The great bay of Palma, at the stroke of a pedal
It is no accident that Palma is one of the best cities to live. It enjoys a privileged situation, in the heart of a bay that today we rent a bike in mallorca travel by bicycle between s’Arenal and Portopí, and that allows us to enjoy the profile of a monumental and magical city.
The British newspaper ‘The Times’ has declared this year that Palma is the best city in the world to live. And one of the reasons for the proclamation is undoubtedly the huge bay that presides over it, largely covered by a promenade with a bike lane always full of cyclists, skaters, runners and walkers. A place where you can enjoy the best views of the city, huge beaches and the infinity of the sea.
The route begins in s’Arenal, a first-class tourist destination that becomes an almost paradisiacal place out of season. The same goes for the beaches with which it links in the direction of the city, with a family atmosphere: the long beach of Palma, Cala Gamba -guarded with tiny coves-, Ciudad Jardín and the urban Can Pere Antoni, with the impressive cut Gothic cathedral at the bottom.
The sailor neighborhoods
The pleasant monotony of the beach gives a truce as Molinar and is Portitxol, sailor neighborhoods planted with simple, enviable and sometimes colored houses, which look at a long walk near the sea. They keep small marinas where they tie up lutes, surrounded by excellent restaurants where to eat good rice and fresh fish.
The maritime facade of Palma is presided over by the most beautiful buildings of the ‘skyline’: the Gothic cathedral of Santa María – fruit of the promise made to the Virgin by King Jaume I, the palace of Almudaina and La Lonja, great work of Guillem Sagrera. Constructions that deserve a visit inside to read the story written in stone. Opposite are the fishing pier and the Royal Yacht Club, filled with luxury yachts, but also small sailboats and lutes.
The lighthouse of Portopí
The promenade ends the neighborhood of Portopí, where once the port of the city was located, splendid in the fifteenth century, when cartographers collected information from navigators from all over the Mediterranean. Here still stands the lighthouse of Portopí, from the 14th century, dwarfed by large buildings, but with the pride of being the third oldest working lighthouse in the world.
