tjhome1

When doing research for this trip it was clear that Palma is a neglected destination and I guess given that this site is mostly used by people in the US then getting to a little island off the coast of Spain might not be near the top of people's lists but, for anyone that is closer or who has the chance then it is a little gem that is absolutely worth the effort to get to.

The two best airlines to use to get there from home in Manchester are Monarch and BMI Baby and we cut costs by only taking hand luggage. We were lucky enough to be staying in friends' apartment on Es Born, the main street that is lined with Palma's best shops, so can't give advice on hotels. As a location though it was perfect within easy walking distance of the old town, the harbour and beaches and best museums. Having been to Barcelona a few times now and loving it each time we go Palma can accurately be described as a smaller, cleaner, prettier, more easily handled version of Spain's second city. One of the reasons for this is that Palma is the second highest most affluent region in Spain after Madrid and it is clear that the city has money to spend on keeping it clean and tidy. As a city is it incredibly clean and it is clear that people take a pride in keeping it that way. It's big enough though to feel like a proper city and certainly has enough to keep even the busiest traveller occupied for a long weekend.

We went at the end of January and the weather was perfectly good enough to be walking about the whole weekend, day and night, in just jeans and a t-shirt.

In terms of restaurants we took friends recommendations to go to La Poule Toquee on the Friday night - we got in without a reservation but it was very busy, and then Simply Fosh on Saturday night which was excellent - great food, perfect service and lovely location.

As for keeping us occupied for the weekend the city is perfect - the huge Cathedral and its wonderful waterside setting is a must see and it was lovely just being able to walk round the quiet narrow winding streets of the old town with no route or destination in mind but just coming across street after street of fabulous old buildings. The Arab Baths were lovely and an excellent reminder of shared history. Another area that was just perfect for wandering around was the Catalina district. It is an area that is being regenerated but that retains its gritty past and kept us occupied for hours just wandering from street to street stumbling upon the old windmills that the island is famous for and old cottages close to newly built homes. Another highlight was the Baluard musem - a fantastic mseum of contemporary art housed in part of an old 16th century fortress. On Sunday we had a leisurely stroll along the seafront to an excellent bar and restaurant right on the beach were we had a lovely lunch with the most perfect views of the blue sea close in front of us and the Cathedral in the distance - absolutely heavenly. There was lots more that we didn't get chance to see and we will definately be back.

In terms of daily costs it can be expensive but clothes yet again were a bargain as they always seem to be in Europe.

As a destination it is definately hugely underated by many people and as there is so much more to the island and so much more to see in Palma itself we will definately be back. Anyone thinking of Barcelona should definately think of visting here first.

annhig

hi tjhome,

so great was our prejudice, when we went to Mallorca for a fortnight with our kids about 15 years ago, we went nowhere near Palma. we missed a gem by the sound of it.

next time i want a long weekend in Spain, I'll insist on Palma. thanks for posting.

elina

I have had two wonderful holidays in Mallorca: My 50th anniversary in the center of the island, in an absolutely charming ancient farm turned into an exquisite hotel. Nothing tacky, nothing glossy, just pure relaxed elegance.

And then another time a week driving around the island and staying in great places: old town houses, a place that used to be a castle´s stable, and so on.

There is nothing tacky in Mallorca I have visited.

ekscrunchy

Thanks for the recap. Palma is on my wish list for the future.

Daniel_Williams

Sounds charming! Thanks for the report; I enjoy reading a humorously written trip report about the popular locations a lot too (such as Buffalo Girl's first trip to Paris) but I think tales of the neglected are such a valuable addition to this website!

mes2525

Thanks for your report. Mallorca and Ibiza are on my list. For some reason, Americans don't seem to travel there but the European tourists make up for us.

Publius

I think Americans don't go there because first, we've already made a long trip and aren't ready for an additional connection to the island. There's also so much to see in Spain that adding travel legs to and from Mallorca consumes too much time in most of our itineraries.

I'd love to go, but don't know when I'll fit it in. So much to see, so little time.

Cowboy1968

When in Barcelona, you can take the night ferry to Palma. You save one hotel night, get a little "cruise" and arrive in the early morning hours.

Mucky

Majorca is a lovely place, but it is also a huge UK and German package holiday center.

I have been there many times for family holidays when the children were younger, we even had our honeymoon there a thousand years ago. Its great for beach/poolside relaxing and Palma a bustling classy city.

Maybe we will go back soon.

Muck

elina

Mucky, go. It is nothing like it was a thousand years ago. They have torn down most of the 1960´s horrors, and they have strict regulations for new constraction. Just don´t go for a beach/pool holiday. I did not spend a single day laying on the beach or pool. Palma yes, but skip the package tourism places and head for the western mountains (some nice hikes) or inland plain. You will find another Mollorca.

annhig

yes mucky, we went with our kids quite a few years ago now, and stayed at the north of the island. it was nothing like the mass tourist cliches and it was relatively easy to escape to places like Soller, and other gems. we never made it to Palma except to see the airport, but I would certainly like to go now, if the chance presents itself.

tjhome1

It's definately special enough to create the opportunity rather than waiting for the chance to present itself. The only thing I forgot to add was that next time I'd probably come home on Sunday as it was hard to find many restaurants open on Sunday night - less of a problem if you go in summer though I guess.

Marianna

We are planning to visit Mallorca for a few days after a few days in Lisbon and a week in Praia da Luz.

We found very little here on Fodor's to help with planning the Mallorca trip. I posted my own thread a couple of days ago and I was the only one who replied! So, I went to TA and seem to be getting more advice there.

Anyway, I am hoping that topping this one might get some attention from the Fodor's people. We are staying in Colonia Sant Jordi and plan to visit Palma. Has anyone stayed in Colonia Sant Jordi? Any hotel recommendations, restaurants, things to see, etc?

Thanks.