Palma de Mallorca, Spain: The Favorite European Holiday Getaway

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Palma de Mallorca is the capital city of the largest island in the Spanish Balearic archipelago, located to the east of the Spain’s mainland in the Mediterranean. It is located 100km/60 miles off the east coast of Spain, and the 500 km/310 miles of this island’s sparkling coastline is full of caves and beautiful beaches. The wonderful weather and important location of this island makes it a favorite European resort that becomes quite crowded in spring.

This walled city is Mallorca’s prime tourist destination, which offers abundant hotels, restaurants and nightclubs.

The maze of narrow streets in the old town is a delight to explore on foot. If you sail into the port you’ll be greeted by the imposing Le Seu Gothic cathedral, as well as the Bellver Castle set on the top of the hill above the city.

The island’s coastal valleys are home to charming fishing villages which give you a glimpse of this islands history. The large estates that remain from the Moorish reign are surrounded by gardens and winding roads leading inland into the island.

Port of Palma de Mallorca

The island is a mix of unique landscapes combining the sandy beaches with majestic mountains and monasteries hidden wherever you go.

A Little Bit of History

Although the settlement of today’s Palma de Mallorca started during the Bronze Age, the name of the city dates back to the Roman settlement. The Arabs conquered it in the early middle ages and called it Madina Mayurqa.

Palma became an important trade city under the rule of King Jaime I, but it went through a decline from the 16th to the 18th century.

Felipe V made Palma de Mallorca the capital of the Balearic Islands and Carlos III established a free trade pact with the Indies, which had an impact on the financial position of the city.

Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca

It became a tourist destination in the 1950s and has flourished since then. Annual music festival, Festival de Pollenca, Fonart Short Film Festival and Festa de l’Estendard are some of the famous festivals of Palma.