FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Palma de Mallorca

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Palma de Mallorca each year. The main ones are listed below.

For this tradition, a procession of colourfully decorated floats is accompanied by boisterous music through the streets of Palma, distributing sweets to children.

This is an especially important day of the year for Spanish children, since it is on Epiphany (and not Christmas) that they receive their gifts. The holiday is celebrated quietly with family members.

Holy Week, which begins on Palm Sunday and ends with the Easter Vigil, is an important time in Palma de Mallorca. Numerous celebrations and services include huge processions around the Cathedral and in the narrow streets of the old city.

The night preceding the Festa de Sant Joan is the most popular in all of the Balearic Islands. Everywhere, but especially in Palma, firecrackers and firework displays are set. People gather on the beach to party all night long.

North of Mallorca in Pollença, a mock battle takes place between local hero Joan Mas and the Moor pirate invaders to pay tribute to the Christian victory.

Each year, this holiday commemorates King Juan II taking the oath in 1276 as Mallorca's ruler. On this occasion, various concerts, debates and activities take place all over town.

Spain's national day commemorates the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus in 1492. The anniversary is marked with a host of festivities, including street parties, shows and a fireworks display in the centre of Palma.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Palma de Mallorca

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	4/39	16/60	43	Not the best period to go
February	4/39	16/60	37	Not the best period to go
March	6/42	18/64	28	Not the best period to go
April	8/46	20/68	39	Good period to go
May	12/53	24/75	36	Good period to go
June	16/60	28/82	11	Good period to go
July	18/64	31/89	6	Good period to go
August	19/66	32/90	22	Good period to go
September	17/62	28/82	52	Good period to go
October	13/55	24/75	69	Not the best period to go
November	8/46	19/66	59	Not the best period to go
December	6/42	16/60	48	Not the best period to go

Palma de Mallorca International Airport

The Airport is located about 8 kilometres (5 miles) south-east of the city centre.

• Two terminals
  • International terminal 1 (Air France)
  • Domestic flights

• By car
  • Accessible via the Autopista de Llevant (Levant freeway), also called Ma-19.
  • Public parking facilities of 6,000 capacities, located near the International terminal for short and long-term stays.
    Short-term parking lot: EUR 1.95 for one hour, EUR 1.48 for the next hour and 16.50 EUR for 24 hours. Long-term parking lot: EUR 5 per day. After the 2^nd day: EUR 10 per day.
  • Several car rental companies have counters in front of arrivals. In order to rent a vehicle, you must present your driver's license, be at least 21 years of age and have a credit card to your name.
• By bus
  • Located in front of Arrivals (D exit), the EMT bus line1 connects the airport to the city centre in 20 minutes. The fare is EUR 5 each way.
• By taxi
  • There are taxi ranks outside the D exit. The trip to the city centre takes about 15 minutes and costs around EUR 20.

• Services: shops, bars and restaurants, free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +34 913 211 000
• Website: https://www.palmaairport.info/

GETTING AROUND Palma de Mallorca

Palma is the only city on the island offering excellent public transport options, buses mostly. Even though most of the island is connected by these buses and two train lines, it is recommended to rent a car to enjoy greater freedom. Renting cars is easy to do. Besides, taxis are readily available in Palma. Lastly, it is easy and pleasant to get around by bike, despite the limited number of existing bike lanes (the main one located on the shore).

Subway

Two subway lines have recently been created. The M1 connects the city centre to the university and the M2 ends in the city of Marratxí, north-east of Palma. They are operated from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (with about 1 train every 30 minutes) every day except Sunday (for line M2). Depending on the zone of your destination, prices vary between EUR 1.60 and EUR 4.65. You may choose a city pass instead. The Intermodal card costs EUR 8 and you can charge it with either twenty fares (T20) or forty fares (T40). Price varies depending on the number of connections and your final destination. For more information, please visit Mallorca's public transport website: https://www.tib.org/en/web/ctm/inici

By bus

About thirty bus lines are being operated between 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. On Friday, Saturday and on the eve of holidays, night bus services are available, departing from the bus station and connecting Palma to other cities on the island. Palma also offers a tourist bus that stops in all major spots of interest, as well as gives information in various languages and allows you to hop on and off as many times as you like. Basic fare is EUR 18.70 for a day and EUR 23.35 for two days.

By train

Two train tracks depart from the Plaça d'Espanya in Palma. One goes up north to Sóller, while the other enters inland up to Inca where the route spreads over either Sa Pobla or Manacor. Trains are usually cheaper than buses (just like with the subway system, prices vary depending on the zone of your destination) and leave quite frequently.

By taxi

Palma's official taxis are plentiful throughout the city. Elsewhere on the island, it is fairly easy to order one by phone. Further information is available from your hotel desk or tourist offices.

By car

Driving a car in Mallorca offers great freedom. In Palma and other tourist places, it may be hard to find a place to park during high season, but you will find parking facilities near the city centre.

By bicycle

Mallorca is an ideal destination for bike riders. The ground may be hard to climb in the mountain regions though, especially along the west and north-west shores. However, most of the island is flat and can be explored by bicycle. Bike rentals are easy to find.

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Palma de Mallorca, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.

Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).

• Address: Plaça de la Reina, 2 - 07015 Palma
• Telephone: +34 971 17 39 90
• Website: www.infomallorca.net/?lg=en

Medical information

In order to travel in the best conditions and for your health and safety, we invite you to check all information regarding preventive measures and best practices to be respected, available on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/

Your comfort, well-being and health are at the heart of Air France's concerns, and we want to help you prepare for your trip in the best way possible. Find out more about the measures taken to ensure safe travelling on our website: https://www.airfrance.fr/FR/en/common/page_flottante/information/coronavirus.htm#notre-engagement-sanitaire

See your doctor before you travel. It is recommended that you obtain insurance covering health care expenses as well as medical evacuation or repatriation before you leave home. Palma de Mallorca counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.

There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to the Balearic Islands. For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:

• Address: 38, quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris
• Website: https://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

There are no food safety risks in Palma de Mallorca.

Tap water is safe to drink in Palma de Mallorca.

Administrative procedures

Entry requirements for Spain

As a French citizen, you do not need to obtain a visa if you will be staying on Spanish territory for less than three months. However, your national identity card or passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Palma and on Spanish territory, be sure to check with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country for the latest travel information and recommendations.

Comprehensive information that may be helpful for international visitors is also provided on the Spain page of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website: view information for travellers to Palma

Useful contacts

Spanish Embassy in France

• Address: 22, avenue Marceau, 75381 Paris Cedex 08
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 44 43 18 00
• Website: www.exteriores.gob.es/

French Embassy in Spain

• Address: Calle Salustiano Olozaga 9 - 28001 Madrid
• Telephone: +34 91 423 89 00
• Website: https://es.ambafrance.org

Spanish Consulate in Paris

• Address: 165, Boulevard Malesherbes, 75017 PARIS
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 44 29 40 00
• Website: www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/Paris

French Consulate in Palma

• Address: Carrer de Caro, 1 - 07002 Palma
• Telephone: +34 971 73 03 01

Essential phrases

Good to know

+34

+ phone number

0 : 00
of time difference with
Paris

Start of daylight saving time: last Sunday in March

End of daylight saving time: last Sunday in October

Banks
Usually open Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Government Offices
Usually open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

230 V / 50 Hz

Tipping
As is the case elsewhere in Spain, tipping is not expected in Palma. In principle, the service charge is included in the bill. But if you are particularly pleased with the service, you may certainly round up the bill or leave a few extra euros on the table.