Where to stay

Some of the world's best DJs play nightly in Palma de Mallorca, and crowds come from all over the globe to see them. Stay in the middle of the action by booking a hotel in the Paseo Maritimo, where most of the electronic-heavy nightclubs are located. This neighborhood is quietest during daylight hours. Different kinds of music and a more off-beat atmosphere reign in super-hip Santa Catalina, where accommodations are steps from some of Europe's coolest bars. Go to a less visited area and get a room in graffiti-heavy Sa Gerreria, an up-and-coming neighborhood with a laid-back vibe in its underground clubs.

There was a time when the Balearic Islands, of which Mallorca was one, were a power that dominated the Western Mediterranean. That glorious past is right at the doorstep of hotels in La Calatrava-Dalt Murada, the city's Old Town, where magnificent architecture is located just a short walk from the sea. Slightly less touristy, the neighborhood of La Lonja, built around a spectacular Gothic landmark, has a lively and ancient culture in its narrow streets. Out from the city center, stay near the Spanish royal family's Marivent Palace by getting a hotel in upscale Cala Major (Cala Mayor), right near many historic villas.

Unsurprisingly, this island paradise has some of the best beaches in Europe, most of which are accessible by the city's public transportation system. Book a hotel right on Palma Beach for the largest number of resorts and family-friendly attractions, such as the Aquapark and the Palma Aquarium. Get the best views of the sea from the room balcony in Portixol, where eating paella on a beachside terrace is practically a rite of passage. Trendy Son Armadams offers accommodations within walking distance of the sea and Santa Catalina's cultural delights. Stay in quiet Cuidad Jardín, a favorite neighborhood of laid-back locals and tourists.