Experience in Palma de Mallorca

What is it like to live in Palma? Would you recommend it? What is it like?

I would definitely recommend it as a place to live, it is a big city with a perfect climate throughout the year. Beaches, promenades, old town, shops... it has everything, and you cannot forget the sea and its mountains, such as the Sierra de Tramuntana, where you will discover lots of hidden and pretty places. As well as this, it is a very accesible city since the airport is only 20 minutes away.

In the winter, the island is very quiet as there aren't many tourists so many places make the most of it, and close to take a break. But in summer everything changes, lots of tourists arrive, hotels are full and there are parties on almost every beach in Palma.

What is the student atmosphere like in Palma?

You will see that there are lots of university students around, mostly in the centre. A lot of them live there as it's most practical and the unveristy is closer too. There is a good student atmosphere every day of the week, you can go out for a quiet drink in the evening for a beer and tapas with some friends. You will also find lots of Spanish and international tourists througout the year.

How much does it cost to live in Palma?

It is a tourist city so it is more expensive if you normally like going out to eat. If you eat at home and you go for a small beer with friends after dinner, it isn't as expensive. There are lots of things to do that don't cost anything and which are lots of fun. As for transport, there are lots of discount cards (bus and metro).

How did you find accomodation in Palma? Can you give us some advice?

Because it is a student city, it is quite simple to find accomodation. You will find lots of adverts for rooms to rent in the university buildings, and on the internet too.

What is the food like there? What are your favourite meals?

They have a unique cuisine, with strong flavours, local cured meat, meditaranean delicacies... You have to definitely try some of these dishes at least once: frit mallorquí, sopes mallorquines, sobrassada or a good 'pa amb oli'.

What places do you recommend to visit in Palma?

There are lots of things to see in Palma, either in the day or night. Lots of people wander the streets, discovering its hidden corners, backstreets or even courtyards such as Casal Sollerich, Can Vivot, Can Oms or Can Bordils.

Other places you can visit include:

• Santa María Cathedral: also known as La Seu, it is located on the edge of Palma Bay, next to the Parque del Mar. It is the only cathedral in the world which reflects off the water of the sea.
• Bellver Castle: it is the only round, medieval castle in Spain and the first one to be built in Europe.
• San Carlos Castle: a small artillery castle located at the entrance of the port.
• Arabic baths: they are one of the few conserved remains of Arabic architecture on the island.
• Almudaina Palace: it is the royal palace of the city and one of the homes of the Spanish Royal Family.
• Plaza Mayor: it is one of the main squares in Palma de Mallorca. Two important routes in the centre start in the square: San Miguel and Colón.
• Consulado del Mar: this is located on the 'Paseo Sagrera' (street), very close to the port. It is currently the main seat for the 'Ḿinistry of Government' on the Balaeric islands.
• Lonja: also known more commonly as Sa Llojita, it is one of the masterpieces of Gothic architecture in Mallorca.
• Santa Eulalia church: this church is located in the old town of the city. The church has three naves, the one at the centre being the tallest, and two entrances.
• March Palace: a palace located in the old town of Palma, next to the cathedral and La Almudaina.
• Casa consistorial: the town hall or the Casa consistorial of Palma de Mallorca is the building where the highest institution of the municipality is situated, located in Plaza de Cort.
• Fundación Pilar i Joan Miró: a cultural foundation dedicated to modern art, built next to Son Abrines, where Joan Miró used to live.

On the other hand, there are also lots of different places to go shopping, catering to all different tastes and prices. There are two main places to go, the city centre and the shopping centre Porto Pi. The two main shopping streets in the centre of Palma are Avenida Jaime III and el Paseo del Borne, where the most exclusive shops are, as well as Vía Sindicato and la Calle San Miguel.

There are lots of calmer places to go and enjoy the good weather or sit and eat something on a terrace. One of the more popular places is Portitxol, located opposite the sea where there are lots of terraces and bars where you can spend some time. It is also a nice option to walk along the promenade, stop at the beach or go to the Parc de les Estacions.

And what about eating in Palma? Can you tell us some of your favourite places?

Over time, lots of good quality restaurants, cafes and bars have opened. One of the best places to go in the city is 'Sadrassana' (Plaza Drassanes, 15). Other good options are the restaurant 'Forn de Sant Joan', an old bakery where they serve tapas and multicultural dishes, or 'La Bodeguilla', a restaurant and tapas bar where they have good wine.

If you want to save money, don't go to the restaurants close to the beach in the tourist spots because the prices are more expensive. You can find lots of cheaper options in the centre, which students often go to.

What places do you recommend to go out in Palma?

The promenade is an excelent place to go out in Palma. This is where most of the students meet up on the weekend, either to drink at one of its many bars or go to one of its many clubs. In the winter, some of them usually close as it is the low season, but at the start of summer they all start to re-open. Normally, the students go to places like Tito's, Pacha (only open in summer), Victoria Club, Boulevard...

In the summer, you can also go to places such as Arenal, which is usually where many German tourists go on holiday, or Magaluf, where many British tourists go. But for these reasons, there is often a lot of chaos in these areas. In the summer too, the locals start celebrating with lots of festivals, which attracts many young people on the island. Definitely something you should go to, if you have the opportunity to spend the summer there, it is a very relaxed festival with lots of concerts and DJs.

Any other advice you could give to future students going to Palma?

It is a small island but very welcoming, with lots of hidden places to discover and visit to get lost in.