Palma Information

Palma is the capital city of Mallorca (Majorca) and the rest of the Balearic islands that lay off the south east coast of mainland Spain, situated in the Mediterranean Sea. Adjoining islands are Ibiza and Menorca.

Mallorca is a lovely holiday destination and place to live, and a visit to Palma will be a real eye opener, and will hopefully demonstrate that there is more to the island. The island of Mallorca has an average of 300 days of sunshine each year.

Mallorca’s mild temperatures and the low rainfall make of this island a perfect beach destination. In Summer the average daily temperature is 23ºC. Rain is an almost unknown during Summer, and it’s not often you see a cloudy day. The rainy season is the winter, but even then rain is not common, especially in Palma in the South of the Island!

On one side of Palma is the Mediterranean sea on the other the beautiful mountains of Serra de Tramuntana. Palma is an old town with a lively atmosphere which complements the surroundings.

Mallorca has plenty of attractions, places to visit and things to see and do! There is something here for everyone. In Palma, there are lots of museums offering you the history of the island and interesting information and facts about Mallorca. The history of Mallorca dates back to ancient times and has traces of Roman and Arab civilisations.

Palma is packed with restaurants, bars and dance clubs. In Palma you will find many wonderful restaurants that are more traditionally Spanish rather than directly aimed at tourists. Plus in the capital you will find many local bars, fun entertainment bars with bands to bars where you can just chill out and watch the world go by.

Again you will also find the more Spanish bars as well. Then there are the many types of clubs that play all sorts of music like salsa, pop, dance, funky etc. Palma also has casinos which are great fun for a different night out.

Palma, has some excellent beaches. The airport, Son Sant Joan is situated just outside the capital, Palma. A flight to Mallorca is only between just over two hours from the UK. The first landmark you will see on the final approach before landing will be the impressive 14th Century Gothic cathedral, and the view from the air never ceases to amaze.

The little towns and villages around Palma are all easily accessible, with good roads throughout the island. Mopeds are also another easy way of travelling and exploring the island. They are available for hire very cheaply.

The founding of Majorca

Majorca has been inhabited ever since antiquity. Burial chambers and traces of human habitation from the Paleolithic period have been discovered. The island was then occupied by the Romans in 123 BC. It flourished under Roman Empire rule, when the towns of Pollentia (Alcúdia), and Palmaria (Palma) were founded. The local Majorca economy was driven by Olive cultivation, wine, and salt mining. Majorcan soldiers were highly valued within the Roman legions for their skill using the sling.

Then in 426, the Vandals sacked the island, and claimed it as their kingdom in 465. In 534, Majorca was then conquered by the Byzantine Empire, and administered as the province of Sardinia. Under the time of Byzantine rule, Christianity flourished and very many churches were built. From 707, the island was increasingly attacked by raiders from North Africa.

In 902, Caliphate of Cordoba conquered Majorca, bringing in a new period of prosperity for the island. With the Caliphate rule at its height, the Moors improved agriculture with rural irrigation, they developed local industries and the island benefited from prosperous times. In 1015, a new, more decadent, era started. Majorca came under the Taifa of Denia rule, and from 1087–1114 it was an independent taifa.

In 1114, the Pisans and Catalans overran the island, laying siege to Palma for eight months. When the city fell, the invaders retreated, and they were replaced by the Almoravides from Northern Africa. The Almoravides were then replaced by the Almohad dynasty until 1229. In the confusion and unrest, King James I of Aragon invaded Majorca, annexing the island to his Crown of Aragon.