Palma – Weekend City Breaks
Palma lies on the south coast of Majorca on the bay of Palma, and it is the islands capital city as well as its main port. With a population of around 383,000 and many wonderful places to visit, it makes an excellent destination for a weekend city break.
One of the city’s best known landmarks is the Gothic cathedral (La Seu) which dominates the waterfront. This impressive building is very popular, and backs on to the old part of the city.
Palma Shopping
Shopping in Palma is a delight. The main shopping area is Jaume III, and here you’ll find many fashionable shops selling clothing and jewellery. The side streets surrounding this principal area hold an array of smaller shops where you can buy everything you could want, from gifts and nick-knacks to beautiful locally crafted items and artwork. La Rambla nearby is where the local flower market is held, and there are many terrace cafes in this area where you can enjoy a relaxing drink or a bite to eat.
Castell de Bellver
The Castell De Bellver is a circular castle about two kilometres from the city centre. There are 500 steps which lead up to the Puig de Sa Mesquida to one side of it, and it was built around 700 years ago. It is considered to be a gothic marvel with its three large towers. Don’t worry if the steps sound a little off putting, you can always get there by road if you don’t fancy the climb. Inside, the castle is now home to two museums. The first is the local history museum where you can learn about the history of Palma and surrounding area. The second houses a collection of classical sculpture. A visit to the roof of this amazing castle is worth it as from the top you can see wonderful views of the area including the city, the bay of Terreno and the surrounding countryside.
Staying in Palma for a weekend, you’ll get a chance to enjoy the local cuisine. There are many places to eat around the city, and locally caught fresh fish is on the menu in most of them, as well as Tapas and other local dishes. Although Palma isn’t best known for its nightlife, it definitely has one and The El Terreno area of the city is the best place to go if you’re seeking it.
Of course, with Palma being where it is, right on the coast, the wonderful beaches here are worth a visit whether you just take a stroll along them admiring the views out to sea, or whether you choose to relax and sunbathe or swim.
Category: Spain Travel Guides
