The Balearic Island capital, Palma, continues to strengthen its position as an attractive, year-round city break destination. Its tourism campaign 'Passion for Palma' continues to encourage urban tourism to the city, focusing on four key themes; culture, gastronomy, shopping and sports. Below is a round-up of the latest news from the city:

Destination News

Increase in visitor numbers during the winter months

In line with the Palma tourism board's strategy which aims to promote travel to the Balearic Island capital during the winter months, the Spanish Airports Authority (AENA) registered a 16.3% and 11.7% increase in overall visitor numbers to Palma airport in November and December respectively. This increase in visitor numbers demonstrates a growing appetite for off-season breaks to Palma and Mallorca. www.visitpalma.com

Miró Mallorca Foundació in Palma celebrates 25th anniversary with the re-opening of the 'Taller Sert' in June 2018

The Miró Mallorca Foundació – the museum in Palma which honours the life and work of Catalan artist Joan Miró - will celebrate its 25th anniversary with the renovation and re-opening of the 'Taller Sert' (Sert's workshop) in June 2018. Designed by Miró's friend Josep Lluis Sert, the workshop, which is connected to his house became the artist's main studio in 1956 and was where he created most of his work until his death. The artistic venue will be re-opened with new content to further reflect the life and work of the pioneering Catalan artist and to show the studio exactly how it was before Miró passed away. www.miromallorca.com

Hotel Openings

Can Bordoy to open in Palma in summer 2018

Summer 2018 will see the launch of the new Can Bordoy House & Garden in the centre of Palma. An eclectic and historical property with a special focus on art, architecture and design, Can Bordoy is the latest in Puro Group's collection of hotels. Hidden down a quiet street of the buzzing La Lonja district, Can Bordoy is set in a Medieval Mallorcan mansion with its own private secret garden offering a peaceful oasis away from the hustle and bustle of Palma. The hotel will also boast a restaurant serving local delicacies and a spa. www.canbordoy.com

Protur Naisa Hotel, Palma. Opening autumn 2018

The Protur Naisa Hotel, due to open in autumn 2018, will be the first hotel for the Protur Group in Palma. Located on the site of an old military building next to the Police Station on Palma's Paseo Mallorca, the property will be a 5* hotel featuring 100 rooms on eight floors with a restaurant, spa/gymnasium, swimming pool, parking, and a rooftop terrace with covered pool. ww.protur-hotels.com/en/

Palma welcomes Hotel Es Princep to its portfolio of boutique Hotels

5* Hotel Es Prince is one of the latest properties to join Palma's portfolio of stunning boutique hotels. The 68-room building is conveniently located in the heart of the city's historic centre in the district of Calatrava close to Palma's main tourist sites, bars and restaurants. The hotel features two restaurants, a state-of-the-art spa, and a rooftop terrace with fantastic panoramic views over the bay. A one night stay in a standard double room is priced from €240 including breakfast. www.esprincep.com

Hotel Gloria Sant Jaume opens in Palma's old town

A new hotel called the Hotel Gloria Sant Jaume has recently opened in a 19th century Mallorcan mansion in the historic centre of Palma. The décor of the Gloria Sant Jaume seamlessly blends the building's original features with modern decorations creating a feeling of comfort and design. The hotel boasts 14 bedrooms, a restaurant called “El Patio de Gloria”, a bar, and a basement spa complete with a sauna and indoor pool.  A one night stay in a standard double room is priced from €280. www.gloriasantjaume.com

Events

Six Day Cycling Series final comes to Palma in 2018  

On 15 April, Palma will welcome the final of the Six Day Cycling Series – a six day track cycling race featuring some of the best cyclists in the world. Visitors can expect to experience the very best of track cycling mixed with an incredible party atmosphere. The race includes a men's competition competing in teams of two across six days, a women's event across three days and a best Under 21 talent event.  Standard tickets are priced from €26.90. www.sixday.com

Palma International Boat Show 

The Palma International Boat Show, which takes place from 27 April to 1 May, will return to Palma in 2018 showcasing nautical products, marine services, and major brand distributors, for sale and charter boats, and the opportunity to enjoy a sailing experience. superyachts and all things nautical. Set in the harbour in La Llonja, the five day event has positioned Palma as a hub for the Mediterranean yachting scene and in 2017 was attended by over 40,000 visitors. www.boatshowpalma.com

Easter Week in Palma

Easter week in Palma is one of the city's most significant fiestas filled with traditional catholic rituals and processions marking the Passion of Christ. Processions start on Palm Sunday (25 March) with churches all over the city commemorating Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem with symbolic palm branches. On Holy Thursday, thousands of people line the streets to watch the solemn 'Crist de la Sang' processions of the parish brotherhoods that slowly make their way around the city dressed in penitential robes and hoods and carrying religious statues to the accompaniment of sombre music.  On Good Friday, the re-enactment of the Passion of Christ takes place on the steps of Palma Cathedral (La Sea) at midday with the procession of the Holy Burial taking place that same evening departing from the church of San Francisco. Easter Sunday marks a more jubilant celebration marking the resurrection of Christ and the reunion of the resurrected Jesus with his mother.

As well as the processions and church services, visitors should make sure to sample Easter treats such as torrijas (sliced bread soaked in milk, sugar and egg and then fried in olive oil), Monas de Pascua (Easter chocolates with a surprise inside), Easter doughnuts, leche frita (fried milk and egg dessert), and various local pastries such as ensaimada (a local spiral shaped pastry) and cocas (a dough-based pastry with various sweet or savoury toppings).

For more information on Palma as a visitor destination, please visit www.visitpalma.com/en or follow @PassionforPalma.

-Ends-

Picture credit ©FTPM365 Ernest Llofriu Palou 2.

For editorial enquiries, please contact Kate McWilliams or Lucy Keenan at Lotus UK (kate@wearelotus.co.uk / lucy@wearelotus.co.uk / 02079537686