Palma Holidays

Majorca’s capital comes out on top in the style stakes. Here, tree-lined avenues and cobbled lanes are full of designer shops, tapas bars and art galleries. And a huge, Gothic cathedral keeps an eye on things. Even the Royals give it the thumbs-up – the King of Spain and his family holiday here in summer.

For a city, Palma really delivers on the sandy stuff. Handily, there’s a beach close to the cathedral. It’s dinky in size – 750 metres to be precise – but it’s perfectly placed for a post-sightseeing dip. If you fancy a bit more elbow room, C’an Pastilla is just up the coast. It’s the kick-off point for Playa de Palma, which unrolls for a whopping two-and-a-half miles.

When it comes to sights, Palma is brimming with them. You name it, it’s got it – history fans have fancy churches and palaces, while culture vultures get a decent supply of museums. And that’s the beauty of the place. You can track down the age-old Arab baths one day, and inspect Picasso’s masterpieces the next. Shoppers, meanwhile, can’t miss Passeig des Born, where designer shops mingle with high-street names.

The pretty town of Soller is well worth a visit. And the best way to get there is via a scenic train ride through the countryside. On the way, you’ll pass mountains, olive groves and orange orchards. It won’t take you long to realise why it’s dubbed the Golden Valley. Once you’ve arrived, head straight for the main square. It’s got its fair share of tapas bars and cafés, plus the orange juice is about as fresh as it gets.