Palma

The morning of the first day is a chance to discover a city that embraces the sea. Our route starts in the Plaça de la Reina, passing through the gardens of s'Hort del Rei and continuing along the old city walls. At the foot of the imposing Gothic cathedral we can enjoy a panoramic view of the Parc de la Mar, the cultural area of Ses Voltes and the bay, before stopping at the La Almudaina Palace or the Episcopal Palace. We follow Palau Reial to the Plaça de Cort, where the historic town hall is located. From here, our route takes us through some of the city's most characteristic shopping streets to Passeig des Born, a charming street full of exclusive shops. Continuing our leisurely stroll, we visit the exhibitions of the elegant Casal Solleric, before ending our beautiful and interesting tour of this neighbourhood overlooking the Church of Santa Creu with the Sant Llorenç crypt and museum. Lunch is at one of the many restaurants in the districts of La Llotja, Passeig des Born and Porta de Santa Catalina. Afterwards, you can combine shopping in Calle Unió, Plaza de Weyler and Jaume III with a visit to the Es Baluard Museum of Contemporary Art. Another option is to take the tourist bus to Bellver Castle, the old giant that rises to the west and has watched over Palma since the 14th century. To discover the nightlife of Palma, we recommend a dinner on the always lively promenade Passeig Marítim.

We start with a stroll near the majestic Palau March and its attractive museum. After visiting the courtyards of Can Oms, Can Bordils and Can Olesa, we visit the Arab Baths and the Museum of Mallorca, the perfect places to explore the history of the city. The Church of Santa Eulàlia is located on the square of the same name, near the Casal de Can Vivot. From here we head to the imposing Plaça Major, where we can admire the modernist facades of Can Forteza Rey and El Águila. For dinner, we can eat in one of the restaurants near the popular Mercat de l'Olivar. Bus number 4 takes us to Fundació Miró Mallorca. Another option is to stroll from La Rambla to the Plaça d'Espanya, stop at a local café and then visit the old Gran Hotel (an Art Nouveau gem) or visit the Museu Fundación Juan March for contemporary Spanish art and admire the façades of the Palace of Justice and Casa Casasayas. Dinner is in the trendy Santa Catalina district.

An ideal day for visiting the Jewish Quarter and/or Palma's historic commercial district, where we can enjoy traditional shops, art galleries and history. From the Plaça de Cort we reach the Plaça de Sant Francesc to visit the Basilica of the same name, dedicated to Saint Sant Francesc. Strolling through the streets takes us past other interesting buildings such as El Temple, the square and the church of Sant Jeroni, the church of Monti-Sion and the courtyards of La Criança and Can Catlar. (The easiest way to visit the beautiful courtyards of Palma is to take a guided tour with one of the companies that organise these routes. This is a guaranteed way to visit them – many of them are privately owned. You are guaranteed a genuine city welcome in these historic architectural gems). Bus number 35 (Porta des Camp) takes us to the coastal districts of Portitxol and Es Molinar, where we dine on top-quality fish and fresh seafood. This is another opportunity to explore and visit some of the city's art galleries. If you want an unusual yet fun experience, how about a bike ride? For dinner, we head to Passeig Mallorca – Jaume III, another top-class gastronomic centre in Palma.

Culture in Palma

Mallorca Cathedral reflects the last eight centuries of its history. The large nave by the sea dominates the bay, overwhelming visitors at first glance and awakening their curiosity — it is an icon of the island's historical and spiritual heritage.

Bellver Castle towers over the bay and the island. The exhibition inside takes visitors on a journey through the development of Palma, from the Talayotic settlements to the 20th century.

La Llotja de Palma, located on the sea front and featuring the palm trees of Passeig Sagrera, is the former seat of the Colegio de la Mercadería, which was the guild of merchants of Mallorca.

Almudaina is the city's royal castle. Today's castle is a reconstruction of the Muslim fortress from the 12th or 13th centuries and was rebuilt between 1305 and 1314 for King Jaime II.

Es Baluard, Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, has a diverse collection of artists (such as Joan Miró).

Fundació Miró Mallorca takes care of the inheritance that Joan Miró and his wife Pilar gifted to the citizens, so that the art of Miró can be discovered and the creative process can be studied where he lived for almost 30 years.

With their magnificent courtyards, Casal Solleric and Can Balaguer give an insight into the splendour of the old families of the old town. The imposing access courtyards are home to a temporary exhibition hall and a café/library.

With an average annual temperature of 18ºC and an ideal location on the Mediterranean, Palma has two natural characteristics that make it the perfect place for sporting activities. It also features first-class facilities and an event calendar with events such as the Port de Palma Triathlon Mallorca and the Zafiro Palma Marathon, which attract thousands of people (athletes, supporters and fans) every year.

In addition to these sporting events, visitors to the city can enjoy sports thanks to a wide network of businesses linked to the industry and facilities for all sports, including cycling, sailing, hiking and water sports.

Palma is the ideal choice for a family holiday — not only in summer, but also in autumn, winter or spring. Don't miss options such as the aquarium, roller skating on the Paseo Marítimo waterfront or enjoying a delicious snack.

Various companies offer boat or catamaran trips through the bay of Palma, allowing you to view the city from a different perspective.

For lovers of bygone times, the historic train is a good alternative: this wooden train connects Palma with the coastal community of Sóller and transports passengers back in time as they travel majestically through landscapes criss-crossed by the orange trees typical of the island.

The cuisine of Palma has several aspects: local produce, traditional recipes and the wide range of first-class restaurants (some of which are run by Michelin-starred chefs) that the city has to offer. The restaurants are spread across the entire city, although many of them are grouped in specific districts, including trendy Santa Catalina and La Llotja. You can also enjoy popular cuisine in the city's shops and markets.