Discover Balearic Wines - From Tourist Hotspots to World-Class Terroir! Indigenous Grapes, Original Flavors - Plan your Island Getaway! Read more
Palma de Mallorca Travel Guide
Discover the sun-soaked beauty and Mediterranean charm of Palma de Mallorca - your ultimate island getaway
Palma de Mallorca is the elegant capital of “Majorca” and the Balearic Islands’ largest city. The island of Mallorca is more similar to a continent than an island for its range of landscapes and wildlife. The Balearics, located in the western Mediterranean, has a fascinating history. They were important centers for trade, beginning with the Phoenicians. Greeks later traveled to Mallorca but didn’t leave as big a mark as they did on the Peninsula, particularly in Catalonia (Empuries is an important Greco-Roman site, for example). The Romans colonized the “Balears” (as they are known in “Mallorquin,” the local dialect of Catalan) in the year 123 AD, and they stayed for almost five centuries!
This was a golden period, with many public and private buildings erected, gardens planted, and poets nurtured. The Vandals destroyed this period of peace and were responsible for obliterating most of what the Romans had left behind. Later (as in most of the Mediterranean’s islands and cities) came the Byzantines, Normans, and Berbers. However, the Moors made the most significant positive impact on Mallorca.
Many historians credit the Moors (Arab travelers who had journeyed west through North Africa and north into Spain, becoming a new ethnic group, mixed with Berbers and tribespeople) for essentially “civilizing” Mallorca. They brought with them irrigation systems, which boosted the island’s prosperity. The Moors stayed in power until the island was finally conquered by the King of Aragon, James I, in 1229. Palma’s magnificent Cathedral’s construction began less than a century later and took 500 years to finish! Other Europeans, such as the British and the French, arrived in Mallorca in the 18th century, leaving their mark on the island’s gastronomy and architecture. Finally, in the 1950s, Mallorca began a massive tourism boom that has not stopped growing.
-
The ever creative Marc Fosh (see below), a Balearic superstar Gastronomy & Wine
Mallorca is a fascinating place to visit with a gastronomic and cultural Renaissance. Unfortunately, this beautiful place suffered at the hands of greedy developers for years. Mallorca seemed to be headed towards the disastrous fate of other mass tourism disasters like Benidorm on the Costa Blanca. The last few years have seen a notable move from mass tourism to upmarket boutique tourism, with many stylish and elegant hotels being designed and better restaurants than ever.
Palma de Mallorca is an absolute treat for the gourmet traveler, full of charming eateries, from rustic and cozy to Michelin-starred and creative. Basque chef Koldo Royo and British chef Marc Fosh are two of the island’s superstars; both have Michelin “Estrellas” under their belts. Wines like “Anima Negra” and “Finca Son Bordils” are finding themselves on the lips of the world’s most renowned wine critics. Palma is fantastic for art and architecture- full of galleries, small art museums, and some of Spain’s most beautiful palaces and churches. Palma de Mallorca is better than ever, so if you haven’t been, put it on the list!
Guide to Catalan Gastronomy: Read more
Nearby Wine Regions
Highlights
-
Reataurante Marc Fosh
Restaurant Marc Fosh in Palma, located within the 17th-century Hotel Convent de la Missió, is a hidden gem offering a delightful surprise to diners. British chef Marc Fosh showcases his passion for seasonal Mediterranean ingredients in his meticulously crafted dishes, which has earned the restaurant a coveted Michelin star. The restaurant’s modern interior creates a cool urban ambiance with natural light, contemporary art, and an indoor water feature. Tasting menus take center stage, offering a variety of flavorful and healthy dishes. Restaurant Marc Fosh promises an unforgettable gastronomic experience, combining Michelin-starred cooking with a relaxed atmosphere, whether for lunch or dinner.
Recommended for you
More information
If you would like us to customize an exclusive luxury tour, contact us and let us know your travel plans. We offer luxury food and wine tours for private groups of a mininium two guests. In addition, all of our private, chauffeured tours are available year-round upon request.
