Trip to Palma de Mallorca
The island of Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands, located east of Spain. The city of Palma de Mallorca is the capital of the island. The city is mainly known for its beaches, which have made it a destination for relaxing sun-and-sand vacations, but throughout the year the city offers breathtaking landscapes, cultural and art buildings, alongside other interesting sites.
Touring the Attractions and Destinations in the City
Upon arriving on the island, you cannot miss the large Gothic cathedral, La Seu. Construction of the cathedral began in the 13th century and was completed only in the early 17th century. The church stands on a site where an Arab mosque once stood. The church is very impressive from the outside, and even more so from the inside. Therefore, it is worthwhile to start the visit with a view of the church from the park located beneath it, Parc de la Mar. The park features street performers, cafes, and a tourist information kiosk.
Book recommended tours suitable for cruise passengers (departing from and returning to the port in Palma) from Viator:
Book food tours in Palma from Viator:
After the viewpoint, it is highly recommended to enter the church. Admission is paid. Not only is the church impressive, but also its entrances, especially the entrance from the sea side, Portal del Mirador. The foyer rooms display statues, pictures, and additional decorations expressing the wealth and elegance of past periods, but the true treasure is in the central hall of the church. The stained glass windows in the church are among the largest of their kind in the world. In the early afternoon hours, the sun rays shining on the stained glass paint the entire church in vibrant colors, giving it an even more magnificent appearance. The church is heavily decorated and impressive, partly built by Gaudí. The church has huge pillars rising to a height of 44 meters. Very impressive, not to be missed.
Adjacent to the cathedral and opposite one of its entrances is the Almudaina Palace, Palau de l’Almudaina. The palace was once a Muslim fortress and over the years also served as a summer palace for the Spanish royal family. You can tour the palace, most of whose contents have been preserved. Admission is paid.
The city streets are filled with particularly impressive buildings, making wandering among them pleasant and worthwhile. It is also recommended to enter the Arab Baths, Banys Arabs, which include a variety of architectural styles from different periods. The baths are a remnant of the Moorish period of the city, with the structures estimated to have been built as early as the 11th century. Admission is paid.
Palma is known not only for its rich culture and art, but also for its shopping streets. The recommended streets are Passeig des Born and Avinguda Jaume III. In these streets you will find many designer shops, alongside department stores and more familiar shops like Zara, H&M, C&A, and more.
From the shopping streets, it is recommended to take a taxi to the ancient castle, Bellver Castle. This is the first circular castle in Europe, located on a hill near the port. The castle – impressive in its own right – offers a beautiful view of the entire bay of Palma. The castle was built in the 14th century. Admission is paid. From the castle, you can reach the port with a walk of about 25 minutes, which includes descending about 500 steps.
♦ Recommended Tours in Palma from Viator:
Touring with a Tourist Bus
Another way to get to know the city is by riding the tourist bus, Hop on hop off bus. The bus departs every 20-25 minutes and has 16 stops around the city. Stop no. 12 is at the entrance to the port, where you can also board the bus.
Private Tour in Hebrew Across the Island of Palma de Mallorca
A 5-hour private tour in Hebrew with Leri Jovino, an Israeli guide who has been living on the island for 25 years and conducts private and group tours in Hebrew all over the island.
Leri picked up our family from the pier in a comfortable minibus with a private driver and we drove directly to a charming and touristic village in the mountains named Valldemossa, where we walked on foot through the picturesque alleys among beautiful houses decorated with plenty of flower pots and ceramic tiles with a prayer to Saint Catherine, the holy patroness of the town.
We visited Chopin's gardens and saw the house of the famous composer who lived for a certain period in the small town with his beloved, gazed at the beautiful mountain view and strolled along the main street abounding with shops, cafes and restaurants. We tasted the town's unique almond drink: Horchata and ate the characteristic local pastry: Coca de patata, a baked sweet roll made from potatoes. We also tasted fine liqueurs in a variety of flavors produced locally.
From there we returned back to the city of Palma, were impressed by the palaces, gardens and the huge and impressive cathedral, gazed at the port, were impressed by the main square where the parliament is located, the unique architectural style, and the variety of pedestrian malls and bustling shopping streets. We visited a nice pearl shop where we learned about the various methods of growing and preparing pearls, saw the street where the Jewish ghetto once stood, and finished off with a swim at a successful beach located a ten-minute drive from the cruise port.
Trip to a Great Beach
A successful walking tour from the port in Palma begins with a beautiful promenade along marinas packed with yachts:
Further along is a rocky beach bordering a war museum. A number of nudists were hanging out among the rocks on the beach.
After a leisurely walk, you take a taxi to a beach named Palma Nova. The duration of the drive to it from the port is about ten minutes. This is a sandy beach with clear and calm water, a lifeguard, sun loungers and umbrellas for rent, and paddle boats with a slide for rent.
The beach is adjacent to shops, restaurants and most importantly: there is a taxi station adjacent to the beach. The water temperature in September is 25-26 degrees Celsius. A perfect place for sea and beach lovers. Thanks to Leri Jovino for the successful recommendation.