What not to miss in Mallorca, besides the beaches

Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró Museum

Since Palma de Mallorca is the capital of the largest island in the archipelago of the Balearic Islands - a summer destination - it is not surprising that the island's artistic and cultural attractions are concentrated there.

Specifically, visiting the Fundació Pilar i JoanMiró Museum in Palma de Mallorca was, for me, one of the biggest surprises of the entire trip. In addition to paintings and some sculptures by Miró, the space also allows you to see the studios where the Catalan painter worked in the last decades of his life – the period in which he lived in Mallorca.

In addition, therearetemporary exhibitions that can be very worthwhile. I was lucky enough to see a temporary exhibition on the occasion of the celebration of the museum's 25th anniversary, with some little-seen works by Miró (and some, even, yet to be cataloged). Along with the beaches of Mallorca, the Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró Museumis one of the must-see highlights on the island.

Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca

Built on the walls of the historic center of the city, the Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca, also known as “Le Seu”, is a majestic Gothic cathedral that dominates the heart of the Majorcan capital. Everywhere you look, there it is, imposing. It is a truly impressive building; “a Gothic jewel facing the sea”, in the words of Tourism of Spain.

From the very interesting Chapter Room, with its giant silver chandeliers, to the cathedral's monumental central nave, passing through the original Chapel of the Holy Sacrament - reminiscent of the creations of Antoni Gaudí - you simply cannot help but surrender to the building. And so, however touristy it may seem, the cathedral is one of the things you really have to see in Palma de Mallorca.

Citadel of Alcúdia

Despite the proximity to the very touristic Port Alcúdia, with its resorts full of foreign holidaymakers, the town of Alcúdia itself is very interesting. I stayed in an apartment next to the entrance to the magnificent Citadel of Alcúdia - one of the best places to stay in Mallorca - and therefore had the opportunity to visit it on several occasions.

It is an old walled city, today the historic center of Alcúdia, delimited by imposing walls that spread about 1,500 meters. There are churches, shops, tapas bars, restaurants, and even some intimate hotels such as the incredible Can Mostatxins hotel.

To visit!

Serra de Tramuntana

Soller Railway Station

It would not be expected to find works of art by the great masters Joan Miró and Pablo Picasso publicly displayed in the small train station in Soller.

The exhibitions are admittedly small, but it is a unique opportunity to see creations by Miró and Picasso completely free of charge. Don't miss it - not least because you can combine a visit to Soller with a visit to the aforementioned villages of Deià, Valldemossa, and Fornalutx, before returning to the coast for another dip in the sea.