Palma de Mallorca is one of Europe’s favorite holiday destinations (see Palma de Mallorca facts #1). Every year, many of my German countrymen travel to this island. It’s the perfect destination to unwind on beautiful beaches and enjoy the warm Mediterranean climate. A German friend who just got back from Palma de Mallorca shared her experience: “Palma is beautiful! The old town has charming streets and nice restaurants by the sea. You can find small eateries and art exhibitions in the alleys. The vibe is cozy and lovely. The market is a must-visit where you can buy fresh fish and have it cooked right there. Locals spend their mornings enjoying seafood and sharing stories. It’s a friendly city, and I was surprised by how nice it is!” Here are some key facts about Palma de Mallorca: Key Facts About Palma de Mallorca Details Population 958,800 Official Languages Catalan and Spanish Currency Euro Area 1,405 sq mi (3,640 sq km) Climate Average temperature of 69.8°F (21°C) Number of Sunny Days per Year Over 300 Want to know more about this city? Here are 10 interesting facts about Palma de Mallorca, a Spanish island in the Mediterranean Sea. 10 Fun Facts About Palma de Mallorca (Majorca) Every Visitor Should Know Mallorca is Spain’s largest island Palma Cathedral attracts tourists for its Rose Window, La Seu The official languages of Palma de Mallorca are Catalan and Castilian Spanish Bellver Castle is the only circular castle in Spain Over 200 cave systems have been discovered on Mallorca Palma de Mallorca was founded as a Roman camp Mallorcan Midwife toad was rediscovered in 1979 Palma de Mallorca is a beach paradise Ensaïmada de Mallorca pastries are protected by the EU Some Germans call Mallorca the “17th state” 1. Mallorca is Spain’s largest island Mallorca is Spain’s largest island and part of the Balearic Islands. The capital city of Mallorca (Majorca) is Palma de Mallorca, the largest city in the Balearic Islands, located on the southern coast along the Bay of Palma. Cliffside views and cozy houses right above the deep blue sea in Mallorca – what more could you want? Mallorca’s mild winters and hot summers attract millions of visitors each year. In July 2024, thousands in Mallorca protested against mass tourism, highlighting issues such as overcrowding, increased living costs, and environmental degradation.
2. Palma Cathedral attracts tourists for its Rose Window The cathedral is called La Seu or Santa Maria; it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Palma de Mallorca. The rose window has a diameter of 43 feet (13 meters) and is made up of 1,200 crystals. The window showcases both Gothic style and Christian worship. Twice a year, on February 2nd and November 11th, thousands gather to watch La Seu’s famous “Espectáculo del Ocho,” a light show projected on the rose window. Extra fact: The famous architect Antoni Gaudí designed the iron canopy over the cathedral’s main altar. It was his only project outside of Barcelona.
Start Your Spanish Adventure with Our Student Travel Programs 3. The official languages of Palma de Mallorca are Catalan and Castilian Spanish Palma de Mallorca has two official languages: Catalan and Castilian Spanish. Many tourists visit Palma de Mallorca. Because of this, people there also often speak English and German. Extra fact: While Catalan is commonly spoken in parts of Spain, it’s not an official language of the country. Spanish is the only official language of Spain. The only country where Catalan is the official language is Andorra, a small you can visit when traveling to France and Spain. >> LEARN MORE: 12 Fun Facts About Andorra Ever had the chance to explore a circular castle? 4. Bellver Castle is the only circular castle in Spain Bellver Castle is the only circular castle in Spain, and one of the oldest circular castles in Europe. It was built in the 14th century (1300s) in Gothic style. This design style is relatively rare in European architecture. The circular design provides 360-degree views of the landscape. The circular elements in Mallorca are integrated into the island’s culture, architecture and traditions. Examples are present with its roads and layouts of the towns, round sobrassada sausages, ensaïmada spiral pastry and talaiots, or prehistoric circular stone towers. 5. Over 200 cave systems have been discovered on Mallorca Drach Caves are home to a large lake, called Lake Martel. Mallorca has 200 cave systems across the whole island. Most of these caves are not open to the public, but a few are accessible and show the island’s hidden world. Cuevas de Genova, located in Palma reaches a depth of 131 feet (40 meters). The cave is a famous stalactite cave that was first explored in 1906. Drach Caves on the east coast, in Porto Cristo, is home to Lake Martel, one of the world’s largest underground lakes. 6. Palma de Mallorca was founded as a Roman camp Palma de Mallorca was established as a Roman camp atop the ruins of a Talaiotic settlement. Over the centuries, the city evolved through various conquests, economic growth and social changes, ultimately becoming a major tourist destination in the 1950s. Beautiful views in Palma de Mallorca. Over time, many groups ruled Palma. These included Romans, Byzantines, Muslims and Christians. Each group changed the city. Today, Palma’s rich history reflects a blend of Roman, Byzantine, Islamic and Christian influences. Explore Palma de Mallorca’s history in more detail: Period Key Events Roman Period Founded as a Roman camp on a Talaiotic settlement; incorporated into the province of Tarraconensis around 123 BC; founded Palma and Pollentia. Byzantine Period Evidence of Byzantine presence; early medieval cathedral built on a paleo-Christian temple site. Muslim Period (902-1229) Under Islamic control as Medina Mayurqa; significant economic development; piracy became prevalent. Emirate of Córdoba Incorporated into the Islamic state; demographic growth and trade flourished. Dénia-Balearic Taifa (1015-1087) Palma became a base for attacks against Christian vessels. Balearic Taifa (1087-1115) Brief independence after the fall of Dénia; economic focus on agriculture and piracy; sacked by Christian forces in 1115. Banu Ganiya (1157-1203) Almoravid control waned; Palma regained importance; commercial relations with Italian maritime republics grew. Christian Reconquest (1229) Reconquered by James I of Aragon; renamed Ciutat de Mallorca; established as the capital of the Kingdom of Majorca; construction of important monuments. Late Middle Ages (1391-16th century) Anti-Jewish riots led to the decline of Jewish communities; significant commerce developed with various regions; faced pirate threats. 17th-19th Centuries Divided society, port became a pirate haven; economic changes post-War of the Spanish Succession; Palma named the capital of Balearic Islands. Modern Period (1950s-present) Transformation into a major tourist destination; massive growth in tourism; significant changes in language, traditions and economy. 7. Mallorcan Midwife toad was rediscovered in 1979 The Mallorcan Midwife toad is a toad species once thought to be extinct. It was rediscovered in the wild in 1979, and is now found only in the Tramuntana mountains. Animal conservation efforts, including breeding programs and habitat reintroduction, are ongoing. Challenges remain from invasive species and habitat loss due to mass tourism. 8. Palma de Mallorca is a beach paradise Palma de Mallorca’s beaches make the trip worthwhile. Palma de Mallorca’s stunning beaches with crystal-clear waters are a beach lover’s paradise. Pack your flip-flops and swimsuit and explore Palma’s beaches: Calo des Moro: Famous for its turquoise waters and stunning views, Calo des Moro is the perfect destination for snorkeling with vibrant fish and hiking along the nearby cliffs. Playa de Cala Mayor: A lively beach with cafés and restaurants, but also peaceful spots for relaxation. Playa del Mago: A small, wild cove surrounded by vegetation. Famous as a film location, it’s a nudist beach but has seen more non-nudist visitors recently. Formentor Beach: Located in the north, Formentor Beach features a calm sea, sandy coves and stunning mountain views. Es Trenc: A Caribbean-like beach with 2 kilometers of white sand and pristine waters, Es Trenc is perfect for snorkeling. Playa de Muro: Playa de Muro is Mallorca’s largest sandy beach, great for families with shallow waters and restaurants. Extra fact: The British TV show Love Island was filmed in Mallorca. The villa setting used in the show has the largest private swimming pool in the Balearics. However, viewers rarely saw contestants swimming in it because the water was too cold and hadn’t warmed up yet during their stay. 9. Ensaïmada de Mallorca pastries are protected by the EU Palma’s market offers a taste of authentic food and a glimpse into local life. Ensaïmada de Mallorca is a famous sugar-dusted pastry. Ensaimada can only be sold under that name if made on the island of Mallorca, thanks to its EU-Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status. These sweet delicacies are packed in octagonal boxes with a seal of guarantee. Some say the island’s sea air is key to making the dough rise just right. Mallorca’s cuisine combines a diverse range of flavors from the sea with a long history of farming. Here are some other items to try: Tumbet: A baked vegetable dish like ratatouille. Sobrassada: A spicy sausage spread made from black pig. Panades: Mallorcan empanadas, often filled with lamb or vegetables. Rubiols: Sweet pastries filled with jam or cheese. Trampó: A simple salad of peppers, onions, and tomatoes. 10. Some Germans call Mallorca the “17th state” Some Germans call Mallorca (Majorca) Germany’s “17th state.” This is due to the island’s popularity with German expats and vacationers. The island’s warm hospitality, affordable travel, clean beaches and great weather make it a favorite getaway for Germans. Sunny days in Mallorca! Mallorca has German restaurants, schools and supermarkets around the island. The prime spot for Germans to visit is the Ballermann, a location famous for its music scene, where German artists like Jürgen Drews, Mickie Krause and Helene Fischer get the crowds dancing. >> LEARN MORE: 12 Fun Facts About Germany