Palma
Palma offers you both a lively evening scene and cultural haven during the day. Whatever you experience here, you’re sure to see a different side to Mallorca.
Lively squares both day and night, Palma’s got it all. You’ll see street performers and classic cafés underneath arches, so stopping for a latte’s basically essential. First off, Palma city is a ten-minute taxi transfer time from the airport. If you’re travelling from the UK then it’s also a flight time of about two hours. For times when you need a short break, even for a weekend, it’s doable in Palma as the travel doesn’t eat away at your very valuable tapas time. The early mornings are blissful. Despite being a city, the mornings are like any slow paced Spanish start. They’re clear, drenched in bright sunshine, and give incredible views over the harbour, the port, the sea or the mountains, whichever way your hotel room faces you won’t be disappointed.
It offers traditional Spanish culture, at weekends you can spot the dancers in the streets of the historic old town, or underneath the iconic cathedral. Families, adults, children all join in their traditional local dancing and it’s well worth a watch.
The giant, gothic Santa Maria Cathedral is another beauty of the city, standing very tall overlooking the bay, the city, and right along the coast. Visible from almost everywhere it’s one of a few grand architectural structures you can seek out in Palma.
The main port of Palma is perfect for a stroll in the early evening, if only to admire the yachts and sailing boats that moor there.
The restaurants are all incredible. In the main city there’s everything from top end fine dining to traditional Spanish tapas. Try the Padron peppers with sea salt – diving! Or Pa amb oli which is like an open sandwich consisting of various combinations, from jamon y queso to a full on mixed grill, which also comes with Sobrasada which is the local version of chorizo (without the drying process).
If time allows on your visit why not consider getting the train up to Soller. The train itself is full of character and comprises antique wooden carriages which are perhaps not the most comfortable way to travel, but the journey time is only a little over an hour and the scenery makes the trip more than worthwhile.
The journey gives an interesting insight to the backstreets of the city. It then journeys on out of the city, passing through fields of almond trees, farms and villages. The train began its ascent into the mountains, through several tunnels, before stopping at the scenic overlook, Mirador del Pujol d'En Banya. Once in Soller, the town is very picturesque with historic buildings and a lovely square which is bustling with life. Take a wander through the lovely winding streets and discovered many unusual shops and little places to eat, or you could choose to get the old tram which runs from Soller station to the seaside town of Puerto de Soller. It travels downhill passing orange and lemon groves down to the pretty harbour town. Get off at first tram stop and walk along the length of the lovely promenade which sweeps around the harbour and is lined with many places to enjoy a nice cool drink or some lunch. The beach here is also very nice.
You will not be disappointed with this beautiful city – I highly recommend it for a city break or twinned with another part of this lovely island.