Most visitors to Mallorca only think of Palma as the airport they arrive at and depart from, choosing to spend their two weeks in their resort destination and never returning to this beautiful and interesting historic city.
Even if you are on a package tour to the island, most tour operators will run day trips to the Mallorcan capital, leaving you no excuse not to give up a few hours on the beach and experience the region's unique culture. For a day trip with a difference, you could take a boat trip from your own resort to Palma's marina and once in the city you can explore at your own pace or take one of the open top bus tours to make sure you don't miss any of the sights.
The heart of the city is the old town, with its network of narrow streets, picturesque courtyards and unique architecture. There are glimpses of Palma's Moorish past in many of the buildings, particularly in the areas around the cathedral and the Arba baths, two of the city's most visited historical attractions.
Construction on the cathedral, La Seu, was finished in 1601 on the site of an old mosque, parts of which can still be seen in the crypt today. Antonin Gaudi, the celebrated architect whose work makes Barcelona such a popular city, was from Palma and he worked on the restoration of the cathedral in 1901. The Arab baths, located near the cathedral's convent, date from the 11th century, though it is though that some of the structures may have borrowed stone or even foundations from even older constructions, perhaps from the Roman occupation of Mallorca.
You can learn more about the city and the island in the Museum of Mallorca which features permanent and temporary exhibits detailing the history, culture and art of different periods in the island's long past. The 14th century Castell de Bellver, perched high above the old quarter of Palma, also houses an archaeological museum, as well as offering a spectacular view of the city and surrounding area.
There are several excellent art galleries in the city as many of the most famous Spanish artists spent time on Mallorca and have donated works of art to Palma's museums. Works by Picasso can be seen at both the Museo do Arte Espanol Contemporaneo and the Museu d’Art Modern i Contemporani de Palma alongside other 20th century Spanish artists while sculptures by Rodin and Moore decorate the garden of the Palau March Museu, home to historical documents and books from the island's history.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Palma? Then below is a selection of holiday apartments in Palma and holiday villas in Palma that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
