© EBenet
© EBenet
Get your skates on Palma
Roller skating routes in Palma de Mallorca
There's a vibrant roller skating scene in Palma with meet ups taking place every weekend from Portixol. Organised by and for people who love to skate, Mallorca Patina is an independent community which welcomes all ages and abilities. Gliding along the seafront in the sunshine or winding through the historic streets on a balmy evening is always an exhilarating experience on wheels!
The first route of the weekend is the Friday Night Skate, La Nocturna, which sets off at 21.00 from Portixol Car park, on Carrer Joan Maragall, every Friday. The routes adhere to Spanish time, so don't expect a punctual departure! It starts at a swift pace along the Paseo Maritimo with a spectacular view of the Cathedral before circling the city. The night skate is classed as Medium Level and you will need to be able to brake. This is mainly due to the steep incline at the end of the course where Carrer Santo Domingo leads down to Passeig del Born.
The iconic buildings of Palma look even more stunning at night, with arches and turrets illuminated dramatically against the black sky. Even in the height of summer, the streets are empty enough to feel comfortable skating through. There are bumpy bits and a couple of uphill climbs, but there are also plenty of pauses for photos. Everyone looks out for each other and no one ever gets left behind. There's about an hour stop for an optional supper and drinks in Plaza España, and afterwards the route twists through the old town, through Plaza Mayor, and around the Cathedral, finishing at Passeig del Born. It takes about 3.5 hours - depending on the enthusiasm for the pit stop!
On Saturdays, the Classic route, La Clásica, leaves at 17.30 from Portixol Car park and heads along the sea front towards Can Pastilla. It's perfect for anyone with a basic level of skating. It's a really beautiful route along the palm tree line promenade with some really uplifting sea views. The road is smooth and where there are troublesome bits there's always someone to give you a hand and skating tips.
The routes are free of charge and each person takes responsibility for their safety and belongings. They are predominantly attended by Spanish speakers, but don't let that put you off, as everyone always finds a way to communicate.
Roller skating in Palma is ideal for all those fair weather exercisers who fancy throwing a bit of socialising and site seeing in with their sporting activity. And for those, who want to add dancing to the mix, music venue Es Gremi hosted its first Roller Disco last weekend and may consider turning it into a monthly event.
Skates too heavy for your hand luggage? Don't worry, Roll and Roll, in Avenida Argentina rents them out from as little as €5 for one hour, €11 for 3, and €16 for the whole day, so you've got no excuse to get rolling!
Visit Mallorca Patina Facebook page for news of their upcoming routes and events. Watch out for changes to times for the Classic Route, which often moves forward an hour in July and August.
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For more from Emily, visit her blog.
