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Spain : Palma de Mallorca - August 2009

Country Code: Dial for Spain

Palma de Mallorca’s cultural calendar is packed this month, with a major Picasso show, and visits from Leonard Cohen (11 August) and the New York Ballet (22 August). Scott Adams clears his diary

Getting around

Son Sant Joan Airport is about 8km east of the city.

Bus: The line 1 bus links the airport to Palma. It runs every 15 minutes from 6am to 2am, and costs €1,85. For island-wide bus connections, alight at Plaza España.
Taxi: A taxi from the airport to the city centre will take about 15 minutes and cost around €20.
Tourist information: The main office is at 2 Plaça de la Reina (tel. , illesbalears.es).

HISTORIC CENTRE

The cobblestone alleys surrounding the massive gothic cathedral are full of surprises, echoing the city’s rich heritage, which has seen the Phoenicians, Romans and Moors pass through over the centuries.

Sleep soundly – Hotel Tres (3 Carrer Apuntadores, tel. , hoteltres. com, rooms from €215) has white rooms that look out on to a palm-filled courtyard. Relax on the rooftop terrace with an iced mojito, before slipping into the plunge pool.

Culture vultures – Dive into the cool interior of the 10th-century Banys Àrabs (7 Carrer Serra), or Arab baths, to discover how the Moors lived and relaxed. Otherwise, indulge at Puro Beach (1 Carrer Pagell). Catch some rays by the stunning pool, have an Indian-style massage or do a yoga class, before joining in the sunset ritual with chill-out music, summer cocktails and delicious food. Sip a pink mojito, a heady mix of tequila and strawberries, created by the barman Sabastian.

Must eat – On warm nights, choose a table in the outdoor courtyard at Es Baluard (9 Plaça Santa Catalina, tel. ) and dine on delicacies such as prawn and leek pie or fried squid with meatballs.

SON VIDA AND AROUND

The views from here are magical, particularly in late afternoon, when the sun turns the old town golden.

Culture vultures – There are three stunning golf courses at Son Vida (sonvidagolf.com) just a 10-minute drive from downtown Palma. The Son Vida course has beautiful tree-lined fairways with views of Palma bay, Son Muntaner hosts the Tin-Tin Tournament on 8 August, while the 6,200m-long Son Quint is perfect for beginners.

Must eat – Bag a table in the garden at the Michelin-starred Plat d’Or (ArabellaSheraton Golf Hotel, Carrer de la Vinagrella, tel. ). Go for the sea bass cooked in a salt crust and ask sommelier Victor Pozas about sampling some of the Mallorcan wines on offer, such as those from the island’s Binissalem region.

PASEO MARÍTIMO

As evening falls, linger and watch the lights come on around the bay.

Sleep soundly – Tryp Bellver (11 Paseo Marítimo, tel. , solmelia.com, rooms from €120) has fantastic sea views, a swimming pool and a garden terrace where you can relax after a hard day’s sightseeing.

Culture vultures – Catch Joaquín de Luz and the New York City Ballet at Auditorium de Palma (18 Paseo Marítimo) on 22 August.

Must drink – Dress to impress for Level (33 Paseo Marítimo), right next to the water, and go for the rum-based Triple Flyer.

Dance the night away – Tito’s (32 Paseo Marítimo) pulls in a cosmopolitan crowd with its roster of big-name and home-grown DJs.

AROUND PLAÇA MERCAT

Perfect for an afternoon drink, this pretty square is shaded by leafy trees and is surrounded by some of the city’s most beautiful early 20thcentury buildings.

Sleep soundly – Step back in time at Hotel Born (3 Carrer Sant Jaume, tel. , hotelborn.com, rooms from €76). The large rooms have plenty of character, while the palm-filled courtyard is a good place to recharge your batteries with a cold drink.

Culture vultures – The collection at Fundación Juan March (11 Sant Miguel), also known as Museo del Arte Español Contemporáneo, has masterpieces by Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí and Juan Gris. August sees a major exhibition of etchings from the Suite Vollard by Pablo Picasso.

Must drink – Arrive early at Gibson (18 Plaça del Mercat) to get an outdoor table. The bar specialises in cocktails, champagnes and Spanish cava. Try the Gibson Martini, which is infused with spring onions.

Shop til you drop – Unique in Palma, Wine & Shoes (2 Plaça de Mercat) combines many people’s two great weaknesses: fine wines and glorious Italian leather shoes.

Compiled by Scott Adams