Tourist guide: what to do and see in Palma de Mallorca
Coves and Storybook Villages in the Middle of the Mediterranean
Along with the island's own charms, through its streets and museums Majorca also opens up to visitors an entire world of art. The land where 20th-century art giant Joan Miró spent his last years also is home to treasures going back centuries, such as the Levantine Gothic Cathedral of Santa María and the unusual circular Bellver Castle. In addition, taking the time to venture just a bit beyond the capital will open up a map of amazing possibilities - towns such as Sóller, Galilea, Son Servera, and Alcudia, with their welcoming people, and lovely beach and coastal areas like Cala Mitjana, Cala Deià, and Es Cargol. You'll be able to squeeze every last drop of enjoyment out of your stay!
- Sights
- Shopping
- Leisure
- Dining
- Open air
- Museum
- Sights
- Shopping
- Leisure
- Dining
- Open air
- Museum
City Hall
The island's main political centre also harbours a luxurious gallery of paintings well worth a visit.
A great political and artistic history.
Since the 13th century, the island of Mallorca has had a complex history, in part due to its isolation from the peninsula, in part due to its belonging to the Crown of Catalonia; thus there has always been a great political and monarchical court on the island. Much of the activity relating to this revolved around the plaza where the city hall is located. Its façade dating from the 18th century and interior from the 19th, the building has a special charm beyond what you might expect of a mere government building. What's less well known is that inside there's also a spectacular gallery of paintings through which you can trace the dynasties and history of the island. The building can be visited, but first check schedules at http://www.palmademallorca.es/portal/PALMA/home.jsp?codResi=1&language=en.
Palma nightlife
From the old town to the Passeig Marítim to the beach areas - they all have their different strong points. But they're all great fun!
Palma likes to party, so if you do too, your choices are legion.
Palma at night can get pretty lively, especially between May and October, which is prime tourist season, when the cafés, pubs and clubs are in full throttle. There are three key parts of town to keep in mind. First is the old town: all those narrow old streets emanating from the cathedral are fantastic for dinner and drinks as the night gets going. Then there's the beach area, with has two key zones, one being the Arenal and Can Pastilla, and the other the Passeig Marítim. They're all rocking and rolling throughout the night, with establishments clear through till 6 am with a variety of scenes - DJs, live music, you name it. One difference to note is that the beach areas skew a little younger and perhaps, dare we say, rowdier, while the Passeig is a little more sophisticated. But as they say, it's all good!
Diocesan Museum
A comprehensive overview of the Majorcan Catholic Church's history, plus fabulous port views.
The museum of the Bishop's Palace.
In order to get to the Palma cathedral, you'll end up walking from the port along the Passeig Dalt Murada. Many don't notice the edifice alongside it, the Bishop's Palace, but this, too, is worth a visit after the cathedral for those interested in learning more about the history of Catholicism in the city and the islands. The Diocesan Museum here houses seven sections covering the local church's historical and artistic heritage, including painting, sculpture, antiquities, and a library collection. Beyond all this, however, is an added bonus between displays: out the windows, one of the most stupendous views in town over the port of Palma.
Manacor
Tennis star Rafael Nadal's hometown is especially well known for its pearl and furniture production.
Majorca's second largest city.
Located a bit inland on Majorca's east side, the island's second largest city was also one of its first settlements. Manacor has beaches, too, though they're several kilometres away from town, and much less crowded than those of Palma. Traditionally, the city has been known for its production of pearls, but it also has a historical side that makes it worth visiting — in fact, it has a wonderful archaeological museum, which traces the chronology from the first prehistoric settlements in the area until today. Manacor has also gained a certain notoriety in the last decade as the hometown of the tennis player Rafael Nadal.
The islands of Minorca, Ibiza, and Formentera
Each of these islands has a distinct personality, depending on your own. Which will be your cup of tea?
If you have enough time, the other Balearic Islands are enchanting in their own right.
There are of course three other substantial islands well worth visiting in the Balearics, and ferries are continuously shuttling back and forth to neighbouring Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera from the port of Palma. Minorca is next largest, and for many, the most cosmopolitan, quite popular, and compact enough to cover in relatively little time. Ibiza is of course known as the party island, especially during summer high season, with the world's top DJs and celebrities heating up the beaches and the nights. Perhaps just the opposite is Formentera, the smallest, quietest, and least visited (which some might feel is a huge plus); some also think of it as the "hippy" Balearic island. In any case, the beaches and coves here are truly out of this world. Your move.
The village and monastery of Valldemossa
One of Majorca's oldest and most atmospheric towns, founded under Muslim rule and home to a monastery that became a retreat for famous people.
A picture-postcard village north of Palma, and its historic Carthusian monastery.
Nestled amidst ancient almond, olive and oak trees in the foothills of the Tramuntana Mountains north of Palma, the centuries-old village of Valldemossa presents one of Majorca's most beautiful images, its hoary stone façades adapted to the slopes. It's thought that it was founded under Muslim rule around the year 711 by a certain Mossa, hence its name, Catalan for "valley of Mossa". But its most important and impressive structure is the Cartuja, a 14th-century Carthusian monastery secularised in 1835 and used as a retreat by various artistic figures, most famously composer Frederic Chopin, during the winter of 1839. Here he wrote several of his best known works. Thanks, monastery!
Sa Faixina Park
A little outside downtown, this charming park makes a great place to relax after city touring.
A green oasis in Palma's Santa Catalina neighbourhood.
A bit west of downtown in the Santa Catalina neighbourhood, Sa Faixina Park is a large green wedge between the Es Baluard Contemporary Art Museum and the Passeig Marítim. In front there's a memorial to a Nationalist warship (named after the Balearic Islands) torpedoed in the Spanish Civil War. The park links various parts of the city, the Paseo de Sagrera and at the very end, the Santa Catalina Church which gives the neighbourhood its name. Next to the church, the park also connects with the La Riera area (in fact, it was built in the 17th century along the La Riera riverbed leading to the sea). It's a great place to relax after a morning or afternoon roaming Palma's historic centre. Plus you'll usually find outdoor markets and performers doing their thing, which rather adds to the charm.
Santanyi Cove
Down on the southeast coast, crystalline waters and perfect little cottages - just a delicious little getaway!
One of Majorca's loveliest hideaway coves.
Down on Majorca's southeast coast, Santanyi Cove is one of the island's most charming corners, located some 6 kilometres (3½ miles) from the village for which it's named (just follow the signs). It unfolds out on the edge of a leafy wood as if it were a limpid pool of crystalline greens and blues, surrounded by rocks and sand, and on the shore are lovely little Mediterranean cottages of white and green with potted flowers in the windows. The clarity of the water makes it ideal for snorkeling and diving, and there are several local diving as well as other water sports outfitters for all your aquatic desires.
Palma Beach
Centrepiece of Palma's "El Arenal" district, it's social central, and worth checking out at least once during your visit.
Palma's in-town strand, and the island's most popular.
Perhaps Palma's busiest beach, thanks to its location running along the tourist zone right in the centre of town. Even if you later decide to go off exploring more secluded and hidden coves and corners of the island, you should visit this huge strand at least once. More than 4 kilometres (2½ miles) long, it borders the Passeig Marítim and Palma port, and is lined with a ton of bars and cafés open day and night, when it turns into one of the city's top nightlife centres. The area as a whole is referred to as El Arenal (Spanish for "sandy spot," appropriately enough).
S'hort del Rei Gardens
An 18th-century gem with traces of past history dating back to the Moorish period.
A tree-and-pond-dotted park in front of the Almudaina Palace.
Right in front of the Almudaina Palace you'll find this 18th century park — origin uncertain, but in any case, in the 1960s it underwent an almost complete overhaul. As with various other sites in Palma, in this huge garden of trees and ponds you'll find traces of various cultures. For example, it's crossed by the Moorish Arch over the popular swan lake (thought to perhaps once have connected the chambers of the Almudaina to the sea, which once came right up to this area). Here, too, you'll find traces of the Gothic and later periods. To reach the cathedral and the Passeig Marítim from here, simply go up the stairs at the end.
Old Town Palma
A labyrinth of narrow streets full of Gothic, Moorish, Modernist, and more architectural gems.
An intense and eclectic architectural mix.
One of the most interesting things about Palma's old quarter is how it mixes such a variety of cultures and styles throughout its narrow streets and lanes. Starting from the cathedral (also dubbed "the cathedral of the sea" — centuries ago the water came right up to its enormous walls) all the way uptown, you'll find traces of the Muslim era such as Moorish arches that span many of the narrow streets from side to side, as well as stately homes from the 16th through 18th centuries. And of course a lot of Gothic, beginning with the enormous Cathedral, and a goodly number of Modernist buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Passeig Marítim (Waterfront promenade)
A hive of activity, day or night.
Palma's waterfront promenade par excellence.
Officially the Avinguda de Gabriel Roca, this waterfront boulevard is universally referred to as the Passeig Marítim (Maritime Promenade). It skirts the port of Palma amongst palm trees and pedestrians and is one of the city's top tourist spots. By day it's a mix of passing tourists and professionals, but afterward it makes a fabulous place for a drink while watching the sun go down, or a tasty meal while watching the passersby; as the night goes on, the whole area is swarmed with people out for a good time, with pubs and nightclubs at full throttle, easily until 6 a.m. in high season.
Cabrera island
A nature reserve that was a crossroads of civilisations in the past, but today allows you a splendid experience of pristine nature.
Majorca's largest offshore island is a wild, uninhabited place you can visit.
La Cabrera is the largest of the offshore islets surrounding Majorca, located about 5 miles out, and all of it has been declared a natural reserve, its interior completely wild and a habitat of innumerable animal species. Thanks to its strategic location for maritime trade, this plot of land has been occupied over the centuries by Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, and Byzantines. You can take a boat out from the harbour at Palma, and once you're here, lo, atop of one of the hills, with a watchful appearance, you'll spot a castle; it's a fortification built in the 14th century to prevent pirates from overrunning the island. You can also explore kilometres of pristine coves, of pathways between forest and sand, and gaze out to sea from the craggy cliffs.
Theatre of the Sea
Neoclassical on the outside, avant-garde on the inside.
An alternative art and performance space.
For fans of the art and theatre scene that's a little more alternative and underground, the 'Teatre del Mar' will scratch that itch nicely. The exterior is neoclassical (of 1898 vintage), departing from the norm of many others around it, which are either Gothic or Modernist, but what goes on inside is even more outside the mainstream - definitely on the avant-garde side of the cultural spectrum. It also hosts exhibitions of photography and painting, often free. Carrer Sant Magí 89.
Palma Auditorium
Huge and wide ranging, from exhibitions to performances of all types. And don’t miss the free summer concerts!
One of Majorca's top cultural lodestars.
Appearing in the middle of the Passeig Marítim, the Palma Auditorium opened in the late 1960s as the gift of an illustrious Majorcan businessman and after several updates is today one of the island's most important cultural institutions. This huge building has several halls for a variety of activities, from concerts by popular performers to painting, sculpture, and photography exhibitions by minority and alternative artists. The centre's mission is to be as representative of all the arts as possible. Furthermore, during the summer season, there is an extensive programme of free or nominally priced concerts — highly recommended!
Let's explore!
The extraordinary reserve of Sa Dragonera, off Cape Andratx.
A cape and offshore islands, one of which harbours a marvelous nature reserve.
On the outskirts of Palma you'll find the Cape of Andratx, full of coves and cliffs, with four offshore islets set among crystalline waters. One of them is Sa Dragonera, visitable by boat, dotted with idyllic coves, and declared a natural reserve due to the number of animal species it harbours. Afterwards, you can head to the port town of Andratx for some of Majorca's best fish and shellfish (and that's saying a lot).
Passeig des Born
A pleasant strolling area past Modernist buildings, historic statues, and interesting shops
A leafy boulevard that's another key Palma thoroughfare.
The Passeig des Born (also known as Paseo del Borne in Spanish) is another iconic Palma boulevard, leading from the Plaça Joan Carles I (better known as Plaça de les Tortugues) to Avinguda d'Antoni Maura. It will take you through the historic centre of town past a good number of important sites — Modernist buildings, for example, as well as statues and monuments to figures important to Majorca's history, with trees showing the way and an expansive pedestrian area. It's also a great place to find local comestibles to bring back home as a gift or memento.
The Palma-Soller train.
A spectacular trip by rail through scenic mountains to a lovely, historic seaside town.
All aboard!
Most people think of excursions out on the island just in terms of driving. Well, since 1912 there's actually been a train that's run continuously from Palma to the town of Sòller, passing through the scenic Tramuntana mountain range to let out at one of the island's most charming and historically significant spots, the town of Soller. The trip takes a bit under an hour and is the perfect way to see two sides of the island - the towering Alfábia Mountains and on the other side the vastness of the Mediterranean. You can hop off, visit the pretty town of Soller, then take the next train down to the port, one of Majorca's very first areas of settlement. A different and altogether lovely experience indeed.
Mondrago Natural Park
Oak forests teeming with birds, rugged cliffs, hidden coves - a natural paradise on the southeast coast.
Near the town of Santanyí, a marvelous reserve that's a birder's paradise.
A nature reserve on Majorca's southeast coast outside the town of Santanyí, it consists of thick oak forests leading practically up to the beaches which together with the nearby cliffs constitute a unique ecosystem, one that's become home to the island's largest bird populations (it's commonplace, for example, to see the skies hereabouts filled with cormorants). Another wonderful local feature is various kilometres of pristine coves — it's the perfect place to find yourself a secluded patch of waterfront real estate you'll have all to yourself. In fact, this area is so out of the way that until the 19th century it was a haven for pirates and smugglers. And they say that — you guessed it — there's pirate treasure buried hereabouts, matey.
Rambla de Palma
A boulevard central to the Palma scene, both by day and night. A must to understand the life of the capital!
If you've been to Barcelona, this will look familiar.
If you've been to Barcelona, you'll recognise this avenue as something like a smaller version of that city's famous Ramblas. Not surprising, as the Catalan capital has had tremendous influence all over this city. The Rambla de Palma starts at the busy Carrer dels Oms and comes to an end practically at the front steps of the grand Teatre Principal. Stroll up and down this pretty boulevard for a look at a typical day in the life of the city, with plenty of buying, selling, and to and fro of office workers and tradesmen throughout the day. Then after sundown, a lively nightlife kicks into gear, with restaurants, cafés, bars, and pubs attracting a motley crowd of all ages.
The town of Soller
Hiring a car is highly recommended, as is a visit to this spectacularly sited fishing village and its museum.
A paradisiacal spot on Majorca's northwest coast.
One of the great things about Majorca is the short distances between cities and towns. It's a pleasure to hire a car and tool around from one end to the other, and many visitors do just that. One of the great places to go is on the northwest corner of the island, the town and beach/port of Soller, some 3 kilometres (2 miles) apart. In the fishing village, dating from the Christian reconquest of the island in the 12th century, the Museum of Majorca preserves vestiges of civilisations dating back to prehistory. Then as you move out toward its beach area, you will see how the only access to the sea opens up between the mountains. It's truly one of Majorca's most paradisiacal spots.
Advice for shopping in the city
When planning your shopping schedule, you'll definitely want to keep this in mind.
An important shopping tip.
If you've got shopping in mind, you might want to keep some other things in there, as well. First off, that shopping in Palma tends to be a delightfully small-bore affair, with the majority of shops of decidedly modest size — and all the more charming for it. A corollary to that is that many of them tend to close for a chunk of the afternoon (often between 1 and 5 pm), so that during these hours the only available shopping may be at the large chain retailers such as Zara and the department store El Corte Inglés. Then in the evening these same shops will close around 9, but if you want to keep charging on, the Porto Pi mall stays open till 10. Another piece of shopping advice: best to time it for a weekday, as on Saturdays some shops don't open, and on Sundays, forget about it — most are closed.
What to buy in Majorca
Across the island, various towns specialise in the likes of leather, shoes, pottery, and glass.
What should you take home from Majorca?
If you're planning to get around the island a bit, you'll have various opportunities to visit a number of places known for items that make wonderful mementos of your visit. For example, for leather and footwear, the town of Inca is the spot where you'll find shops and warehouses full of high-quality merchandise at quite low prices. Handmade pottery is another Majorca speciality, and for this you'll want to head for the various workshops of an area called Marratxí, right alongside Palma. Glassblowing is also a typical local craft, and while you can find pieces in many shops in downtown Palma, you may also want to check out some of the factories in the towns of Algaida, Campanet or Esporles.
Sineu market
Held since the 14th century, its strong suit is handicrafts and edibles. A Wednesday morning treat!
The historic market of the town of Sineu.
Located in a town known for its traditions, some 40 kilometres (24 miles) inland from Palma, this market has been held since the 14th century, and has been a rural icon of Majorca as well as a stronghold of the island's livestock industry. That business isn't what it once was, but still, this market has kept its traditional roots in terms of produce, foodstuffs, and traditional crafts. You'll see what we mean by driving up here any Wednesday morning. The cattle component is back in force the first Sunday in May when the Sa Fira agricultural fair is held here.
Inca Market
A lively atmosphere all year goes into overdrive for the Dijous Bo fair in November.
Majorca's most popular market, every Thursday.
Inca Market, Majorca's most popular, is the perfect mix of shopping and entertainment. You have to do it on Thursday, when the market stalls take over most of the centre of town. You'll find it all here, from clothing and fabrics to foods and furniture, even animals. If you're in town in November, it's especially not to be missed, as it plays host to the Dijous Bo fair, and an already lively atmosphere goes on steroids with an influx of additional multitudes of both locals and visitors and holding of all sorts of cultural events. But whenever you are able to visit, this market won't disappoint.
Pedro Garau Market
Clothes, flowers, crafts, food. More than a hundred stalls give a lot of play!
Walks between stalls.
This is the most traditional market in the city. From Monday to Saturday you can go to Plaza Pere Garau to enter the building from the early 20th century and visit its many and varied food stalls. But it is on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays that the square becomes an open-air market. From very early the more than one hundred stalls of all kinds of articles are raised. To these is added, throughout the morning, a multitude of people who walk around looking at the products. In this way, the square acquires a peculiar tone and an eclectic atmosphere. Its strong points are clothing, handicrafts and flowers, but there are also plenty of food products and items for the home. Whether you are looking for some of this or not, the market is a place to walk around for a while to enjoy its characteristic atmosphere.
Flea markets
Friday through Sunday mornings, the second-hand street market in Palma is also great for crafts and local delicacies.
The rastro is a cherished local institution. Find out why.
A great way to spend your morning is browsing one of the island's rastros (flea markets), at several points on different days, especially Friday through Sunday. The most popular is the Mercadillo de Palma, held Saturday mornings on Avinguda Gabriel Alomar y Villalonga. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings you can go to the towns of Sant Jordi, Calvia, Esporles and Consell, where it's difficult not to find something interesting, either as a unique souvenir for yourself or a gift for someone back home.
Majorca's street fairs and markets
Mediaeval markets, craft fairs - there's a lot going on in the streets of Palma and other towns throughout the year.
Taking it to the streets.
Throughout the year, Majorca hosts numerous fairs and markets for all kinds of audiences. In late February, to mark the Day of the Balearic Islands, there's a mediaeval market held in the Plaça de la Drassana that is very popular thanks to its atmosphere, and it's a great opportunity to check out local handicrafts and sample a range of local delicacies. Between August and September, the Passeig Sagrera comes especially alive at dusk as the streets are filled with handicrafts in its night market; here you'll find some of the most distinctive offerings in town. Book and comics collectors might want to check out the collectors' fair at the Centre Cultural La Misericòrdia on the first or third Saturday of every month.
Shopping on Avinguda Jaume III and Avinguda d'Alexandre Roselló
Both streets have their charm - the first atmosphere, the second, the latest shops.
Shopping and more shopping.
Going shopping on Palma's Jaume III Avenue has a special charm, with fashion boutiques alongside cafés and jewelry stores under the arcades; the variety of retail outlets and the variety of price points make this route a great choice for a wide variety of shoppers. If you head northeast from here you'll find yourself on Alexandre Roselló Avenue, a business district that in recent years has seen quite a few international brands and chains moving in. Here you'll immediately feel the contrast with the historic area, with brand-new establishments sharing the broad, open avenue with more traditional-feeling cafés and shops.
Upmarket shopping
High streets and a warren of ancient lanes with stylish little shops - both offer rewarding shopping (and a vigourous credit card workout).
The most glamourous part of town.
If you're looking to go a little more luxe, you'll need to focus in on several streets in particular. From Plaça Weyler, near Plaça Major, you can take Carrer Jaume II to Costa Brossa and Sant Nicolau. In the area circumscribed by these streets you'll find some of Majorca's smartest shops. You can keep going onward to Passeig de Born and Plaça de Joan Carles I, or Plaça de les Tortugues, where ever more exclusive brands keep expanding. When you're out and about, keep in mind that the little side lanes are also well worth investigating once you've had at the big stores on the high streets. You 'll likely be rewarded by a delightful discovery or two in the neighbourhood's small, stylish boutiques.
Shopping in Palma's historic centre
Pedestrian shopping streets and underground arcades - a fascinating mix in downtown Palma de Mallorca.
An interesting variety of shopping venues in the Plaça Major area.
If you're looking for a little shopping in Palma, come down to the Plaça Major, from which several major streets extend that will be of interest to you. Head north on Carrer Sant Miquel until it hits Carrer Oms, or eastward along Sindicat. On these pleasant pedestrian streets you'll find a number of small shops, mainly clothing and accessories. In the opposite direction, to the south you have Argenteria and Colom streets where you should go if you're in the market for jewelry; this area, the former Jewish quarter, has a number of the city's most interesting jewelers. The Plaça Major harbours a curious shopping area area of its own, in underground passageways where you'll find everything from electronics and accessories to foodstuffs and fashion.
Palo de Mallorca liqueur
If you're up for a little apéritif, this could be just the thing - and makes a great gift or souvenir, too.
A local herbal liqueur with an interesting flavour and history.
As with most Mediterranean destinations, in Majorca good times and great food encourages the custom of "taking an apéritif." And so when choosing a nice café for a light bite before noon, take advantage of the occasion by ordering a glass of Palo de Mallorca. This liqueur has a curious history: In the 17th century, the Countess of Chinchón fell ill during a visit to Peru, and nothing was able to cure her except, finally, a solution of quinine root. When she came to the island, she brought this potion with her, and it grew popular here. It can be served in different ways but most usually it's mixed with sugar and caramel - giving it a taste that's half sweet and half savoury. Highly recommended for hot warm days!
Valldemossa sweet potato buns
These are sold all over the island, but it's best to come right to the source if you can.
A tasty speciality of one particular small town.
As if it were a mini country, Majorca has specialities from many different areas. For example, Valldemossa, a village hidden in the middle of the Tramuntana mountains, is not just a lovely place to visit, but is also known for its sweet potato buns, eaten for breakfast, dessert and as a snack. This, another of the island's better known bakery goods, can be found all over town, but one place especially worth recommending is Ca'n Molinas on Carrer de la Rosa.
Sobrassada
Don't leave the island without sampling this savoury treat, which has been traced back to at least the 14th century.
A distinctive Balearic sausage.
A soft, strongly spiced pork sausage very characteristic of the Balearic Islands, sobrassada is the result of efforts to preserve foodstuffs dating back to the 14th century, of which Mallorca is rightly proud. Sobrassada is served in various forms all over the island, but one thing we'd recommend is to find a nice outdoor café near the Passeig Maritim and order a tapa portion together with a nice little glass of Palo de Mallorca liqueur.
Majorca's ensaimada sweet roll
A traditional sweet that comes in various flavours.
The island's most famous treat.
Majorca is particularly well known within Spain for its baked goods, but these sugar-dusted sweet rolls enjoy special pride of place. No one knows exactly where, when or how ensaimadas originated, but there are records of them being baked as far back as the 17th century for special occasions, celebrations, and feasts. You can find various types and flavours, including custard, pumpkin, whipped cream, even savoury versions, including some stuffed with a distinctive local sausage called sobrassada. You'll find plenty of places to sample this treat, but one particularly well known spot is Horno Santo Cristo on Carrer Jacob Sureda.
El Pesquero Restaurant / Tapas Bar
An upmarket dining experience right on the waterfront.
Delicious food, delicious sea views.
Both Palma's historic centre and the newer part of town are lively areas indeed, and you'll find great places to eat throughout both. But if you're in the mood to enjoy some superb local food in a quieter setting while gazing out at the big blue Mediterranean, head instead down to the Passeig Maritim, where among the many eateries you'll find one that looks almost like it's tied up amid the the boats: El Pesquero Tapas Bar. This place has two terraces over the water, sheltered under trees and umbrellas. The prices aren't cheap but the quality is outstanding, and so are the views of the harbour, the boats, and of course beyond it all, the sparkling expanse of the sea.
The meats: roast suckling pig and lamb and escaldums
In Mallorca they are also specialists in meat. To show a button, with the escaldums your mouth will water.
Watch out carnivores!
Mallorca also presents a great gastronomic map for meat lovers. It is said that the island is divided in two when it comes to culinary matters. The coast and the towns with the sea, specialists in seafood, and the towns located in the center, specialists in the meat found in the Tramuntana mountains. It is not true since the whole island is mixed and in any point of it you will find great food. When it comes to meat, you cannot miss the opportunity to try suckling pig, roast lamb and escaldums. The latter is a stew made from turkey or duck meat, potatoes and almonds. An emblematic place to try all these specialties is the town of Sineu, in the heart of the island of Majorca.
Majorcan fry (fergit mallorquí)
A great place to try a typical island dish, down by the port of Palma
A classic Majorcan dish
Amid the mix of cobblestone streets and treelined boulevards around Palma's Passeig Maritim, you'll come across plenty of eateries, and for a particular island speciality, fergit mallorquí (Majorcan fry), a great place on Rambla Ducs de Palma is Bodega La Rambla, which specialises in local cooking. It's a dish made from potatoes, onions, tomatoes, red peppers, chilli peppers, and local vegetables, often mixed with various forms of meat and fish.
Can Joan de S'aigo pastry shop
Popular with locals and visitors alike for delicious pastries, ice cream, and other goodies, while politicos wheel and deal at the marble tables.
Majorca's best and most historic sweet shop.
Ca'n Joan de S'aigo is a chocolatier and pastry shop that has been open to the public since the 18th century and so is pretty much the last word in sweets in Majorca. Its walls are chock-full of paving stones, tiles, and ancient works of art that attest to the history of the place. Specialities include characteristic treats like ensaimadas (sugar-dusted sweet rolls) and ice cream, and both locals and visitors flock here to breakfast and for light bites. It's said that more than a few island political decisions have been made at these marble tables. Carrer de Can Sanç 10.
The shrimp of Soller and Cap Roig
Majorca is a seafood-lover's delight and the Balearic prawn is a particular star.
Follow that prawn!
For foodies, and seafoodies in particular, Majorca is a tasty place indeed, and the call of the prawn (so to speak) is particularly strong. You'll want to make a beeline for the northwest port town of Soller, which has earned the reputation of producing the best prawn in the Mediterranean (some would say the world), a juicy red specimen very characteristic of the area. Beyond that, fans of seafood in general will want to take advantage of their visit here to sample everything they can, from crayfish to mullets. The world's best? Impossible to prove. Delicious? Impossible to deny.
Majorcan soups
Soup is a local speciality, born of hard times back in the day but turned into a culinary art form.
Soup's on!
They say Majorcan soups came about as the food of those who didn't have anything to eat, when peasants would boil water with whatever greens they could find — mainly peppers, garlic, cabbage and onions, all mixed together with some bread crumbs tossed in. Be that as it may, now they've become staples of the island's cuisine, with countless variants, such as those with meat in the hinterland and fishy versions on the coasts. Virtually any Palma restaurant will serve a selection, but if you really want to go all the way, authenticity-wise, we'd recommend heading for the hills (such as the town of Sineu, 40 kilometres/23 miles out).
Ca'n Prunera Modernista Museum (Soller)
Head up to the town of Soller to see a lovely port and a fabulous Modernist manse filled with art of or inspired by that genre.
An excursion to the north.
Located in the appealing port town of Soller, Ca'n Prunera on Carrer de sa Lluna is a great excuse to check out the north of the island. But the building dedicated to Modernist art is a splendid work of that genre itself, dating from 1911. Inside you'll find a collection of various Spanish and international artists interspersed with furnishings original to the house. It's closed Mondays.
Spanish Village
A park recreating Spanish architectural icons such as Granada's Alhambra.
A little tour of Spain's highlights on the outskirts of Palma.
Built in 1967, the theme park now known as the Poble Espanyol, on the outskirts of Palma in the Son Espanyolet district, affords a little spin around some of the highlights of Spain, from Toledo to the Alhambra. Along the way you'll also come across eateries, bars, cafés, handicraft stalls, and artisan shops. It is truly an ideal spot to enjoy some delectable tapas while you rest in any of the bars or terraces. A charming and photogenic spot to spend part of a day.
Es Baluard Museum
After you've seen some of the best modern artists of the 20th and 21st century, check out the killer view of the port from the terrace.
A lovely old bastion with some lovely modern art.
Another fine museum of modern art, it's also distinguished by that fact that it's one of the prettiest, most peaceful spots in town to just get lost for a bit, as the 16th-century bastion on the Plaza Porta Santa Catalina gives it such a singular feel. Inside you have three floors of permanent and temporary exhibitions, from paintings to sculptures, by authors such as Miró, Picasso, Magritte, and Barceló. On the upper level you'll find one of its main highlights, an outdoor terrace with strange sculptures and a brilliant view of the harbour. You might want to sit a while to take it in - certainly we can't think of a more brilliant way to end any museum visit.
Casal Solleric exhibition centre
Another must on the cultural itinerary, both for its splendid architecture and its rich programme of photography and painting exhibits.
A handsome Baroque mansion exhibits modern art
Culture vultures will want to alight at Casal Solleric at some point in their perambulations through the city. Although best known for its contemporary paintings and photography, there's much else worth noting, starting with the handsome façade of the 18th-century mansion, whose Baroque magnificence continues in the ten exhibition rooms inside. The courtyard especially is a delight. Passeig del Born 27.
Drach caves
The inexplicable beauty of these cavities whose guided tour will enchant you. A concert puts the icing on the cake.
Art in its purest form.
Secluded in the eastern part of the island of Majorca are the Cuevas del Drach. And with them a different natural museum. These huge cavities date from the Miocene period and during the thousands of years that followed until today, water has been eroding them creating a work of art of nature. Since medieval times, the inhabitants of the island visited the caves and investigated new routes. Now, a spectacular game of illuminations will accompany and guide you during the organized visit. At the end of the first section, you will continue by boat on Lake Martel, a charming walk through an ancient place. And for the end there is the last surprise, the tour ends with a classical music concert inside the route through the caves. It is one of the most impressive and beautiful visits you can do in Mallorca.
Caixa Forum museum
A lovely Modernista hotel brought back to life as a museum of modern art, with rotating exhibits plus a permanent exhibit of a seminal local artist
Groundbreaking artists in a Modernista landmark
The Majorca branch of the Caixa Forum museum and cultural centre sponsored by La Caixa bank thankfully brought back to life one of the city's most important Modernista landmarks, the Gran Hotel de Palma (which along with the Can Forteza Rey building demonstrates the impact this movement had on the island). The centre organises quite diverse rotating exhibitions, but you should make sure not to miss the permanent exhibition by painter Hermen Anglada Camarasa, a Catalan who was an important figure in international Post-Impressionism and Modernism, and was among the most influential artists in 20th-century Majorcan art.
Joan March Foundation Museum
A tremendous cultural legacy, from Dalí to Rodin.
Masters of 20th century art right in downtown Palma.
Right in Palma's historic downtown between the cathedral and the Almudaina Palace, the Palau March was built in the 17th century and refurbished in the early 20th by powerful financier and art patron Joan March Ordinas, who helped finance the defeat of the first Spanish Republic. Be that as it may, culture vultures are grateful for this museum, which includes works by sculptors Rodin, Moore, and Chillida, painters Picasso, Gris, and Dalí, and a host of other artists. There's a large book collection here, too, including manuscripts dating from the 12th and 13th centuries. Concerts, films, lectures, and other events are also regularly held here.
Joan and Pilar Miró Foundation
This studio was instrumental in the history of surrealism and 20th-century art, and continues to promote Majorcan culture today.
The legacy of a 20th-century giant of modern art.
The last major work and project of Joan Miró was this space, designed to show the world his studio. The great Barcelona artist lived in Majorca from 1956 until his death in 1983, spawning here much of the art movement known today as surrealism as he gazed out to sea. Inside, a huge exhibition of his works remains as the final gift that Miró bequeathed to Majorca; but beyond that, the artist wanted to create a living space to host and promote island culture, so four rooms are devoted to various ongoing exhibitions. Admission is free on Saturday mornings.
Majorca Museum
Majorca has been a crossroads of the Mediterranean since prehistory, and this museum reflects that. A must for history buffs.
A fascinating overview stretching back to ancient history.
Throughout its history, this Balearic island has suffered countless invasions, colonisations, and other vicissitudes — probably in no small part because of its strategic position on Mediterranean trade and naval routes. This museum in the former palace of the counts of Aiamans (Calle Portella 5) covers the whole compelling panorama, from prehistoric artifacts of the island's first settlers to the Roman-era fort, the Moorish rulers, the Christian reconquest, and more (one especially notable work being the altarpiece of Sant Bernat).
Artá Caves
Caverns a few kilometres out of town that will take your breath away.
An unforgettable work of art created by nature.
To experience a grand monument carved by nature rather than human hands, head a few kilometres out of town on the Ses Coves road to Canyamel (if you don't have your own wheels, you can catch buses from anywhere in the city). You'll recognise it immediately upon arrival: the entrance to these ancient caves gapes as if it were a gigantic mouth. You can take a guided tour through this network of caverns winding through the nearby sea cliffs; it only takes about a half hour, but it's an overwhelming and unforgettable experience.
Sagrera Promenade
Standing where part of the ancient city wall once stood, a promenade that showcases the island's history.
A lovely seaside walk with a charming story behind it.
Besides being one of the city's most beautiful seaside strolls, with important buildings such as the Maritime Stock Exchange along its length, the Passeig Sagrera also has a rather charming origin. At the beginning of the 20th century, when the area was an empty space where part of the ancient city wall had been demolished years earlier, an architect popular at that time, Gaspar Bennazar, hired more than 200 labourers and on the night of St. John's feast in 1910 managed to build a pleasant esplanade complete with trees, benches and lampposts for the people of Palma to find when they awoke the following morning. Now through the surrounding buildings and sculptures it has evolved into a kind of narrated history of the city, including homages to figures important to the island such as Majorcan writer and philosopher Ramón Llull, and beyond, like Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío.
The "Can Forteza Rey" Building
A very Gaudi-esque landmark you should make a point of taking in while strolling downtown Palma.
An Art Nouveau masterpiece in the middle of the city.
Word had it that the father of the architect Lluis Forteza Rey knew the Catalan master Gaudí, as he was a goldsmith of the cathedral. True or not, what's certain is that when you contemplate this 1909 building in the middle of the city at Calle Monges No. 2, the Modernista style of Gaudí certainly comes to mind. First conceived as a five-storey residence, the bright colours and strongly Art Nouveau decoration and sculptures that adorn its exterior have made it one of the city's must-see sights. The lower part of the building echoes another of the important buildings in the city: the El Águila store. One of the two façades has a pair of dragons guarding a demonic face — can you guess whose?
Lluc Monastery
Far from the madding crowd, a serene monastery, church, pilgrimage spot, and fascinating historical/cultural museum.
A famous monastery way up in the Tramuntana mountains
Hidden in the vast forests of the Tramuntana mountain range, far from any cities, was this monastery built in the 17th and 18th centuries. Although it has changed hands many times, it remains a place of pilgrimage for devotees of the Madonna of Lluc, patroness of the island. Besides the monastery you can also visit the Basilica de la Mare de Deu (Mother of God) and the Museum of Lluc, highly recommended for the overview it provides of Majorca's history and culture through art of all kinds, from pictoral works to examples of antique period dress. All right up amidst the bucolic splendour of the Majorcan mountains.
Maritime Stock Exchange
It looks more like a majestic church than a temple of commerce… and it smells of fish!
"Sa Lotja" is a Gothic masterpiece inside and out.
One of the island's great Gothic edifices, coming across more like a church than a house of commerce, the maritime exchange (Sa Lotja) on Passeig de Sagrera was finished in 1452, at a time of stylistic fusion, so it's very innovative within the Gothic style (it apparently made such an impression at the time that it was copied in Valencia). And it's been something of a symbol of the city ever since. Designed by famous sculptor Guillem Sagrera at the request of the Guild of Mariners, inside it's just as impressive as outside. Nowadays it hosts art exhibitions and is open to the public when something's on.
St. Eulalia Church
If you have an interest in history, this church needs to be on your itinerary, as it marks a key transition from Moorish to Christian rule.
The island's oldest church is an architectural hodgepodge
With its white façade and gargoyles guarding the entrance, this 13th-century church is a key landmark in the city because it marks the beginning of the Palma de Mallorca you see before you today. Dating from the 13th century, it's one of the very first buildings built after the Moors lost dominion over the Balearic Islands. The exterior is a somewhat bewildering mishmash of Gothic, Baroque and neo-Gothic thanks to the fact that its construction started around the year 1236 and dragged on till 1570. And when Majorca was its own kingdom, all its kings were crowned here, and in its chapel of Santa Llúcia (one of the city's most important saints), they swore their oaths of office.
Royal Palace of La Almudaina
A dramatic palace on Paseo del Seu dating from the centuries when Majorca was Moorish.
A testament to the Muslim past.
If you stroll along the Paseo del Seu, besides a lovely seaside experience, you'll also encounter Majorca's most important historic monuments. Just beyond the cathedral is one of them: the Royal Palace of the Almudaina, a majestic testament to a remarkable chapter in the history of the Balearic Islands as part of Muslim al-Andalus, between 903 and 1229, when the forces of Jaime of Aragon conquered the islands. While the nearby cathedral was built on the site of a mosque to demonstrate the victory of the Christians, this royal palace (which had been built on the ruins of a Roman fortification) was kept intact for the use of Aragonese and later Spain's royal family (to this day it's still used for ceremonies and official receptions).
Bellver Castle
This impressive 14th-century fortress played a strategic role in the island's history.
A Gothic masterpiece dominating the horizon.
Between the Tramuntana and Pla mountains, this distinctive 14th-century castle looms on the horizon. It was King Jaume II who ordered its construction, resulting in one of the most striking and representative examples of the Majorcan Gothic. Its round shape and arches connecting the building with its towers make it stand out in particular. Its interior is so vast it seems boundless. On the ground floor next to the courtyard is the Palma de Mallorca History Museum. On the next floor, the chapel of San Marcos and the Hall of Jovellanos are a must to see, and on the upper floor you can get to the outside ramparts from which soldiers defended their position in wartime. When you're up here, you'll also understand why Bellver means 'beautiful view'.
Majorca Cathedral
This Gothic extravaganza is the grandest manmade thing in the Balearic Islands, for sure.
A.k.a. "the cathedral of the sea"
"Grandiose" doesn't begin to describe the cathedral in Palma de Mallorca. And that was no doubt the point, when King Jaume I ordered it built atop a mosque after evicting the Muslims in 1229: to show definitively who was the new boss. This gigantic Gothic edifice comes across even more impressive if you approach it from the south side, facing the sea. And the huge Roman and Renaissance walls that surround it make the whole business appear grander still. Traditionally known by locals as "La Seo", it took nearly six centuries to complete. Inside, besides its great general majesty, you must have a look at the painting by the modern Majorcan artist Miquel Barceló in the right front apse.
Teatre Principal
It got off to a rough start, burning down after five performances. But ever since rebuilding, it has loomed large on Majorca's cultural scene.
Still "the Principal" after more than a century and half.
Better known simply as El Principal, this theatre debuted in 1857 with a grand production of Macbeth with music by Verdi, but burned down after the fifth performance. Restored and reinaugurated in 1860, it's had an illustrious and diverse run ever since. Now its programme is split between the world classics (recently, for example, Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors) and more alternative offerings from the world of dance, opera, and even pop. In summer, as with everything else on the island, it goes into overdrive, so by all means check the website (www.teatreprincipal.com) before arriving, or pop over to the box office if you happen to be nearby.
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