What to Do First Time in Mallorca?

[billrco90278]

We will dock at Palma from 8:00 to 4:00 this April from the Oceania Riviera. It will be our first time in Mallorca. I am wondering if we should spend the entire stop in Palma or take a four-five hour excursion outside the city to place as Soler or Valdemosa? We do enjoy exploring port towns on our own. Should Palma be the first priority? Can we get a decent taste in two hours?

 

 

 

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Edited January 4, 2015 by billrco90278

[Turtles06]

Should Palma be the first priority? Can we get a decent taste in two hours?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Having just visited Palma for the first time (a port call in November on our TA), I think the answer to those questions depends in part on what you like to do. For example, do you want to carefully explore the inside of the Cathedral and the Palace? That might eat up your two hours. Castell de Bellver? More time... But if you want to see more of the island, I think you could get a good overall sense of Palma in a couple of hours. We had less time in port than you will have, so we stayed in Palma. But if we'd docked as early as you are going to dock, I think seeing more of the island would have been a good thing (put it another way, I didn't get a sense that spending an entire day in Palma would be the best use of that time).

 

I'd encourage you to do your research, think about what you might want to see in Palma (or miss), as well as what is of interest outside Palma, and go from there.

 

Have a great trip!

[Elmartellama]

Palma deserves much more than 2 hours. The Gothic quarter is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) and better preserved of the Mediterranean, and that is the world when it comes to that.

 

Even if the Cathedral is a unique building, it's not the only place worth seeing. There are many quaint streets and amazing buildings to be discovered. Also, Palma has amazing Patios that you can visit with some tours (not always since many of them are private), they're quite unique.

 

Aside from that, some central areas are very classy and perfect for a stroll and some shopping.

 

I live and love the rest of the island, but Palma has enough to see for a whole day, give it at least 5 hours or so.

[Elmartellama]

Aside from the most popular attractions, like the Cathedral...

 

http://www.tripadvisor.es/Attraction_Review-g187463-d244037-Reviews-Cathedral_Le_Seu-Palma_de_Mallorca_Majorca_Balearic_Islands.html

 

And the Bellver Castle, which is the only monument a bit far from the city centre (and not easily accessible on foot)...

 

http://www.tripadvisor.es/Attraction_Review-g187463-d190650-Reviews-Bellver_Castle_Castell_de_Bellver-Palma_de_Mallorca_Majorca_Balearic_Islands.html

 

...there are other interesting options, some of them even for free.

 

One building not to be missed in my opinión is Sa Llonja, which is 5-10 minutes on foot from the Cathedral (everything is very close in Palma's centre).

 

Sa LLonja is important not only because of its true beauty, but also because it was a civil building, in a time when only religious buildings got the money and the attention. Its a wonderful reminder of the maritime power of Palma in the XV century. Initially built as an stock exchange, and used for many other purposes after that.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.es/Attraction_Review-g187463-d244039-Reviews-Llotja-Palma_de_Mallorca_Majorca_Balearic_Islands.html

 

Nowadays Sa Llonja is restored to perfection, and art expositions are held there. We visited this December and the entry was free.

 

 

The columns are a representation of Palm trees. How cool is that for a building which is almost 600 years old?

 

 

For a gothic buliding, it's remarkably filled with light

 

 

Empty space

 

 

I just love the building, it's so minimalistic and unique

 

Edited January 5, 2015 by Elmartellama

[Elmartellama]

Then you have other very interesting options in the Cathedral area.

 

One option you have is visit the Es Baluard Museum, which is on the same direction as the Llonja, and 5 minutes on foot from it.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.es/Attraction_Review-g187463-d504695-Reviews-Es_Baluard_Contemporary_Art_Museum-Palma_de_Mallorca_Majorca_Balearic_Islands.html

 

Maybe it's not the best museum in terms of art, but it's also located on a restored city wall, so it's interesting architecture and the views are quite good. Also the terrace there is superb.

 

 

On your way back to the Cathedral area you can cross the street and walk trough the port (it's not a heavy industrial port there) and the marina. It's a nice stroll

 

 

The port has recreational uses mostly, but there's also a fishing area, and you pass by the real nets they use. It's quite real, Mediterranean essence. The building in the background is the fish market.

 

 

Then you reach a newly restored area, with a building that resembles a ship at one Marina. You can reach the top of the building for some nice views

 

 

Up we go

 

 

You can see the Cathedral from there

 

[Elmartellama]

And also the Bellver Castle and the bay

 

 

I really like this new spot

 

 

So glamurous ^_^ Palma has several marinas, and it is one of the most important yacht ports of the Mediterranean sea. I think the Balearic Islands only, have morte than 20% or so share of the whole Marina capacity in the Mediterranean !?!?

 

If you walk from the Cruise port to the city instead of taking the bus, you'll surely pass by so many of them.

 

 

Back to the Cathedral area, just follow this piece of the ancient railroad. It was an important connection, since there was a line from the port to the main railroad station via a tunnel, near the Cathedral. You can still see the tunnel entrance at the Parc de la Mar, under the walls and Cathedral.

 

As you can see, Palma is mostly clean and safe.

 

 

Then, when you're in the Parc the la Mar you have two options. You can either visit the lower level by the lake, where there's a fortified wall and an open air concert hall...

 

 

Or you can go up again and do all the walls until the recently restored Baluard des Príncep, lovely views all the way

 

Edited January 5, 2015 by Elmartellama

[Elmartellama]

You finally reach this newly restored area.

 

 

You can go back trough the walls, or via the park by the sea bellow.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.es/Attraction_Review-g187463-d4885270-Reviews-Parque_del_Mar-Palma_de_Mallorca_Majorca_Balearic_Islands.html

 

Not to be missed when your by the Cathedral also, this nice pond

 

 

Back in Muslim times, this was the private port of the Muslim king. So, it's located directly bellow the Almudaina Palace, by the Cathedral. The Almundaina Palace has been used by important guests visiting Mallorca, including Bill Clinton. Now is a military museum of some sort, never been there. Also the Kings of Spain use it for formal receptions, for they spend their vacations in Palma

 

http://www.tripadvisor.es/Attraction_Review-g187463-d244043-Reviews-Palau_de_l_Almudaina-Palma_de_Mallorca_Majorca_Balearic_Islands.html

 

Aren't they cute?

 

 

Then if you continue to the city centre by S'Hort des Rei, maybe visit the March Palace, also for the views:

 

http://www.tripadvisor.es/Attraction_Review-g187463-d3287447-Reviews-or10-Palau_March_Museu-Palma_de_Mallorca_Majorca_Balearic_Islands.html#REVIEWS

 

And then keep walking through Es Born, where you find many posh shops

 

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187463-d197686-Reviews-Passeig_des_Born-Palma_de_Mallorca_Majorca_Balearic_Islands.html

 

Turning left you have more posh shops of Jaume III street archs. Turning right you have Unió Street, where one architecture gem is located. It's the modernist Gran Hotel. Now it's a museum free of charge. It's such an elegant building, one of my favourites

 

http://www.tripadvisor.es/Attraction_Review-g187463-d2359677-Reviews-FundaciO_La_Caixa-Palma_de_Mallorca_Majorca_Balearic_Islands.html

 

Other very close-by modernist buildings are the twin Casasayas buildings

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187463-d2346636-Reviews-Edifici_Casasayas-Palma_de_Mallorca_Majorca_Balearic_Islands.html#photos

 

And Ca'n Forteza

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187463-d4609460-Reviews-Can_Forteza_Rey-Palma_de_Mallorca_Majorca_Balearic_Islands.html#photos

 

You can pass by many cobblestone alleyways, and just get lost. There are many majestic buildings with their wealthy imposing patios.

 

 

Then if you have more time, also visit Plaça Major, and the San Francesc convent.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.es/Attraction_Review-g187463-d2359680-Reviews-BasIlica_De_Sant_Francesc-Palma_de_Mallorca_Majorca_Balearic_Islands.html

 

Or you can keep walking Las Ramblas after Carrer Unió and then Via Roma and go back.

 

----

 

Like I said the Bellver Castle is a bit far away, but so worth a visit. If you also have time, the Miro Museum is quite cool too, also not in the centre.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.es/Attraction_Review-g187463-d523358-Reviews-Pilar_and_Joan_Miro_Foundation_in_Mallorca-Palma_de_Mallorca_Majorca_Balearic_Isla.html

 

Check the pictures in Tripadvisor, you'll see there's so much to do without having to spend too much!

Edited January 5, 2015 by Elmartellama

[marazul]

elmartellama -

great pics of your home island!

Can you help with your neighbor Menorca? Our cruise stops in Ciutadella.

Gracias,

marazul

[LondonTowner]

Elmartellama

 

Lovely photos of Palma. Brings back good memories of when I worked there.

[Elmartellama]

Thank you

 

Marazul, Ciutadella is very easy to do on your own, and you need less time. However, they opened a new commercial port last year and it's pretty far from the town. If you go to Ciutadella after Palma I recommend doing something else beside it. Menorca is lovely and there's plenty to see, but you need transportation.

 

Of course you have some of the best secluded beaches in the Mediterranean if that appeals you and you travel during summer.

[marazul]

Thanks. The ship is offering a 5 hour excursion to Fornells, Monte Toro, San Patrici and Mahon. Inside visits to Monte Toro monastery and La Mola are not included. Neither are stops at the archeological sites. A second tour goes to Fornells, inside visit to La Mola and Binibeca.

 

I have not been able to find a local guide company. Only one that takes you to the archeological sites, but only guides in Spanish - a problem for half of our group. Do you know of any?

 

If we cannot find an alternative, I guess we will take the first ship's tour and then walk around Ciutadella in the afternoon. Any recommendation for a good caldereta de langosta restaurant in Ciutadella? We will not have time for lunch in Fornells.

 

Appreciate your help.

 

De mar a mar

[LondonTowner]

You could try contacting Viajes Barceló or Viajes Iberoservice in Menorca. They are incoming tour agents who deal with British tour operators. They may be able to help with tours.

[marazul]

You could try contacting Viajes Barceló or Viajes Iberoservice in Menorca. They are incoming tour agents who deal with British tour operators. They may be able to help with tours.

 

Will do. Thanks.