Palma de Mallorca,Spain

Mallorca The island of Mallorca (Majorca) off the east coast of Spain is the largest in the Balearic Island group, which collectively form one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Mediterranean (if not the world). Mallorca took off as a tourist mecca in the 1960s, when a development boom spawned the building of hundreds of high-rise hotels, apartment blocks and shopping centres which now line most of the island's coast. The capital, Palma, however still retains some of its historical flavour sporting grand mansions and a magnificent Gothic cathedral in its bustling centre. The northwest coast, too, still offers some secluded coves below the peaks of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, and several quaint old towns and villages. If you visit Mallorca for the sun and fun, it is worth taking a break from the beach resorts and heading off for a tour of the island by car, or even bicycle, to discover the romantic fishing villages, historic monasteries, monuments, museums and spectacular landscapes tucked away from the madding crowds. The interior is largely the preserve of a thriving agricultural community, dotted with windmills, olive and almond trees. Resorts See our separate guides to the following Mallorca holiday resorts: C'an Pastilla, El Arenal, S'Illot, Palma de Mallorca, Magaluf, Alcudia, Cala d'Or, Puerto Pollensa, Sa Coma, Cala Millor, Palma Nova, C'an Picafort, Santa Ponsa, Cala San Vincente, Calas de Mallorca and Paguera Attractions Alcudia (Old Town) The ancient town of Alcudia, not to be confused with the modern resort two miles (3km) to its south, has a fascinating and turbulent history. The Phoenicians and Greeks settled here and the Romans made it their capital in the 2nd century BC. Destroyed by the Vandals in the 6th century it was rebuilt again by the Moors before being liberated by King Jaime I of Spain in the early 1200s. The Spanish sensibly fortified the city, and its massive city walls date from this era. Today, visitors still enter the narrow streets of the old town through one of the two gates, which are guarded by large towers. Near the town, at Polentia, is a well preserved Roman amphitheatre and the Orator de Santa Anna, one of Mallorca's oldest churches. Aqualand Mallorca Aqualand is one place that is not to be missed by families on holiday in Mallorca. Children of all ages and parents alike will have a grand time splashing in the pools, riding the slides, floating on tubes or jumping in the wave pools. Rides such as the Kamikaze, Harakiri, Grand Canyon, Anaconda and the Black Hole are great for older kids, while the little ones can enjoy splashing in the shallower waters of the Mini Park and Polynesia. l Arta The ancient hilltop town of Arta, close to the east coast of Mallorca, has been occupied for about 3,000 years, and today welcomes visitors to the remains of its Bronze Age settlement at Ses Paisses, just outside the town in a grove of olive, carob and holm oak trees. Arta presents a picturesque sight from the Santuari de Sant Salvador, the chapel-shrine on top of the hill, with its bleached rooftops spilling down the hillside below the battlements of a Moorish fortress. The town is particularly lively on Tuesdays, which is market day. Banys Àrabs The only surviving Moorish-built building in Palma is the bathhouse of Banys Àrabs, located in the city's medieval quarter. It contains an elegant horseshoe-arched and domed chamber, supported by 12 columns, and is fronted by a garden with picnic tables. Beaches near Palma There are several good, though usually crowded, beaches accessible by bus from Palma. El Arenal, seven miles (11km) to the south-east of the city, attracts many German visitors to its waterfront restaurants, bars and hotels. The long beach boasts white sands and turquoise water. Palma Nova and Illetes, six miles (10km) to the south-west, 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 south-east coast between Cap de Salinas and Cap Blanc, can be reached by bus from the Plaza Espanya in Palma. The local tourist office distributes an information leaflet on 40 beaches in the Palma area. 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. Castell de 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. Katmandu Park A brand-new, big-budget development, taking over from the very popular Palma Nova Golf Fantasia, is Katmandu Park - a theme park and mini-golf complex that is already proving wildly popular amongst younger visitors to Magaluf. Featuring cutting-edge technology, the House of Katmandu provides a thrilling and interactive 'haunted house' experience for youngsters, while the 36-hole Expedition Golf area of the theme park is hugely impressive, featuring fun and challenging courses that even adults will find tough to master. There is also a 4D cinema at Katmandu Park, and the Kat Bar and Diner, serving American-style food and cold drinks. Take the children to Katmandu Park for a day of fun and excitement they won't soon forget. La Seo Cathedral 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. Marineland A must for families travelling in Mallorca with children is a trip to Marineland, where children can enjoy watching the dolphin and sea lion shows. Marineland also has other attractions including Europe's largest collection of sharks, a parrot circus, aquariums, crocodiles and snakes. Children of all ages will love discovering all the animals and watching the spectacular shows. Museo 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. Palau de l'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, and offering panoramic views of the harbour. Pollensa (Old Town) Situated in the hills, towards the north-east of Mallorca, Pollensa is a peaceful old town that has been largely unaffected by tourism. The town was established a few miles inland to protect against any sudden pirate attacks; its harbour, Puerto Pollensa, was left as an unprotected outpost. Today the port has grown into a popular family resort. Some of Pollensa's medieval centre remains around the Plaça Major, the main square, including the church of Nostra Senyora dels Àngels. From the outside, the church is fairly austere, the sheer stone façade is pierced only by a large rose window, but the interior is highly decorative, particularly during the packed Sunday morning services when it is ablaze with candles. Other than the church, the main square houses a cluster of bars and cafés, and on Sunday mornings, a busy market. Just north of the square is the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross), a long stone stairway bordered by ancient cypress trees. At the top, in a small chapel, is a much-revered statue of Mare de Déu del Peu de la Creu (Mother of God at the Foot of the Cross). On Good Friday, a figure of Jesus is slowly carried down the steps by torchlight in the Davallament (Lowering). Perched on a hill just south of Pollensa is a rambling 18th century monastery, a peaceful and serene spot to take in wonderful views of the surrounding area. The monastery is an hour's walk from town. Santuari de 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 resides in its own chapel, receiving pilgrims and tourists who come to pay homage each day. Soller Soller, set in a lush valley of orange groves between the mountains and the sea, half way along the north-west coast of the island, is a popular day-trip 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.