In the blue of the Mediterranean Sea lies the Balearic archipelago, with its five islands and several islets. The islands of the former Mare Nostrum are divided into two groups: the Pitiusas (Ibiza and Formentera) and the Gimnesias (Mallorca, Menorca and Cabrera). All are characterized by their extraordinary beaches, overflowing nature and charming villages. Today, we’re going to tell you about the island of Mallorca.
The cathedral
Whether you like religious buildings or not, Santa Maria Cathedral in Palma de Mallorca is well worth a visit. Known as La Seu, it is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Spain. If you decide to go inside, don’t miss its rose window, the largest Gothic rose window in Europe. You can enjoy it for yourself. If you like to know the history of the places you visit, you can hire a guided tour of Palma Cathedral.
What’s more, in the surrounding area, you can enjoy the street life, the musicians who provide the street atmosphere, the horse-drawn carriages and the many terraces where you can enjoy a drink to take a break during your visit.
The historic quarter
Another of the things to do in Mallorca is to stroll through the old town, where you’ll discover a handful of charming alleyways, small stores with an air of the past. The windows are decorated with flowers that match the warm tones of the walls of the little houses that line the asphalt. So take a stroll, have a drink and enjoy the show.
Bellver Castle
Another must-do in Mallorca is a visit to the imposing Bellver Castle, one of the few in Europe with a circular floor plan. As well as the building itself, the views from the area are well worth the effort, as you can enjoy breathtaking panoramas.
The Almudiana Royal Palace
You’ve probably heard of it, as it’s one of the Crown’s summer residences. And if you have time, don’t forget to visit the gardens of S’Hort del Rei, the Jewish quarter of Call and the fishermen’s quarter of Es Jonquet.
One of Majorca’s biggest surprises is its small villages. There’s more to Majorca than beaches and beach bars. So rent a car and get out there and enjoy it. No matter which direction you take, towards the coast or inland, Mallorca is full of charming villages that delight visitors.
The village of Valldemossa
A destination not to be missed is Valldemossa, one of the most charming villages to be found anywhere on the island. This small earthen village is located in the north of the island, in the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. It retains the charm of its traditions.
You can visit it on your own, arriving by car. If you don’t feel like driving, you can book an excursion to Valldemossa to follow in the footsteps of Frédéric Chopin by visiting the Chartreuse de Valldemossa, where he stayed. Rubén Darío and Miguel de Unamuno also stayed here, as did a number of Jovellanos.
