Attractions around Palma

There's lots to see and do in and around this exciting city

Marineland Mallorca

Eighteen kilometers (11 miles) west of Palma, just off the coast road en route to Palma Nova, this attraction offers a variety of amusements - dolphin, sea lion, and parrot shows. There's a Polynesian pearl-diving demonstration and a small zoo. You'll find a cafeteria, picnic area, and children's playground, as well as beach facilities.
www.marineland.es

The Almudaina Palace

The Almudaina Palace was originally built as an Arab fortress, however, following the conquest of the island in the 14th Century by King James, it became the official Majorcan residence of the Spanish Royal Family. The work was undertaken on behalf of the King, by Pere Salva who was also responsible for building the Bellver Castle.
The Palace stands opposite the Cathedral, overlooking the harbour, and although most visitors are impressed with the S'Hort des Rei Gardens that surround the Palace, many are then unfortunately disappointed to find that once inside most of the rooms and corridors actually empty.
Opening hours:
Summer:
Monday to Friday 10:00 to 18:30
Saturdays: 10:00 to 14:00
Closed Sundays
Winter:
Monday to Friday 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 18:00
Closed Saturday and Sunday

The Cathedral of Mallorca

The Cathedral of Palma, which is also known locally as La Seu, is an impressive Gothic style building that was built over a 300-year period during the 14th to 17th Century. Although it has to be said that much of the facade was actually rebuilt during the 19th Century after an earthquake destroyed part of its western front.

La Seu is a landmark of the city, and as we said on our opening page it will undoubtedly be the first recognisable landmark that you see on the final approach before landing at the nearby Son Sant Joan International airport, and the sight of it from the air never ceases to take your breath away.

Tradition has it that as King and his army were sailing towards Majorca a great storm arose that threatened to sink the fleet. James is said to have prayed for the storm to pass, and vowed that if he landed safely, he would build a great Cathedral in honour of the Virgin Mary. Symbolically on New Year's Day 1230, a day after the fall of Palma, the foundation stone of the Cathedral was laid on the site of what was the city's main mosque.

The Cathedral is actually dedicated to San Sebastian, the patron saint of Palma, and contains relics and pieces of the True Cross in its treasury, also inside the Royal Chapel are the tombs of Kings James II and James III of Mallorca.

Visitors to the Cathedral enter through a small side door which, after passing through a small museum, leads to the nave looking towards what is still one of the world's largest stained glass windows containing 1,236 pieces of glass, and measuring almost 12m across.

The Cathedral is open to the public:
Weekdays 10:00 to 18:00
Saturdays 10:00 to 14:00
Closed Sundays

Contact details for more information is:
The Cathedral of Palma
Placa Almoina, s/n
Palma de Mallorca
Telephone: +34 971 723 130

The Arab Baths

The 10th Century Arab Baths are virtually all that now remain of the Arab city of Medina Mayurqa. Historians believe that they were probably once part of a nobleman's house as they are similar to those found in other Islamic cities of the time. Contact details for more information is:
The Arab Baths
Carrer Can Serra 7
Palma de Mallorca
Telephone: +34 971 721 549

Bellver Castle

Bellver Castle is the home of the city's History Museum, and although we have already briefly mentioned it on our Museums pages, we feel it worthy of a further mention here.

Construction of the castle began in 1309 by order of King James II, and during the last 700 years has been at times summer palace for the island's monarchy and also an impenetrable prison. The Castle remained in State ownership until 1931, when it, and the surrounding woodland, were transferred into the care of the Palma City Council. Today it exhibits are spread over two floors, with the ground floor containing the Armoury Courtyard and Museum of the City's History. The second and main floor, then contains the San Marcos Chapel, Sala de Jovellanos, Throne Room, kitchen and the Despuig Collection of Classical Sculpture. If all this culture is becoming too much for you, the terrace does also offer visitors an unrivalled panoramic view over the city and Palma bay.

Although at some 3km from the city centre, and over 112m above sea level, for most people the very thought of walking to the castle is, to say the least, a little daunting. However, we are pleased to say that access by public transport has been made quite easy with the 3, 4, 20, 21 and 22 buses all taking visitors within a few hundred metres of the entrance. Admission into the castle is also very reasonable at 1.73€ per person, which works out at around £1.20.

The Bellver Castle is open during the summer months;
Weekdays 8:00 to 21:00
Sundays and Public Holidays in April, May, June and September: 10:00 to 19:00
Sundays and Public Holidays in July and August: 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 20:00
and during the winter:
Weekdays 8:00 to 20:
Sundays and Public Holidays October to March:: 10:00 to 17:00

Contact details for further information:
Bellver Castle
Bosc de Bellver s/n
07015
Palma de Mallorca
Telephone: +34 971 730 657
Fax: +34 971 454 373

Palma Markets

Street Markets

Although this may seem like common sense to most people, we would take this opportunity to point out a couple of the major differences between street markets in the UK and those throughout all of Spain. Traditionally markets in Spain start quite early in the day, and will begin to break up shortly after lunch before the heat of the Spanish day becomes over powering. Also, and perhaps more significantly, in order to secure the best bargains you will be expected to haggle with the traders. A couple of words of advice, do not start to negotiate if you have no intention of buying, but do not be afraid to say "no" and walk away if the prices do not fall to a level that you are prepared to pay for an item. Common sense as we say, but still easy to forget.

The Llotja del Peix is an early morning fish market that takes place Monday to Saturday throughout the year at Es Moll de Pescadors. You2ll need to get there early as the night’s catch of mullet, prawns, sardines and sea bass goes on sale at 6am. For more information telephone +34 971 721 182.

The Mercat Artesanal is a lively craft market which takes place on the Placa Major throughout the year. During the summer months it is open Monday to Saturday from10am to around 2pm, and during the winter on Fridays and Saturdays. Certainly during the summer months there is always a friendly atmosphere as it attracts a number of buskers and other street entertainers, whilst others just prefer to sit and watch the world go by from the open-air cafes.

The Mercat Olivar is Palma's main produce market, and is held Monday to Saturday 7am to 2pm in a hall in the Plaza Olivar, which is near to the Placa d'Espanya. The market is spread over two floor of the hall with fresh produce on the ground floor, plus meat and cheese upstairs.

Although the Pere Garau livestock market is not likely to hold much appeal for most of the visitors to Palma, it is nevertheless certainly worth a mention here. The market is held Monday to Saturday 7am to 2pm in the Placa Pere Garau, which is to the east of the city centre. Contact details for more information telephone +34 971 273 283.

As with its larger namesake in Barcelona, the Rambla is a flower market that takes place Monday to Friday 8am to 2pm, and again in the evening from 5pm to 8pm in the Passieg de la Rambla.

The Rastro is a flea market that has over recent years become somewhat of a Palma institution, growing to the point where it now takes over part of the Avinguda Gabriel Alomar i Villalonga ring road every Saturday morning. There's always plenty of bargains, but there'll be well hidden amongst lots of junk too.

Finally in this section is the Santa Catalina fruit and vegetable market that is held in the Placa Navegacio, which is just to the west of the city centre, every Monday to Saturday from 7am to 2pm

Guided City Tours

The Palma City Council, in conjunction with the Council of Tourism, organise daily walking tours around the historic centre of Palma, all of which are led by a team of expert professional guides. The meeting point is at the Miro sculpture in the Placa de la Reina, and each tour takes around 2 hours. Pre-booking of places is essential, and further information may be obtained by telephone on +34 636 430 000.
Details of the five tours are:

The City and the Sea: - Cost 6€
Discover the history of Palma's port and harbour district including visits to the Sant Llorenc Chapel and sacred art room.

The Jewish Quarter: - Cost 6€
A guided tour of what was one of the most important Jewish quarters in the Mediterranean during medieval times which also includes a visit to the Museu de Mallorca.

Convent of The Capuchin Nuns: - Cost 6€
This is a unique opportunity to enter a convent of cloistered nuns and discover the past and present of a religious community which preserves a valuable architectural heritage and an assortment of ancestral objects.

Modernism in Palma: - Cost 7€
Discover the mark left by the modernist movement in Palma through the buildings constructed at the beginning of the 20th century, including a visit to Can Marques.

Palma Monumental: - Cost 6€
Find out what the streets of Palma are hiding, a global view of the historical and artistic career of the city.