Exploring Palma de Mallorca by campervan

The Balearic Islands are gems of the Mediterranean Sea, and because of their beauty, plenty of tourists visit them every year. Valencia, where I live, was the perfect starting point to plan and start my camper van trip to the main and largest Balearic Island, Mallorca. Renting a camper van is the ideal solution for adventurous explorers to discover all the hidden locations of the island and be flexible. The only disadvantage is that you can’t take it to the mountainous areas since the roads are too narrow and a bit dangerous. In my upcoming stories, I am going to tell you about my recent trip to Mallorca. Get ready to learn everything about all the amazing things one could see and do there in a few days.  

We flew from Valencia to Palma de Mallorca- the only airport of the island’s capital. The airport is located a 15 min-taxi ride from the city, and it is very well connected. Visiting Palma de Mallorca and spending a day (at least) there is a must. The city is full of history, architecture, art, and I was pretty amazed by the friendly atmosphere and incredible beauty. It was very easy to leave your camper van at a parking area at the outskirts of the city, and walk for 15 minutes until you reach the city center.

A journey through history and art in Palma de Mallorca

Palma is located in the south of the island on the Bay of Palma. More than half of the island's population lives in this city. Palma de Mallorca has a very long historical background. The significant Mediterranean island has attracted conquerors, settlers, and invaders who have contributed to its richness and vivid history. The main shops and attractions are located around the enormous Gothic Cathedral by the seafront. Palma’s old town is one of the main highlights, and you'll find it while wandering around these ancient passages and historical monuments. Within a square kilometer, you can find lots of quirky coffee shops. 

The Cathedral of Palma (called Sa Seu) is undoubtedly its most impressive monument and is located on the bay, next to the fishing harbor. It is an elegant, large Gothic cathedral, commissioned by King Jaume I to be built on the site of the old Mayurqa Mosque (the Moors ruled Palma until the 13th century). The cathedral has very high vaults, an astonishing, impressive rose window and the peculiar wrought iron baldaquin, by the Catalan architect Antonio Gaudí. I highly recommend walking around the cathedral and Parc del Mar and enjoy its views in its medieval passages; there you can find some markets and artisanal stands to get some unique souvenirs. 

Two other places worth visiting are the Almudaina Palace and Sa Llotja (La Lonja in Spanish), both opposite to Sa Seu, the Cathedral of Palma. These are also the perfect places to take some Instagram photos, as they make the ideal background. Two kilometers away from Palma's city center is the Castle of Bellver. The castle is located on top of a hill that dominates the bay. Its unique, circular floor plan and the arches inside give it an ornamental, instead of defensive, appearance.

Don’t miss Mallorca’s capital and get ready for a journey through history and art!