Palma: Mallorca

Palma, or Ciutat as it is called by the locals, is the seat of the autonomous government of the Balearic Islands. Almost half the population of Mallorca, the largest of the islands, live in this metropolis. Palma exemplifies Mediterranean city life at it's best. A lively city with an active cultural and restaurant scene, there is always plenty to do. Shop on the city's most fashionable avenue Jaume III or stroll along the Paseo del Borne and enjoy a coffee on the terrace of one of Palma's most famous cafes, Bar Bosch.

The Old Town of Palma is a maze of cobbled streets with glimpses of cool patios and green palm-treed gardens. Palma's monuments crown the city's skyline and welcome visitors entering from the sea. Among them is the magnificient Gothic Cathedral built on the site of an Islamic mosque. The singularly round Bellver Castle, 3 km from the city center, is set in a forest 112 meters above the city.

A safe city, Palma's city government encourages alternate modes of transportation. Bicycles can be rented to ride on bicycle paths that crisscross the city and even Es Baluard Museum of Contemporary and Modern Art offer discounts to those who arrive on a bicycle. © NileGuide User