Guide to Mallorca

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.

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

• 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 de Bonany

Travelling to Mallorca? The following links may also be useful
Guides provinces bordering with Mallorca and beautiful places in Spain nearby
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