Palma

April to June and September to October are the best months, with warm days and fewer crowds. July and August are hot and busy. Winters are mild, with some rain.

A good event to time a trip around is Sant Sebastià in mid-January, with bonfires and concerts in the squares.

• Palma Cathedral is the huge Gothic cathedral on the seafront. Its large rose window is one of the biggest in Europe, and the interior includes work by Gaudí.
• Almudaina Palace is a royal palace next to the cathedral, with Moorish origins.
• Bellver Castle is a round 14th-century castle on a hill, with views over the bay and the city.
• Sa Llotja is a Gothic merchants' exchange from the 15th century, used today for exhibitions.
• Sant Francesc is a church and cloister that holds the tomb of the philosopher Ramon Llull.
• Es Baluard Museum of Contemporary Art of Palma is a museum of modern and contemporary art in an old fortress by the sea.
• The Parc de la Mar is a park with a lake between the cathedral and the sea.

• Take a boat trip on the Bay of Palma in summer. Many short trips leave from the harbor.
• Walk or cycle the seafront path from the cathedral toward the east at sunset.

• Valldemossa (about 18 km, 30 minutes by bus or car): a mountain village where the composer Chopin spent the winter of 1838 to 1839.
• Sóller (about 30 km, 45 minutes by car or about 1 hour by historic train): a town in a valley of orange trees, with a port nearby.
• l'Alcúdia (about 50 km, 55 minutes by car): a walled town with a long sandy beach.
• Pollença (about 55 km, 1 hour by car): an old town with a calvary stairway and a nearby bay.

Other places on Mallorca:

• Island: Mallorca has the full guide to the island.
• North coast: l'Alcúdia and Pollença.
• East coast: Cala d'Or for small coves.

• By air: Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) is about 8 km east of the center. Buses and taxis run to the center, and the trip takes about 15 to 25 minutes.
• By ferry: Ferries sail from Barcelona and Valencia to the port of Palma.
• There is no train link from the mainland.

• On foot: The old town and the harbor area are compact and flat. Walking is the best way to see the sights.
• City bus: City buses cover the wider city, including the area around Bellver Castle.
• Cycling: A seafront path runs along the bay, and cycling is popular.

• Is a car worth it?: Not for the city. A car is useful for exploring the island.
• Parking: Use an underground car park at the edge of the old town.
• Restrictions: Much of the old town is closed to ordinary traffic.

Mallorca is known for ensaïmada, a soft spiral pastry dusted with sugar, and for sobrassada, a soft cured sausage. Try tumbet, a baked vegetable dish, and rice stews.

Go to the Mercat de l'Olivar for market food and snacks, and to the Santa Catalina district for restaurants and bars.

Palma is a safe city. Watch for pickpockets in crowded areas and on the beach in summer. In July and August the sun is very strong, so use sun protection.

The Romans founded a town here, and the Moors ruled it for centuries. King James I of Aragon took the city in 1229, and Palma Cathedral was begun soon after on the site of the main mosque.

In the 14th century the kings of Mallorca built Bellver Castle. In the 15th century the city grew rich from trade, and Sa Llotja was built for merchants.

Quick practical facts for Spain at a glance: