Weather Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca weather and more

Palma de Mallorca © Galen R Frysinger

Overview: Palma, capital of the autonomous region of the Balearic Islands, is a lively, cosmopolitan city in true Spanish tradition, its city centre forming a bustling montage of shopping centres, a maze of narrow lanes and restored buildings surrounded by ruined ancient city walls, and modern boulevards. Like mainland Spain, Mallorca and Palma itself was under Moorish control between the nineth and 13th centuries until the re-conquest by Jaume I of Aragon. The Moorish heritage is still evident, as are the remnants of Palma’s golden years when it rose to wealth and prominence in the 15th century as the main port of call between Europe and Africa. Later the city, set on the beautiful bay Bahia de Palma, became the favoured Royal retreat for Fernando and Isabel, which helped it to become the popular holiday destination of the rich and famous. Despite the invasion of foreign tourists Palma has kept its local flavour, particularly in its old quarter lined by cafes and tapas bars. Often the native dialect of mallorquin is the only language heard in the backstreets.

Attractions

Banys Arabs : The only remaining complete Moorish-built building in Palma is the bathhouse in the medieval quarter. It contains an elegant horseshoe-arched and domed chamber, supported by 12 columns, and is fronted by a garden with picnic tables. Opening time: Daily 9.30am to 8pm
Beaches near Palma : There are several good, though usually crowded, beaches accessible by bus from Palma. El Arenal, seven miles (11km) to the southeast of the city, attracts many German visitors as is reflected along its waterfront in the signs on restaurants, bars and hotels. The long beach boasts white sands and turquoise water. Palma Nova and Illetes, between six and ten miles (10 and 16km) to the southwest, are smaller but equally popular beaches. On the road to Palma Nova is Marineland, offering dolphin, sea lion and parrot shows as well as Polynesian pearl-diving demonstrations. Other beaches include Portixol, El Molinar, Coll d’En Rebassa and Can Pastilla. The most popular beach on the entire island of Mallorca, Es Trenc, on the southeast coast between Cap de Salinas and Cap Blanc, can be reached by bus from the Plaza Espanya in Palma with departures three times a day. The local tourist office distributes an information leaflet on 40 beaches in the Palma area.
Castell del Bellver : The round hilltop castle built in 1309 was the summer residence of the kings of Mallorca during the short period in which the island had a Royal family. The fortified castle with its double moat also served as a prison. Today it contains Palma’s Municipal Museum, displaying mainly archaeological artefacts and old coins. There are also models of archaeological digs to be seen. Telephone: 97 173 0657; Opening time: 8am to 8.30pm, closed Sundays
Catedral O la Sea : Palma's magnificent Catalonian Gothic cathedral is a landmark of the city, standing in the old town overlooking the ocean. The cathedral is dedicated to Palma's patron saint, San Sebastian, and contains some saintly relics and pieces of the True Cross in its treasury. Construction started on the edifice in 1300. The vast central vault is 144ft (43m) high, its columns towering to a height of 65ft (20m). The wrought-iron canopy over the main altar was added by Gaudi in 1909. Telephone: 971 72 31 30; Opening time: 10am to 6pm weekdays, 10am to 2pm Saturday, closed Sunday (summer); 10am to 3pm, closed weekends (winter)
Museu d'Art Espanyol Contemporani : Palma’s most renowned art gallery contains works collected by the Juan March Foundation, housed in a restored mansion on the Carrer Sant Miquel. The collection focuses on modern works including Picasso’s Head of a Woman and paintings by Miro, Dali, Juan Gris and Antoni Tapies. Opening time: Monday to Friday 10am to 6.30pm, Saturdays 10am to 1.30pm, closed Sundays
Palau del'Almudaina : Opposite the cathedral in Palma stands an austere fortress palace that was erected by the Moors and later became the residence of the kings of Mallorca. Inside, most rooms and corridors are bare, but there are some beautiful Flemish Gobelin tapestries on display as well as a few antiques, art works and suits of armour. The palace, on the Plaza Reina, is surrounded by a pleasant Moorish-style garden sporting fountains, which offers panoramic views of the harbour. Telephone: 0971 72 7145; Opening time: Monday to Friday 10am to 6.30pm, Saturdays 10am to 2pm, closed Sundays (April to September); Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 6pm, closed weekends (October to March)
Soller: Soller, set in a lush valley of orange groves between the mountains and the sea, half way along the northwest coast of the island, is a popular day-tripper destination because it can be reached on a vintage train ride from Palma. The town is awash with tempting pastry shops, ice-cream parlours and tapas bars in its quaint squares, but there is more to do than just eat and drink. There are some good examples of modernist architecture, like the church of Saint Bartomeu with its 1912 arched tower above a rose window, and needle-like spires. There are also two museums: the Natural Science Museum displaying fossils and the Museu Municipal filled with antiques.
Valldemossa: Mallorca’s favourite titbit of tabloid gossip has turned the monastery in the small town of Valldemossa, on the west coast, into a tourist attraction. In 1838 Frederic Chopin arrived with his lover, George Sand, to stay in a former monk’s cell in the Cartoixa Reial monastery and carry on their affair away from the eyes of Paris. The shocked locals shunned the tubercular Chopin and his lover, and the couple were so unhappy that their relationship never recovered from the wet, windy and miserable winter in the monastery. Today the cells occupied by the lovers are open to visitors. The library and old pharmacy can also be visited and there is a small art museum with works by Picasso, Miro and Juli Ramis. Opening time: Cells open Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 6pm, and Sunday 10am to 1pm
Lluc: About 20 miles (32km) beyond Soller, after a precipitous drive through the Serra de Tramuntana in the north of the island, is the remote mountain village of Lluc, in a valley that has been an important place of pilgrimage since the 13th century. Lluc became Mallorca’s most sacred site when a shepherd boy discovered a dark wooden statue of the Virgin in a cleft in the rock. The miraculous statue returned to its cave three times after being placed in the local church. Now the statue, known as La Moreneta, has been encrusted with precious stones and presides in its own chapel, receiving pilgrims and tourists who come to pay homage each day. On Sundays a traditional boys' choir gives a concert at 11am in the monastery complex where the statue resides.

Activities

Castell d’Alaro : Mallorca’s most popular hiking trail is the climb from the town of Alaro up to a ruined castle and hilltop chapel, which offers panoramic views of the sea and plains as far as Palma. From Alaro the walk takes about two hours to complete. The castle ruins on the hilltop date from the 15th century and dominate the landscape. At the summit there is a restaurant and bar to refresh weary climbers. On Sundays the trail becomes rather busy.

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