Sant Francesc Hotel Singular

Worth getting out of bed for

We could spend hours poring over the hotel’s collection of modern artwork and cache of designer furnishings we would very much like in our own homes. Take yourself on a little tour of the hotel’s corridors to see Miguel Ángel Campano’s engaging abstracts, Emil Alzamora’s eerie figures and Bárbara Vidal’s striking photographs of the property in its pre-restoration state. Then bathe in the warm glow of a Davide Groppi lamp, wantonly trace the fine lines of a Lissoni cabinet and give your behind a thrill with a tour of Jaime Hayón and Antonio Citterio chairs. After all that excitement, calm yourself with a massage scented like the Med in the petite wellbeing space, or paddle in the rooftop pool – from up there you can use the city like a map and plot your route. On your doorstep is Sant Francesc Basilica, worth visiting for its cavernous, floodlit interiors and meditative cloisters overlooking a palm-dotted garden. One of just a few remains of Mallorca’s Moorish occupation, the Arab baths, lie close by – there’s little left of the 10th-century hammams, but the garden grown around them with cacti, lush palms and fruit-bearing trees is a calming spot for a quick drink. The crenellated turrets of the Almudaina Palace rise proudly up above the city on their rocky perch beside the cathedral; it’s still the summer residence of the king of Spain, but you can tour some of the exceedingly grand state rooms and pose with Joan Miró's Egg sculpture. Then stop by the theatrically buttressed Cathedral (you can’t miss it), to see the glorious stained-glass windows, the plans for Antoni Gaudí’s installation and Miquel Barceló’s ethereal sea-themed chapel. Plaça Major was once the seat of the Inquisition, but these days it’s better known for its open-air markets and as a buzzy hangout spot – bustling streets lined with shops lead off from its arches. And, to indulge in serious cash-splashing, hit the designer boutiques along Avenida Jaume III. A cheaper way to pass the time, but rich in cultural clout is a visit to Es Baluard Museu d'Art Contemporani de Palma to see the island’s future art stars. The best of Mallorca’s beaches are to be found outside the city, but Platja de Can Pere Antoni is a sandy strip where you can jump off for a swim, the scenic waterfront is excellent to bike along too. Gastronomes should pay homage to Mallorca’s fine farming fettle at the Mercat de l’Olivar, where you can try samples of pa amb tomàquet (tomato rubbed into bread with garlic), locally made sausages from mild to spicy, jamons, cheeses and the stickiest of sweets. Visit early in the day to see the fish market at its most visceral. And, when you’re not eating them (or thinking about it), see around 8,000 marine critters at their liveliest at Palma Aquarium. Then push down your pride and hop on a Segway for one of the zippiest tours of the city (and probably the easiest way to navigate cobblestones). 

Local restaurants

Assaona Beach is a well-heeled shoreside hangout with an interest-piquing menu of sushi, ceviche, jamon and inventive mains: langoustines marinated in feta, smoked cod with yellow pepper and bone marrow, yellow curry with crispy duck magret. Naan Street Food deftly juggles influences and flavours from around the world, be they zingy fish tiradito, sticky yakitori skewers, prawn-stuffed pastel de camarào pastries or exotic salads. And, at El Camino, a restaurant from the brains behind Barrafina, Sam and Eddie Hart, you sit at a long marble-topped counter and watch as the chefs cook tortillas in small copper pans, chop ham and fish into thin slices, sizzle chorizo and squid and prep other tapas plates.

Local cafés

Santa Catalina has gained a reputation for being Palma’s artiest ‘hood, and its market is one of the city’s most notable. It’s a great place to stop for small bites at around €1–€3 apiece (think mini sandwiches, bread topped with meats, cheeses and fish or arancini), or for sushi and oysters with champagne. But first, fuel up at chic coffee stop La Molienda. And Mise en Place in the corner of Plaça Major has snappable brunch bowls, trays of pastries, fruit-laden waffles and other day-starting treats.

Local bars

Beatnik Bar in Puro hotel is a hip hangout that locals are drawn to – largely for the dance-till-late DJ nights and four-poster day-beds on the roof terrace from which you can see 360-degree views of the city. Book the highest one and have Asian-inspired eats and fruity cocktails brought up to you.