Palma de Mallorca is the capital of the Balearic Islands and also the biggest city in terms of both population and extension.
Palma de Mallorca is the capital of the Balearic Islands and also the biggest city in terms of both population and extension. Right now almost 400,000 people live there and it is still growing. The city has something to offer for almost everyone; good shopping, historical places and museums, nice restaurants and a lively nightlife.
Outside Palma de Mallorca is the airport that connects to most places in Europe.
Mallorca is best known for its stunning beaches and nature. Beaches are what most people come for. The main tourist areas are on the southern and eastern costs, but places may be overcrowded in high season. When you leave the coastline and take a look at the inner country you will find another Mallorca, it is beautiful, not overcrowded and much cheaper.
Palma is famous for its vast cathedral (La Seu) originally built on a previous mosque. Although construction began in 1229, it did not finish until 1601 and local architect Antoni Gaudí was drafted in during a restoration project in 1901.
The Old City of Palma de Mallorca (in the south-east area of Palma behind the Cathedral) is a fascinating maze of streets clearly hinting towards an Arab past. With the exception of a few streets and squares which allow traffic and are more populated with tourists most of the time, the walkways of this city quarter are fairly narrow, quiet streets, surrounded by a diverse range of interesting buildings, the architecture of which can easily be compared with those in streets of cities such as Florence (Italy), for example. The majority are private houses, some of which are open to the public as discreet museums or galleries. The tall structures, characteristic window boxes, detailed metal carvings and overhanging eaves of these buildings make a stark contrast with the view of the bay that is obtained by stepping out of the shady alleyways next to the cathedral and onto the old city walls.
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