The day we caught the train
Palma de Mallorca
Mallorca has been on our radar for a while now.
It ticked all the boxes. A small island, easy to navigate and explore, lighthouses, a short flight from the UK, and it has a cosmopolitan city to use as a base. All this despite the reputation of the popular resorts that are the destination for a sizable chunk of those landing at the gargantuan Palma airport.
The city of Palma is an easy, short drive from the airport and in no time we were settling into our apartment in the shadow of the Santa Cruz church, on the edge of the old town.
To get our bearings we explored the Paseo Maritimo, the sea front promenade that runs the length of the Port of Palma. We started at the impressive Gothic landmark of the Santa María Cathedral, which is adjacent to the Royal Palace of Almudaina and explored the Terrazas de la Catedral de Palmantain which sits between the cathedral and the sea. We then strolled along the Avinguda de Gabriel Roca, heading towards the lighthouse, naturally.
Walking the seafront of Palm is a pleasant, calming experience. The popular port is adorned with a wealth of yachts and palm trees, and is easily navigated by spacious pedestrian walkways and cycle paths.
Mallorca has been on our radar for a while now.
It ticked all the boxes. A small island, easy to navigate and explore, lighthouses, a short flight from the UK, and it has a cosmopolitan city to use as a base. All this despite the reputation of the popular resorts that are the destination for a sizable chunk of those landing at the gargantuan Palma airport.
The city of Palma is an easy, short drive from the airport and in no time we were settling into our apartment in the shadow of the Santa Cruz church, on the edge of the old town.
 |
| Santa María Cathedral, Palma de Mallorca |
To get our bearings we explored the Paseo Maritimo, the sea front promenade that runs the length of the Port of Palma. We started at the impressive Gothic landmark of the Santa María Cathedral, which is adjacent to the Royal Palace of Almudaina and explored the Terrazas de la Catedral de Palmantain which sits between the cathedral and the sea. We then strolled along the Avinguda de Gabriel Roca, heading towards the lighthouse, naturally.
Walking the seafront of Palm is a pleasant, calming experience. The popular port is adorned with a wealth of yachts and palm trees, and is easily navigated by spacious pedestrian walkways and cycle paths.
At the centre of the port is the Lighthouse at Port de Palma, which isn't easily accessible, but bag-able from the harbour paths.
The grander Lighthouse, the Faro de Portopí was a good forty minute walk in the sunshine. Unfortunately we discovered it's on a military base and as such we couldn't get access for a close up look. There are some open days, so plan ahead, unlike us!
There are still plenty of good vantage points of the light to be found along the way.
There's no better way to enjoy Palma’s picturesque Old Town, ‘El Casco Antiguo’, than to ditch the guide map, turn off google maps and simply get lost!
The medieval streets throw up a pleasant surprise at every turn, and you will never be short of a tapas bar to dip into for a pit stop. We returned again and again to the Old Town, enjoying the laid back alfresco dining experience. As places to sit and watch the world go by with a cold beer, it's hard to beat.
And even when we got caught in a short rain shower near the cathedral, there was something nice about eating ice cream under a palm tree as the storm clouds blew over.
There's also a lot of shopping to be done with a decent number of independent shops and quirky boutiques. The golden mile of the Passeig des Born will give you your fill of designer shops but far more fun is the busy Market de L'Olivar in the heart of Palma.
If you have the time, a must-do day out from Palma is a visit to the sea-side town of Port de Soller. And your transport there are the beautifully kept 100 year old trains and trams.
Catch the train from the centre of Palma. It's a popular tourist train that runs without hurry, through the hills and mountains of north west Mallorca, stopping along the way for the odd picture opportunity. You'll arrive in the town of Sóller, we didn't stop to explore but jumped straight onto the fabulous wooden tram to Port de Sóller. There were three lighthouses to see!
The Port is a picturesque harbour and marina complete with lighthouses.
We walked up to the Faro Capgros, which took about forty minutes and offered fabulous views across to the two lighthouses, old and new, at Faro de sa Creu.
After our splendid walk we were spoilt for choice for lunch options as the whole seafront of the port heaves with restaurants. Once you've enjoyed lunch on the front, catch the bus back to Palma, which is a lot quicker and cheaper than the eccentric train and tram taken to get here.
We found Palma to be a very civilised, laid back city, perfect for eating out and enjoying a relaxing glass of red wine doing not very much. And I completely understand why people return again and again to do just that.
But if you like to compliment good food with a little bit of exploring as we do, then there is enough in and around the city to keep you interested, and it's also the perfect base for day trips around the island.
And next time I'll describe our explorations and search for lighthouses around the island.
The grander Lighthouse, the Faro de Portopí was a good forty minute walk in the sunshine. Unfortunately we discovered it's on a military base and as such we couldn't get access for a close up look. There are some open days, so plan ahead, unlike us!
There are still plenty of good vantage points of the light to be found along the way.
 |
| Faro de Portopí, Palma de Mallorca |
There's no better way to enjoy Palma’s picturesque Old Town, ‘El Casco Antiguo’, than to ditch the guide map, turn off google maps and simply get lost!
The medieval streets throw up a pleasant surprise at every turn, and you will never be short of a tapas bar to dip into for a pit stop. We returned again and again to the Old Town, enjoying the laid back alfresco dining experience. As places to sit and watch the world go by with a cold beer, it's hard to beat.
And even when we got caught in a short rain shower near the cathedral, there was something nice about eating ice cream under a palm tree as the storm clouds blew over.
 |
| Palma de Mallorca |
There's also a lot of shopping to be done with a decent number of independent shops and quirky boutiques. The golden mile of the Passeig des Born will give you your fill of designer shops but far more fun is the busy Market de L'Olivar in the heart of Palma.
 |
| Market de L'Olivar, Palma de Mallorca |
If you have the time, a must-do day out from Palma is a visit to the sea-side town of Port de Soller. And your transport there are the beautifully kept 100 year old trains and trams.
Catch the train from the centre of Palma. It's a popular tourist train that runs without hurry, through the hills and mountains of north west Mallorca, stopping along the way for the odd picture opportunity. You'll arrive in the town of Sóller, we didn't stop to explore but jumped straight onto the fabulous wooden tram to Port de Sóller. There were three lighthouses to see!
 |
| The wooden train to Sóller, Palma de Mallorca |
The Port is a picturesque harbour and marina complete with lighthouses.
We walked up to the Faro Capgros, which took about forty minutes and offered fabulous views across to the two lighthouses, old and new, at Faro de sa Creu.
 |
| Port de Sóller, Mallorca |
After our splendid walk we were spoilt for choice for lunch options as the whole seafront of the port heaves with restaurants. Once you've enjoyed lunch on the front, catch the bus back to Palma, which is a lot quicker and cheaper than the eccentric train and tram taken to get here.
 |
| Faro Capgros, Port de Soller, Mallorca |
We found Palma to be a very civilised, laid back city, perfect for eating out and enjoying a relaxing glass of red wine doing not very much. And I completely understand why people return again and again to do just that.
But if you like to compliment good food with a little bit of exploring as we do, then there is enough in and around the city to keep you interested, and it's also the perfect base for day trips around the island.
And next time I'll describe our explorations and search for lighthouses around the island.
Comments
Post a Comment