Travel to Palma

Travel to Palma

Palma de Mallorca, capital of the Balearics, is a cosmopolitan city filled with a myriad of things to do and places to visit that will charm tourists. Its temperate weather, stunning landscape and fantastic beaches are well known. Many tourists choose to make Palma de Mallorca their base while they explore the surrounding areas. The city has many trendy bars, tapas, restaurants, nightclubs, lots of lovely shops and plenty of activities for travellers.

Transportation to Palma

One of the most convenient ways of getting to Palma is to fly to its Son San Joan Airport, which connects Mallorca to most major European cities. There are also ferries from Valencia, Barcelona and other ports sailing into Majorca. At the port, there are several taxis and buses that will shuttle passengers into the city, which is not far away.

Local train networks connect most of the major Spanish cities and towns, and there are several international train services to main cities in Spain, most frequently to Barcelona. From here, travellers can choose to continue their journey to Palma by ferry, train, flight or bus. Driving to Palma from Europe and within Spain is also quite convenient and there are ferries that transport cars to Palma. Several international bus services from major European cities also arrive at Barcelona.

What to see

Palma, as it is called by the locals, with its history of different ethnic rulers, has a European as well as a Moorish influence. The La Seu, the ancient Gothic cathedral, dominates the city and lies within the Old City walls. The harbour area is very charming, with its numerous cafs and sidewalk bistros. The Royal Palace and the Banys Arabs, the ancient Moorish baths, are both located in the harbour area and are worth visiting.

Other sites worth visiting while at Palma are the old Gran Hotel, which has been converted into a museum for modern art; the 14th century Castella de Bellver; the ancient 13th century sandstone church called Basilica de Sant Francesc; the flea market; the La Lloyjs building; Poble Espanyol theme park and Parc de la Mar.

Day trips

Travellers visiting the village of Valldemossa will not be disappointed, as there is a lot of history, stunning views and a lovely old village to explore here. It is in the Royal Carthusian Monastery that Frederic Chopin and his lover, Sand, took refuge from the gossip about them in Paris. However, things did not turn out for the lovers, as they were shunned by the locals, soon causing the couple to quarrel. In her writings, Sand makes reference to the quarrels she had with Frederic and how she loathed the locals.

Despite this, her books are available in almost all of the book stores in Valldemossa. The monastery, old church and the village are interesting places to visit, and tourists can also catch glimpses of the fantastic home owned by Michael Douglas and his wife, Catherine Zeta Jones.

Activities and leisure

Shoppers will enjoy the different types of shops at Palma that including boutiques and malls, quaint curio and apothecary shops. There are shops in the old part of the city, near the cathedral, which is a very pleasant area for picking up unusual items. Travellers who enjoy more energetic activities can go hiking or walk to charming villages just outside Palma. Horseback riding and mountain biking are also available.

Water sports are the most popular activity with tourists and there is a wide range of activities to choose from. These include different types of sailing and fishing, snorkelling and scuba diving, jet-skiing, motorised parasailing and many other sports.

Safety issues

Tourists visiting Palma need not be worried about their safety. There are only a few incidents of petty thieving and snatching during the peak season, but this can be avoided if tourists are a little careful. It is always best to travel with a comprehensive travel insurance policy that will protect you against loss of belongings, delayed flights and provide you with medical benefits. This will give you peace of mind so that you can truly enjoy your holiday.