Cultural preparation for Palma de Mallorca, Spain - Cynthia & Daria

1. Places to visit
IN PALMA DE MALLORCA

2. La Seu cathedral
Location: Plaça de la Seu.
Gothic on the outside, modernist on the inside,
Palma’s La Seu cathedral is a mashup of
architectural styles – and a real talking point. Antoni
Gaudi was commissioned to improve the fourteenth
century cathedral’s interior in the early twentieth
century, adding a canopy inspired by the crown of
thorns above the altar. Love it or hate it, it is a focal
point amid the stained glass windows and typically
Gothic vaulted nave. Approach from the waterfront
esplanade to feel the full force of the building’s
impressive stature.

3. Castell de Bellver
Miles of fragrant pine forest surround
the circular Castell de Bellver, leading
down to the gem-like waters of Palma
Bay. Bellver means “lovely view” in
Catalan, and a climb onto the roof here
is rewarded with 360° panoramas over
the foothills and forests to the city
beyond, as well as across the tower’s
elegant round courtyard. Don’t miss
the museum for its Roman, Arab and
Spanish artefacts.
Location: Carrer Camilo José Cela.

4. Arab Baths
Although the Moors transformed Palma
around the tenth century, almost all of
their work was destroyed during the
subsequent invasion by King James I of
Aragon and his armies in the 1200s.
However, King James must have
overlooked the Arab Baths, which still
stand as a visual reminder of Palma’s rich
past. Don’t make the same mistake: take
the time to wind through the medieval
streets and enter the cooling gardens and
the Caldarium (main steam chamber)
beyond. Here you’ll find elegant horseshoe
arches standing atop a double marble
floor – an early form of underfloor heating.
Location: Palma Centre & Marina.

5. Baluard Museu d’Art
Modern i Contemporani
Love art? La Palma is home to an
impressive modern art collection at the
Baluard Museu d’Art Modern i
Contemporani. See Picasso’s unusual
ceramics, works by Spanish artists such as
Joan Miro and Miguel Barcelo, as well as a
selection of masterpieces from more than
500 contemporary artists. Situated in the
heart of the city centre, you’ll find most
buses stop nearby (including the number
50 tourist bus) but you get a €4 discount
on the entry free if you come by bicycle.
Location: Plaça Porta de Santa Catalina

6. Royal Palace of La
Almudaina
Founded by Arabic governors, and a later a symbol of the independent
Mallorca, this citadel still hosts the King of Spain during the occasional summer
event and is suitably grand, though, like much of Mallorca’s architecture, eclectic
in style. A medieval courtyard and richly embroidered tapestries lie within, while
outside, Moorish arches face the sea and a surprising Modernist touch, in the
form of Joan Miro’s Egg sculpture, sits in the adjacent S’Hort del Rei gardens.
Location: Carrer del Palau Reial.

7. Cuevas del
Drach
Translated evocatively as the ‘Dragon Caves’, don’t miss the chance
to take a day trip to Porto Cristo on the east coast of the island, to
see one of Mallorca’s best attractions. In fact, it’s least several sights
in one: alien-like stalactites and stalagmites to explore, a boat ride
on an underground lake and a violin concert beneath the stony
ground to cap it all off.
Location: Ctra. Cuevas s/n, 07680 Porto
Cristo.

8. Cabrera National Park
Many Spanish islands have an idyllic, uninhabited islet on which to conjure your most vivid
romantic fantasies about lost treasure and/or mermaids: Cabrera is Mallorca’s answer to this.
Cabrera National Park actually forms several islands off the coast of Mallorca. Shimmering
depths of blue ocean surround deserted white shores that feel a million miles from the resorts of
the south coast, but only around 17 kilometres from La Colonia de Sant Jordi, where you’ll board
the boat. There’s an activity to suit every taste here, from bird-watching to plunging into deep
pool of the Blue Grotto; most boat tours will include at least one beach stop and you can rent
snorkel gear to make the most of those crystal clear waters. It’s a good idea to take food or
order a packed lunch from the boat crew, as facilities on shore are limited.

9. Casal Solleric
A Baroque palace converted into an art museum
thanks to a bequeath from its former owners,
Casal Solleric houses the island’s premier
collection of contemporary art and photography.
The building itself is another gem worth a few
hours of wandering, adorned with frescoes on the
exterior and containing wrought iron staircases,
marble columns and a gorgeous mezzanine
within, perfect for displaying temporary exhibits
by Spanish artists like Tàpies, Pérez-Villalta and
Plessi, as well as international names like Frida
Kahlo.
Location: Passeig del Born 27, Palma
Centre & Marina.

10. Palma Beach
A city break destination with a beach holiday thrown in, Palma de
Mallorca ticks all the boxes you could wish for. Ca’n Pere Antoni
is but a few strides away from the cathedral, making for a
spectacular and unusual seaside backdrop and the Blue Flag-
awarded sands are perfect for a cooling dip after a day’s
sightseeing around Palma. Willing to stray further afield? Try
Puerto Pollensa for a day out on the north-east coast; this beach
is considered one of the island’s best and is also a good pick if
you like your beach days more energetic, with windsurfing,
boating and even scuba diving on offer here.

11. Serra de Tramuntana mountains
You’ll hardly believe this is the same island as
Magaluf, but the rocky Serra de Tramuntana
mountains are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and
offer up a vision of Mallorca that package holidays
don’t often include. Ending abruptly in sheer cliffs
breaking off into the sea, this northwesterly region
features a walk known as the Dry Stone Route, that
takes in the picturesque agricultural terraces that
mark the human imprint on this rugged landscape. If
you want to hike part or all of the route, there are
villages and stops you can make along the way – see
the website for maps and more help with your
planning.

13. Thank you!!!