Most Brits on holiday in Mallorca see little of the capital, Palma, except its airport. Pity. This charming, authentic Spanish city has superb tapas bars, museums, seafood restaurants, fabulous shops, 10th-century Arab baths and a huge Gothic cathedral. Plus you can take the vintage train for a day trip to the delightful town of Soller. 
Recommended tour operator: Sovereign
Sovereign says
Wander Palma’s labyrinth of charming cobbled streets and visit one of Spain’s most impressive cathedrals with its Gothic towers and interior finished by Gaudi in 1909. Discover your own favourite tapas bar in town or enjoy a seafood lunch on the marina (Catherine from 101 recommends Casa Eduardo for an authentic, unpretentious fish restaurant) and spend a romantic evening in Abaco, a 19th century courtyard decorated with bird cages, fountains, sculptures,tumbling piles of fruit and hundreds of candles. It’s more than a bar - it’s an experience.
The relatively small size of Palma makes it great for shopping. Head to the main area of Avinguda Jaume III, or if you prefer boutiques, the Passeig des Born. You will find smaller, more specialist shops on the pedestrian streets around Placa Major. Leather handbags and shoes are a particularly good buy.
Our hotel options are all just outside of the city so you can relax by a peaceful pool with a view at the end of a day’s sight-seeing. The elegant Castillo Hotel Son Vida, (photo top right) for example, was once a 13th century castle and is only 20 minutes from both the airport and centre of Palma.
Palma’s just a two-hour flight from the UK. In addition to a choice of flights from most regional airports, our year-round short breaks to Palma also include complimentary UK airport lounge passes, private transfers in resort, and access to a Sovereign Concierge, who is a phone call away 24 hrs a day.
Click here for more about Sovereign’s city breaks to Palma.
