The port of Palma is very busy. Therefore, the mooring maneuver takes longer than expected. The Costa Fortuna was supposed to dock at the Dique Oeste pier just outside of Palma in the port of Porto Pi. However, there is the Oasis of the Seas, one of the largest cruise ships in the world. So Fortuna has to move to Estació Maritima 2. We think it's a big advantage. From this pier it is only 2 ½ kilometers to the center.
Castell de Bellver
And the view from the ship to the wooded hill with the Castell de Bellver is impressive.
By bus to Ca'n Pastilla
The Costa Fortuna will stay in Palma until after midnight. For this reason we have planned two shore excursions. We have been to Mallorca many times and just as often to Palma. But this beautiful city always offers enough attractions for a day's stay.
Opposite the Estació Maritima we get on the local bus and drive to Plaça España. From there we take the bus to Ca'n Pastilla.
It has never been our favorite place in Mallorca. But in the off-season it is calm and pleasant. The beach at Ca'n Pastilla is wide and flat and invites you to walk along the water.
On the coastal path to Cala Gamba
However, we want to test the coastal path towards Palma. It begins at the height of the rocky island of Illot de Sa Galera and leads from there along the sea through the Es Carnatge nature reserve to Cala Gamba. The path is very nicely laid out and about 1 ½ kilometers long.
In the Es Carnatge nature reserve
There are two separate lanes, one for pedestrians and one for cyclists, skaters, and electric scooters. Overall, there is a harmonious togetherness. There are viewpoints, shady roofs and benches along the way. Everything has been thought of. And it's very clean too. Just the thing for a walk by the sea. You can find detailed information in our article Excursion to Ca`n Pastilla.
The Cala Gamba is part of Coll d'en Rabassa. There we visit the fortress Torre d'en Pau, which served as a military base until the 1970s.
Now it belongs to the city of Palma, has an attractive park and is used for events. From Coll d'en Rabassa we take the bus back, first to Plaça España and then to Estació Maritima.
From the Castell de Bellver down to the sea
In the afternoon, the Castell de Bellver is first on our program. We haven't been there for years. The fort is over 100 meters high on a hill. You can find interesting information about the system in our article Castell de Bellver. There is a very nice path that leads through pine forest up the hill to the castle.
Castell de Bellver
Since it is now quite warm, we take a taxi for the way there. The view from above of Palma and the sea and to the Tramuntana mountains is beautiful. We'll make the way back on foot. The path is actually very pretty. It leads about a kilometer down the hill in the shade of the pine trees over many steps. In a clearing on the way is the chapel de Son Alonso Rodriguez, which we visit.
Again and again the old town of Palma
Then we go to Plaça Gomilla and take the next bus to the center of Palma. In the old town we will visit the cloister of the Church of San Francesc, one of the most beautiful that I know.
We stroll through the alleys and relax in one of the cafés on Plaça de Santa Eulàlia. Then we take another look at the former Llotja trade exchange and the Es Baluard museum, which was partly built in the former fortress of Bastió de Sant Pere.
Plaza de Santa Eulalia
We take a taxi back to the ship. We were very busy today. Our pedometer shows more than 25.000 steps.
Continue reading: Costa Fortuna - Day 5 - Ibiza
