The city has a stunning old quarter distinguished by a historic past. The island's perimeter combines coves, beaches and cliffs, while the inland portion has a blend of typically Mallorcan villages and mountains which rise to heights of 1,500 metres. It is worth travelling every inch of this culturally rich area, which has a population of 383,107.

Heritage

This land was coveted in the distant past by the Romans, the Moors and Barbary pirates. It was the Catalan monarch Jaume I who in the thirteenth century brought Moorish rule to an end on the Mediterranean island. Palma's most important buildings can be attributed to that same king.
Behind the eighteenth century walls, which subsequently frightened off pirates and corsairs, and nestling in the bay which lends its name to the city, sits the old quarter. Ancient churches, palaces and stately mansions testify to a prosperous past.

Rising up opposite Sa Seu is the palace Palau de l'Almudaina. Having once been an Arab palace and then the residence of Mallorca's monarchs, today it functions as a museum.

Directing you steps along the street named Passeig Sagrera, you come to the museum of modern art, Es Baluard, hosting a collection made up of works representing the most important international art movements from the late nineteenth century up until today. Here you can feast your eyes upon works by such artists as Cézanne, Gauguin, Picasso, Tàpies, Kiefer and Barceló, among others.

From the main square or Plaça Major you can explore the old town, visiting the Plaça Cort, the Town Hall, the Palau Vivot and the church of Santa Eulàlia.

The Baroque parliament building, popularly known as the Cort, sits on the spot once occupied by a sixteenth-century hospital.
Awaiting your visit two kilometres from the centre of Palma is the Castell de Bellver. The castle sits on a wooded hilltop which overlooks the bay.
These are just some of the spots where a visitor might linger. Fishing boats, pine woods and palm trees are nevertheless the most beautiful monuments.

Culture and Fiestas

Despite being largely known as a sun, sea and sand destination, Palma presents many other facets to the world.

Culturally, it is rich in art galleries and museums. The Pilar Miró Foundation, the Joan March Foundation, the Bartomeu Foundation, the Barceló Foundation, the Casal Solleric, La Caixa Foundation in the Gran Hotel, the Es Baluard Contemporary Art Museum are just a few.

Palma's fiestas are another aspect typical of the town. One of the most widely attended is the San Sebastian fiesta on February 20th, commemorating the city's patron saint, where the custom is to light bonfires (Foguerons) and to serve roasted sausages and bread along all of the city centre's streets.

Gastronomy

You can gain a flavour of Balearic cooking by visiting the many different restaurants found all over the city faithfully representing Mediterranean cuisine where you will find such guaranteed local produce as the 'sobrasada' sausage, Mahón cheese and the Binissalm-Mallorca wines, made following indigenous recipes.
'Tumbet' (a vegetable casserole comprising potatoes, fried peppers and aubergines in a tomato sauce), the fish risottos and 'pa amb oli' (slices of bread spread with oil and tomato), are among the most typical and unmissable dishes. Game, fish, seafood, fresh fruit and vegetables are testament to the gastronomic variety available in the Balearics. And for dessert, what could be better than a pastry served with one of the beverages typically distilled here (the local 'Palo' beer, gin or 'Hierbas', a herb-based spirit)?

Sport

Given its fantastic climate, Palma is able to offer a great variety for all outdoor sports enthusiasts: cycling, scuba diving, sailing, golf ...

Not only that, Palma has turned itself into a great organiser of sports events, thanks to one of the most important sports celebrations of recent years, the Universiada of 1999. For this event, the new Son Moix football stadium was built ..., etc.

This growing sporting importance continues, with such notable yacht races as the King's Cup and the Princess Sophia Trophy, not to mention the latest innovation, the construction of one of the world's largest velodromes, Palma Arena, to hold the Track Cycling World Championships.

Shopping and Leisure

Palma has become a real shoppers' city. In the avenues and streets (Oms, Via Sindicat, Sant Miquel) of the old quarter can be found products tpical of the area such as leather and shoes, as well as a huge number of 'outlet' names and high end labels.