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The most popular activities on the island are probably partying, drinking and generally having a good time. However if you're after something a bit healthier, the hiking on Mallorca is great, particularly in the mountainous northwest; spring is the best time, as summer can be a bit hot and dry.
Joan Miró's art foundation is housed in the artist's Palma studios and contains a permanent collection of the works stored here at the time of his death. In all, more than 100 paintings, a small collection of sculpture and hundreds of drawings make up the collection. There are also temporary exhibitions and a shop selling Miró souvenirs, prints etc.
Carrer de Joan de Saridakis 29
miro.palmademallorca.es tel info 971 70 14 20
bus 3 from Plaça Espanya, 6 from Plaça de la Reina
| full | Euro 5.00 |
| concession | Euro 2.80 |
| child | Euro free |
Palma's enormous cathedral is often likened to a huge ship moored at the city's edge. Construction work started in 1230 but wasn't completed until 1600. This awesome structure is predominantly Gothic, apart from the main facade and parts of the interior which were renovated in Modernista style by Antoni Gaudí at the beginning of the 20th century.
Entry is via a small, three-room museum, which holds a rich collection of religious artwork and precious gold and silver effects, including two amazing candelabras.
The cathedral's interior is stunning in its sense of spaciousness, with a series of narrow columns supporting the soaring ceiling and framing three levels of elaborate stained-glass windows. The front altar's centrepiece, a twisting wrought-iron sculpture suspended from the ceiling and periodically lit with fairy lights, has been widely acclaimed, mainly because it was Gaudí's handiwork, although some think it looks awkward and out of place.
The island's top contemporary artist, Miquel Barceló, is working on ceramic decoration of the Capella del Santíssim i Sant Pere.
Carrer del Palau Reial 9
city centre
www.catedraldemallorca.org tel info 971 72 31 30
| full | Euro 4.00 |
| concession | Euro 3.00 |
| child | Euro free |
These Arab Baths are the only extant monument to the Muslim domination of the island. All that remains are two small underground chambers, one of which has a domed ceiling supported by columns. Interestingly, each of the columns is topped by a different capital: the Muslims were really great recyclers and the capitals came from demolished Roman buildings.
Carrer de Serra 7
city centre
tel info 971 72 15 49
| full | Euro 1.50 |
| child | Euro free |
The spectacular Museu d'Art Modern i Contemporani takes the grand Renaissance-era seaward fortifications, Es Baluard, as its setting. A 21st-century concrete complex has been built into the walls, creating a playful game of light, surfaces and perspective - the perfect framework for this major exhibition of contemporary artists from Spain and beyond.
On show are items from many of the great names, from local boy Miquel Barceló through to Kandinsky. Ceramics by Picasso, notes and sketches by Miró and sculptures by the late Basque master Jorge Oteiza await discovery.
The views from the ramparts are splendid and the restaurant is one of the city's best.
Porta de Santa Catalina 10
Es Baluard
www.esbaluard.org tel info 971 90 82 00
| full | Euro 6.00 |
| concession | Euro 4.50 |
A Muslim castle converted into a residence for the Mallorcan monarchs at the end of the 13th century, Palau de l'Almudaina is still occasionally used for official functions when King Juan Carlos is in town.
At other times, join the hordes wandering through the endless series of cavernous and austere stone-walled rooms containing a collection of portraits of Spanish monarchs, Flemish tapestries and period furniture.
Carrer del Palau Reial s/n
city centre
tel info 971 21 41 34
| full | Euro 3.20 |
| concession | Euro 2.30 |
S'Arenal and Magaluf, the amorphous seaside tourist haunts, are full of bars and discos bursting with the lobster-hued package-tourist crowd. One marvellous exception is the uber laid-back sunset chill lounge, Puro Beach, an all-white bar with tapering outdoor promontory area that is perfect for sunset cocktails, DJ sessions and fusion food escapes.
Blend in with the monochrome decor and wear white, thus emphasising your designer tan.
www.purobeach.com tel info 971 74 47 44
Enter into the liveliest local music scene in the heart of the old quarter. The Jazz Voyeur Club is one of plenty of watering holes lining Carrer del Apuntadors. The smallish, black, upstairs bar fills quickly for live jazz and soul most nights.
Carrer dels Apuntadors 5
www.jazzvoyeur.com
| full | Euro 4.00 |
Behind a set of ancient timber doors, Abaco is the bar of your wildest dreams (with nightmarish prices). Inside, a Mallorcan patio and candle-lit courtyard are crammed with elaborate floral arrangements, cascading towers of fresh fruit and bizarre artwork. Bow-tied waiters will fulfil your wishes while classical music soothes your ears. Take a look upstairs.
Carrer de Sant Joan 1
city centre
tel info 971 71 59 47
This pastry shop has the best ensaimada (a light, spiral pastry emblematic of the island) in town. Drop in before you head to the theatre, or simply chow down on this Mallorcan delicacy and check out the peculiar Art Deco facade.
Plaça de Weyler 9
Palma de Mallorca
tel info 971 71 52 54
Something of a local institution, a visit to the Celler Sa Premsa is practically obligatory. It's a cavernous tavern (dare we say 'tavernous'?) filled with huge old wine barrels and has walls plastered with faded bullfighting posters. The food is hearty but basic.
Plaça del Bisbe Berenguer de Palou 8
Palma de Mallorca
tel info 971 72 35 29
While sipping on a hot chocolate is probably not what you had in mind during a visit to sunny Mallorca, it's worth checking out this antique-filled milk bar that dates from 1700. Check out the ladies with their fans and the children with their ice creams.
Carrer de Can Sanç 10
Palma de Mallorca
tel info 971 71 07 59
The first big bash of the year is January's festival of San Sebastián, the patron saint of Palma. San Antonio Abad, the patron saint of animals, is also celebrated in January, with pet processions and animal blessing ceremonies. The weekend before Lent, Sa Rua, is carnival time characterised by people wearing fancy dress and dancing on coloured floats. Semana Santa, holy week, is an even bigger do: Palma holds processions every day and the smaller towns have festivities too. In July the party moves to Valldemossa, where the Carro Triunfal commemorates Santa Catalina Tomàs, the patron saint of Mallorca. Also in July, battles from the 1229 Christian invasion are re-enacted in Pollença. Harvest festivals are observed all over the island in September/October.
Public Holidays 1 January - New Year's Day 6 January - Epiphany 19 March - St Joseph's Day 1 May - Labour Day 24 June - St John's Day 29 June - St Peter & St Paul's day 25 July - St James's Day 15 August - Assumption of the Virgin 12 October - America Day 1 November - All Saints' Day 6 December - Constitution Day 8 December - Immaculate Conception 25 December - Christmas Day
| Mar/Apr | Viernes Santo (Good Friday) |
| 15 Aug | La Asunción (Feast of the Assumption) |
| 8 Dec | La Inmaculada Concepción (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) |
