Majorca retreats

Palma's dominating gothic Cathedral is not just an incredible landmark, it's also a fascinating tribute to a turbulent history, and holds several tombs and a museum. If museums are your thing, you'll find plenty dotted around Palma, including Museo de Mallorca and the Arab Bath, both of which date back to the 10th Century. Why not visit the Castell de Bellver for incredible views of the island, and marvel at its early 1300 architecture and unusual circular design. For the more varied culture vultures among you, it's worth keeping an eye out for visiting shows at either The Principal Theatre or the Auditorium of Palma, for events such as classical music concerts, folklore demonstrations, and Baroque period dramatisations, not to mention organised trips and traditional fiestas.

A truly cosmopolitan city, the capital of Majorca boasts a fine variety of tastes and eating experiences that represent many different cultures, civilisations and nationalities. For traditional fare, try the Es Mercat in Santa Catalina. For fantastic seafood visit La Lubina on the seafront in the La Lonja area, and for a highly recommended restaurant just a few minutes by taxi outside of the city, don't miss Sa Caseta based in Genova. Other restaurants include the popular Italian, Giovannis (based in La Lonja), Fabrica 23, a new Spanish/English restaurant (in Santa Catalina), and Hogan's Bar on the Monsenor Palmer. La Lonja also has several bars and latenight venues, so is often a popular choice for those looking to follow-up a good meal with a few drinks.

While you're in Palma, why not enjoy the sights and sounds of a traditional Spanish fiesta?

17th January:
This fiesta is all about San Antonio, the patron Saint of animals. There are pet processions, animal blessing ceremonies and tales of Majorcan folklore all over the island. Bonfires are lit, wine is brought out by the gallon, and there's plenty of barbeques with traditional assortments of butifarras and chorizos (Spanish sausages).

20th January:
San Sebastian, the patron saint of Palma, is heralded during a week-long celebration in capital Palma. Look out for various events across the city, including live music and a massive firework display near the Parc de Mar (in front of the Cathedral) on the eve of 19th January.

February:
The weekend before Lent, Sa Rua is carnival time characterised by people wearing fancy dress and dancing on coloured floats.  Again events are staged in Palma, and schools and institutions all over the island stage their own mini Carnival fancy dress, and you will often see school children and teachers in fancy dress parading the resorts or villages.
1st March- Balearic Day a relatively new addition to the calendar of events, and seems to be a bit dependant on who is 'in' on the political front as to what is going on ..it is a National Holiday in Palma.  A medieval market and jousting have been known to be on the agenda.
Holy Week/Easter  brings processions a go go.  From Monday through to Easter Sunday there are processions daily in the evening in Palma, Thursday being an important one called the Procession del Sang. Standards and the hooded penitents in many different colours create a mysterious and sinister affect as the file through the streets leading to the church.  Many of these processions take place in the villages all over Spain and Mallorca is no exception.  A passion play is also staged on the steps by Palma Cathedral during Easter. There are typical pastries and pasties in the bakeries during this time. Leading up to Easter and all during Easter there is a very large fairground, situated next to the cemetery and is one of the noisiest places you will ever find.
March/April/May - there is often a Balearic Golf Open and Tennis Open - this varies from year to year but all the big names are present and entrances to the event can be purchased. Antique Fair held in Palma during the month of March.
Boat/Nautical Show in Palma end of April beginning of May, held on the Paseo Maritimo in Palma.