© seemallorca.com
© seemallorca.com
© seemallorca.com
Ciudad Jardin
Friendly and charming resort in the Bay of Palma
Ciudad Jardin lies to the east of Palma, just along the bay from Portixol and Molinar and close to the airport. It is pretty much at the centre of Palma Bay and, after the transformation of neighbouring areas Portixol and Molinar, it has been heralded as the next 'up and coming' place for the cool and trendy set of Mallorca.
Its lovely golden sandy beach boasts shallow waters and a promenade that takes you either back to Palma or east to Playa de Palma (S’Arenal), as well as glorious south-westerly views of the Bay and Palma. The village was built in the late 19th century as a luxury resort close to Palma, the highlight of which was the modernist neo-Moorish Ciutat Jardí Hotel. In more recent years, a number of smart restaurants and cafes have opened up along the seafront. Although some of the buildings are still a little bit shabby, there is a definite Miami-South Beach feel to the place. Its proximity to the airport could be viewed as a plus or a negative depending on how noise sensitive you are.
Ciudad Jardin is a good place to stay for those who want a beach holiday but want to be within easy reach of the shopping, sights and attractions in Palma and the facilities in the resort Playa de Palma. Although a few expats have managed to penetrate the area, most of the residents are still very much Spanish which adds to the friendly nature of this small resort.
Beaches in Palma de Mallorca
Ciudad Jardin Beach comprises of 450m by 35m of lovely golden sand and tends to be less busy than the neighbouring ones in Palma and Playa de Palma. It’s a pretty sheltered blue flag beach, so the water here is appealing for families with young children. There is parking, sun loungers and parasols for hire, public toilets and showers on the beach and plenty of cafes, restaurants and ice cream parlours to enjoy along the beachfront.
Things to do in Palma de Mallorca
It’s all about the beach in Ciudad Jardin. However, the promenade that travels along the coastline between Palma and Playa de Palma provides plenty of entertainment for those keen to get active in the area. Rollerblades and segways are available to rent just down the road in Palma while you can also find bikes for hire.
There are a couple of supermarkets and convenience stores in the area, namely Eroski and Bip Bip, but the best shopping on the island is on your doorstep in Palma. Just hop in a taxi and you will find designer shops, high street shops, markets and more.
Dining in Palma de Mallorca
There is a good selection of restaurants and cafes just behind Cala Jardin Beach. Some are smart and contemporary, others more laid back and beachy. For seafood, Restaurante El Bungalow is one of the most famous in the area. From a distance, it looks like a beach house right on the waterfront, upon closer inspection, you will see it is a charming little restaurant right on the water’s edge. Over the years it has built up a fantastic reputation for seafood and paella, but be warned you will need to book in advance to avoid disappointment. If you can manage to live without the sea view, then Casa Fernando is well worth a visit. It serves up fresh fish and tapas dishes and is an age-old favourite for the locals.
Villa del Mar is one of the swankier establishments along the promenade. It serves up avant-garde fusion dishes in a stylish and sophisticated environment. Whether you are outside on the terrace enjoying the spectacular sea view or inside amongst the contemporary chic furnishings, you won’t be disappointed. The lunchtime menu attracts a whole host of people from businessmen on lunches (probably having just landed at the nearby airport) through to locals taking advantage of the reasonably priced menu. A couple of roads back from the seafront is where you will find Ciudad Jardin Pizzeria, a fantastic spot for the whole family to enjoy. They serve up some of the best pizza and pasta dishes in the area. It’s also possible to take-away pizza and eat it on the wall overlooking the sea.
Hotels in Palma de Mallorca
There are a couple of hotels in the Ciudad Jardin area. Hotel Ciutat Jardi is a 4-star beachfront hotel housed in a colonial-style early 19th-century mansion surrounded by tropical gardens. It boasts a lovely swimming pool and is just a stone throw away from the beach so you get the best of both worlds. On the other hand, the UR Portofino Hotel is a more modern establishment, just a 2-minute walk from the beachfront, and has all the amenities one could want from a stay in the area.
How to get to Palma de Mallorca
By car
By car, it takes around 5 to 10 minutes to get to Ciudad Jardin from the airport. Just follow the signs for Palma and then come off at exit 6. Ciudad Jardin is just a 5-minute drive from the centre of Palma (traffic dependent). It is well connected to the rest of the island thanks to the Ma-1 and Ma-20 being close by.
By public transport
There are no direct buses from Palma airport to Ciudad Jardin. You have to catch bus number 1 to Plaça d'Espanya in Palma city centre then the EMT bus number 30 from here. However, this can take around an hour so we would recommend just getting a taxi as it is only a 5 to 10-minute ride which should cost no more than €15.
