Things to See and Do

Holidays by Destination Europe Spain Mallorca Things to See and Do 

History

• Palma, preserved by its decline in importance since the 16th century with a fine gothic cathedral (like most Mallorcan buildings, plainer and heavier on the outside than in, where it boasts the thinnest cathedral columns in the world and the biggest gothic rose window), the Palau de l'Almudaina - once a Moorish palace - old city walls, the Basilica de Sant Francesc, Castell de Bellver - a well-preserved 14th century fortress - and old town lanes and alleys. Because the buildings are more interesting inside than out the authorities have started paying the owners to keep their gates open so visitors can gain a glimpse of the fine courtyards which lie inside the plain stone walls.


• Soller with narrow lanes and 18th and 19th century houses, surrounded by orchards and farms and hamlets in easy walking distance.


• The hill town of Valldemossa and its striking monastery where George Sand and Chopin lived. There is also a centre showing Costa Nord, a 10-minute film about the Archduke who settled in the area.


• La Granja, a hacienda outside Esporles, unmodernised since the ‘20s. Set out to give a feel of how a self-sufficient establishment like this worked, there are areas with animals, multiple rooms for the various crafts, from carpentry to the cobbler's workshop and carpet making, the food production and agriculture sections, plus private rooms. There is a decent caf? serving local food, or you could take a picnic and eat in the area below the house where there are performances on Wednesdays and Fridays, and there is a small children's playground.


• The monastery at Lluc, a major religious and tourist draw since the 13th century in a splendid setting.


• Pollenca an old town of 17th and 18th mansions with a working monastery.


• Son Marroig ducal mansion near Deia or 10 minutes from Valldemossa, originally medieval and home to a Hapsburg archduke who charted the Balearics' history and environment.


• Muro's Museu Etnologic including traditional items from the island children might enjoy.


• Alcudia, smartened up for tourism with rebuilt medieval walls surrounding 16th to 18th century buildings.


• Capdepera a real 14th century centre built to protect the coast from pirates.

For Children

• Marineland near Palma with sharks, crocodiles and aquarium, popular with kids but not, generally, parents.


• Acuarium near the Coves del Drac with piranhas, electric eels and the like.


• Natura Park inland from Palma is a small zoo with the like of ostriches, butterflies, vultures and tortoises.


• Aquapark at Magaluf with waterslides and the like. Aquacity is similar at El Arenal. /LI>
  

Art

• Art collections including of Mallorcan Primitive painters in the Museu de Mallorca; Fundacio Pilar i Joan Miro, originally Miro's home; Miro, Picasso, Bacon and Moore in Valdemossa's municipal museum; and modern sculptures at Parc Casa March near Capdepera.

Out and About

• Peninsula de Formentor lookout spot over striking cliffs and, further along the winding road, its own sandy cove.


• Jardins de Alfabia, terraced gardens, planned in the Moorish style and near the hamlet of Orient and ruined Castell d'Alaro.


• Mountain hamlets and villages in the Serra de Tramuntana including Banyalbufar and similar Estellencs on steep coastal cliffs among terraced fields, plus Deia where mountain meets sea, full of smart villas.


• Parc Natural de S'Albufera on swampland near Alcudia, excellent for bird-watching. (The whole north coast is highlighted for this in spring and early autumn.)


• Coves d'Arta and Coves del Drac with striking stalactites and stalagmites.


• The Sa Coma safari park with lions, gazelles, donkeys etc.


• Arta, an attractive city close to the prehistoric settlements of Ses Paisses.


• Tourist factories including the Gordiola Glassworks, housing a good museum plus a chance to see the glass blowing which will intrigue children.


• Markets such as the one at Sineu on Wednesday mornings, traditional including animals.


• Walking for example through the hills. The most demanding is a five-hour hike from Binibona to Lluch monastery, though there are alternatives such as a two-hour walk through pine forests past the Puig Tomir to Ses Figueroles. A walk at Reserva de Galatzo takes visitors for example to see charcoal being made.


• Riding is possible at a number of centres.
  
• Golf is increasingly possible at a number of courses.