With temperatures of around 18°C during the autumn and winter months, as well as long sunny days and bright blue skies, Palma de Majorca offers a great city break for groups to escape the winter blues, with excellent cuisine and the chance to visit some spectacular sights, away from the summer crowds.
Below is a selection of some of the best things for groups to do and see during Palma’s autumn and winter…
Hop on hop off on the open top bus
Exploring the city of Palma on the City Sightseeing open top bus tour is a great way to see the sights in a short amount of time. Visitors can hop on and hop off at the various stops such as the Palau de L’Almudaina; the royal palace which has stood since the Arab conquest and is still home to the royal family, or Castell de Bellver, which was built between 1300 and 1311 during the time of King James II of Mallorca and boasts jaw-to-the-floor views over the bay.
With tickets valid for either 24hr or 48hrs, visitors have the flexibility to visit the sites as they wish over one or two days.
Warm up in Palma’s Arab Baths
Palma’s Arab Baths date back to the 10th century and are the only example of Arabic heritage in the city. Situated in the former vegetable garden of the Casa Fontirroig, they feature a domed chamber supported by 12 columns designed to house the hot baths. Although no longer open for a dip, the €2 entrance is well worth it for a glimpse of Palma’s illustrious past.
Visit Palma’s museum of Modern and Contemporary art
Es Baluard, Palma’s museum of Modern and Contemporary art, is a fascinating building located within the perimeter of the Sant Pere bastion, part of the Renaissance wall that surrounded the city of Palma until the beginning of the 20th Century.
Boasting over 500 pieces of art by renowned international and Balearic artists such as Joan Miró, Picasso and Barceló, Es Baluard is one of the Balearic Islands most impressive museums.
From 1 November, Es Baluard offers two guided tours; the Rainy Day tour offers the chance to visit the museum with an expert and learn about its history, followed by a social art discussion over a hot chocolate. The Art and Public Space in Es Baluard tour focuses on the sculptures in and around the museum, offering an overview of the contemporary art evolution. Tours are available in English, French and German on Fridays and Saturdays.
Explore Palma’s Courtyards and Palaces
Local excursions company Mallorca Rutes offers a number of guided walking tours throughout the autumn and winter months. Visitors can opt for a general guided walking tour or choose a specialised tour such as wine and gastronomy, the Jewish quarter or Palma’s courtyards and palaces.
The courtyards and palaces tour transports visitors to the emblematic and well preserved courtyards and palaces in Palma such as Can Oleza, Can Ordines d’Almadra and March Palace finishing with a tasting of local Mallorcan products. The tour is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays in English, German, Spanish and Catalan.
Enjoy an exhibition at the Pilar and Joan Miró Foundation
The original studio of Joan Miró where he worked from 1956 until he died, the Pilar and Joan Miró Foundation contains 118 paintings, 275 mixed media pieces, 1,512 drawings and 35 sculptures, plus a number of prints, allowing visitors to get a true understanding of the man behind the canvas.
Visit the Caixa Forum
The Caixa Forum is an exhibition centre located in one of Palma’s most emblematic modernist buildings in the former Gran Hotel de Palma. Offering a range of permanent and temporary exhibitions, “El Greco -La mirada de Rusiñol” commemorates 400 years since El Greco’s death with a special exhibition drawing on the influences of El Greco in the works of painter and writer Santaigo Rusiñol and the paintings of Doménikos Theotokópulos (1541-1614). The exhibition runs until 7th February 2016.
Get involved with local wine tasting
Thanks to the unique climate and geography of Mallorca, the island boasts some fantastic wines. Visitors can enjoy up to 48 local wines at Wineing; a unique tasting space which offers what they call a “Wine Tapa”; allowing visitors to sample the wines at their own pace with a self-serve system. Visitors can opt for just a taste, half or a full glass of wine just by introducing a wineing card, purchased on arrival.
Commemorate vermouth tradition at the Rosa Vermuteria
Opened in July 2015 with a design to reflect Spain’s old fashioned drinking establishments, La Rosa Vermuteria commemorates the custom of ‘la hora del vermut’ or ‘vermouth time’ when aperitifs and tapas are enjoyed. With a retro aesthetic, market cuisine, pintxos and classic tapas such as La Gilda (olive, guindilla pepper and an anchovy served on a cocktail stick) or mussel croquettes, La Rosa Vermuteria is an atmospheric spot for an aperitif.
Visit Mercado del’Olivar
Located in Palma’s city centre, Mercado del’Olivar is a great spot to indulge in some of Mallorca’s authentic cuisine and produce. With a number of stalls selling some of the freshest products in the city from fruit and vegetable to cheeses and cured meats or a wide range of Mallorcan tapa, visitors can enjoy an authentic food experience. The market is open from Monday to Saturday 7:00 to 14:30 and Friday from 14:30 to 20:00.
For more information on group holidays to Palma visit www.visitpalma.com.
