBAR at Resort Almudaina

You’ll be able to by no means go flawed with a rooftop bar, and the providing of Resort Almudaina is a good place to get pleasure from a cocktail or glass of native wine whereas admiring the Cathedral and the Mediterranean Sea past.

Good Vibes: BigFoot

This small and laid-back bar not removed from the Cathedral serves up nice beers and a imply margarita in a relaxed but enjoyable ambiance till the early hours. 

Classic & Tapas: Moltabarra Bar de Tapas

Maybe my favorite consuming spot in Palma, Moltabarra, is a stylish and classic joint within the metropolis centre. With a cassette rack to select from as an alternative of a duke-box, previous magazines, data and typewriters adorning the cabinets, and a scrumptious set of Pintxos adorning the bar, it’s a terrific place for each early and late drinks. 

Silent Disco: La Casa de Cookie

Set on a quaint sq. close to the centre, at first look, this bar appears to be like like a small and slender spot with a heavy crowd upstairs. However, underground, you’ll discover headphones ready so that you can get pleasure from an evening of silent revelry – decide from mainstream pop, techno or indie on the headphones controller and benefit from the night time!

Late night time: Avenida de Gabriel Roca

Sadly, resulting from COVID, I didn’t make it to any nightclubs in Palma. Nevertheless, most of the late-night bars we did find yourself in had been alongside the waterfront at Avenida de Gabriel Roca. I can’t say any of them had been significantly nice or memorable, however if you happen to don’t need the night time to finish, that is the place you need to be heading!

Day journey concepts from Palma de Mallorca

Mallorca has quite a bit to supply for each form of traveller, whether or not it’s getting out on the water on a ship tour, scuba diving, hitting up some historic villages or heading into the mountains. Listed below are a number of of my favorite day journeys from Palma to think about if you happen to keep for greater than a weekend. 

Memorable: Port de Sóller

One in all my absolute favorite locations to go to in Mallorca is Port de Sóller, a small bay and village on the island’s west coast. An enormous a part of the magic is taking the classic picket practice from Palma to achieve right here. The rickety picket carriages slowly work their approach via the verdant mountains, lemon bushes hanging outdoors the carriage home windows earlier than you arrive within the city, the place a small tram takes you to the shoreline. 

Seashore: Caló del Moro

When you have a automobile, you’re spoilt for selection relating to breathtaking bays and seashores across the island. To me, probably the most stunning was Caló del Moro and the encircling stretches, the place rock formations, caves and cerulean waters dance round nonetheless bays good for swimming and stress-free. In case you are with no automobile, you possibly can nonetheless make it right here by altering buses in Campos, though you could wish to decide a more in-depth bay to get pleasure from as a day journey. 

Quaint villages: Valldemossa

Round a thirty-minute drive (additionally doable on the 200 bus) from Palma is the postcard-perfect village of Valldemossa, a preferred spot for vacationers and a great day journey from the town. Typical stone homes line the flower-drenched streets, set in opposition to the background of the dramatic Tramuntana Mountains. Discover the streets, take in the ambiance, and admire the spectacular Monastery, the primary attraction on this quaint village. 

Climbing: Tramuntana Mountains

For these seeking to get a bit extra energetic, the encircling mountains of Valldemossa, the Tramuntana Mountains, which stretch alongside the entire west coast of the island, have loads of mountain climbing trails to get pleasure from for all ranges. 

Native Flavours: Bodegas of Mallorca

The wine historical past of Mallorca dates again to the Roman Interval. There are numerous choices for wine-tasting excursions which depart Palma – whether or not it’s to a historic windmill surrounded by vines or to participate within the conventional harvest round September, it’s an integral a part of the island’s tradition that you shouldn’t miss. 

Are you seeking to uncover Spain past Barcelona? Take a look at my favorite Spanish Hidden Gems – from tiny villages identified for his or her wine festivals to hidden mountain caves cultivating cheese!