Palma de Mallorca

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The cathedral of Palma de Mallorca (La Seu) by night.
The cathedral of Palma de Mallorca (La Seu) by night.

Palma de Mallorca [1] is a city on the island of Mallorca, one of the Balearic Islands off the Spanish east coast.

[edit] Understand

Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the Balearic Islands, is the largest city in Mallorca; the population of the Palma municipality was approximately 380 000 at the beginning of 2004. Half the population of Mallorca lives in the city of Palma.

The city occupies the north western end of a bay in the south west of the island of Mallorca. The city council also has jurisdiction over the sub-archipelago of Cabrera including the islands of Cabrera, Conejera, Estells, Imperial, Rodon, Foradada, Plana, and Pobra.

The name Palma dates back to the Roman settlement on the site of the present city, although the area was originally settled during the Bronze Age. In the early middle ages it was invaded by Arabs, who named it Madina Mayurqa. In 1229 it was conquered by King Jaime I, ruler of Valencia and Aragon, and became an important trade city. Attacks by Turkish pirates in the 17th century led to a century long decline, finishing when Charles III opened trading with the Indies.

The city became a tourist destination in the 1950s, and tourist numbers have continually increased in the subsequent half century.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Palma's city airport (PMI) is the major airport in Mallorca, and has daily flights from many European cities on national and budget carriers. The airport is managed by Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea.

PMI is only 9 kilometres from the center of Palma. EMT's Line 1 bus service runs between the sea port, the city centre and the airport every fifteen minutes between 6:15am and 2:30am, and the fare is €1.85.

[edit] By train

TIB runs train services between Mallorcan towns.

[edit] By car

Travelers can only drive to Palma from other cities in Mallorca; there are no bridges or any road links to other islands or to the mainland. Most cities and towns in Mallorca have road links directly to Palma.
Balearic transfers Services. There are several companies in Majorca that offer transfer facilities from the airport to any destination on the island. Balearic transfer is one of these companies.

[edit] By bus

EMT (ph. 971 43 10 24) runs the local bus service in Palma. Regional buses to destinations around the island are operated mainly by TIB (Transport de les Iles Balears - www.tib.caib.es). All EMT buses are equipped with onboard screens and loudspeakers that state the current and next stop, in both Spanish and Mallorquin languages. EMT's line number 1 will take you from the airport through Palma downtown and to the outer dock of the main Palma harbour (where often some visiting cruise ships are berthed). Arrivals/departures every 15 minutes from 06.15 AM through 02.15 AM. The fare is €1.85 (appr. $2.36) as of 2008. There is only one fare, so you don't need to specify your destination to the driver/conductor!

[edit] By boat

Any number of cruise ships berth at Palma, and there are also a number of ferry services to other Balaeric Islands and to the Iberian peninsula:

[edit] Get around

Castell de Bellver
Castell de Bellver

Buses are the only form of shared public transport in Palma de Mallorca. The local buses are run by Empresa Municipal de Transports Urbans de Palma de Mallorca (EMT) and are very frequent. They have particularly good coverage of the beaches and the center of the city. Timetables and fares are available from the city council.

The Palma City Sightseeing bus (which is numbered line 50 on the EMT bus maps) does a circuit of Palma that includes tourist attractions like Pueblo Español and major shopping centres like Av. Jaume III and Porto Pi, as well as the ferry and commercial ports. The buses are double-decker and the top floor is open air. A basic audio tour is free with the tickets. The tickets are €13 adults and €6,50 children which is much higher than the other city buses, but they are valid for reboarding as many times as you like within 24 hours, and this is the only bus route that visits the Castell de Bellver.

A very different way to discover this city is to take one of the conducted tours organized by Official tour guides in Mallorca exploring the hidden places of the old quarter.

[edit][add listing] See

An exhibit inside the Pueblo Español architecture museum
An exhibit inside the Pueblo Español architecture museum
  • Castell de Bellver. ph 971 73 06 57 or 971 45 12 03. fax 971 45 43 73. Bellver Castle is built on the ruins of a Muslim site. It contains a museum of archaeological finds and classical sculptures as well as having an excellent view of the bay. It is open on weekdays at 8am to 8pm (October to March) and 8am to 9pm (April to September). It is open on Sundays and public holidays at 10am to 5pm (October to March), 10am to 7pm (April to June), 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 8pm (July to August) and 10am to 7pm (September). Admission is €1,80 adults and €0,87 members and concessions.
  • Pueblo Español, C- del Poble Espanyol. ph 971 73 70 70 or 971 73 70 75. fax 971 73 15 92. email p.espanyol@baleares.com. This architectural museum is designed like a small village containing facsimiles of the major classical works of Spanish architecture. During the week there are numerous artisans' shops, restaurants and bars operating within the museum. Open 9am to 7pm. Admission is €5 adults and €3 children.

[edit] Historic Center

The historical center of Palma is the oldest part of the city. It's also a refreshing area to walk in on one of Palma's hot humid days: the streets are narrow and shady. You will get a chance to peek in at a number of private courtyards. In addition, the historic center has a lot of attractions:

  • Catedral de Mallorca and Museo Catedralicio, C/ Capiscolato, 2. ph 971 72 31 30 or 971 71 31 33. fax 971 71 93 87. email info@catedraldemallorca.org. Mallorca's spectacular cathedral is located close to the sea-side. The museum, located in the chapter room and vestry, has exhibits of religious paintings and silverware. The museum opens at 10am, and its weekday closing hours are 5:15pm (April to May), 6:15pm (June to September), 5:15pm (October) and 3:15pm (November to March). On weekends it closes at 2:15pm (all year). [2]
  • Banys Àrabs, C/- Serra 3. ph 971 72 15 49. The Arab bath building is the only building in Palma dating to the Arab settlement. The baths were constructed in the tenth century, and were sauna-style: the floor was heated and water added to make the room steamy. A small courtyard and the two rooms of the baths themselves are open to ten people at a time. €1,50 adults and free for children.
  • Museo de Arte Español Contemporáneo, Sant Miquel, 11. ph 971 71 35 15 or 971 71 04 28. email museupalma@expo.march.es. This branch of the museum of contemporary art has a permanent collection of over seventy pieces by modern Spanish artists including Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Juan Gris and Salvador Dalí. The museum is open from 10am to 6:30pm weekdays and 10:30am to 2pm Saturdays. Admission is free. [3]
  • Plaça del Mercat, church and interesting art nouveau buildings.

[edit][add listing] Do

  • Aqualand, Palma – Arenal Motorway, exit 13, Km 15. This water park has slides and pools of varying degrees of adventurousness. Open from early May to early October each year, its opening hours are 10am - 5pm (May - June, Sept - Oct) and 10am - 6pm (July - August). Admission is €20 adults, €18 seniors and €14 children. [4]
  • Yacht charter and sailing - Windward Islands - Windward Islands, one of the worlds largest yacht charter companies, can take care of all charter requirements, from bareboat to crewed in the Baleares. Operating from 9 offices worldwide (USA, Spain, UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Caribbean, Honk Kong and Dubai).

[edit] Learn

Arguably the best and most up-to-date authority on everything to do with holidaying in Mallorca is www.abc-mallorca.com

The local english-speaking daily paper is The Majorca Daily Bulletin (www.majorcadailybulletin.es).

[edit][add listing] Buy

  • mng, C/Brossa 19 (behind the cathedral). Old candy shop. edit

[edit] Work

Most EU citizens have the legal right to work (see restrictions for some new members). Getting a job, even temporary ones, for non-Spanish speakers is hard to find in Spanish speaking atmospheres (most Spanish do not speak English). So you may try looking for temporary jobs as bartendending or waiting at English-Irish or German owned bars and restaurants, mainly in cities outside Palma like Magalluf or S'Arenal and Peguera (for German speaking travelers). In Palma City you may try getting day-work washing boats at Palma´s Marina. There are several boats and some of the owners may need a hand. Be around 8a.m. at the Marina and start asking for "day work" to people around the big boats. If you're lucky you'll be making around 100 euros!.

[edit][add listing] Eat

  • Bistrot Es Lloc, Placa Salvador Coll 11 (Palma Old Town, near Placa Major), ☎ 971 214 034. Typically French Bistrot with excellent a la carte menu lunch and evenings. Owned and operated by Enrique and Christine. Speak Spanish, French, German, English. edit

[edit] Budget

[edit] Mid-range

  • Cafe Port Pesquer, C/- Moll de la Llotja. ph 971 725 868 or 971 715 220. This portside cafe is a seafood specialist, and also serves local specialties like tapas and platos mediterráneos. It is popular with locals and tourists, but is perhaps a little under-staffed. Mains €14 - €20.
  • XII Apóstoles, C/- Sant Ramon Nonat. ph 971 262 015. fax 971 264 765. email info@12apostoles.com. This opulently decorated pizza restaurant has a pizza topping for each of the eponymous apostles. The enormous pizzas have a thin crust and sparse but intense toppings. Bookings advised if you're eating after 8:30pm. Pizzas €10 - €15. Wine €20 - €50.
  • Rock City Pizza y Copas, +34 971 450 976, c/ Caro, 24, Palma de Mallorca. . Quality fresh ingredients, generous portions, each pizza hand tossed to order (no molds or frozen dough) and all at a great price. Rock City serves a Pizza with thin a crust and in three sizes, 24 cm, 33 cm and 46 cm. With a wide variety of salad and appetizer options, this is the place to come for more than just great pizza. Decorated with various photos of rock legends in their prime while some of the best rock, jazz and r&b plays in the background, Rock City's decor and ambience maintain a style and elegance you won't find in any other pizzeria in town. Apps & salads €5,50-€12,00 Pizzas €7,00-23,50 Cocktails €4,50 Wine €9,00-€22,00

[edit] Splurge

[edit][add listing] Drink

  • Cappucino Palau March, Conquistador 13 (in a palace near the cathedral), ☎ +34 971 717 272. Good breakfast till 12.00. Then cocktails and salads. Nice, romantic and comfortable. But not cheap. Various breakfasts including 'full English' ("Desayuno London") at €10. edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

The Mallorca high season is between July and September. Book especially early during any holiday weeks or weekends in the United Kingdom or Germany, as Mallorca and Palma in particular are popular holiday spots for people from these countries.Many hotels close in winter so that booking is also advised then.

[edit] Budget

  • Hostel Terramar, Pl. Mediterránia, 8. ph 971 73 99 31. Reviews describe this as a particularly clean hostel with very friendly staff. A guest kitchen is available. Dorm beds are €15-17 per person, and double rooms are €17 per person (€22,50 with en suite).
  • Mallorca Wohngemeinschaft, C/- Joan Maragall, 37. ph +34 607 447 921 (fax +34 971 27 43 35. email info@wg-mallorca.com), [5].. This small guesthouse run by an Austrian couple is very close to the bay and has a number of double rooms. Guests have use of the kitchen -- the guesthouse is self-catering. Guests have use of wireless broadband internet access. Prices are € 23,50 per person per night (high season) and € 20 per person per night (low season). Long stay discounts are available during the high season: two weeks stay is € 299 per person.
  • Hostal Ritzi, Apuntadors, 6. Phone: 971714610 Open in winter, English owned and cheap, conveniently placed near the cathedral and with numerous really cheap tapas bars around.

[edit] Mid-range

  • Hotel Gala, C/- Xabec, 5. ph 971 26 08 12 or 971 40 09 69 (bookings). (fax 971 26 15 12), [6]. Reviews describe this three star hotel as in a good location near the beach and not far from the airport. It is described as an ideal family hotel with plenty of entertainment and a good distance from local restaurants and activities. Double rooms €69 per night (high season, 16 July - 15 Sept), €49 per night (low season).
  • Hotel Isla Mallorca, Plaza Almirante Churruca, 5. ph 971 28 12 00 (fax 971 45 65 03 info@islamallorca.com), [7]. Reviews describe this hotel as being well equipped and close to the commercial centre of the city. The facilities are oriented towards business travelers and include Internet access and a fax service for guests. Double rooms with breakfast only €100 per night (high season, July - Sept), €80 per night (low season). Double rooms with all meals €140 per night (high season), €120 per night (low season).

[edit] Splurge

  • Hotel Dalt Murada, C/- Almudaina. ph 971 42 53 00 (fax 971 71 97 08, email info@daltmurada.com), [8]. Reviews describe this small hotel as delightful: it is located in a refurbished 16th century building near the cathedral, and the rooms have period furnishings. The rooms have hydromassage baths, internet access and satellite TV. Double rooms from €140 per night and suites from €186 per night.
  • Palacio Ca Sa Galesa, C/- de Miramar, 8. ph 971 71 54 00 (fax 971 72 15 79), [9]. This luxury hotel goes all out with the rooms: silk curtains, antique furnishings and original paintings are in every room. The facilities are also top rate: private phone line, internet access, and climate control. Double rooms €278 per night, suites from €332 per night.
  • Portixol Hotel (Portixol Hotel), C/ Sirena 27, 07006 Palma (At the end of the Paseo Marítimo on the way to highway, follow the right side by sea. After first traffic light in the small fishing harbour, turn right twice), ☎ 971 27 18 00 (, fax: 971 27 50 25), [10]. Check in: 14:00; Check out: 12:00. A small 4 star hotel facing the sea and the small harbour of Portixol, mixing Scandinavian decoration with mediterranean style. Nothing pretentious but offering high standard accommodation. Rooms with views to the sea. 200€.  edit

[edit] Villa rental

  • Villa Bendinat, [11] - A good option for a group of 4 to 6 travelers to Mallorca.

[edit] Contact

  • Big Byte, C/- Apuntadores 6, Bajos. ph 971 71 17 54. fax 971 72 62 67. email cafe@bigbytepalma.com. This internet cafe includes DSL and wireless access and printing and fax facilities. http://www.bigbytepalma.com/
  • Cyberc@fe, Terrazas Porto Pi, Paseo Maritimo, 54. ph 971 70 38 79. This internet cafe has 34 computers available using a broadband connection.
  • CyberCentral, Soledad 4, Bajos. ph 971 71 29 27. fax 971 72 01 68. This internet cafe has DSL access and laptop access for €3 per hour. Printing is €0,20 black and white and €0,90 color. http://cybercentralpalma.com/

[edit] Stay safe

  • Be aware of pickpockets when walking around the centre.
  • If you do stop at any of the many terraces in the centre, keep an eye on your valuables and never leave them alone.
  • You will probably to find women offering flowers around the Cathedral. They will do their best to take what ever they can from you. If you see them, pass on.

[edit] Get out

  • Take a train journey from the Plaza d'Espanya to Sóller. Sóller is a beautiful small-town getaway, and the slow train journey has magnificent views of the western mountains.
This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!

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