Why Palma should be your next city break

It’s got architecture as beautiful as its beaches

You don’t have to visit Palma to recognise its cathedral, one of the most spectacular in Spain. Standing 44m (144ft) tall, its gothic towers are an icon of Majorca’s skyline and make the cathedral one of the tallest in Europe. The interior is equally as impressive – its central rose window, known as the ‘Gothic Eye’, has over 1,000 pieces of glass and spans 13m (42ft) in diameter.

The Royal Palace of La Almudaina sits next door. Dating back to the 14th century, it beautifully blends both gothic and Moorish architectural styles and is still used as an official residence of the King and Queen of Spain.

Across town, don’t miss the majestic circular arches of Bellver Castle, perched atop a pine-clad hill.

Top tip: Book a tour of the cathedral’s terraces for 360 degree views of Palma. Tickets cost €25 and include entrance to the Museum of Sacred Art.

And an Old Town that'll charm your socks off

Castles and palaces aren’t the only enchanting places in Palma’s Casco Antiguo (Old Town). Cobbled pedestrian streets wind from the cathedral into the city’s historical centre where café-lined squares, renaissance and baroque buildings, artisan shops and boho hotels can be found around every corner.

Pause in the town’s main square, Plaza de Cort, to people watch from a café, or go in search for some ensaimadas (Majorca’s traditional sweet pastry) – those at Fornet de la Soca are well reviewed.

Beyond the streets and shops, Parc de la Mar lines the Old Town’s seafront, directly beneath the cathedral. Enjoy a peaceful stroll along the glistening saltwater lake or pitch up under a palm for a picnic.

Top tip: Maximise your sightseeing time by exploring on two wheels. Palma has two bike hire schemes: Mou-te Bé and BiciPalma.

The food scene is worth a taste

As a hub of exciting restaurants serving up everything from traditional Spanish tapas to experimental Asian fusion, Palma’s got gastronomy down.

It’s got three Michelin stars under its belt – the most in one place on the island – but you don’t have to spend big to eat well, with contemporary tasting menus, al fresco terraces and local fare all on offer throughout the Old Town.

If seafood is your dish, head to the harbourfront to dine on fresh fish, or for a lighter bite, join La Ruta Martiana – a weekly tapas trail around the Sa Gerreria neighbourhood where you can sample small snacks and a drink for a couple of euros at each bar.

Street food more your style? Take your pick from grilled meats, fish, paella and more at the San Juan Gastronomic Market.

Top tip: Try Palo de Mallorca, the island’s local apéritif. It’s a dark, rich liquor combining sweet caramel and bitter cinchona bark.

It’s a shopper’s paradise

Whether your idea of shopping is hitting the high street or browsing for souvenirs, Palma has enough stores and outlets to satisfy any shopaholic.

For designer clothes, luxury brands and vintage buys, Passeig des Born is the place to be. Nicknamed the ‘Golden Mile’, this tree-lined avenue has become Majorca’s best shopping street, rivalling Barcelona’s Passeig de Gràcia. Check out the eye-catching window displays before refuelling with lunch at one of the trendy street cafés.

Elsewhere, Avenida Jaime III has high street shopping covered – it’s home to one of the city’s biggest department stores, El Corte Inglés. Smaller Via Verí is crammed with artisan homeware stores, independent boutiques and boho jewellery shops.

Top tip: For international brands without the hefty price tag, check out the great discounts on offer at Mallorca Fashion Outlet. It’s 20 minutes from the city centre by train.

You can get a crash course in great art

It’s impossible to visit Palma and not appreciate its art – it’s said to have more art galleries and studios per capita than any other city in Spain!

The Es Baluard Museum of Modern Art is one of the Balearic Islands’ most impressive collections of contemporary art, holding over 800 works dating from the 19th century to the present day. See prestigious paintings by Picasso, marvel at mixed-media creations from local artist, Miquel Barceló, and check out the latest exhibitions showing pop art, futuristic sculptures and more.

There are plenty of independent art galleries scattered around the city, too. Top picks include Gallery Red, Casal Solleric and the Joan Miró Foundation.

Art fans will want to coincide their city break with La Nit de L'Art – a public evening event in September where Palma’s galleries and museums fill the streets with free exhibitions.

Top tip: Visit the Es Baluard on a Friday for discounted entry with its pay-what-you-wish scheme. Regular admission costs €6.

It knows how to throw a festival

Spain is the homeland of fiestas and Palma isn’t a shy host of public celebrations, holding several national and local festivals each year.

Carnival, known as Sa Rua, is celebrated in true Spanish style in February, filling Palma’s streets with parades, concerts and general merriment. Move into March and Balearic Islands' Day brings further music, dancing and food stalls to the city.

If you’re visiting Palma in June, don’t miss the San Juan Night of Fire. The equivalent of Bonfire Night in the UK, crowds come together in the Parc de la Mar for an eclectic evening of fireworks, dancing demons and live music. It’s one of Majorca’s biggest annual events and the city’s celebrations continue well into the night with beach bonfire parties.

Top tip: City centre accommodation can fill up quickly for Carnival, so book in advance if your trip coincides with the celebration.

The nightlife is cool and classy

Palma’s nightlife keeps the party spirit going, but you’ll find a more laidback scene than its raucous neighbour, Magaluf. A cosmopolitan mix of cocktail bars, jazz clubs and dance venues means there’s always somewhere to liven up your evening.

Hip Santa Catalina is the place to be after dark with dive bars, live music venues and cocktail lounges that keep their buzz until the early hours of the morning. If you’ve packed your party shoes, dance the night away to DJ tunes at Social Club.

For a more low-key evening, sip sundowners in the Old Town, or simply chill at one of Palma’s beach clubs on Platja de Can Pere Antoni.

Top tip: Local Majorcan wine, gin and rum are all delicious and are cheaper than other imported alcohol. Opt for brands such as Tobacco (rum) and Palma Gin.

You’re still close to the beach

Spain’s got some brilliant urban beaches and Palma’s is up there with the best. Some 750m of sand stretching east of the cathedral, Palma City Beach (Can Pere Antoni) has all the makings of a proper seaside holiday, with sun-loungers for hire, beach volleyball nets and watersports including kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.

Alternatively, split your time between Palma and one of Majorca’s best resorts (think Palma Nova, Magaluf and Santa Ponsa) for a beach holiday and city break in one – they’re no more than half an hour’s drive away and have plenty more sandy stretches to discover.

Top tip: Head to Palma City Beach at sunset for a spectacular view of the cathedral.

How to get to Palma

You can fly direct to Palma from various UK airports, including Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham and Belfast. The flight time from London is around two and a half hours. To reach the city centre from the airport, you can either take the Line 1 bus, a taxi, or hire a car.

Best time to visit Palma

Temperatures in June, July and August can reach 30C but with great weather comes big crowds, so prices tend to be high. Instead, consider spring or autumn – they’re both lovely times to visit Palma. April and May are mild and ideal for outdoor sightseeing and activities, while September and October still get plenty of late summer sunshine.