I am so excited to introduce you to one of the most underrated cities in Spain. When Americans go to Spain, they go to Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, and maybe Valencia and Granada. Mallorca isn’t really on our radars. The Europeans that do come to Mallorca usually are nature lovers biking through the mountains or enjoying to beaches on the eastern coast. Or there are the young people coming to Magaluf for a lads weekend. As a nature and a city lover with a passion for history and old buildings, Palma is one of my favorite spots in Mallorca. It has anything you could want or need from its gardens, old palace and churches, and its museums.
This is Palma de Mallorca! Read on for my list of all the great things there are to do in this city. Whether you are looking for inspiration for you next trip or just curious about what makes Mallorca different, this list in perfect for seeing into the heart of Mallorca.
Palau de l’Almudaina
This landmark in Palma dates back to the 14th century. Originally an Arab fortress in 12th and 13th century, this palace is now the official residence of the Spanish royal family when they are in Mallorca. It gives a mixed feeling between modern and old with the medieval and Arab architecture and modern day features of a politicians office. You can visit for 7 euros or for 4 if you are a student. Citizens of the European Union get free entrance and there are other special days where entrance is free for everyone! It is completely worth the ticket fee though and is a must do for anyone visiting Mallorca.
Catedral de Mallorca
The Cathedral of Santa Maria is the symbol of Palma. It sits close to the water, making it the standout of the city by sea. It is right across from the palace and together they make up the historical center of Palma. The construction of the cathedral began in the 13th century where a great mosque had been and ended in the 17 century. It was built in the Mediterranean gothic style, which makes it the second largest gothic cathedral in the world. but what makes it unique in the work of Gaudí in the interior. Twice a year a fun occurrence in the cathedral takes places called “la seu”. This happens in the fall and the spring where the light shines through the stained glass rose window just right so that it creates a figure 8 with the other window. I tried to see this phenomenon, but the line to get inside was so long that we didn’t make it. It literally went down blocks and blocks. It is quite well known by the inhabitants of the island. You can also attend mass here in Mallorcan/Catalan or Spanish. Otherwise you can visit the cathedral and museum during visiting times for 10 euros or more to go to the terrace. Either way it is worth seeing the inside of this amazing cathedral.
Playa de Palma
I have been to quite a few beaches in Mallorca and the one in Palma is by far my favorite. It doesn’t have quite the same amount of tourists as the east coast or what there would probably be at Magaluf (I don’t know because I stayed far away from the party city). Playa de Palma is long stretch of beach starting just below the cathedral and palace. It it is full of young people but not too busy that you are struggling to find a place that isn not too close to others. I also highly recommend taking a dip in the water. Its really nice!
Fundació Miro Mallorca
Of my recommendations this one is very high on the list. I loved it! Joan Miro is a well known artist throughout Spain. My host family loved his art and got me hooked too. and I am not usually a fan of modern art, but I love the abstraction of his work. He took everyday things and made them his own. I love that he has own unique style, so that when you see one of his pieces, you automatically know it is a Miró. While Miró is from Barcelona, Palma was his adoptive city, which is where he spent the end of his life and later died. The fundació was created in a few of his studios on the outskirts of the city. It serves it purpose by educating visitors on Miró’s works and his techniques. Its really interesting and is a unique art gallery experience since you are seeing parts of his home and life. General admission is 10 euros, but there are a few deals and reduced admissions, so be sure to look out for that when visiting.
Plaça Major
This is the main square of Palma. It is the perfect spot to find a restaurant or cafe or just to do some shopping from the stands of local vendors. In the winter time, lights go up all around it and it becomes the city’s Christmas market. It is the center of everything in the city. Go north and you are heading towards the bus and train station. Head south and you are met with Gaudí architecture and the way to the palace and cathedral by the water. Head out the sides of the square and you can explore the smaller city streets or find more shopping and hotels. It is a great starting or meeting point when exploring the city.
Banys Àrabs
This is my favorite spot in all of Palma. I am not sure if it was the time of year I visited, but there was hardly anyone here. Maybe we can call it my hidden gem. The Arab baths are located a bit off the usual route of sites in Palma. Palma used to be an Arab city called Medina Mayurqa before it became Palma. Some of its building were changed by the Spanish to be more European, like how the mosque became a cathedral and the citadel became the palace. These are the remains of the baths from this time period which was somewhere between the 10th and 12th century. They were kept and built around to form a garden. This is the way they are today. Its a bit hidden in the streets, so finding this beautiful garden is like finding an oasis. There is a lot of information in the old baths to teach you about the Arab part of Mallorca. Once you exit you get all the time in the world to enjoy the gardens that I would say are the most peaceful place on earth. You absolutely cannot come to Palma without visiting the baths.
Palma Aquarium
Somehow I did not take a lot of pictures of the aquarium so you just have to trust me when I say this was one of the coolest aquariums I have visited. It could compare to seaworld, but the fish aren’t nearly as big and the exhibits do a great job of transporting you to their natural habitat. It is fun walking through and suddenly it feels like you are in the middle of the rain forest, but you are really just still in Mallorca. It is a bit on the pricier side for about 30 euros for adult general admission, but I promise it is worth it. Even though I went with the family I was working for, I do still think there is a lot for adults to enjoy too. If you leave it out of your trip to Mallorca, I wouldn’t be offended though. It is also a bit trickier to get to as it is closer to the airport east of the city, so it is much easier to get to by car.
Es Baluard Museu d’Art Modern i Contemporani de Palma
Contemporary art has never really been my thing, but if it is yours then this is a great stop in Palma. Entrance is only 6 euros, but of course there are reduced options. There is a lot of diversity in the pieces here, but you will find that they are all tied to the Mediterranean in some way. It is a great way to see the more modern side of Mallorca and what the future of the culture looks like. I think the best part of this museum is the roof top and the view it offers of the city. It definitely offers up a different side of the city to experience both with the view and the art. But if you had to skip any place on this list, this would be the one I choose.
Churches and Basilicas
If given the time, I definitely recommend checking out some of the smaller churches in the city. While the cathedral is amazing, some of the smaller churches give you more of a look into the lives of the locals. They are often just as beautiful, but in a more simplistic way. You’ll find them just off some of the main streets in Palma or you can explore and find the more hidden ones. Even if you aren’t catholic, they are a nice break from walking in the heat and are quite peaceful. Basilica de Sant Miquel, Església de Santa Eulália, and Església de Santa Catalina de Siena are a few of my suggestions, but there are some many more to find and check out.
Walks
One of the things I like about Palma is how much room there is to walk. And I am not just talking about walking around the city from place to place. The city is very pedestrian friendly from the reduced traffic in the city center, but also all the paved walking ways along the water. You can walk along the water either way to get from one end of the city to the other. There is also walkways around the cathedral and palace. They are full of beautiful views that definitely don’t make you feel like you are in a city.
Gardens
Now the last and one of my favorite parts of Palma, the gardens! I think this is what makes it such a vibrant place that doesn’t give you the suffocating feeling of a city. Beyond the Arab Baths, there are still so many more gardens around the city. Jardín del Obispo is a nice garden with a fountain, fruit trees, and flowers right in the middle of the city. Its feels like a hidden garden. There is also the Jardines de S’Hort del Rei right outside the palace that gives you a great view of the palace as well as some nice outdoor space to relax and watch people pass by. Another is Parc de Sa Feixina near the contemporary air museum. This park is right on Torrent de sa Riera, so it feels a bit like a hidden canal in the city.
My conclusion on Palma? It is a great place to enjoy the Mediterranean heat and experience the local culture. Like any Spanish city, it has a lot of outdoor space for the locals to meet us and enjoy life together. While Mallorcan is the native language of the island and what the locals use to communicate with each other, you will find much more Spanish influence in the city. Palma feels like the center of everything happening in Mallorca, there is still so much more to see and experience on the island. I think the key to really experiencing the culture in any foreign country is to explore the cities and the countryside.
With that being said be sure to check out my post about what all there is to see outside of Palma. Maybe it will make you fall in love with Mallorca too!
The Journal of Wanderlust 