The best places to visit in Palma

Live it up with a delicious breakfast in London, then discover the shops, pavement cafés and art museums of this beautiful Balearic capital

Don't wait until you arrive in Palma to start living it up. Take in London’s skyline over breakfast at Duck and Waffle at the top of the Heron Tower in the heart of the City, before bidding the capital farewell and catching your flight. Open 24 hours and delivering reliably delicious dishes alongside an air of urban decadence, it's the perfect pitstop en route to London City Airport.Promenade along Palma’s most picturesque pavement

After fitting in a scenic breakfast looking out onto London’s iconic cityscape before your flight, fly to Palma to enjoy the culture of the balmy Balearic capital.

Promenade along Palma’s most picturesque pavement

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The best way to get your bearings in this balmy Balearic capital is by strolling down beautiful Passeig d’es Born boulevard. Wander right down to the sea, then be sure to spin around to glimpse the glorious La Seu cathedral. Antoni Gaudi was commissioned to improve the 14th century cathedral’s interior in the early 20th century, creating a canopy inspired by the crown of thorns above the altar, and adding to an already eclectic mishmash of architectural styles, including a vaulted Gothic nave.

Farmers’ market lunch

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No mealtime goes wasted in Majorca, and one of the most vibrant and varied places to get a taste of the island is at Mercat de l’Olivar farmers’ market. Traditional Majorcan dishes include quince salad with local goats cheese or veal cheek casserole. You can also pick up charcuterie, cheeses and other local specialities at the Santa Catalina market, which is brimming with bars serving tapas and Majorcan wine too.

Feast on architecture

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Pine forest surrounds the circular Castell de Bellver, which overlooks beautiful Palma Bay, so it should come as no surprise that Bellver means “lovely view” in Catalan. Climb onto the roof for panoramic views over the foothills and forest to the city. For true architecture addicts, the pink-hued, 13th-century Santa Maria cathedral should also be on your list.

Be inspired by contemporary art

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One of the must-visit museums in Majorca is Baluard Museu d'Art Modern i Contemporani, which houses 20th-century masterpieces in a revamped 16th-century structure that once formed part of the town walls. Today, Es Baluard exhibits artworks by Picasso, Miró and other Spanish Surrealist names, as well as a selection of pieces from more than 500 contemporary artists.

Catch sunset at an Arab fortress

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Originally built by Arabic governors, and in latter years a powerful symbol of an independent Majorca, the royal palace of La Almudaina still hosts the King of Spain for official events. Typically for Palma, the architecture of the citadel is eclectic in style, with a medieval courtyard and richly embroidered tapestries inside, contrasting to the Moorish arches forming the exterior. There’s even a Modernist flourish in the form of Joan Miró’s Egg sculpture, next to the S’Hort del Rei gardens.

Treat yourself to textbook tapas at La Taberna del Caracol

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Tapas is a tradition taken seriously in Palma, and one of the most inviting spots in town is La Taberna del Caracol, where the menu includes the local speciality, snails.

With a central location and check-in just 20 minutes before departure, you’ll have plenty of time to splurge on a delicious breakfast before you fly from London City Airport.

British Airways flies daily from London City Airport to Palma during the summer months. Find out more at ba.com/londoncity