Lonely Planet vacation spot editor AnneMarie McCarthy not too long ago returned from a flying go to to Palma de Mallorca. Right here she exhibits you what you possibly can squeeze into 24 hours in Mallorca’s cultured capital by sharing highlights from her jam-packed day journey.
I visited Mallorca in Could with a pal as a part of an extended journey to the Balearics, taking in Ibiza first. Due to how the ferry schedule labored out, I arrived in Palma late on Friday night time, which means we solely had 24 correct hours to discover town and squeeze as a lot as we might earlier than flying out early Sunday morning.
I instantly realized that Palma is the proper place to have a sunny metropolis break. Ideally, you’d want a couple of days to discover all town has to supply. Nonetheless, even for these planning a seaside vacation in Mallorca, I extremely suggest taking a day journey right here. Its compact dimension and dependable good climate make it straightforward to mix stress-free resort time with buying, nice meals and cultural actions – and due to the island’s wonderful public transport community, you possibly can simply entry Palma from virtually any main seaside resort in Mallorca.
I actually did not wish to go away as quickly as I did however we made essentially the most out of the quick time we had.
The place did you keep? What was the vibe?
I stayed in INNSiDE Palma Bosque. It is close to the seafront and a few 30-minute stroll from the Cathedral, so it is simple to succeed in the principle touristy sights whereas nonetheless staying on a quiet, peaceable road.
The highlights have been the indoor and outside aquamarine swimming pools, which all of the rooms overlook. On-site, there’s additionally a wonderful restaurant referred to as Syndeo and a surprisingly busy fitness center, all of which is able to tempt you to remain and lounge within the resort all day, consuming cocktails served within the poolside bar. So be warned, you will need to be strict with your self if you wish to see one thing else.
Neatest thing you ate?
We had dinner at Vida proper on the port and shared the Côte de Boeuf with a collection of sides. Often, I am reluctant to order meat that it’s a must to end cooking your self however as a result of it had already been seared when it arrived, it was really straightforward to get it to my liking on the new plate.
Sadly, it was so scrumptious I forgot to take an image as a result of I used to be so busy digging in. However we did go for cocktails of their sister bar Tree Home which is simply upstairs overlooking the harbor and that form of counts as dessert, proper?
Favourite exercise from the journey
A two-hour yachting expertise with Swiss Yachting. It took off from Puerto Portals (a 25-minute taxi journey from Palma) and took us all south-eastwards down the coast. It was great to see the famously rugged cliffs from the ocean and we handed loads of kayakers and boat excursions with the identical concept. Plus, our vessel went fairly quick whereas within the open water, which added to the joy
We stopped to swim and sunbathe, surrounded by loads of different yachts with the identical concept, consuming a little bit of rose wine in between.
Did you deliver house a memento?
Sure! There was an ideal market in Parc de la Mar, which had the added bonus of gorgeous views of the cathedral. I deemed among the stunning pottery too fragile to try to take house however I did get a beautiful mild jacket from one of many stalls. The proprietor stated she’s been promoting right here for years and all of the clothes was in colourful and distinctive prints.
What was essentially the most touristy factor you probably did?
We explored Castell de Bellver very first thing within the morning earlier than it received too scorching to make the steep stroll up the hill. It is a powerful round 14th-century fortress and residential to town’s historical past museum however the actual star is the 360-degree views from the highest, with gorgeous vistas of the harbour and mountains. Undoubtedly well worth the €4 admission charge.
By the point we would completed,d although, it was getting hotter and the day was ticking away,y so we opted to get on the hop-on-hop-off bus to get us again to the Palma heart a bit faster (€20), with the added bonus of seeing a bit extra on the best way down. It lasts for twenty-four hours, so I want we would gotten extra use of it.
Greatest tip for somebody who needs to plan the identical journey?
Actually, try to go away extra time! There’s a lot to see in Palma, plus the nice climate and entry to the ocean imply you could possibly simply spend a weekend or longer right here alternating between the sights, markets and a pool (or the seaside!) When you’re in Palma for twenty-four hours although, earlier than transferring on to someplace on the island, maybe schedule your actions just like the yacht for if you’re exterior town so that you’re staying extra in a single place and might maximize your time a bit bit extra. However as a result of we weren’t staying longer in Mallorca, I do not remorse the itinerary as a result of it was a beautiful introduction to each town and the island and I am unable to wait to get again.
AnneMarie visited Mallorca on the invitation of We Are Indigo. Lonely Planet contributors don’t settle for freebies in return for constructive protection.
