Sightseeing OverviewMost of Palma’s main sights are in the city center, within easy walking reach of each other. The jewel in the crown is undoubtedly the mighty gothic
cathedral (La Seu) on the seafront, testament to Palma’s glorious past as a sophisticated and wealthy maritime trading center. Alongside, the magnificent
Royal Palace (Palau Reial de l’Almudaina) rises out of the city’s defensive walls.
Both are surrounded by a maze of narrow alleyways and ancient merchants’ palacios, which form the
Old Town and
Arab quarter - home to numerous
small museums and galleries, including the
Arab Baths, Carrer Serra 7, the
Museu de Mallorca, Carrer Portella 5, and
Palau March Museu, Carrer Sant Miquel 11.
Some of the city’s finest churches can also be found here, including the
Basilica Sant Francesc with its tranquil cloisters providing a welcome retreat from frenetic city life.
To the west, the streets behind
La Llotja contains some of the smartest hotels, bars and restaurants;
Es Baluard modern art museum sits atop the city’s ancient walls overlooking the harbor and promenade area; the
Passeig Marítim promenade flanks the seafront; and the
Castell de Bellver commands an imposing location high above the city.
Tourist InformationThere are two tourist information offices in the city center and one at the airport:
Passeig des Born 27
Tel: (902) 102 365.
Parc de les Estacions
Tel: (902) 102 365.
Airport (Arrivals)
Tel: (971) 789 556
Website:
www.infomallorca.netPassesThere are currently no tourist passes in Palma.
Key Attractions:La Seu Dominating the waterfront, Palma’s majestic sandstone cathedral is one of the largest and most beautiful gothic cathedrals in the world. The interior is also impressive for its sheer size and proportions, and contains many striking features by Catalan architect Antonio Gaudí who remodeled the church in the early 20th century.
Carrer de Palau Reial 29
Tel: (971) 723 130.
Palau Reial de l’Almudaina (Royal Palace of the Citadel) There has been a palace here, rising out of the city’s defensive walls on the seafront, ever since the Muslim governors built their
alcázar here shortly after the Arab Conquest in 902. Today, with its remarkable blend of gothic and Moorish architecture, it bears witness to the centuries of conflict here between the Moors and the Christians.
Carrer de Palau Reial
Tel: (971) 214 134.
Es Baluard Museum d’Art Modern I Contemporani (Es Baluard Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art) Palma’s dazzling museum of modern and contemporary art and sculpture contains works by such celebrated artists as Cézanne, Matisse, Dalí and Picasso, together with a remarkable collection of Balearic paintings by both local and foreign artists.
Plaça Porta Santa Catalina 10
Tel: (971) 908 200.
Website:
www.esbaluard.org The Seafront and Port The city’s lengthy seafront illustrates Mallorca’s long-standing love affair with the sea, with everything from tiny traditional fishing boats to super-yachts, naval vessels and massive cruise liners. Here too, at the eastern end are La Llotja (Maritime Exchange) and the galleried Consulat del Mar (Sea Tribunal) - grand historic buildings recalling Palma’s Renaissance maritime heyday.
Passeig Maritím
Castell de Bellver (Bellver Castle) Spain’s only circular castle is so well preserved that it is hard to believe it was constructed over 700 years ago as a royal palace. Since then it has been used as a military prison and a mint. It now contains a local history museum and affords a truly
bell ver (beautiful view) of Palma Bay from its rooftop.
Carrer Camilo José Cela 17, Parc Bellver
Tel: (971) 730 657.
Further Distractions:Basilica de Sant Francesc (Basilica of St Francis) The sober facade of this gothic church belies a typically exuberant baroque interior. But the real draw is its adjoining cloister. With its simple gothic architecture, a central fountain and citrus trees, it is a veritable oasis of peace at the heart of the old town.
Plaça Sant Francesc 7
Tel: (971) 712 695.
Plaça Weyler and Plaça Mercat These adjoining squares contain some of the island’s most remarkable modernista (Spanish art nouveau) architecture, including the ornamental Gran Hotel (today the Fundació La Caixa art gallery); the Forn des Teatre bakery and, in Plaça Mercat, Pensió Menorquina and Can Casasayas, with their rippling facades and butterfly and fern motifs.
Plaça Mercat and Plaça Weyler
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The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
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