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Palma de Mallorca © Galen R Frysinger

Overview
Palma, capital of the autonomous region of the Balearic Islands, is a lively, cosmopolitan city in true Spanish tradition, its centre forming a bustling montage of shopping centres, a maze of narrow lanes and restored buildings surrounded by ruined ancient city walls, and modern boulevards. Like mainland Spain, Mallorca and Palma itself was under Moorish control between the ninth and 13th centuries until the re-conquest by Jaume I of Aragon. The Moorish heritage is still evident, as are the remnants of Palma's golden years when it rose to wealth and prominence in the 15th century as the main port of call between Europe and Africa. Later the city, set on the beautiful bay Bahia de Palma, became the favoured Royal retreat for Fernando and Isabel, which helped it to become the popular Spanish beach holiday haunt and favourite weekend city break destination of the rich and famous. Despite the invasion of foreign tourists, Palma has kept its local flavour, particularly in its old quarter lined by cafés and tapas bars. Often the native dialect of Mallorquin is the only language heard in the backstreets, a fine Palma de Mallorca trait.

Shopping
The best places for shopping in Palma de Mallorca are in the atmospheric streets of the old town. The daily Mercat Artesanal is a lively craft market worth visiting for local curios and holiday souvenirs, while the Rastro flea market sprawls over the Villalonga ring road. Those on a health kick should visit the colourful Santa Catalina fruit and vegetable market, open every day on Placa Navegacio. Local produce markets generally open early in the morning and close around mid-day: bargaining is expected.

Restaurants
The biggest concentration of restaurants is in the centre of town at El Terreno, and around the Paseo Maritimo. For some of Spain's best Basque food head to Koldo Royo.

• Rock City makes amazing pizzas, Tast is good for tapas, Mamma Mia makes amazing italian food and Il Paradiso was our favourite place to go such a hidden treasure. Amazing food, great service, I'll be back. : Georgina Reed...See More Tips  |  Add Tip

 

Nightlife
Some of Spain's biggest clubs are in Palma de Mallorca. Some of the most popular Palma nightlife hotspots include Pacha Mallorca, which is built into the Cliffside overlooking the marina. Nearby Tito's also enjoys dramatic views over the yachts mooed below, and don't miss a visit to the extravagantly decorated ABACA. There are also several decent clubs lining the Carrer del Apuntadors.

• Nightlife is AMAZING in Palma! Don't miss Pacha and Tito's - Best places EVER! I'll be back. Can't wait : Molly...See More Tips  |  Add Tip

 

Activities
Palma de Mallorca key activities centre around its nightlife and the town is well known for its foam parties, discos, bars and nightclubs. The Aqualand theme park, a short drive away from the city, is great fun for the whole family. There are several excellent golf courses around town, as well as good hiking trails in the rocky Majorcan hills.

Negatives
The city itself does not have a main beach. When exploring be sure to carry a map as the streets are not well signposted. Palma is the largest town in the Balearics and a magnet for clubbers; it is generally not suited for those wanting a quiet, family oriented holiday.

Nearby Attractions

Banys Ārabs

The only surviving Moorish-built building in Palma is the bathhouse of Banys Àrabs, located in the city's medieval quarter. It contains an elegant horseshoe-arched and domed chamber, supported by 12 columns, and is fronted by a garden with picnic tables. ...  see full details

Beaches near Palma

There are several good, though usually crowded, beaches accessible by bus from Palma. El Arenal, seven miles (11km) to the south-east of the city, attracts many German visitors to its waterfront restaurants, bars and hotels. The long beach boasts white sands and turquoise water....  see full details

Castell d'Alaro

Mallorca's most popular hiking trail is the climb from the town of Alaro up to a ruined castle and hilltop chapel, which offers panoramic views of the sea and plains as far as Palma. From Alaro the walk takes about two hours to...  see full details

Castell de Bellver

The round hilltop castle built in 1309 was the summer residence of the kings of Mallorca during the short period in which the island had a Royal family. The fortified castle with its double moat also served as a prison. Today, it contains...  see full details

La Seo Cathedral

Palma's magnificent Catalonian Gothic cathedral is a landmark of the city, standing in the old town overlooking the ocean. The cathedral is dedicated to Palma's patron saint, San Sebastian, and contains some saintly relics and pieces of the True Cross in its treasury. Construction...  see full details

Museo d'Art Espanyol Contemporani

Palma's most renowned art gallery contains works collected by the Juan March Foundation, housed in a restored mansion on the Carrer Sant Miquel. The collection focuses on modern works including Picasso's Head of a Woman and paintings by Spanish luminaries Miro, Dali, Juan Gris...  see full details

Palau de l'Almudaina

Opposite the cathedral in Palma stands an austere fortress palace that was erected by the Moors and later became the residence of the kings of Mallorca. Inside, most rooms and corridors are bare, but there are some beautiful Flemish Gobelin tapestries on display as...  see full details

Soller

Soller, set in a lush valley of orange groves between the mountains and the sea, half way along the north-west coast of the island, is a popular day-trip destination because it can be reached on a vintage train ride from Palma. The town...  see full details

Valldemossa

Mallorca's favourite titbit of tabloid gossip has turned the monastery in the small town of Valldemossa, on the west coast, into a tourist attraction. In 1838 Frederic Chopin arrived with his lover, George Sand, to stay in a former monk's cell in the...  see full details

Santuari de Lluc

About 20 miles (32km) beyond Soller, after a precipitous drive through the Serra de Tramuntana in the north of the island, is the remote mountain village of Lluc, in a valley that has been an important place of pilgrimage since the 13th century....  see full details

Activities

Wind and Water Sports in Mallorca
The island of Mallorca is famous for its wind and water sports, with many resorts actually featuring windsurfing and kitesurfing schools, where tourists can learn to master these tricky skills while still enjoying the holiday of a lifetime. There are also ample places to simply rent equipment, for tourists who don't require tutelage. Good beaches in Mallorca for windsurfing and kitesurfing include Cala Millor, Cala d'Or, Can Picafort, Formentor, Magaluf, Palma Nova, Peguera, Platja de Palma, Port d'Alcudia, Port de Pollensa, Port de Soller, Portalss and Santa Ponsa - although the pick of the bunch must be the little-known Son Serra de Marina, located on the northeast coast of Mallorca, about five miles (8km) east of Can Picafort. This unspoilt stretch of sand has favourable conditions all year round, and features a spectacular mountain backdrop as well as a few hip and happening beach bars and restaurants. Pedal boats (pedalos) are also very popular - especially for families with young children - and can be hired at any of the major resorts on the island. Finally, waterskiing is also an option: resorts that offer equipment for hire (sometimes including boats) include Cala Millor, Can Picafort, Formentor, Magaluf, Palma Nova, Peguera, Platja de Palma, Port d'Alcudia and Santa Ponsa.

Snorkelling and Diving in Mallorca
The Mediterranean's calm, clear waters are ideally suited for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts on holiday in Mallorca. The best season for diving in Mallorca is between June and October, when the weather is balmy and visibility can be as much as 130 feet (40m). Although not blessed with spectacular coral reefs, there is much to admire in the depths surrounding Mallorca's coastline. The warm water is home to a huge array of fish and other sea life, including European barracuda, eels, rainbow wrasse, ornate wrasse, goatfish, cardinal fish, damsel fish, octopus, sea slugs, squid, crabs and lobsters - to name but a few of the myriad species that tourists can expect to spot. Many of Mallorca's resorts offer snorkelling and diving equipment for hire, and a few of them have on-site dive schools where tourists can have training and obtain diving licenses. Some of the best resorts for snorkelling and diving in Mallorca include Cala Millor, the isolated beaches of Cala Morlanda and Cala Varques (both brilliant for snorkelling), Puerto Pollensa and Santa Ponsa, which is the best resort for scuba divers in Mallorca, allowing access to many dive sites, including very popular wreck diving opportunities.