Palma de Mallorca DIY - NEW

[roger b]

On 2/10/2022 at 8:05 PM, wookie78 said:

We will be in Palma March 25th from 8a-5p.  Is there time to take the train and tram and get back in time to explore Palma a little bit? Are there taxis available to take us back quicker than the bus from Soller? This is our first time and don't want to really be rushed.  Maybe we should just explore Palma and not take the train to Soller?

 I thought this would help everybody trying to  do this trip :

 

https://www.passportandpixels.com/day-trip-palma-soller-train-mallorca/

 

 and what to see in Palma These a a great way to spend your day in Mallorca

 

https://www.passportandpixels.com/city-break-in-palma-de-mallorca/

[Harters]

As mentioned in roger's second link, Palma is great for a long weekend break. We find there's plenty to do in Palma for two or three days. But the highlights can be done in the day

 

Not mentioned on the link, but well worth a visit for modern art lovers, are the Joan Miro Foundation - https://miromallorca.com/en/visitans/#visitTours and the Esbaluard - https://www.esbaluard.org/en/

 

By co-incidence, today my companion in life has been planning a few days in Soller (without me). It'll be a "fly and flop" sort of break. Been there many times with the family connection - they used to live in Binairaix, where the BiL's father managed the family fruit/olive farm. Then they moved to an apartment near the Restaurante Monumento, on the main road to the Port.

[bluecruisin]

Hello Roger, We are going on a 4 hour morning tour and returning to port around 2pm. Is there any shopping at the  port or any cafes for a light snack? Thanks for your help.

[roger b]

10 hours ago, bluecruisin said:

Hello Roger, We are going on a 4 hour morning tour and returning to port around 2pm. Is there any shopping at the  port or any cafes for a light snack? Thanks for your help.

Hi , Yes there is a large shopping mall right opposite  the cruise terminal about a 5 min walk also many cafes in this area ..Look on google maps its called Porto Pi..

  There ir a Carrefour  in the basenent with great wine if you want to take some back to the ship.

 

    

[Harters]

17 hours ago, bluecruisin said:

any cafes for a light snack?

As you have only a briefish time, maybe look to have something traditionally Mallorcan for your snack.

 

Such as pa amb oli (bread & oil). Traditionally, that's all that's served (except for tomato to squidge over the bread) but, in touristy places, there's usually options to have it topped with ham or cheese.

 

Or tombet - a vegetarian stew of potato, courgette, peppers, aubergine and tomato. Or trempo - a salad of onion, tomato, and peppers. You'll want some bread with either of these.

[bluecruisin]

Thanks to you both for your help!

[wookie78]

On 2/11/2022 at 3:23 AM, roger b said:

 

Roger, I have been looking at the train times from Soller on

http://trendesoller.com/en/timetable/

It shows only one train returning to Palma at 16:30 which is too late for us to return to the ship.

Do you think the trains schedule will add more returns by March 25th?

[roger b]

1 hour ago, wookie78 said:

Roger, I have been looking at the train times from Soller on

http://trendesoller.com/en/timetable/

It shows only one train returning to Palma at 16:30 which is too late for us to return to the ship.

Do you think the trains schedule will add more returns by March 25th?

Hi, No I was in Soller yesterday  and had lunch in the square  even the trams to Port de Soller were running a restricted  service.

 The train will not run a normal service untill  Easter i don't  think. Get A Taxi  back its  much qicker anyway.

 

[trotzoll]

We're looking to just spend the day on the beach here. Can anyone tell me the best beaches and how to get there from the port?

[roger b]

11 hours ago, trotzoll said:

We're looking to just spend the day on the beach here. Can anyone tell me the best beaches and how to get there from the port?

 Hi , Here are the three best beaches  within 20mins of the port.

Starting with the nearest you could walk there about 30mins 

   https://www.seemallorca.com/beaches/cala-mayor-beach-palma-de-mallorca-cala-major-(beach-resort)-664263

 

 Next  Illetas beach.

   https://www.seemallorca.com/beaches/illetas-beach-palma-de-mallorca-illetes-(beach-resort)-664304

 

 furthest away still only 20mins in a taxi.

https://www.seemallorca.com/palma-nova.

 

 My choice would be Illetas beach where there 2 small coves and an excellent beach bar .easy to get to by taxi about 15 eu or No 4 bus .

If you need any info about the others come back to me.

Roger

 

[trotzoll]

12 hours ago, roger b said:

 Hi , Here are the three best beaches  within 20mins of the port.

Starting with the nearest you could walk there about 30mins 

   https://www.seemallorca.com/beaches/cala-mayor-beach-palma-de-mallorca-cala-major-(beach-resort)-664263

 

 Next  Illetas beach.

   https://www.seemallorca.com/beaches/illetas-beach-palma-de-mallorca-illetes-(beach-resort)-664304

 

 furthest away still only 20mins in a taxi.

https://www.seemallorca.com/palma-nova.

 

 My choice would be Illetas beach where there 2 small coves and an excellent beach bar .easy to get to by taxi about 15 eu or No 4 bus .

If you need any info about the others come back to me.

Roger

 

Thanks, Roger! I appreciate all your help, and will reach out if we have more questions.

[MNmariner]

Hi Roger

Thank you for all the information you are adding to this site. We will be in Palma October 14, 9am -11pm. We are 2 couples and this will be my fourth visit to Palma. We’ve all been on a tour to Sollor and Valldemossa and this time we are thinking about renting a car. 
I see you recommended Arash car rental and we are thinking about visiting the caves and driving up the east side of the island. 
Do you think this is a good plan or should we stick to the west side of the island. We are just looking for a relaxing day visiting some little villages and enjoying the countryside. 
Thanks

Linda 

[roger b]

8 hours ago, MNmariner said:

Hi Roger

Thank you for all the information you are adding to this site. We will be in Palma October 14, 9am -11pm. We are 2 couples and this will be my fourth visit to Palma. We’ve all been on a tour to Sollor and Valldemossa and this time we are thinking abou Hj Lindat renting a car. 
I see you recommended Arash car rental and we are thinking about visiting the caves and driving up the east side of the island. 
Do you think this is a good plan or should we stick to the west side of the island. We are just looking for a relaxing day visiting some little villages and enjoying the countryside. 
Thanks

Hi Linda,

                 This is a good idea as Arash is very reliable leaves the car in the carpark at the port and you return it there no paper work all done on line beforehand.

                  I will give two plans for exploring the Island and take you off the usual tourist trail and try not to make it to hectic .

                   (1) Caves of Drach and eastern side .

 Drive to the caves book your time on line try to get the concert in as well.

 get there for the 10.30 opening 

 

http://www.cuevasdeldrach.com/en/

      You should finish around 11.30pm short drive into Porto Cristo a charming fishing village stop for a short while, from there head towards Inca through the village of Arta , From there head towards the Monastery of LLuc Stop for a visit .

 see if you can book this restaurant near there.

 

https://www.esguix.com/menu

 

 after lunch head for Sa Colbra   (worth a visit ?)find the Ma10 road on google maps this will lead you through the the center of the island visiting the two lakes this is a spectacular road with plenty of photo opportunities. 

     The road will take you to Fornalux a very pretty village on the way to Soller and then back to Palma.

 https://www.helencummins.com/13-beautiful-towns-mallorca/ 

 

 (2)  Here is my other suggestion taking the coast road around the western coastline:

  Take the Motorway away from the Port towards Andratx , First stop the Port d' Andratx stop for a coffee and walk round one of the jewels of the coast .

 then take the  road around to Soller, this is a road with spectacular views and through a world heritage village of Banyalbufar , the road leads on to towards Valdermosa you won't need to stop there , head towards Deia try to book a table for  lunch at the restaurant in the Cala Deia.

 

 https://www.abc-mallorca.com/cas-patro-march-cala-deia/      .

 

This is the  restaurant they filmed the Night Manager which you can see on Amazon Prime .

You could also try another route from Soller  which is  head towards Bunyola then on to Alaro and get a true Majorcan experience late lunch.

 

https://www.abc-mallorca.com/es-verger-restaurant-alaro/

 

 after lunch walk up to the castle and get spectacular views ??? 

 

Then make your way back to Palma You will need a rest !!!!

                  Hope this Helps Roger

[MNmariner]

Thank you so much! We will definitely follow one of these suggestions. 
Linda

[larry_s_taco]

On 2/14/2022 at 9:57 AM, roger b said:

 I thought this would help everybody trying to  do this trip :

 

https://www.passportandpixels.com/day-trip-palma-soller-train-mallorca/

 

 and what to see in Palma These a a great way to spend your day in Mallorca

 

https://www.passportandpixels.com/city-break-in-palma-de-mallorca/

Thank you, this is very helpful. 

[Lib0007]

Hello we will be in Mallorca in October on Celebrity Beyond.  They have a ship excursion that is on a vintage train.   Is that the same train talked about in this thread?   Is this recommended?  

 

Step back in time on this journey aboard the Sóller Vintage Train. Enjoy a scenic coach ride to the port town of Sóller where you’ll see Sóller’s Church. The church was built in 1912 by the architect Joan Rubió y Bellver, Gaudí’s pupil. After exploring the port town, you’ll board the Sóller Vintage Train. The wooden train dates back to the early part of the last century and is one of the island's most popular attractions. Enjoy an enchanting train ride through the Sierra de Alfàbia Mountains, passing olive groves, locus-bean trees, and lush pine forests. This tour is provided by an operator that has been third-party certified to meet the Global Sustainable Tourism Council's Criteria for Tour Operators.

 

[marazul]

Yes, it is the same.

[1newf1not]

What would you suggest we do if we wanted maybe a beach day at this port?

Grab a taxi? There are 8 of us...

We are there1pm - 8pm on May 14th...is it even warm enough for us to hang out?

What beach closest to port would you suggest?

 

Thank you so much

[marazul]

1 hour ago, 1newf1not said:

What would you suggest we do if we wanted maybe a beach day at this port?

Grab a taxi? There are 8 of us...

We are there1pm - 8pm on May 14th...is it even warm enough for us to hang out?

What beach closest to port would you suggest?

 

Thank you so much

The average maximum sea temperature in May is 68ºF.

https://www.seatemperature.org/europe/spain/palma-may.htm

 

The average daytime air temperature is 70ºF.

https://www.weather2visit.com/europe/spain/palma-may.htm

 

To me, that is beautiful sightseeing weather.  😉

 

[roger b]

9 hours ago, 1newf1not said:

What would you suggest we do if we wanted maybe a beach day at this port?

Grab a taxi? There are 8 of us...

We are there1pm - 8pm on May 14th...is it even warm enough for us to hang out?

What beach closest to port would you suggest?

 

Thank you so much

You will need two taxis  it is a short drive to the nearest beaches,  if you look back on M DIY to my detailed replies on this question  you will find all my recommendations  for the best beaches .

Roger

[trotzoll]

On 3/8/2022 at 1:52 AM, roger b said:

 Hi , Here are the three best beaches  within 20mins of the port.

Starting with the nearest you could walk there about 30mins 

   https://www.seemallorca.com/beaches/cala-mayor-beach-palma-de-mallorca-cala-major-(beach-resort)-664263

 

 Next  Illetas beach.

   https://www.seemallorca.com/beaches/illetas-beach-palma-de-mallorca-illetes-(beach-resort)-664304

 

 furthest away still only 20mins in a taxi.

https://www.seemallorca.com/palma-nova.

 

 My choice would be Illetas beach where there 2 small coves and an excellent beach bar .easy to get to by taxi about 15 eu or No 4 bus .

If you need any info about the others come back to me.

Roger

 

It doesn't look there are any charges to get on the beaches — just if we want to rent an umbrella or chairs. Is this correct?

[roger b]

3 hours ago, trotzoll said:

It doesn't look there are any charges to get on the beaches — just if we want to rent an umbrella or chairs. Is this correct?

Yes you are correct all beaches in Spain are free!!

[trotzoll]

13 hours ago, roger b said:

Yes you are correct all beaches in Spain are free!!

Outstanding! Thanks for your help, Roger. 

[TheFridge]

Hi Roger,

We are thinking to buy tickets to get to the caves of drach, What's the best and most cost effective way to get there ? Costing about $75 each from the cruise ship.

Are the boat rides back running ?

 

Thanks in advance 

[roger b]

5 hours ago, TheFridge said:

Hi Roger,

We are thinking to buy tickets to get to the caves of drach, What's the best and most cost effective way to get there ? Costing about $75 each from the cruise ship.

Are the boat rides back running ?

 

Thanks in advance 

Hi , not sure what you mean by the boat rides, if you mean the boat concert on the lake , in is now back. 

     You can get the 401 bus from palma to porto cristo for around $15 it runs every hour and takes around 1hr and 20 mins ..see the drach caves website for tickets 

Getyourguide.com also do a tour from palma .

      See rome2rio.com to see your options