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Top 5 Things To Do In Palma, Mallorca

So many people ask me about things I would recommend doing/seeing in Palma de Mallorca when they are visiting the island. So, why not give a blog post to that topic. Just for y’all, my favorite peeps.

It was a difficult list. Palma has so much to offer – art galleries, museums, shopping, great bars, hidden back alleys where you stumble upon something new every single time. I could spend a whole week just exploring those narrow side streets.

In no particular order because they all rock.

1.Pilar y Joan Miró Foundation

First up, the Pilar y Joan Miró Foundation. If you are an art lover, you can’t miss this. You actually walk through the studios Joan Miró worked in through 1956 until his death in 1983. The collection of works by Joan Miró includes paintings, drawings, sculptures, and prints. You can see how and where he worked at the two studios (Son Boter and Sert Studio), both of these have been included in the Bienes de Interés Cultural architectural heritage list.

One of my favorite Miro sculptures in Palma ~ FEMME

femme
Joan Miró – Femme

2. La Seu

Next, the Cathedral – La Seu. This majestic, architectural masterpiece took from 1230 – 1601 to build. It has a gorgeous, gothic, rose glass window which is one of the largest in the world. And if you are into Gaudí, he later designed the columns and the controversial Crown of Thorns that hangs over the altar. It is situated next to the Parc de la Mar which is also a lovely place to hang out, look at the sea and have a glass of wine.

A visit begins through the museum entrance and there is a small entrance fee.

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La Seu in Palma, the Cathedral that took almost 400 years to build. Gorgeous!

 

3. Passeig Des Born

Enough architecture and art for you? Alright, how about some shopping. Did some of your ears pop up? Palma has great stores – from Louis Vuitton to Caroline Herrera to Hugo Boss. And they are all in one of my favorite spots in Palma, Passeig des Born. Come here to this tree-lined promenade with boutiques, cafes, shops and beautiful fountains at each end. You can always find a street performer or two to keep you entertained, if you are needing that.

Walk up to Jaime III and if you turn left you will find Es Corte Ingles (Palma’s big department store), Mango and other shops. Turn right and you can head to Placa Major, where pretty much in every direction are more and more shops. If you have been dying for a Starbucks, one has been recently established at the Placa Cort.

passeig born

 

4. Ca’n Joan De S’aigo

Time for a break after all that sight seeing and shopping. Stop at one of the oldest chocolatiers in Europe, founded in 1700. So much deliciousness under one roof. It’s almost a sin. Pastries, cakes, ice-cream, cava and the popular Mallorcan ensaimada. My favorite is the one with apricots. They have two locations but the Calle Can Sanc has the mosaic from the original building. Bon Profit!

ensaimada

5. Palma Old Town Bike Tour and Tapas

Did someone say bike riding and tapas? I’m in. This is a super fun bike tour to see the top sights of Palma ~ La Seu Cathedral, the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, ride down the Rambla of Palma and discover the nightlife center of La Lonja. Finish your excursion with tapas at the Illenc restaurant.

bikes

I hope you enjoyed the list. I would love to hear about your favorite must-sees in Palma. Thanks for stopping by this beautiful city!

eat ~ mallorca · food · Mallorca

Eat ~ Mallorca LA BOVEDA

My lovely German friend Imke was here for a few days to visit me. It was so nice to see her! She wanted tranquilo so we did pretty much that. Except her last night we went out for a good dinner in Palma. I always like to try out new restaurants when friends are here. And that night we went to La Boveda, proclaimed as the best tapas restaurant on the island.

I’ve read that it fills up fast so I made a reservation. And when we arrived at 8:00 (when it opened) there was a line at the door. We were seated immediately and given a menu. So many options! If you don’t know what tapas are, let me explain. Tapas are small portions of Spanish cuisine – meats, cheese, seafood, etc. They can be hot or cold dishes. You order enough for the group. Many tapas restaurants give an option of a large portion or smaller portion depending on the size of your group.

We ordered the small meat plate (chorizo, jamon serrano, sobrasada) which came with four slices of Mahon cheese, sauteed shrimp, bread with aioli (the famous mayonnaise with garlic), lamb chops which also had french fries and pimientos de padron, and dates with bacon. Plus a half bottle of Rioja and …. PERFECT. So many other options on the menu, we really wanted to order one of everything – maybe with a group of about twenty that is possible. Next time.

What we did order was a little too much for two people but we tried our best to finish it. We even had fresh pineapple for dessert because there is no such thing as leaving without dessert.

Go to La Boveda! A fantastic tapas restaurant in the old town of Palma, my favorite area. If you like tapas, you will not be disappointed.

La Boveda. C/ Botería, 3 · Palma · 971 71 48 63

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