After a day of sun, sand and swimming we decided a little dose of culture was in order. A trip to the beautiful capital of Mallorca, Palma de Mallorca was the order of the day.
We had a breakfast in the hotel restaurant, which was a much larger affair compared with The Level restaurant the previous morning. It was bright, open and had beautiful views across the bay from it’s elevated position. Again the decor is neutral, marble floors, blonde wood, glass and mirror furnishings are coupled with wicker furniture, linen soft furnishings and fresh lavender planted throughout. The space is soothing and elegant.
After breakfast we ordered a taxi which collected us from the hotel and drove the 20 minute journey to Palma. The Taxi cost €30 euros, but it was a Sunday and so prices are a little higher as standard. You can just as easily take a bus to the city, however we were advised that this can be some 3 hour journey on a Sunday.
Sunday’s are generally quieter in the city. Many of the shops are closed and there is no regular market. The streets are easier to explore and the pace is much more leisurely.
We did however get lucky, there was a small but perfectly formed local market, sort of a craft fair going on outside the Cathedral- La Seu, as it is known by Majorcans, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Palma.
The market was full of locally crafted items, mostly homemade.
What had not been home made had been locally sourced or had come from the sea surrounding the beautiful island.
The sights, sounds and smells were wonderful. Local cuisine was being sold at street food stalls, a stage was setup with dancing and music playing. The atmosphere was like a fiesta and we had, by happy coincidence, stumbled into the middle of it.
I bought several posts of locally made body lotions. Aloe Vera and Rosehip. The creams are formulated with only natural ingredients. They smell utterly divine. The scent is only surpassed by how truly effective they are. These are the best body moisturises I believe I have ever used. My only regret is that I didn’t buy more! Sadly I haven’t been able to find them online and so I think I will have to return to re-stock. Naturally.
The beautiful Gothic Cathedral stood in the background, watching over the shoppers and sightseers, as she has done since the 1600’s.
Such a beautiful and historic piece of architecture. Truly imposing and beautiful in equal measure.
We escaped the building heat by retreating to the Kings Garden and the visited the Swan Pond. A beautiful tranquil area close to the cathedral and well worth a visit.
The gothic stone archways provide welcome shade from the heat of the sun.
We continued on the Passeig De Born, Mallorca’s answer to Rodeo Drive. Much more endearing and laid back. Many of the shops were closed and so we just enjoyed the architecture and the soothing green respite from the sun.
Even for the non-architecture students amongst us, Gaudi’s influence is easily recognisable.
Palma is a beautiful city which holds onto much of its traditional charm. Industry does not dominate the beautiful facades or interiors of the historic buildings, instead they conform and adapt, sympathetically “fitting in” with the beauty around them.
Behind every door is possibility. Some doors open onto grand courtyards of former palaces, other more modest and humble Tapas bars; but both are equally as endearing.
If you find yourself in Palma, do stop by the Cappuccino Grand Cafe. This is a beautiful cafe inside a former Mallorca Palacio and is one of the oldest of the Cappuccino chain. There are of course plenty of authentic non-chain restaurants to visit, but this one is great if you only have a short time in Palma and want a quick bite to eat. The Club Sandwich is fab! The decor even more fabulous.
I insisted on a little retail therapy but was so disappointed that my favourite store Rialto was closed. Please, if you visit Palma and you have any interest in Interior design/decorating, fashion, or you’d like to sit in a beautiful building for a cup of tea, Visit Rialto. This space is stunning. An epic example of a Palacio sympathetically adapted to accommodate a modern retail space. I could live in this store.
(Photo credit Rialto Living)
The few shops that were open on Sunday were not disappointing. This little gem offered some Balearic style and just a little bit of humour too.
The Sluiz Ibiza stores are so much fun. Vibrant but also cool and Balearic, these stores are based in both Ibiza and Mallorca. You can also find the online. We spent an age wandering through the extensive store and courtyard. There’s was so much to see and be absorbed by.
There’s a great mix of home interior furnishings from full scale Girrafe’s and swinging Gorilla’s to soft furnishings and textiles.
It really is an Aladdin’s cave.
Hat’s off to them, they’ve got great merchandise!
After working up an appetite we stopped off in a small cafe to enjoy some local fare.
I’m not sure of the name of these as the waitress spoke very little english and we spoke even less Spanish. However after much pointing and gesticulating these little lovelies materialised with an ice-cold drink to wash it down with.
Dates wrapped in bacon on a slice of bread drizzled with olive oil, topped with a slice of cheese and some balsamic glaze. This little mouthful of heaven will be being recreated back at home. It was delicious.
These were the freshest and plumpest prawns I can recall having. The bread was topped with a lobster and prawn “crush”, red and green peppers and a light dressing. Again delish! Unfortunately I can’t break down exactly what the ingredients were in this little “amuse bouche” and so I don’t think I can recreate it once home.
We wandered a little more and then when our feet were tired, we hoped back into a cab at the Passeig Des Born, and headed back to our little piece of the Island.
Palma was, as always, beautiful. Unassuming and a pleasure to visit. We will be back for sure.
What is you favourite European city and what do you like to do when you’re there?
Amellia Mae
