If you are in need of a break from Madrid, Mallorca is your answer. A mere 70 minute flight separates you from fine white beaches, the clear blue Mediterranean and some space to collect your thoughts. Ryanair has regular flights to Palma de Mallorca airport, the 3rd biggest in Spain after Barcelona and our very own Barajas, and the return flights will only cost you about 100€.
Even the Spanish Royal family summers in Palma, so if you want to keep it classy but stay on a budget I recommend staying in Palma Nova. This popular resort was one of the first purpose-built tourist destinations on the island and caters for all tastes and socio-economic groups. It is primarily a family resort so you’ll find plenty of restaurants, water-sport activities and even mini-golf to take your fancy. I recommend staying here because accommodation is obscenely good value. Las Palomas Econotel charges just 136€ for a 4 person room for 4 nights. At 8,50€ per night it would seem suspiciously cheap but I, as witness, am here to tell you that you will be pleasantly surprised. The room was very clean, beds were comfy and we even enjoyed a balcony. However a taxi from the airport costs 40€ and Palma Nova has been described as the North of England on Sea so whatever that may evoke for you, expect little to no authentic Spanish culture here.
Palma Nova runs into Magaluf - a resort famous for its nightlife which apparently boasts “the world's biggest and most famous foam party”. This disgrace I would avoid but, if you must get Magaluf out of your system, I will tell you what I can. Bravely we ventured on to the main strip in the name of social investigation and shamelessly we found ourselves seduced by the first deal in the first bar at the bottom of the hill. In a resort such as Magaluf, it simply does not matter which watering hole you elect as they are all as odious as each other. Drinks deals may differ but the shot girls are desperate for their commission so try haggling! For example, at City Lights, one can partake of 8 doubles, 4 shots and a jug of Sex On The Beach all for a disgraceful 20€ between 4 classy ladies. There are two and only two positives to Magaluf: firstly that drinks are cheap enough for memories of the neon lights and tacky clientele to be nicely hazy in the morning; and secondly that the music choice in all the bars is so questionable that it’s brilliant. Classics such as Hit Me Baby One More Time by Britney and Dr Jones by Aqua will indubitably be played. At first you may be shocked and appalled but everyone loves a singalong really! Finally, if you start to feel peckish, Mr Pizza Burger is a must. The name speaks for itself. Don’t try stealing the olive oil however; it doesn’t go down too well.
Palma, the island’s capital, provides a much more enjoyable night out and is just an 18€ taxi away. Clubs and bars line the gorgeous sea front which undeniably provides a much more agreeable backdrop to your night time escapades than Magaluf’s claustrophobic strip. Head to Tito’s nightclub for a Kapital Madrid style experience where this time the exterior lift has glass walls and a beautiful view of the marina. Tito’s was opened in 1923 and from the 1930s was internationally renowned as one of the best clubs in Europe. Names such as Marlene Dietrich and Ray Charles graced the stage however nowadays you are more likely to find trendy young Spaniards getting their house fix. To experience this swish club with the staff in bowties and even a lady to organize the toilet queue it will set you back 15€ including a drink or 10€ without. It is definitely worth the money but I recommend going after 2am when the Spaniards arrive as the music is quite similar all night. Palma nightlife recommendation number 2? Garito Café. Restaurant by day and chic bar by night, here you can enjoy a cocktail or two and some deep/vocal house in the company of Palma’s elite. Chanel and Loewe are rife so dress to impress. Entry is free and a mixer costs just 7,50€ but expect to pay at least 10€ for your cocktail. Unfortunately this bar closes at 4am so arrive early to make the most of it or find yourself a friend with an afterparty!
During the daytime, Palma is the ideal place to unwind by wandering through the fascinating maze of beautiful quiet streets in the Old City and soaking up some culture.
Start by taking a look at La Seu, Palma’s vast Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral, and continue on towards the south east to the pretty alleyways and cute souvenir and jewellery shops boasting Mallorca’s famous pearls. You won’t struggle to find a stylish tapas bar or gourmet establishment in Palma to satisfy your appetite so I recommend starting at Plaza Llotja. Here you can sit outside and enjoy a view of the marina at a number of restaurants including Gotic where the fried goats cheese is, I have it on good authority, to die for. However, prices here are a touch more expensive given the location so head further up carrer d’Estanc towards carrer d’Apuntadors for something a little more reasonable. You can find the designer shops on the wide passeig de Born along with Cappuccino, a charming Mallorcan chain of up-market coffee shops comparable to Paris’ Ladurée but with a more accessible price-range. Buses go between Palma Nova and Palma daily but they are fairly irregular so unfortunately you will need to check at the bus stop to plan you return home in advance or pay more to go by taxi.
Big city life can get too much sometimes and a Spanish island is the perfect escape. You will need a rest so you can concentrate properly at Inhispania ;)
Palma, the island’s capital, provides a much more enjoyable night out and is just an 18€ taxi away. Clubs and bars line the gorgeous sea front which undeniably provides a much more agreeable backdrop to your night time escapades than Magaluf’s claustrophobic strip. Head to Tito’s nightclub for a Kapital Madrid style experience where this time the exterior lift has glass walls and a beautiful view of the marina. Tito’s was opened in 1923 and from the 1930s was internationally renowned as one of the best clubs in Europe. Names such as Marlene Dietrich and Ray Charles graced the stage however nowadays you are more likely to find trendy young Spaniards getting their house fix. To experience this swish club with the staff in bowties and even a lady to organize the toilet queue it will set you back 15€ including a drink or 10€ without. It is definitely worth the money but I recommend going after 2am when the Spaniards arrive as the music is quite similar all night. Palma nightlife recommendation number 2? Garito Café. Restaurant by day and chic bar by night, here you can enjoy a cocktail or two and some deep/vocal house in the company of Palma’s elite. Chanel and Loewe are rife so dress to impress. Entry is free and a mixer costs just 7,50€ but expect to pay at least 10€ for your cocktail. Unfortunately this bar closes at 4am so arrive early to make the most of it or find yourself a friend with an afterparty!
During the daytime, Palma is the ideal place to unwind by wandering through the fascinating maze of beautiful quiet streets in the Old City and soaking up some culture.
Start by taking a look at La Seu, Palma’s vast Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral, and continue on towards the south east to the pretty alleyways and cute souvenir and jewellery shops boasting Mallorca’s famous pearls. You won’t struggle to find a stylish tapas bar or gourmet establishment in Palma to satisfy your appetite so I recommend starting at Plaza Llotja. Here you can sit outside and enjoy a view of the marina at a number of restaurants including Gotic where the fried goats cheese is, I have it on good authority, to die for. However, prices here are a touch more expensive given the location so head further up carrer d’Estanc towards carrer d’Apuntadors for something a little more reasonable. You can find the designer shops on the wide passeig de Born along with Cappuccino, a charming Mallorcan chain of up-market coffee shops comparable to Paris’ Ladurée but with a more accessible price-range. Buses go between Palma Nova and Palma daily but they are fairly irregular so unfortunately you will need to check at the bus stop to plan you return home in advance or pay more to go by taxi.
Big city life can get too much sometimes and a Spanish island is the perfect escape. You will need a rest so you can concentrate properly at Inhispania ;)
photo via: Picture from Viajes de Compras
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