Palma is the biggest city on the island of Mallorca and is a major port in the region. Palma, or Palma de Mallorca to use its full name, is located on the southwest corner of the island. Since the 1950s the island has become a hugely popular tourist destination, especially with German and British people. This has led to many accommodation options available to tourists, from hotels to villas. Mallorca is the largest of four islands off the east coast of Spain known as the Ballearic Islands. This charming Spanish city features many good restaurants, shops and bars and the historic centre has lots of beautiful gothic architecture. There is something for everyone to love on this island, if it is not the white sandy beaches and relaxed atmosphere it is the bustling night life that has plane loads of visitors coming during peak seasons. Palma de Mallorca can offer every traveller a great experience – keep reading to find out what we love about this beautiful island.
Apartments and Accommodation
The island of Palma de Mallorca is a great selection of accommodation available to visitors. There are many hotels to choose from and Palma is where the majority are located. Wimdu offers a great selection of spacious apartments, sea front villas and bed & breakfast accommodation to suit all types of travellers and budgets. Choose from downtown apartments or beautiful villas with private pools, whatever your needs Wimdu has you covered!
Fun Facts!
- Majorca derives from the Latin ‘insula major’ meaning ‘larger island’.
- Despite the island being inhabited since 5000 BC, it has only been visited by tourists since 1952!
- The island has been invaded several times over the years. King James I of Aragon invaded with 15,000 men in 1229!
- In 2008 22 million people flew to Palma airport!
What do See and Do in Palma
Palma’s charming historical centre has lots to offer visitors to the city. We recommend you visit the Bellver Castle, one of the few circular castles left in Europe and with origins dating back to the 14th century. The castle contains a museum which features archaeological finds and classical sculptures. Walk around the moat then ascend the stairs to the top patio area for some of the best views of the city and bay. Those wishing to experience the city and its attractions should opt to take a holiday apartment in Palma de Mallorca's centre. This will give them the best view of life in this passionate city. The Pueblo Espanol is another architectural museum that is worth seeing. It’s designed like a small village and contains lots of beautiful examples of Spanish architecture. Speaking of Spanish architecture, the magnificent Le Seu Cathedral is stunning and a must-see! The cathedral overlooks the bay and the area and gardens surrounding the building are beautiful. The real beauty lies within and we recommend you enter the cathedral. The interior is stunning and the stained glass windows are beautiful. The attention to detail inside the cathedral is certainly impressive! One of our favourite things to do in Palma is to take the Soller Railway to the town of Soller. The train leaves from the main train terminal and is known as one of the ‘great little railway journeys of the world’. The journey takes you out of Palma, through farmer’s fields and then up into the mountains to the pretty town Soller. It is a sleepy and charming town and there’s a great selection of restaurants in the town.
Nightlife in Palma
Palma has good nightlife and the best place to experience Palma at night is at the Paseo Maritimo, along the ocean in Palma. This area is where the boats and yachts are moored and the port is located. The majority of bars, pubs and clubs can be found here. We recommend Tito’s nightclub, one of Palma’s most famous clubs which once was one of Frank Sinatra’s favourite haunts. At night time the cathedral is lit up and it’s very pretty - take a stroll around the area and soak up the atmosphere!
Beach life
Palma has several beautiful beaches that are among some of the most beautiful on Mallorca. Just west of Palma is the Paguera Beach, a popular beach for tourists. You can do lots of watersports at the beach and people regard Palma to be the windsurfing capital of the world. Illetes Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches and is located in a small bay surrounded by hotels and trees. We recommend you admire the rich variety of sea life found off the coast of Palma by taking a glass bottomed boat cruise – well worth it!Getting Around
As Mallorca is a major tourist destination the island has connections with all major European cities. Mallorca has the advantage of only being a 2 hour flight from major European capitals such as Paris, Berlin and London. Palma is located just 5 miles from Palma de Mallorca Airport and the EMT Line 1 bus runs between the airport, port and city centre every 15 minutes between 6am and 2am. If you are looking to get a ferry from Spain to Mallorca then there are plenty of options available to you. Palma is a nice city to explore on foot as there are many cobblestone streets that are pleasant to walk down. Walking around the city will give you a personal view of the city and you’re likely to come across some nice off the beaten track restaurants and bars. Ask your holiday apartment hosts to give you insider tips on which eateries you should try out. The city has a good bus service and is the best way to reach the various beaches located close to Palma city centre. Keep an eye of the travel connections available when you are choosing a Villa in Palma de Mallorca, to ensure you can enjoy an easy travel experience to and from your accommodation.