How to spend a perfect day in Palma, Majorca's vibrant capital
Once a sleepy provincial backwater, Palma de Mallorca – the Balearic Islands’ capital – has blossomed into one of Europe’s best city-break destinations. With year-round appeal and a waterfront setting, the ancient and elegant Old Town and its adjacent neighbourhoods are a pleasure to explore on foot: but never more so than in summer, when life spills colourfully onto plazas, streets and rooftops
08:00
There’s every chance that clients will find ensaimadas (Mallorca’s emblematic, sugar-dusted pastries) on their hotel’s breakfast buffet, but they won’t be a patch on the ones served at Ca’n Joan de S’aigo. Tucked away in the Old Town’s car-free lanes, it’s the city’s oldest cafe and has been here for more than 300 years. Ensaimadas are a breakfast staple, or come back later for almond cake and home-made ice cream.
10:30
For first-time visitors, a walking tour is a great way to get the lie of the land (from £23pp, viator.com). Whether seen on a tour or under their own steam, clients should not miss Palma’s Gothic cathedral: it’s the city’s signature landmark. Its architecture and rose window are impressive, but best of all are its rooftop terraces (accessed via 200-odd spiral steps). Next door, the historic Royal Palace of La Almudaina is also fascinating.
12:30
Both the cathedral and palace sit atop the ancient walls that have protected the city for nearly five centuries. Clients are sure to enjoy ambling along them, with history on one side and the sea on the other. Suggest that they pop in for a coffee at the lovely Hotel Calatrava before descending from the walls and continuing their stroll along the shore past the sands of Palma’s city beach.
14:30
At the far end of the beach is the marina and seaside suburb of Portixol, which is brilliant for waterfront lunches. Depending on their budget, clients could choose a simple llonget sandwich at Es Vaixell cafe; a proper lunch on Scandi-chic Hotel Portixol’s outdoor terrace; or go all-out at Assaona Gastrobeach Palma Club, which serves fresh fish overlooking the harbour (and has beach loungers for relaxing on afterwards).
17:00
Time for a cultural fix. A walk or bus ride back along the walls will take clients to the contemporary art museum of Es Baluard. Once a medieval fortification, it’s now filled with works by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Joan Miro, who adopted Palma as his hometown. Discover more along the waterfront at the Pilar & Joan Miro Foundation, which includes the latter’s original studio.
20:30
Suggest clients head for drinks on the rooftop terrace at Can Alomar, one of more than 30 boutique hotels in the Old Town. The views through the treetops to the cathedral are fantastic. Then make a night of it round the corner at The Jazz Lounge or further along the waterfront at Lio Mallorca whose combination of cabaret, dinner and dancing is new for this summer.
- For more information, visit spain.info/en/destination/palma
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