Palma de Mallorca

The forecast for today called for warm weather with a chance of rain. By 9:00 AM, however, it was a solid wall of rain, with winds reaching 70 miles per hour.
The captain even made an announcement advising passengers not to go ashore. But by 10:30 AM, the storm had passed, the sky cleared, and we decided to head out. From that moment on, the weather was perfect.

Our first stop was the magnificent Palma Cathedral. Construction began in 1230 and continued for 350 years. The nave—the last section to be completed—is one of the largest in Europe. Sunshine poured through the stained-glass windows, making the interior glow with color, and the organ was illuminated by shimmering rays.

Just a few steps away was our second stop, the Royal Palace of La Almudaina. This fortified palace was built in 1309 by King James II of Majorca. We toured the first floor, which is decorated with art and furnishings from the 15th century. Sadly, we couldn’t access the second floor because the elevator was too narrow for a wheelchair.

The palace serves as the official summer residence of the Spanish Royal Family.

Next to the palace are the Royal Gardens—14th-century gardens that are small but beautifully arranged, with a central fountain and peaceful walkways.

By this point we were getting hungry, so we made our way to the Olivar Market. Open since 1951, the market is bustling and lively, full of fresh produce, seafood, and stalls offering snacks and treats.

After visiting the market, we continued on to Plaza de España, where a statue of James I, the 13th-century King of Aragon, stands prominently in the center.

We then retraced our steps toward the shuttle bus, walking along the Passeig del Born—a wide promenade lined with trees, shops, and cafés, with two traffic lanes running alongside it. The weather was so pleasant that we decided to take another stroll along the waterfront to enjoy the beautiful view of the Palma Cathedral once more.

Then it was back to the ship for a bit of rest.Læs mere