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Mallorca
(or Majorca) is probably the most interesting island of the Balearic
Islands, both historically and culturally. It is also the largest. The official
language is Catalan, spoken in the local dialect called Mallorquín,
although of course Spanish is also spoken everywhere. Mallorca covers 3640 Km2
and you can visit the whole island by car in just a week. Palma is the
capital of Mallorca.
Mallorca is one of Spain's most important tourist
destinations attracting visitors from all over the world. It has a lot to offer
- great hotels, sports facilities, entertainment, museums, churches, picturesque
villages, scenery, beaches..... The marina in Palma bay is spectacular.
Archeological remains from the ' talayótica' culture which existed
between 1400 - 1200 B.C. represent some of the Mallorca's most important historical
remains.
Palma de Mallorca Palma,
with a population of about 350.000, is by far the biggest town in Mallorca. It
is located in Palm bay surrounded by the Tramuntana mountain range to the west,
the Pla moutains and the Llucmajor marina to the east. The average temperature
is 17º with on average 300 days of sunshine a year.
The histiry
of 'Mallorca city' (as it was once known), is the same as the rest of the
Balearic Islands. In 1716 Felipe V changed its name to Palma and in 1983 it became
the capital of the Balearic Islands automomous region.
Walks:
the most important street in Palma is 'El Passeig des Born', it is a commercial
street with bars, shops and restaurants and serves as a meeting place for the
locals. A stroll through the old part which is full of old mansions from the 17th
- 19th centuries aswell as a number of churches is very pleasant. The 'Plaza Mayor'
is another focal point of the city. The Ramblas and 'Avenida Jaime III' are both
important commercial streets worth a visit.
Taking a walk from Palma
port to 'el Arenal' is also recommended. All in all its 16 kms long going from
beach to beach El Portixol, El Molinar, Coll d'En Rabassa and Can Pastilla. Other
beaches worth visiting are Illetas and Santa Ponça. They all have crystal
clear water and fine sand.
Palaces and Castles:
Palau de l'Almudaina: built above an ancient Moorish fort. It
was converted into a Royal palace. It now serves as a museum.
Castell
de Bellver: Gothic in style, built under the orders of King Jaime II.
Cathedrals and churches: La
Seu cathedral: Located above the sea wall over Palma bay. Built between
the 14th - 19th centuries, gothich style, the chapel was designed by Gaudi.
Sant Francesc Basílica : Gothic style, the
altar is Baroque.
Santa Catalina church: Located
between the cathedral and the townhall. Gothic in style. Museums:
- Mallorca museum: C/ Portella, 5. it houses an extensive collection
of works of art, and gives information on the history of Mallorca.
- Diocesano
museum: C/ Calders, 2. It houses an important collection of religious
art.
- The Joan Miró Foundation:
C/ Joan de Saridakis, 29. Located in what was once the house and studio of Joan
Miro´. It houses a permanent collection of his works of art.
- La
Caixa Foundation: Plaza de Weyler, 3. A cultural centre
located in the former Grand Hotel.
- The Modern Contemporary art museum:
Porta Santa Catalina.
- La Llotja museum:
Plaza de Santa Llotja
- La Seu museum: C/ Palau Reial,
29
- Bellas Artes museum: Located in 'la Llotja' a 14th century
building built by Guillen Sagrera
 The
Townhall: Plaza de Cort. 17th century, it still has its original roof.
The Arabic baths: Dating back to the 10th century. Well conserved.
Where to eat in Mallorca: Mallorca has some very good restaurants
where you can eat extremely well. You can get excellent tapas in the old part.
What to eat in Mallorca: Mallorcan cuisine is excellent. An unusual
thing is that both olive oil and pig fat are used in many of its typical dishes
giving them a distinct taste. Oil with bread is another typical dish. Their are
many other tasty dishes to try. Fish and seafood stand out. There are some very
good wines especially from Benissalem D.O. de Felanitx, Petra, Sant Joan. Restaurants
in Palma Mallorca: Arenís Bellini (San Feliu, 7) creative cuisine using
traditional ingredients; Can Cárlos (Agua, 5) traditional; El
Jardí de Son vida (Raixa, 2 , Castillo Son vida Urb. Son Vida) chefs
own specialities; Es Baluard (Pl. Puerta de Sta. Catalina, 9) chefs own
specialities; Koldo Royo (Av. Ingeniero Gabriel Roca, 3, Passeig Maritim)
both innovative and traditional; Porto Pi (Joan Miró, 174) innovative. Restaurants
in Mallorca: Miramar (Av. Mateo Bosth, 18, Porto Andraitx) tradicional;
Clibia (Av. Pollença, Pollença)tradicional; Miramar (Paseo
Maritimo, 2, Puerto de Alcudia)tradicional; Celler Sa Sinia (Pescadors,
5, Porto Colom) tradicional; Port Petit (Av. Cala Llonga, Santanyí,
Cala d'Or) tradicional; Cavall Bernat (Maressers, Cala Sant Vicenç)
chefs own specialities; Ses Rotges (Rafaelk Blanes, 21, Cala Ratjada) chefs
own specialities; Tristián (Puerto Portals, local 1 , Torre Capitanía,
Calvià) both innovative and traditional.
Shopping: You
can buy pearls, shoes, Morrocan jewellery, furniture, glass ornaments, and much
more.  Nightlife
in Mallorca: In the old part known as the Casco antiguo you
can find pubs and bars with a bohemian atmosphere near the cathedral. In the area
around the sea promenade you can find more expensive, elegant bars. In the area
known as Can Bárbara the bars are more sophisticated attracting
the younger crowd: In the area around the Paseo de Mallorca you
get more classic, typical bars open all year which are mostly visited by the locals.
Lastly around the beach areas from Arenal to Can Pastilla you get the younger
crowd and tourists.
Hotels and accommodation: Click on Hotels
in Mallorca
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Places of interest on the Island of
Mallorca
Soller: Located in the Tramontana
mountain range. An agricultural village. The only railway line on the island goes
from the capital Palma to this place.
The Balear Science Museum is here, with its splendid botannic garden. In nearby
Deiá there is an interesting Archeological Museum and also the house
where Robert Graves lived. Andratx: A village located in a valley.
It has an elegant, exclusive marina full of expensive yachts. Surrounded by expensive
villas. You can visit the Sant Elm castle and Sa Dragonera island from here.  Valldemosa:
The composer Frédéric Chopin and George Sand lived here from 1838
to 1839 in the Jesús de Nazaret charterhouse. There is also a 17th century
church and a 17th century pharmacy. Concerts are held in the 16th century cloister
which also houses a small museum with works by Miró, Tàpies and
Juli Ramis.
Polleça: One of the most popular tourist destinations
on the island. A delightful agricultural village. To see: Nostra Senyora dels
Angels church (18th century), the Municipal museum (local archeology). On the
outskirts of the village there is a Gothic church El Calvari, la Alcudia surrounded
by 16th century walls, a Roman theatre and 10 kms away Formentor and Cala Sant
Vicente beaches. Manacor: Well known for its pearls although furniture
and glass ornaments are also made here. To see: The Archeological Museum,
the Aquarium, the Santa Domingo Convent, a 16th-century convent and just
12km. from the town the famous Cuevas del Drach, beautiful natural caves
(see below in Porto Cristo). If you eat here, try La Gamba de Oro restaurant. Cala
Ratjada: A typical fishing village which has now become a residential area.
To see: the medieval Capdepera 13th century castle, a 12th century tower called
Torre de Canyamel and a beach with sand dunes. Alfabia: Visit the
Hacienda and Jardines de Alfabia. Once the estate of Majorca's Moorish governor,
it is one of the few estates open to the public. The gardens still retain features
from the fifteenth century, including a courtyard fountain and a canal with criss-crossing
jets of water. 
Llucmajor: 8 Kms from here there is the Puig de Randa 543 metres high with
3 sanctuaries: Sant Honorat del 14th century, Nostra Senyora de Gracia and Santuari
de Cura, built in the 16th century. 14 Kms away you can find important archeological
remains from the talayótico culture from 1000 B.C. The Pi bay is quite
near.
 Porto
Cristo:
Near Manacor. An important touristic area with a marina.
To see: the Aquarium and Exotic Park (rare birds). Caves (easy access from Port
Cristo): Coves del Drac, Coves dels Hams, Coves d'Artà. The Cova del Drac
consists of a number of caves, an underwater lake known as "Martel"
39 metres deep and 177 metres long - boat trips available. Also El Teatro and
La Ciudad Encantada caves. The Caves dels Hams: 500 metres long, with a subterranean
lake known as the Mar de Venecia. The Caves d'Artà are 40 metres above
sea level and offer beautiful views. Nearby beaches - Bahía de Artà
and the Cala Millor.
Felantix: A agricultural village - an interesting
13th century church Sant Miguel with a spectacular facade. 5 Kms away you can
the find the Castillo de Santuari, which the kings of Aragon built in the 14th
century.  Cabrera:
A national park. An island off Mallorca which has never been inhabited, although
it was used as a military base for centuries
Lluc: Small village
situated in the Tramontana mountains. It has a 12th - 13th century Baroque style
monastery. You can get to a beautiful small cove called Sa Calobra from
here. Petra: Fray Junipero Serra was born
here, the founder of California in the U.S. You can visit the house where he was
born. There is also a 12th century monastery called the Ermita de Nostra Senyora
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