When one arrives to the island of Majorca by plane, it is easy to spot the historical center of the island’s capital. The same happens when one arrives by boat. The cathedral stands out from behind the ancient walls, concealing an incredible maze of narrow streets, churches and buildings. A golden sandstone color dominates the view, as the majority of buildings is made of mares, a sedimentary rock which abounds on the islands.
Whether at the first lights of dawn or at sunset, the city’s charm remains unvaried and strolling through its center is always fascinating. Let your breath be taken away by the sequence of invernaderos, the typical semi closed balconies, which often surprise you with their modernist details.
Palma means art galleries, amazing breakfasts and cocktails outside, international boutiques and cycle paths. Despite being in an island surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, Palma has all the characteristics of a great European capital.
The historical center of Palma is composed of two parts: Canamunt and Canavall, the upper and the lower part of the city.
Majestically facing the sea, the Cathedral is the nerve centre of the upper side. Famous for the “spectacle of the eight” and for the renovations designed by Gaudi, its high terraces offer a magnificent panoramic view.
Just a few steps from this architectural marvel you can find Hotel Palacio Casa Galesa, one of the picturesque hotels of Reis de Mallorca. It is a five-star boutique hotel in the city centre, located in a building dating from the XVI century just next to the ancient walls.
The hotel is composed of twelve bedrooms, each different from the other ones, and all including a Jacuzzi. Hotel Palacio Casa Galesa also offers wellness services and a spa, lounges, an inside patio, and a terrace from which guests can enjoy the view by the pool’s side while with a cocktail in hand. Guests who don’t want to leave their furry friends will be happy to know that pets up to 6 kilograms are also welcomed. Bicycles at guests’ disposal and a private parking inside of the hotel structure are some of the small details that will make your stay even more confortable.
The symbols of the lower part of the city centre are La Lonja and es Baluard. La Lonja of Palma represents a rare examples of civic Gothic architecture, while es Baluard, the ancient fortress, is enclosed within the renaissance walls that surrounded Palma until the XX century. Right next to these fascinating places, the four-star and adults-only Hotel San Lorenzo, the first boutique hotel of the city, is hidden in a building dating from the XVII century. The atmosphere here is magical and according to clients “a day at Hotel San Lorenzo feels like a week elsewhere”. Breakfasts are one of the specialties of this Hotel, as they are specifically calibrated on the guests’ plans for the day: shopping, trekking, and relaxing on the beach. To each activity corresponds a meal with the right nutrient supply, always prepared with local products, such as the jams from the nearby city of Soller. Together with a cosy swimming pool and a small vegetable garden, guests will find here the authentic charm of Majorca.