Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 971 72 89 83;
www.mallorcarutes.com
;
Carrer d'en Morei 1; per person €15-35)
Mallorca Rutes
runs a wide range of guided walking tours, which afford insight into different aspects of
Palma. These range from basic city walking tours covering the main sights to walks with
a themed angle, such as the excellent one revealing Palma's hidden courtyards and
palaces. It also arranges tastings of wine and typical Mallorcan products. The tours can
be booked through Típika, next to Plaça de Santa Eulalia.
Palma City Sightseeing
BUS
( 902 101081;
www.mallorcatour.com
; Avinguda d'Antoni Maura; adult/child €15/7.50;
9.30am-10pm)
This hop-on hop-off bus has commentary in various languages. Tickets are
valid for 24 hours (a slightly more expensive 48-hour version is also available). The bus
departs from Avinguda d'Antoni Maura and runs every 15 minutes. Apart from doing a
circuit of the city centre, it runs along the waterfront and even climbs up to the Castell de
Bellver.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
PATIOS & PALACES
Mallorca Rutes tour guide Mateu Masegosa gives the inside scoop on his favourite
Mallorcanpatis(patios) and oft-missed details in Palma's labyrinth of cobbled
backstreets.
Noblemen and merchants
There is something of a class distinction among
Palma's patios. The elite (nobles and landowners) lived in luxury in the historic
quarter, Palma Alta, around Sa Portella. Merchants and sailors resided in Palma
Baixa, around Es Puig de Sant Pere, where patios often feature details such as boat
engravings or motifs of Mercury, god of commerce.
A man with vision
Juan March was an affluent businessman and a flamboyant fel-
low who went all out to impress. Palau March (
Click here
)
has Palma's most unusu-
al patio: a loggia open on all sides to maximise views of the cathedral and Palau de
l'Almudaina.
Courtly flirtations
Above the Porta de l'Almudaina (
Click here
)
medieval gate, a
tiny window pays testament to theatrical courtship rituals. Here beautiful señoras
would peer out and flirt with moustachioed caballeros below by unfolding their fans
or fluttering their handkerchiefs.
