Palma de Mallorca tourist information.
Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the Balearic Islands, is the largest city in Mallorca. The city occupies the north western end of a bay in the south west of the island of Mallorca. The name Palma dates back to the Roman settlement on the site of the present city, although the area was originally settled during the Bronze Age. In the early middle ages it was conquered by Arabs, who named it Madina Mayurqa. In 1229 it was conquered by King Jaime I, ruler of Valencia and Aragon, and became an important trade city.
Known for its sun and beach tourism, Palma de Mallorca comes as a surprise to many people.It is stylish, sophisticated, intimate, yet bursting with life. Located on the southern shores of Mallorca, the island’s capital city looks out over the sparkling blue seas of the Mediterranean. It is often compared to Barcelona for its architecture and we think it’s an equally desirable destination for a city break.
The Cathedral, the Almudaina Palace, the Lonja fish market and Plaza Mayor are some of the sites that are well worth visiting. The most beautiful monuments are surrounded by fishing boats, pine forests and palm trees. The landscape of the island is full of coves, beaches and cliffs on the coast, and inland you will find typical towns and mountain ranges up to 1,500 metres high. The variety of the landscape and culture invites visitors to explore every corner of Majorca and to find out more about the gastronomy of the island.
The main attractions and shops are situated around the massive Gothic cathedral down by the sea front. Here is where you will find the old quarter, with it’s tiny lanes, quirky cafes and shops, and characterful buildings, all packed within a square kilometre. It’s very easy to explore and walk around this area, with no shortage of sights and refreshment stops.