Palma

Palma is much more than the gateway to Mallorca. Its historic centre is a dense maze of honey-coloured stone, hidden courtyards and aristocratic palacios, dominated by the extraordinary Gothic cathedral rising above the Mediterranean. Modernista façades add another architectural layer, while former mansions and centuries-old townhouses increasingly house galleries, independent shops and contemporary design. Beyond the old city, neighbourhoods such as Santa Catalina reveal a more relaxed, creative Palma where island life and urban culture meet.

Food and drink are central to the city’s appeal. Traditional bakeries, market counters and neighbourhood cellers sit alongside ambitious contemporary restaurants, natural wine bars and increasingly sophisticated cocktail spots. Mallorcan olive oil, seafood, almonds, citrus and produce from the island’s interior keep menus connected to the landscape, while the revival of Mallorca’s vineyards has brought local wines firmly back to the table. Palma is particularly good at the Mediterranean art of letting lunch drift naturally into aperitivo and dinner.

Palma’s most interesting hotels are often hidden behind historic façades. Medieval houses, former convents and grand townhouses have been transformed into intimate stays where stone arches, original courtyards and centuries of history meet contemporary furniture, art and bold Mediterranean interiors. At DNA Hotels, we curate the places where architecture, food and island culture become part of the experience—hotels that make Palma a destination in its own right rather than simply somewhere to pass through on the way to the beach.