Sunshine in the City – Top Ideas for a City Break in Majorca

It can be difficult to decide whether to spend your precious time off enjoying the culture of a city or heading for some chill out time at the beach. With holidays to Majorca the choice is simple – do both.

The capital city Palma is perfect as it is located right on the Mediterranean coast with views out across the glistening blue sea. Although there are beaches all over the island there are also some within walking distance. Great if you know there is only so much sunbathing you can do before needing entertainment.

Beaches near Palma

Cala Major is an ideal beach to fit the combined holiday criteria as the summer residence of the Spanish royal family and a museum dedicated to the works of Joan Miro are close by. This means that you can find a spot on the 200-metre stretch of sand before taking a break for some culture.

There are a number of restaurants in the vicinity as well as the facilities to hire a pedal boat. Cala Major is a safe location for swimming and there are lifeguards on duty during the summer months.

It is situated just a few kilometres to the west of the city itself, so you can take a stroll back into town or hop on a bus and be back in the centre of things before you know it.

Playa de Palma is another good option and lies to the east of the city. It is much larger than Cala Major as it stretches for around four and a half kilometres. If you do not want to lie down and catch some rays there is a pleasant promenade for taking a leisurely walk.

Here there is a much wider selection of watersports to choose from, with jet skiing, water skiing and paragliding all on offer.

The city

When the weather is hot the idea of slogging around the sights and shops of Palma can be quite daunting. Take an entirely different approach and leisurely meander through the streets seeing where your explorations take you.

Build in one or two attractions in a day, but plenty of stops at the charming cafes and stalls selling ice cream to keep yourself cool. The Arab Quarter is a great place for such wanders, especially as the houses were built close together to create cool, narrow lanes.

If the heat does become too much then duck into the gothic cathedral close by. It was built on the site of a Roman temple and before that a mosque and is incorporated into the remains of the city walls. Its stunning interior makes for a fascinating distraction while you enjoy the shade.

For really good window shopping opportunities head to the district of La Llonja where there are a large number of pretty boutiques and exquisite art galleries. The medieval streets in this area come alive at night as its bars and jazz clubs entertain locals and visitors alike.