2025 - April - Palma de Mallorca

Mallorca – not as German as one might think. Sure, you hear German everywhere, and much of it is geared towards tourists – like in many Spanish cities. But Palma? It has its own charm. And honestly: I was truly positively surprised.

We were there a few days before our cruise – early April. The city was quite calm. Now, mid-April during the Easter holidays, it’s noticeably livelier. In some corners, almost too much for my taste.

Still: I like Palma. It has style, feels manageable, relaxed, and is simply beautiful. My tip? If you can, come outside of holiday periods. It’s worth it.

One absolute highlight for me was the cathedral. Huge, venerable, and that influx of light – wow. Construction started in the 13th century, and in the early 20th century, Gaudí contributed to the interior. When you're inside: just pause for a moment and let the windows affect you.

Another tip from me is the rooftop terrace. Yes, the 137 steps are quite a workout, but the view from the top is truly sensational. Over the whole city, all the way to the sea – and Gaudí’s window looks entirely different from there.

And in some way, it all reminds me a bit of Barcelona – just smaller, more relaxed. No wonder Palma is often called the “little Barcelona.”

If you feel like it, you can also explore the city on your own – a bit more playfully. We had fun doing a little Art Nouveau search, a kind of treasure hunt. There’s really a lot to see if you keep your eyes open. And then we stumbled upon the Arabic Baths by chance – a little insider tip! They date back to the 10th century, the entrance costs only 3.50 euros, and you find yourself in an almost enchanted garden with a few old, well-preserved facilities. Not crowded and really interesting.

And the fact that “Mein Schiff” uses Palma as a starting and ending port? Makes perfect sense. The island is easily accessible by plane, and Palma is simply more pleasant than many big cities. Clear, charming, a bit like a short vacation within a short vacation. I recommend cruise tourists spend at least a few days here before and/or after their journey.