Palma holidays

Palma, Majorca

Holidays to Palma take you to Majorca's glammed-up capital. Here, you've got the culture and attractions of a lively city, together with great beaches and nightlife.

A cosmopolitan city

This stylish Majorcan city is a sight and a half. One of Europe’s most dramatic cathedrals dominates the skyline, while the maze of an old town delivers cobbled lanes packed with tiny tapas bars. Like most capitals, Palma’s bagged the best of the country’s museums, shops and nightlife. But it trumps them by also having a brace of beaches within striking distance, so it’s a winning spot for a city break.

Beach nearby

Head east or west out of Palma and it won’t be long before you stumble on a beach that follows Spain's classic recipe. About a kilometre towards Portixol you’ll hit Playa de Palma, a long stretch of sand made up of several smaller beaches. The nearest one to Palma is Ca’n Pere Antoni, where the waterfront's wide enough for people to play football on. There’s also a pedestrianised prom, dotted with bars and restaurants.

History all round

Palma’s packed with historic sites, from the imposing Majorca Cathedral to the 10th-century Royal Palace of La Almudaina. The Arab Bathhouse is a must-see – it’s one of the only remaining examples of Moorish architecture on the island. And if you fancy a trip outside the city, you can trundle into the countryside on the Soller train – a vintage wooden number dating back to 1912.

Popular hotels in Palma

Top things to see and do in Palma

Beaches

The big beach

Follow the coast south out of the capital and you’ll soon reach the toffee-coloured sands of Playa de Palma. The beach starts at Ca’n Pastilla and unravels down the coast past the popular town of El Arenal. A pedestrianised walkway runs all the way along it – it’s fitted with ice-cream parlours and sea-facing bars, so there are plenty of places to stop off mid-stroll.

The secret beach

The beaches close to the capital tend to see a lot of footfall, so you’ll need to branch out a little further to find lesser-trodden sands. Over on the east coast, Cala Estellencs serves up quiet beach days alongside top-class sunsets. There’s a bit of a climb involved to reach the rocky seafront, but it’s well worth it if you’re after beach days paired with peace and quiet.

Shopping

Bargain buys

Market-lovers have plenty of choice in Majorca, and while the capital hosts its own haul of stalls, it’s worth taking the 30-minute drive inland to Inca’s Thursday market. You can pick up all sorts, from leather goods and ceramics to fresh fruit and veg – the stall owners are usually up for a bit of haggling, too.

Mid-range buys

Avenida Jaime III is one of the city’s busiest high streets – it’s lined with boutiques and shops on both sides, with a list of famous faces from the international shopping scene sat alongside some of Spain’s biggest brands.

Designer buys

Passeig del Born is the place to go if you’re up for flashing some cash – this place has got all the big designer names, like Louis Vuitton, Mulberry and Hugo Boss.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

Seafront strolls are a great way to spend your evening after a busy day of sightseeing. If you’re up for a lengthy walk, the city’s palm-lined promenade – AKA Paseo Maritimo – is a good shout. It stretches along the seafront for more than five kilometres, and it’s fitted with a cycle lane, which you can use if you’d prefer to check out the sights on a bike.

Lively evenings

The neighbourhood of La Lonja’s packed with bars, restaurants and nightclubs that stay open until the early hours. If you don’t fancy donning your dancing shoes, Jazz clubs and wine bars are part of the mix down here, too.

Food & drink

Majorcan soup

This hearty dish is made with cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, fresh spinach and onions. It’s got a thick texture and is traditionally served on top of wholemeal bread.

Ensaimada

You’ll struggle to find a Majorcan bakery that doesn’t stock these treats. Pastry is rolled into a swirl before being baked and dusted with powdered sugar. The plain version’s a popular pick, but you can also find them stuffed with cream or even nougat.

Arroz Brut

This dish is Majorca’s answer to mainland Spain’s paella. It’s made with a combo of ingredients including onions, tomatoes, rice, mushrooms, chicken, red peppers and green beans. It’s got a soupy texture, so it’s well worth ordering a side of bread for mopping up the sauce.

Trempo

This simple salad packs a punch in the taste department. It’s made with a mix of Majorcan green-bell peppers, tomatoes and onions. They’re all mixed together before being drizzled with olive oil. It usually comes as a main dish, but it makes for a tasty side plate, too.

Tombet

This traditional dish is made with layers of aubergine, red bell peppers and fried potatoes, and topped off with fried tomatoes, garlic and parsley. It’s a top pick for veggies, but it goes great with meat and fish options, too.

Facts about Palma

Currency
Euro
(EUR)
Language
Spanish
Time zone
GMT +1
Flight duration
2 hours to 4 hours 15 minutes from Gatwick

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