Only verified addresses to enjoy the best side of the capital of the Balearic Islands. Between art galleries, boutique hotels and sophisticated shopping.
Leave Ibiza and Formentera to the tourists, real travelers go to Mallorca. Here where George Sand spent a winter taking care of Chopin, where celebs like Mads Mikkelsen have a home and it’s not strange to meet Steven Meisel at the Consell flea market (every Sunday from 8am to 2pm, Poligono Industrial/Avinguda del Raiguer 4), you experience the essence of the Balearics, without anxieties about visibility and in the wake of ancient traditions. Because Mallorca, established as a Kingdom by James I the Conqueror, is a chameleon-like island, capable of hiding extraordinary rarities behind the mass tourism that characterizes the coast between Magaluf and S’Arenal. The heart of the island is the city of Palma, which is worth visiting throughout the year and not just in the warmer months. At Christmas, for example, the Seu, the cathedral, is the stage for one of the most evocative traditions of the Mediterranean: the Song of the Sibyl, a medieval liturgical drama that survives only here and in Alghero in Sardinia. A splendid blend of Arab art, modernism and Gothic reminiscences, the Balearic capital boasts a rich cultural nightlife, so much so that this year the first local edition of Art Cologne was also held, bringing together around ninety galleries. After all, lovers of contemporary art always find something for them, among the exhibitions of the Museu Es Baluard (https://esbaluard.org), of the Fundacò Pilar i Joan Mirò (https://miromallorca.com/) and of the Caixa inside the Gand Hotel in Plaça de Weyler 3, without forgetting the numerous private galleries that populate the streets of the historic center. A weekend in Palma is a blessing in terms of hospitality. In fact, between boutique hotels and large chains, you are spoiled for choice, among the most beautiful are the Hotel Singular Sant Francesc (https://hotelsantfrancesc.com) and the Hotel Cappuccino (https://www.hotelcappuccino.com/). For shopping, international tourism is such that from Louis Vuitton to Loewe, there is no shortage of luxury maisons and department stores, they are concentrated in the Avinguda Jaume III area, but it is the local manufactures that surprise with their refinement starting from the flamed fabrics, the textiles de lenguas, with geometric motifs on the ikat technique which can be bought in the Sindicat district from Bordados Valldemossa (carrer Sant Miguel, 26) and from VidalTex (https://vidaltex.com). Special local craftsmanship also at Sol des ses illes (https://www.soldesesilles.com/) where you will find beauty – the Crema Miraculosa de Sta. Margarida is better than any repairing baume, trust me – candles and gadgets to give as gifts, all of great taste and with the possibility of being sent to your home. If it comes to sophisticated clothing, destinations like The Cave in Pas d’en Quint, 6, and Rialto Living (https://rialtoliving.com/) are two safe addresses, but don’t underestimate the vintage at Unico (ig @unicovintage store), opposite Singular both in Costa de la Pols; from Piel de Gallina (https://www.pieldegallinashop.com) and from Saturday (https://saturdayconcept.com/) for collectible streetwear. On the food side, the markets are a blessing: both the Mercado de l’Olivar (https://www.mercatolivar.com) and that of Santa Catalina (https://mercatdesantacatalina.com/) have excellent vendors, many of which are equipped to vacuum-pack the dishes so that they can also be transported by plane. For the most demanding gourmets, the El Corte Inglés Jame III Department store supermarket (https://www.elcorteingles.es/centroscomerciales/es/eci/centros/centro-comercial-jaume-iii) offers local specialties and high-quality products. Just like its architecture, the food in Mallorca is also the result of continuous contamination. From the aperitif on the terraces, the most beautiful is that of the Cuba hotel (https://www.hotelhostalcuba.com/es/), to the most exclusive dinners, the Zaranda restaurant (https://zaranda.es/) is an experience and boasts a Michelin star, Palma never disappoints. And if the typical cuisine is strictly eaten at the Celler de Sa Premsa, pay attention to the opening times, the places come here and on Sundays it is always closed (www.cellersapremsa.com), the business lunch with paella is top; the best tapas can be found at La Bóveda in Carrer de la Boteria right in front of the La Lonja palace, which hosts always very suggestive installations.
