Cruising into Majorca

This was the first outing for my wife and I semi-post in October of 2021 and only the 3rd week for Norwegian Cruise lines resuming activity. The good thing about a cruise is you get to see many cities while the bad thing is you only have 8-10 hours typically to do it in. I am always worried on these short stops that I will miss something fabulous, so I try to soak in as much as possible during the time I have. However, this frantic state/pace doesn’t allow you to really soak in the island of Majorca or the city. You are really getting a glimpse and to see if you want to return for a longer stay. Unfortunately for me, there are so many places in the world to see that I rarely choose to go back to see the same location unless it was phenomenal.

Majorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain. While many want to head to the beaches or boating to soak in the sun, we are on a cruise ship for the next 7 days, so we opted to view the city. The major attractions are the Cathedral, the Castle de Bellver and the old city center, so off we go!

Castle de Bellver

The first bus stop on our city tour was the Castle de Bellver. Built in the 14th century it is one of a few circular castles of Europe. Constructed by King James II of Majorca it was the royal residence for a short period but within 100 years became a prison. In 1931, it (and surrounding forest) was gifted to the city of Palma and is now a museum.

As luck would have it, the castle was closed the day we arrived, so I missed capturing the inside of the castle, but the early morning sun provided for great shots of the exterior. Situated on the top of a hill looking down on the city of Palma it has a great view. However, getting up there in a 40-foot bus through the city is always a feat. Cheers to those bus drivers doing the seemingly impossible!

Catedral de Mallorca

Likely the most iconic image of Palma and Majorca is the cathedral. With a nave taller than Notre-Dame in Paris it is the tallest gothic cathedral in Europe. Construction started in 1229 by King James of Aragon and was completed 372 years later in 1601. In 1901 Antonin Gaudi (of Sagrada Familia fame, Barcelona) was commissioned to do some renovation and, while some was completed, an argument with the local contractor caused him to abandon the project.

Now the completed edifice overlooks the adjacent Parc de Mar and the Mediterranean Sea. The church and surrounding man-made lakes make for stunning views and great photographs. Inside the church as several rose windows one of which has a diameter wider than our tour bus. It is definitely a must-do tour if heading to Palma.

Palma Cityscape

Touring the city was very enjoyable as post covid they were happy to return to normal and see visitors return. Like businesses in many countries, the hardship of Covid took a tremendous toll on their businesses and lives. Spain allowed us to mingle openly with the locals however, masks were required to enter businesses. Like the locals we too were elated to get back to some semblance of normal. Tasting local foods and taking a souvenirs home.

The heart of Palma is the old town and seems to vacillate from the old olive tree (around 600 years old) and the Plaza Major. I enjoyed people watching, sipping a soda and browsing the local shops. While I only had 1.5 hours away from the tour, it was good to get out and feel “normal” again.

Majorcan Pearls are everywhere, and most tours drop you off in a shop to use the facilities, hear about Majorcan pearls and hopefully to get you to purchase. The challenge for me is that they are man-made pearls with glass centers repeatedly dipped in a special paste to look like a real pearl. So, are they worth it? They indeed are beautiful and come in a variety of sizes and colors but ultimately for me they are fake. My wife thought they were a bit over-priced in the touristy areas and likely one could get as good if not better prices in the US. All-in-all a big pass for us.

Time to Go

Too soon it was time to head back to our ship and get ready to sail to Sardinia. Did I enjoy my time in Palma Majorca? A resounding yes. Would I come back? If I am in Europe and have 2-3 days to relax, then Majorca would be a great destination.

If you have been to Majorca, please feel free to comment and add your insights to the location. I very much appreciate feedback and any hints to a location you feel is also an important travel destination. Thanks!