5 Things to Know Before Visiting Palma de Mallorca, Spain

After almost 8 months of living in Spain, I finally took my first trip off the mainland. (Yes — in case you didn’t know, Spain has lots of islands!) During Semana Santa, or Holy Week, my friend Morgan came to visit and we went to Valencia and Palma de Mallorca. Palma is the largest city on Spain’s largest island, Mallorca, also known as “Majorca” in English.

We spent about two full days there, and even though I had visited 10+ other cities in Spain, Palma was very different than anywhere else I’d been. Here are some important things to know if you’re planning a visit yourself!

1. It’s a Tourist Destination™

I’d heard about places like this before. In one of the best books I’ve read about Spain — Ghosts of Spain by Giles Tremlett — he talks about the phenomenon that is the city of Benidorm. Located in the Community of Valencia but much farther south (not far from where I live now, in Alicante) you’re more likely to hear English being spoken than Spanish; 10% of the population is British and it’s a popular holiday destination for British and German tourists.

Palma was very much the same. Every menu and every sign is in four languages: Spanish, Catalán, English, and German. Irish pubs and groups of British women celebrating Bachelorette parties abound. I heard almost no Spanish being spoken.

Even though I was also enjoying a vacation, I felt a little frustrated at the other tourists who would communicate with the wait staff, for example, and not even make an attempt to say “por favor” or “gracias.” Although all the staff we interacted with was capable of speaking good English, I got the sense that they were relieved to speak Spanish with me. In some ways, I almost didn’t feel like I was in Spain. The whole city was just so international that I felt like it ceased to be Spain.

2. The beaches may not be as close as you think

When we booked our Airbnb, it promoted itself as being a 10-minute walk from the beach. I didn’t realize at the time how much of a luxury that was! Looking at the map of Palma after arriving, I was surprised to see that pretty much all of the beaches were clustered away from the city center.

There was the one near us — Can Pere Antoni — that was probably the closest one to the center but still required a 20-30 minute walk into town. Almost all of the other ones are much farther, on the other side of the port. If you want to spend time at the beach as well as the city, just make sure you plan ahead so you’re in a convenient location to do both.

3. It’s more expensive than the mainland

Maybe because it’s an island, or maybe it’s because it’s so popular with vacationers, but prices are higher in Palma. Even my friend Morgan noticed it after we spent the days prior in Madrid and Valencia. From food and drink to clothes and other accessories, expect to pay more here than you might elsewhere in Spain.

That’s not to say the prices might not be worth it, though! I think our favorite meal was at a tapas restaurant called Tast. It was maybe a little more expensive than what I’d pay for in Madrid, but the food was really, really good. Just watch out for the tourist traps — higher prices and lower quality.

4. The food is so good, it’s protected by the EU

Speaking of food… there are two Mallorcan specialties you have to try during your trip: Ensaimada and Sobrasada.

Ensaimada is a type of pastry made from typical ingredients — like flour and eggs — but with one special addition. Saim, which is pork lard, lends the spiral pastry its name and helps make the flavor richer.

Sobrasada is something that I’ve recently started eating a lot of, and it all started in Mallorca! You might already be familiar with Spain’s many types of cured meats, like chorizo and jamon. But sobrasada is unique for many reasons — one of which is the fact that it’s a very soft, spreadable sausage. Now, I certainly understand that the idea of spreadable meat might not sound super appealing, but I promise it’s tasty!

And both ensaimada and sobrasada are so important to Mallorca that they are actually protected by the EU’s Protected Geographical Indication scheme, which means these products are genuinely produced in the Balearic Islands and must adhere to strict quality standards.

5. It’s a beautiful place you should definitely visit if you can

So maybe it doesn’t always feel like it’s Spain, but it does feel like a beautiful Mediterranean island. And how can you be unhappy with that? The La Seu Cathedral is a highlight — as you walk or bike or scoot your way along the waterfront, you get amazing views of the outside, surrounded by palm trees with a mountain backdrop. The cathedral is all pinnacles and flying buttresses, in typical Gothic style, but it definitely gives off some island vibes in my opinion. Go inside if you can! We weren’t able to since it was Holy Thursday and they were preparing for the evening’s procesiones, but it gives me a reason to go back!

To the west of the city center, there’s an old castle, Castell de Bellver. It’s a bit of a hike up to the top, but the views on the way are also really beautiful. And of course, you can’t miss the quaint little Plaça Major with its yellow walls, green shutters, and lively atmosphere.

Plan Your Palma de Mallorca Trip

We had a lot of fun in Palma. It was a great place to relax and enjoy an atmosphere that’s totally different than in my everyday life. So I would recommend it! Just, please… don’t play into the stereotypes of English-speaking tourists abroad. 🙂

Have you ever heard of Palma de Mallorca or thought about visiting? Let me know in the comments!

-Cathy

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Originally Published on April 29, 2019.