This island port is everything that Spain has to offer in one stop. Beautiful beaches, stunning Spanish architecture and historical significance, to say nothing of delicious tapas and cold beer. It is a great addition on any itinerary.
Before you decide to spend your day in the main city of Palma check out some of the private and ship excursions around the island. Since it is an island there are a number of outdoor options such as sailing, hiking, rock climbing and bike tours, as well as day long island cruises. You may find that far away jewel you have always dreamed of.
Since it was our first time in Palma we decided to explore the city on our own. The port is large and difficult to navigate but there was a shuttle service directly into the centre of the old town. There was a return cost of US$15.00 which is charged to your ship account, a small price to pay to save on a lot of walking.
The historic core has some incredibly beautiful sites to explore starting with the Cathedral de Mallorca, a 13th century Gothic landmark featuring one of the tallest naves in Europe at 44 metres high. Entry per person is €8 per person, only €7 for seniors over 65, and the audio guide an additional €4. Tickets can be pre-purchased through https://catedraldemallorca.org/es/entradas/visitas-catedral. We did not get our tickets in advance when we went but arrived early enough it was not an issue.
The cathedral is a breathtaking mix of iconography, Gothic architecture and intriguing smaller chapels. The stained glass is the best reason to visit however. Depending on where the sun is in the sky there are multi-coloured rainbows splashed across every inch of the interior.
Right next door is the palace, Lalau de L’Almudaina. An additional €7 entry fee is required to wander the halls and furnished rooms of the centuries old royal residence. Just a short walk further down the street will take you to LaLonja Market. Housed in a 15th century well preserved building that may have been a church at one time, the market offers a selection of fresh foods and goods. Unfortunately it was closed the day we were in port but the building is still open for inspection.
The square surrounding the marketplace is an eclectic selection of shops and eateries. We grabbed a table in the shade and ordered the tapas sampler for lunch, along with a cold local beer recommended by our server. The food was excellent, a great introduction to tapas as well as an expensive shore lunch.
After eating we spent the rest of the day wandering the core of the city, making our way down to the marina and the small beach in front of it. It was a relaxing day that still managed to be full of adventure and exploration. Whether you are in port for one day, or can arrange a vacation for longer, Spain’s Majorca island is a must see vacation destination.