Fun things to do in Palma de Mallorca

Palau March Museu -- this museum features open-air courtyards with sculptures from artists such as Rodin, Chillida, and Moore. A library on the grounds includes over 70,000 books, manuscripts, and other printed works.
It is open April 1 to October 31, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and November 1 to March 31, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is open Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., year-round. Admission is 3.60 Euro for adults, and 2.90 Euro for retirees and students with ID. Admission is free for children under the age of 12.(2012 prices)
Worth visiting just for the cafe in the gardens.

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We did not have time to visit the Cathedral but the church of Sant Miquel was I am sure a reasonable alternative.
It dates from the 16th century and was built on the site of a mosque - we were very impressed with the barrel vaulted nave and rib vaulted side chapels.
I am not religious but despite being busy with tourists, shoppers and lunchtime office workers it had a great sense of calm about it.

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A very good way to see the city is from one of the red sightseeing buses that travel through the city - you pay just once and then can hop on and off at the various stops. You collect a headset (which you keep) as you get on the bus and plug this into a socket near your seat and choose which language you wish to listen to the recorded commentary in.
There are 16 stops including the Cathedral, Castle (wonderful views fron where the bus stops), the harbour and all places of interest.
The cost is 15.00 with reductions (£12.50 if you are from the UK) and the full tour takes 80 minutes. Buses pick up at 20 minute intervals and start at 9.30 (10.00 in the winter). Summer queues can be long - we could not get on the first bus that came along.
Highly recommended.

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Magalluf is the most agitated and noisy beach of Mallorca, thus appealing to the youngster. We took solomonic decision, staying in the western end of the quieter Palma Nova, in the "border" of both beaches.

That allowed us a relatively calm staying in Palma, and some short visits to the other side, where the young guys of our team went each night. But in daylight, the beach is also quiet and beautiful.

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Which beach shall I choose? Peaceful and secure? Why not one of the many calas? We went to Cala D'Or - Very good week. But the young folks wanted animation!

We moved to Palma Nova - another very good week (for them!), taking advantage of our hotel's situation half way from Palma Nova and Magalluf

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One evening we decided to walk north of Plaza Mayor towards plaza Espanya, on the way we some more churchs.

San Miguel church was built on the site of former mosque (cathedral of Palma was also built upon a former mosque). We took some pics of the exterior (pics 1-2) and then walked inside where a mass was taking place (pic 3). We stood silently at the back for some minutes and then walk outside as we didn’t want to interrupt them by taking pictures of the paintings etc.

Not far we noticed another church, Iglesia Ortodoxa Rusa is obviously the Russian orthodox church of Palma, not many people inside, there were some interesting paintings too but they didn’t allow me to take photos

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Obviously if there’s only one attraction you must see in Palma this is the impressive roman catholic cathedral that dominates the city, located on hill facing the sea. It was the first thing we saw arriving into the city by car from the airport.

Le Seu (officially Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma) was started to built in 1229 right after King Jaume I created the kingdom of Mallorca but the cathedral was finally completed many centuries later in 1601!!

It was built on the same site of an arab mosque when the town was called Medina Mayurka. I knew it was impressive from my guide book but I was surprised by its size, 121m long was more than enough for me to feel tired walking around :)

The cathedral is amazing, originally in renaissance style ended up in catalan gothic style and what I didn’t know was about some modernism additions when the famous A.Gaudi was asked to help in the beginning of 20th century. The beautiful façade was added in 1851 because the old one was damaged due to an earthquake.

If you plan to check the interior allow some extra time because there are many things to see there. Unfortunately I don’t have pictures of the interior because my camera to run out of battery once inside. There are so many things to see inside that is hard to mention all here, interesting chapels, beautiful statues, doors, columns, amazing rose windows (especially the big ones are unbelievable) etc. Kings and bishops are some of the people that are buried here.

It is open daily 10.00-18.30
The entrance fee is 6 euros

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Just opposite the cathedral lies another impressive building. Palacio de la Almudaina houses Kings Palace and Queens Palace.

It was originally a Moorish citadel that was built in 9th century on the same spot where the romans had their fort. Later it was burnt by Christians and then (13th century) King Jaime II turned it into a palace by expending it. Part of the original solid outer wall can still be seen. The first thing you notice is the 4 towers at the corners but also the big one in the middle which is topped by a statue of Guardian Angel.

The Royal family can use it when they are in Mallorca for holidays but most of the times they just visit it during official ceremonies. In our days it houses the Harbor Headquarters of the island but also a museum with numerous rooms where you can see many items like old furniture, paintings, tapestries from 16th century, banners etc You can also see a nice chapel and some lovely small gardens with fountains and some beautiful reflecting pools.

It is open Monday to Friday 10.00-18.00 (till 14.00 on Saturdays), closed on sundays