If you happen to’re spending any time in Mallorca, you need to save at the very least a day to discover the island’s capital – and with so many issues to do in Palma with children, you possibly can simply spend a couple of discovering the historic websites and different household sights.
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Add in seashores and waterparks close by, the possibility to discover a palace, fortress and cathedral, and the chance to style considered one of Mallorca’s conventional pastries, and also you may effectively determined to remain longer because it’s additionally an awesome base for a household vacation in Mallorca.
However whether or not you’ve got sooner or later in Palma de Mallorca with children or a number of, right here’s my choose of one of the best issues for households to get pleasure from.
Palma Cathedral (La Seu)
You won’t suppose Mallorca’s Gothic cathedral ought to be prime of your listing once you’re travelling with kids, however don’t even take into consideration skipping it.
The jaw-dropping structure, sheer measurement of the cathedral and beautiful colored gentle filtering by way of that well-known rose window create an nearly magical environment that genuinely captivates guests of all ages – nearly 14m throughout, the rose window is without doubt one of the largest in Europe.
Early morning or late afternoon has a number of the greatest results but it surely’s fabulous at any time.
You can spend some time testing the tombs of Mallorcan kings, see the treasures on show within the outdated chapter home, or marvel on the baldachin above the altar designed by Gaudi and the quirky fish within the partitions of the small chapel designed by Miquel Barcelo.
Visits are usually fast sufficient that no-one will get bored, whereas Parc de la Mar is shut by if anybody must burn off some vitality afterwards.
If you happen to’re visiting with children aged 9+, you can too get tickets to climb as much as the ‘terrazas’, the roof of the cathedral – 138 steps up, there are unimaginable views.
It’s effectively price reserving tickets upfront though you possibly can solely get roof entry by way of the official web site.
The Turbopass Palma de Mallorca consists of entry to the cathedral, Bellver Citadel, Palma Aquarium and varied different sights and excursions – get a reduction in case you e-book by way of my hyperlink utilizing the code MUMMYTRAVELS6
La Almudaina Palace
This former Moorish fortress turned royal palace sits proper subsequent to the cathedral, making it simple to mix each in a single go to to Palma with children.
Nonetheless utilized by Spain’s royal household, you possibly can wander by way of the royal flats of La Almudaina, previous fountains in historical courtyards, outdated Arab baths and defensive towers, as you study concerning the island’s Arab and Christian heritage.
There’s some ornate ornament within the royal flats, in addition to portraits of Mallorca’s early Christian kings and a few quirky artefacts on show too. Absorb the views from the terrace when you’re there, and look out for the common non permanent exhibitions. As a bonus on sizzling days, these have air conditioning!
The audio information has some extra background, however there are data boards in every room, so it’s not important. Purchase tickets with free cancellation right here.
Save a while to discover the palace gardens when you’re on this a part of Palma – they’re free to wander into, on the backside of the steps under the palace, with extra shady water options.
Bellver Citadel
One in every of only some round castles in Europe, Bellver Citadel sits on the hilltop overlooking Palma and Palma Bay, with some incredible views to the ocean and town.
There’s slightly museum inside overlaying the island’s historical past too, with a barely eclectic mixture of artefacts, weapons, sculptures and extra, but it surely’s effectively price a glance.
Then climb as much as the roof of the primary tower at Bellver Citadel to look out throughout the waves for invading forces (or ferries from Menorca).
Youngsters underneath 14 go free and it’s potential to stroll up from town, but it surely’s fairly steep and a sizzling climb in the course of the summer time, so it’s higher to take a taxi in case you don’t have your personal automotive. The hop-on hop-off bus additionally stops right here.
Palma Aquarium
That is simply Mallorca’s largest household attraction, and you’ll see why the second you stroll in. Residence to greater than 8,000 marine creatures throughout 55 tanks, it’s good for teenagers who love animals and the spectacular underwater worlds from throughout the planet.
And the Huge Blue is considered one of Europe’s deepest shark tanks, the place you possibly can stroll by way of the 8.5m tunnel previous a wide range of sharks in addition to rays.
There are tropical reefs too, a Mediterranean part to study native marine life and hands-on contact swimming pools. If you’d like a break from the fish, the aquarium has indoor and out of doors play areas too, together with Mediterranean gardens and even a tropical jungle on the roof.
This actually is someplace you possibly can spend hours – enable round half a day, particularly in case you’re hoping to see feeding time or hearken to any of the talks. Purchase tickets with free cancellation right here, together with non-compulsory entry into the 3D cinema.
Banys Arabs (Arab baths)
Relationship again to the tenth and eleventh centuries, the Arab baths are one of many few remnants of Moorish Mallorca, from the time earlier than Jaume I conquered the island and Mallorca started its journey to turning into a part of Spain.
Some components are even older, with Roman columns used contained in the baths, in addition to conventional Muslim structure just like the dome over the tepidarium which has 25 shafts for solar to flood in. In addition to trying on the two surviving rooms, you can too wander by way of the outdated courtyard.
Higher for main college age children than toddlers, it’s only some euros to enter, and an interesting glimpse into the island’s historical past.
Palma’s Seashores
Playa de Can Pere Antoni
Positioned round 20 minutes’ stroll from the cathedral, this city seashore is the closest to the centre of Palma so it’s best in case you’re searching for a straightforward break on the sand.
Stretching for 750m, with loungers to lease and seashore golf equipment in case you’re visiting with teenagers, it’s not often too busy both.
Cala Main
A brief bus journey from the centre or about quarter-hour by automotive, there’s room to unfold out at this family-friendly seashore and loads of amenities.
The shallow, clear waters are good for youthful swimmers too, and there’s a extra laid-back really feel too.
Go to a water park
If you happen to fancy a change from the ocean, there are two water parks close to Palma to select from. Aqualand El Arenal is the most important water park in Mallorca, round 20 minutes’ drive south-east of the capital, with a mixture of choices for all ages, together with themed areas for teenagers resembling Polynesia and Dragonland.
Alternatively, Western Water Park is – because the title suggests – a Wild West-themed water park that’s round 25 minutes from Palma, simply exterior Magaluf. There are some smaller slide and shallow swimming pools for youthful children together with some adrenaline thrills for teenagers, resembling The Beast, one of many highest slides in Europe
Take a ship journey
If you happen to’re staying in Palma, you needn’t head half-way throughout the island to search out an awesome boat journey, with SeaBarcelona journeys departing from the capital.
There’s a beautiful sundown possibility in case you’ve obtained older children, but additionally a noon departure in case you’re trying to get out on the water in the course of the daytime. Add in an open bar, snacks, snorkelling and SUP, plus it’s a small boat so there received’t be enormous crowds aboard.
If you happen to choose an even bigger boat to a smaller one, there are some a lot bigger catamarans to take you out on longer cruises from Palma.
The Palma catamaran tour features a daytime departure, with time to cease and swim and snorkel plus BBQ meals, or a shorter night departure to benefit from the sundown. Or spot dolphins – this three-hour afternoon journey departs from Santa Ponsa, round a half-hour drive from Palma.
Hop-on hop-off bus
An effective way to save lots of little legs or to get round Palma with out as a lot effort in the course of the hottest months, town’s hop-on hop-off bus stops at 16 completely different places across the capita.
Whereas a lot of town centre is pedestrianised, it does additionally take you to Bellver Citadel, in addition to driving alongside the coast (and previous the cruise port), plus stops close to the market and Plaza de Espana too.
Parc de la Mar
This waterfront park sits proper under the cathedral and royal palace, with a lake and a few shady spots to chill out after sightseeing.
If you happen to head all the way down to the far finish, there’s additionally a playground for teenagers to burn off any leftover vitality, in addition to loads of house for video games.
Stroll Passeig des Born
This elegant tree-lined avenue is one other pretty place for a stroll, and also you’ll discover loads of native households doing the identical.
You’ll generally spot road performers alongside the pedestrianised road, whereas there are many cafes and benches if you wish to cease for a relaxation whereas your children make new mates.
Discover Santa Catalina
As soon as a fishing village, the neighbourhood of Santa Catalina has stored plenty of its conventional attraction from the times when fishermen, rope makers and millers lived right here.
In addition to a beautiful park, there’s the Mercat de Santa Catalina, Palma’s oldest meals market the place you possibly can seize one thing to eat earlier than absorbing the sights of outdated homes with their painted exteriors and outdated wood shutters.
Eat an ensaimada
You received’t be in need of ice cream (and tapas) when you’re in Mallorca however avoid wasting abdomen house for a standard ensaimada. These scrumptious pastries come plain, in addition to full of cream, custard, or chocolate and are the native equal of a croissant, however way more indulgent.
C’an Joan de S’aigo in Palma has been perfecting these scrumptious treats since 1700 and remains to be one of the crucial fashionable locations to eat them – even higher, it comes with out the value tag you may count on of someplace oozing with heritage.
Or Forn des Teatre (Fornet de la Soca) has an impressively ornate store entrance and is simply a brief stroll from the cathedral too.
Go to Mercat de l’Olivar
Save a while to browse and eat at Palma’s market as effectively – Mercat de l’Olivar is town’s largest indoor market, not removed from Plaza de Espana.
Inside, you’ll discover stalls promoting contemporary fish, cheese, bread, fruit, greens and extra, in addition to plenty of little locations to eat – some with only a few stools round a counter, others slightly larger, however with substances equipped contemporary from the market itself which makes it a incredible place to cease and seize a chew to eat.
There’s additionally a separate part with souvenirs, crafts and different objects like jams on sale – we picked up a reasonably fan which was vastly helpful within the warmth alongside the best way.
Es Baluard Museum of Fashionable Artwork
Fashionable artwork museums won’t appear the obvious alternative for households however Es Baluard comes with a enjoyable location in a historic fortress, plus some nice actions for teenagers.
Households are inspired to comply with treasure hunts, whereas there are generally workshops, plus nice views from the rooftop in addition to the common exhibitions of latest artwork. Go to on Fridays and you’ll pay what you need.
For an additional cultural expertise, the Juan March Basis has its personal assortment of latest Spanish artwork set inside a historic mansion, with extra treasure hunts for teenagers and a peaceable sculpture backyard.
Museu de Mallorca
Town museum is housed in a seventeenth century mansion on Carrer de la Portella, with two smaller branches elsewhere on the island, one in Alcudia, often called the Museum Monografic de Pollenca, and one other in Muro.
Telling the historical past of the island, it’s higher with older children because it’s not significantly interactive; the archaeology part is most fascinating for households who love historical past, though there’s additionally a high-quality arts assortment.
Look out for Arab ceramics and a few lovely gold jewelry, plus artefacts from older civilisations together with Talayotic bronzes relationship from across the 2nd millennium BCE.
It solely prices a few Euros for adults, so it’s not too pricy in case your children will solely put up with a brief go to (or useful in case you’re unfortunate sufficient to be spending a wet day in Palma with children).
Caves of Genova
The Caves of Drach may be the best-known caverns on the island, however you needn’t journey that far for a style of Mallorca’s caves
The Caves of Genova are round a 10-minute drive from Bellver Citadel and never way more from Palma metropolis centre, and whereas they’re the smallest of the cave methods on Mallorca you can go to, they’re nonetheless effectively price a cease.
Teams are allowed in each half-hour, with an opportunity to see illuminated stalactites and stalagmites as you enterprise 36m down underground.
If you happen to do fancy a day journey to the Caves of Drach, you may get tickets together with a switch from Palma in case you don’t have your personal automotive.
Take the toy practice to Soller
There’s loads to tempt you to go to Soller itself, however the scenic journey aboard the classic Practice de Soller from Palma is effectively price it only for the journey, and positively probably the most enjoyable option to journey between the 2.
The historic narrow-gauge practice winds by way of the mountains alongside the best way, passing by way of 13 tunnels earlier than twisting its approach all the way down to Soller.
As soon as there, you possibly can proceed to Port de Soller through classic tram, making it a full day of correct railway pleasure. It does get exceptionally busy in the course of the summer time months although.
Getting round Palma with children
Most of Palma’s essential sights are inside simple strolling distance of one another, and the outdated city is usually pedestrianised which makes it much more household pleasant (though in case you’ve obtained little ones in a buggy, be ready for cobbles in some areas).
If you happen to’re planning to discover a number of the sights simply exterior town centre, the hop-on hop-off bus takes you to places together with Bellver Citadel, or there’s an excellent community of public buses too, with children underneath 5 travelling free, and tickets obtainable on board (priced from 2 Euros for a single journey)
In any other case you’ll want a rental automotive – there may be parking on the outskirts of Palma, however count on to pay handsomely for the privilege.
For extra of one of the best issues to do in Mallorca with children, take a look at my prime picks
Disclosure: This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Photographs: aquarium/seashore/Soller practice courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
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