Palma de Mallorca is the capital of Mallorca, the largest and most famous of the Balearic Islands. For decades devoted to tourism, is an island of contrasts, alternating high urbanization areas, with long megahotel files that look a bit ‘of the Costa del Sol in Andalucia in wild and wilderness areas.
The numerous beaches on the island – there are more than 300 long sandy beaches and small coves – are attracting more attractive, but Mallorca is not only a destination for those who love to bask in the sun. It is also perfect for those who love long walks in the countryside, fascinating itineraries by car, cultural visits to historical cities and quaint villages.
The cathedral, the Almudaina Palace, the Lonja and the Plaza Mayor are some of the places worth visiting. The most beautiful monuments are silhouetted against a setting dotted with fishing boats, pine groves and palm trees. The island’s landscape is dotted with coves, beaches and cliffs, while inside await you typical villages and mountain ranges reaching 1,500 meters high. A natural and cultural richness that invites you to visit every corner of Mallorca to know more about the island’s gastronomy.
What to see & what to do
Beaches
Cala mondragò
Cala Mondragó is the number two candidate for the title of most beautiful beach of Mallorca. This name actually indicate two beaches, connected to each other, one of which is easily accessible by public transport and the other just a short walk from the parking lot. Both beaches of fine sand, are lapped by calm waters and transparent; the pines and the broom that surround them offer shelter from the summer heat.
Es Trenc
Many people feel that Es Trenc is the most beautiful beach in Mallorca, so that is called "Caribbean beach in Mallorca". A mordissima white sand and a sea of a unique transparent blue made famous this wild-looking beach, bordered by a large dune area and a lagoon area. There are tourist resorts in the area, and this helps to preserve the natural beauty of Playa Es Trenc, but not imagine it a paradise all to yourself: This long beach but just off alternates free zones to other equipped and attracts a large number of visitors.
Playa de Palma
Also called S'Arenal, Playa de Palma is the tourist beach of Mallorca and one of the largest. It is located a short distance from Palma de Mallorca, so much so that you might consider the town beach of the island's capital, and stretches from El Arenal Can Pastilla. The Playa de Palma is huge and very crowded genre, mostly German tourists, and many local area have menus and signs in German. It is frequented by a diverse audience of families, young and old, attracted by the comfort, services and opportunity to swim safely or amount of activities available in local area.
Park & Landmarks
Natural Park of Albufera
At about 40 minutes drive from the port there is the Albufera Natural Park which covers the districts of Alcudia, Muro and Sa Pobla; This area receives water from many streams, from Sant Joan River and the sea. The approximately 230 species of birds make Albufera an exceptional place for bird-watchers through special buildings erected in the park.
The Dragon Caves
They are the most famous and visited the island, in the Portocristo area. They consist of four caves joined one to the other: the Cave of the French, the Cave of Luis Salvador, the White Cave and the Black Cave. The sea water enters the caves and forms the Martel lake, 117 m long and 30 wide, one of the largest underground lakes in the world. While hiking visitors can also listen to a classical music concert with works by Chopin, Caballero and Offenbach. Along with the concert you can take a short boat trip on the lake, beautifully illuminated with light.
The Hams Caves
They are the caves where the imagination in the name of the environment has been expressed to the fullest. A magnificent electric lighting gives these a magical caves. In the cave there are "inhabitants" prehistoric, especially shellfish, now extinct in the rest of the world.
Animal Encounter
Palma Aquarium
The Palma Aquarium is one of the best tourist attractions of Mallorca, open all year. The Palma Aquarium is home to dozens of aquariums of various sizes that represent the various habitats of all the seas and oceans of the world. In the more than five million liters of salt water are housed more than 8,000 animals of 700 different species.
Family
Palma Aquarium
The Palma Aquarium is one of the best tourist attractions of Mallorca, open all year. The Palma Aquarium is home to dozens of aquariums of various sizes that represent the various habitats of all the seas and oceans of the world. In the more than five million liters of salt water are housed more than 8,000 animals of 700 different species.
Tren de Soller
Since 1912, the Tren de Sóller connects Palma to Soller, passing between the beautiful landscapes of citrus groves. Once used for the transport of oranges, this electric train still works today with the wagons and the original materials, offering an excursion between the colors and the perfumes of this island in the Balearic area. In 55 minutes the passengers are kidnapped by the beauty of the landscape you pass through and the smell of orange blossom, having the feeling of reaching the valley of orange trees almost too quickly. In Sóller, the terminus of the train, travelers can deepen their knowledge of modernist architecture in the museum Can Prunera, and if you make the Saturday excursion, can wander through the city market stalls.
History & Culture
Cathedral of Santa Maria de Palma
The Cathedral of Santa Maria de Palma, also known as Seu Cathedral, splendid example of Gothic Levantine art, dating from the thirteenth century and dedicated to St. Sebastian, patron of the city, is one of the most visited landmarks and popular site. Built on a cliff, the cathedral of Palma de Mallorca is the only one that is reflected directly on the sea.
Plaza Major
The Plaza Major is the nerve center of the Old Town where do the main shopping streets of the city. The Plaza has a rectangular plan with the porch perimeter around which once were the Inquisition buildings. In the Plaza de Cort is the municipality building that reproduces the pattern of a typical mansion of Mallorca.
The Royal Palace of Almudaina
The Royal Palace of La Almudaina is located next to La Seu Cathedral in the old quarter of Palma de Mallorca and is a Muslim fortress that was converted in 1281 according to the Catalan Gothic style. The architectural complex consists of a rectangular tower that housed the real palace of the King, the Queen's palace, the royal chapel and the courtyards, and has beautiful Islamic architectural elements like the Moorish arches that face the waterfront.
Can't wait to see ? Find out the most popular Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line
Departing from: Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, New Orleans, Mobile, Galveston, Charleston, Baltimore.
Royal Caribbean
Departing from: Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, Cape Liberty, Boston, San Juan.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Departing from New York, Miami, Tampa, Port Canaveral, San Juan.
MSC Crociere
Departing from: Miami
Celebrity Cruises
Departing from Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Boston San Juan.