Palma City, the capital of Majorca, lies in the south west of the island on the Bay of Palma. It has an ancient history with its first settlement being traced to pre- Roman times. Palma is the busy commercial and cultural centre of Majorca with over half of the island’s population living there. Although situated on the large Palma Bay, the city itself does not have a beach. There are, of course, beaches at resorts only four or five miles away. Palma has some wonderful old buildings in its ancient heart. The narrow medieval streets open out into small squares filled with architectural delights including the huge Gothic Cathedral. There are shops and markets to satisfy the most ardent of shoppers and restaurants catering for every taste and budget.
Palma City is an attractive modern town with a well preserved medieval heart. The modern tree-lined boulevards of La Rambla and the Passeig des Born were constructed in the nineteenth century and stand in sharp contrast to the maze of narrow medieval streets and squares in the old quarter. Days in Palma are spent sightseeing, shopping, eating and drinking and if you have energy left at the end of the day, there is a pulsating nightlife.
Palma City is popular with people of all ages except perhaps those with young children for whom city sightseeing is inappropriate. Those people, usually retirees, who wish to escape the cold of a British winter, often choose to visit Palma out of season when the streets are less crowded and the temperatures are cooler.
The holiday season in Palma City lasts from the end of April until late October with temperatures ranging from the twenties to the mid thirties.
Palma City lies on the south west coast of Majorca and benefits from a short transfer time from the airport. Situated on the Bay of Palma it strategic position has given it a long history. It is the centre for commerce and culture and is home to half of Majorca’s inhabitants. Although Palma is now a modern vibrant city, its well preserved medieval heart retains a traditional charm. The magnificent Gothic Cathedral, one of the largest and oldest in Europe, dominates the centre with a narrow labyrinth of streets radiating from it. The Cathedral was restored by Gaudi and has one of the largest stained glass rose windows in the world.
The port has some of the best tourist attractions with the Castle of Bellver, the Royal Palace and the Stock Exchange, all of which are impressive buildings. There are interesting walking tours of the city which offer hidden insights into the history of the city.
There are also striking nineteenth century boulevards shaded by trees and interspersed with squares and small parks. Ardent shoppers will enjoy the choice and the quality of the shops in these areas.
Palma City has a vast range of restaurants catering for all tastes and pockets. These include some very high class establishments.
Palma City’s nightlife has something for everyone. There are discos and clubs that remain open throughout the night offering a range of music to those who like to party. There are also numerous venues where couples can relax in romantic surroundings while enjoying a meal or a drink.
The well known Pacha nightclub, built into the cliff-side with views over the bay is one of the most popular. The Black Cat is a popular gay club which offers live shows. There are also several jazz clubs.
The boulevards in Palma are filled with shops of every description from department stores to designer boutiques and from specialist shops to elegant jewellers. Palma also has a number of markets selling local produce but the one that is of most interest to holidaymakers is the Mercat Artesanal craft market. It is on the Placa Major and is open every day except Sunday during the summer months. It is a lively place with street entertainers.
Palma City has a huge variety of restaurants, bars and fast food outlets thus catering for most tastes and pockets. There are restaurants providing ethnic food from all quarters of the world as well as many serving traditional Majorcan cuisine. Tapas are a good way to sample local food as a variety of dishes are served in small portions, ideal as a first course or to fill the sometimes lengthy gap between lunch and dinner.
