I’ve just returned from a week away with my best friends in Palma , Majorca. It is something we have done every year since we were in our 20’s ( give or take the marriage, baby & breakup years) its something I very much look forward too. In  recent years we have ventured to Valencia, Malaga, Marrakesh and Seville.

This year we decided to give Palma a whirl. I have been previously but many, many years ago and of course we had a very quick pit-stop during the cruise earlier this year.

We booked to go before the protests against tourism had begun. I can honestly say that although it makes me sad that the majority don’t want us there , we never felt threatened and everyone was very civil with us. We didn’t even get squirted with water !

First off , although it is up there , Palma is not my favourite Spanish destination. It’s close … but personally I prefer Malaga or Seville .

If you have a trip booked to Palma do not worry that’s just my opinion AND I guarantee it will not disappoint. Palma has absolutely loads to offer, and is especially beautiful around the Old Town.

We stayed in an Airbnb which was roughly a 15 minute walk from the Cathedral / Old Town in a quiet residential area.

The house was spotless, beautiful, slept 6 and had a large outdoor seating / eating area. They even left us beach towels, mosquito spray and SPF – lovely little touches , but there was quite a lot of walking involved.

We had to get a taxi to the beach as it was that far away ! Give or take a few euros it roughly cost us 10€ per taxi each way, which split between 6 wasn’t too bad I guess. 

B E A C H  • 

Our nearest beach was Platja Ca’n Pere Antoni located in Portitxol where there is a beautiful long stretch of white sand and a tempting blue/green sea

There is a promenade that stretches for miles that you can walk along. It starts at the cathedral but a lot of the beach-front is rocky with no sunbeds. 

The taxi will drop you outside the Assaona Beach club. It is in a beautiful location but sun-beds were spendy at 40€ for the day . To lay on the beach directly next to the beach club the sun-beds were only 6€.

No contest really ! 

We did partake in a few drinks at the beach club and use their toilets . I can highly recommend a beer with a plate of chips and mayo on the terrace at the end of the day while waiting for your taxi.

The quickest way to secure your taxi is ask the receptionist at the beach club to call you one. We found taxis from the beach few and far between! Basically if you didn’t book you would be stood there forever …

Sunny Mallorca & Aroma Bar & Restaurant are both bars located at the beach. Both were lovely to sit,  meander and sip on a chilled beer looking out across the sea. 

You can’t beat a chilled beer on a hot day. 

There was a lifeguard on duty for anyone that worries about going into the sea. Not me , I was straight in ! First time this year and it felt good.

Instagram @sunny.mallorca

R O O F T O P  B A R S • 

We are like bumble bees to pollen when it comes to roof top bars  – we are instantly drawn to them ! The views are usually spectacular especially as the sun sets. 

Sky Bar

Instagram @hotelhostelcuba

On the corner of an area called Santa Catalina you will find the Hotel Hostel Cuba a hostel which is home to the Sky Bar . Like most roof terraces, it was small, slightly pretentious, spendy but absolutely fabulous. Cocktails were priced between 15€ / 20€ – and to be honest I’ve had better, there was ALOT of ice . 

There was a live DJ, the waiters were mixing cocktails in the style of Tom Cruise in the movie Cocktail . It was very lively and the views were incredible. The sky the night we visited was amazing.

It’s definitely worth a ganzy. 

Nakar Hotel Roof Bar

Instagram @nakarhotel

Recommended by my friend Greg on instagram while we were there . The bar is Situated on the 9th floor of the hotel with good views of the cathedral and the drinks were ever so slightly cheaper than those at the Sky Bar. Again there was a live DJ but it wasn’t as busy, or lively as The Sky Bar the night we visited.

You get the lift to the 8th floor and then climb a few steps up to the roof bar. Please don’t do what we did and walk into the buffet / bar area on the 8th floor and feel Slightly disappointed because it was not all that ! 

Bar Abaco – Old Town 

Instagram @barabaco

Not a roof top bar but maybe the most decadent bar in Palma. You must visit ; it’s a delight on the eyes. 

It opens at 8.00pm each evening and you cannot make a reservation . You arrive and wait for a free table. Expect to get shouted at by one of the waiters – they are all very Basil Faulty ! You shouldn’t laugh but you couldn’t help yourself .

Fridays are particularly busy because at midnight petals fall from the ceiling! 

They don’t particularly like you taking photos (or the fruit) but everyone does because it is so beautiful and it was made for photos. Speaking of which you will be surrounded by ‘Influencers in the Wild!’ 

Bar Coto – Plaza Drassana , Old Town 

Instagram @bar-coto

http://www.bar-coto.com

A lively restaurant/bar situated in a little square in the Old Town that is inspired by Frida Kahlo . The interiors are an absolute delight on the eyes and it was always busy when we walked past with very reasonable priced food & drink. You could get a 3 course meal For €15 which is more or less what we were paying for a cocktail at most places. 

We had brunch here. I can recommend their cheese and ham toastie with ‘basic potatoes in oil and 2 dips’ all washed down with a cup of coffee. This would set you back 11€ .After all the fancy food and fried tapas sometimes you just want basic food…

Other places worth a visit – 

For tacos in a lively atmosphere surrounded by sweary graffiti – @primotaqueriapalma in Santa Catalina is a great choice.

For one of the best breakfasts I had while I was in Palma – @estretzecafeteria within the JS Hotels . This was 2 minutes from where we were staying . Shame, but typical that we only discovered it on our second to last day.

For some of the best seafood I ate all holiday ; I had grilled prawns in garlic sauce which were

D E L I C I O U S

Head to Finca 14 @finca14restaurant – you won’t be disappointed. It’s very lively and just a short walk up the street from ABACO

D A Y T R I P P I N G 

A lovely day out is to jump on the wooden train from Palma to Soller. Then from Soller you take the tram down into Port Soller.  It made me feel very nostalgic.

You rail through some beautiful scenery and there is a 5 minute stop for taking photos along the way.

The whole trip cost us €35 each. We booked it online the night before as it tends to book up quickly . It takes about an hour to get to Soller and then 20 minutes on the tram down into Port Soller. I do love a little adventure !

Soller is absolutely stunning. I’d love to go back and explore some more. 

B A C K I N P A L M A

There is of course the must-see majestic Cathedral.

There is an 8€ entrance fee but if like me you love anything remotely church / cathedral related it’s worth every penny as it’s very, very beautiful. I’m always left in awe.

And like I always do I lit a candle for mum ( and had a little word) …

And lastly there’s always some smooching around the streets and shops to be done. Stopping off for numerous coffees ( or beers ) of course :)!

I’ve had a lovely week , lots of memories, lots of belly laughing and fun with my favourite people.

I do think I need another holiday however to recover !

I hope you have enjoyed my little summary of our break in Palma . It’s not everywhere we visited but these are the places that stood out.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask in the comments below.

Until next time, Tracey x