There are many ways by which you, as a tourist, can travel around the enchanting city of Palma. If you wish to travel at your own pace, without having to deal with tired feet or compete with other harried tourists or commuters, then you can book a car for the day or for the entire duration of your stay in Palma.
If you don’t want to spend unnecessarily on a private car and would rather experience the culture that is uniquely Palma, then you are more than welcome to move around in local public transport. Your first option would be to take the bus. Buses are cheap in Palma and the network is relatively wide spread. You can take a bus from the airport to the city centre, and from the city centre, there are buses that can take you to any part of the Island. Your other option would be to explore the island by train. There are two train routes in Mallorca: an old railway that traverses from Palma to Soller; and a modern system that bridges the cities of Palma and Inca. If you don’t want to take the buses nor the railway system, you can always hail a taxi cab and have the driver shuttle you to and from your destination. It may be quite costly but if you snag a ride with a chatty cab driver, you would, most likely, be entertained with interesting trivia about the city which could, be worth the extra Euros.
However, many agree that the best way to explore and travel around the city of Palma is to go about it the traditional way – by foot. The city of Palma is quite compact and most of the tourist attractions are within walking distance from each other. You can take a leisurely stroll along the Parc de la Mar and within minutes, find yourself fronting the majestic Cathedral La Seu. It is also only by exploring the city environs by foot that you would be able to access the Arab Baths and its quaint gardens.
So go on, take a bus, ride a train or walk – just go out and explore. The entire city of Palma is just waiting to be discovered.
Mallorca is one of the islands that comprise the Autonomous Community of the Balearic Islands. Being an island itself, it is a given that Mallorca would be home to wonderful beaches, and it is. Almost 80 excellent beaches can be found on Mallorca with the best spots found on the north and north-eastern parts of the island, as well as on the Badia de Palma.
Palma, which is located on the south-eastern part of the Island of Mallorca, is close to spectacular beaches as well. Of all the beaches near Palma, locals and foreigners prefer to laze around the C’an Pere Antoni Beach. The Palma Nova Beach, also located on the Badia de Palma, is considered one of the best beaches of the island because of the dense greenery which hides cosmopolitan hotels and buildings from one’s view, thus giving tourists a feeling of being away from it all - even if, in reality, it is not true.
Many people gravitate towards the beaches because of the fine sand and the relaxing cool blue waters. Palma beaches are indeed, excellent places for sun bathers and swimmers. Those who are into water sports and other activities will not be disappointed as most of the beaches in Palma have facilities and equipment to address their needs. If you feel the need to quench your thirst after an exhausting round of beach volleyball, you can take a quick break at one of several beachside restaurants and bars near the coastline.
If you are concerned about your safety (and the safety of your children, if you are travelling as a family) while you are at the beach, you do not need to worry as most beaches have lifeguards and buoys mark the areas where swimming has been prohibited.
As for the dress code, most of the tourists and guests of beach resorts in Palma don the requisite swim wear whether they are absorbing the sun or cooling off in the waters. If, however, you wish to get a more even-toned tan, you can lie on the sand with your top off as top less sunbathing is accepted and tolerated in Palma.
A trip to Palma de Mallorca (or any other place for that matter), would be incomplete if you do not partake of the local cuisine. You don’t have to worry about indigestion though. Mallorcan cuisine is fairly traditional with pork or fish as main ingredients with generous servings of garlic, olive oil and vegetables. Because of the annual winter slaughter of pigs (called matanca), delectable sausages such as the sobrasada (raw minced pork with red peppers), botifarro (cured pork with blood), and jamon serrano (whole cured ham) abound in the city of Palma.
Apart from the sausages, Palma de Mallorca is known too for the frit mallorqui, a fried dish of potatoes, onions and tomatoes which is usually served with tumbet (ratatouille of eggplants, potatoes, pepper in olive oil) and a thick broth called sopes mallorquines. Other dishes you may want to try include the llom amb col, a dish where pork, together with pine nuts and raisins are wrapped in a leaf of cabbage), and the delectable lechona asada (roast suckling pig).
The famous all-in-one rice dish, Paella, does not hail from Mallorca but you may order it from restaurants. If you want to try something different, try the Paella Ciega or Blind Man’s Paella and the arros brat (‘dirty rice’). Arros Brat is the Mallorcan equivalent of the Paella. This dish is made up of saffron rice which is cooked with chicken, pork and other vegetables. Paellas made of fish and other seafood delicacies such as lobster, prawns and sea bass can also be requested. Incidentally, sea bass baked in rock salt is a dish that is endemic to Mallorca.
Finally, end a sumptuous Mallorcan meal with gato de almendras, a slice of almond cake with toasted almond ice cream. You can even have a bite (or two) of ensaimadas, delicious spiral shaped pastries that are filled with jam or sausages and lightly bathed in butter and dusted with sugar.
Most restaurants found in and out of the city serve Mallorcan cuisine. Why not experience more of Palma and veer away from international dishes (or McDonalds); after all sampling the local food is one delicious way to get to know a country.
