PALMA DE MALLORCA
The city roars into life and takes on a different personality on
a Saturday morning when street markets crop up in practically
every square. They’re definitely worth getting out of bed for,
even if it’s just to people watch at the arts and craft market on
the biggest square, Placa Major, whilst enjoying a coffee from
an open-air café. For fresh local produce, the Mercat Olivar is
a great experience if you can overcome the noise and shout
as loud as the rest of them for the best cuts of cheese or ham,
and for bargain hunters who are prepared to wade through the
tat to find them, the ‘rastro’, or flea market to you and me, is a
Palma institution and a great start to the day. Afterwards, if the
sun is shining, I’d recommend recharging your batteries with a
picnic and siesta in the Parc de la Mar before wandering back
along the remains of the old city walls. In Palma you never know
what’s around the next bend and I’m hoping it becomes a main
contender for crown as a top city break destination.
Getting there Flyglobespan flies regularly from Edinburgh and
Glasgow to Palma de Mallorca. Fly time is approximately three
hours. www.flyglobespan.com
Castillo de Bellver
restaurants to modern fusion cuisine served up in swanky New
York style surroundings. There’s a lived in feel to Palma. It’s yet
to be invaded by a wave of expats and the visitors to the city
are largely well-heeled Spaniards and Europeans who realise
the city’s endless potential.
Once one of the most important cities in Muslim Spain, there’s
now little evidence of the moorish past, but the Arab Baths set
in the privately owned garden of a stately Mallorcan house
are a fine example. Otherwise, the picture postcard cathedral
that stands proudly over the old town and waterfront was built
by King Jaume I, between the 14th and 17th centuries, on top
of the island’s main mosque. But for me, the pulsing heart of
Palma is behind the cathedral in the maze of cobbled streets
and terraced houses in the lovingly restored old town. Getting
lost amongst the narrow alleys full of tiny tapas bars, one-off
boutiques and specialist shops is the easiest way to spend
an afternoon before popping in to Palma’s oldest ice-cream
parlour and chocolate house, Ca’n Joan de S’Aigo, for the best
La Rambla
‘chocolate con churros’ around.
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