![palma historic center aerial](/sites/default/files/styles/500x210/public/images/2024-02/palma-historic-center-aerial.jpg?h=4997dc06&itok=i7heLczC)
January in Palma
New for January 2025!
Unique Experiences
EXPLORE THIS MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND
To learn about its long history, welcoming inhabitants, delicious gastronomy, and healthy lifestyle
DISCOVER LOCAL TRADITIONS
By living with a host family and participating in the most important celebration of the island, Sant Sebastià, with music, bonfires, and outdoor barbecues
LEARN BY DOING
With small-group cooking lessons, a wine-tasting experience, and site tours through the nature of the of the island that make this distinct Spanish island a favorite tourist destination.
12 M
TOURISTS VISIT THE ISLAND ANNUALLY
123 AD
YEAR IN WHICH PALMA WAS FOUNDED BY THE ROMANS
12 KM
OF BIKING PATH ALONG THE COAST OF PALMA
Your Destination
Nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean, Palma de Mallorca is a bustling capital city with a laid-back island atmosphere. Its pristine beaches, rich history, fantastic nightlife, and one-of-a-kind gastronomy make it easy to see why Mallorca is a favorite among European tourists.
The bay of Palma is dominated by an impressive Gothic Cathedral, the elegant Moorish Almudaina Palace, and the round Medieval Bellver Castle. Mediterranean in essence, the palm-fringed marina bristles with masts, and beyond lies a tapestry of Gothic, Medieval, Modernist, and Moorish architecture, tiny shops, and busy squares. The flat terrain makes for easy walking and biking. On the rest of the island, you'll see small villages, stone houses, and the impressive Tramontana Mountains. It’s easy to fall in love with this stunning Balearic Island off the east coast of Spain. You can wander in any direction and be mesmerized by scenic coves, exquisite limestone mountains, luscious greenery, and a sea so clear that you can see the grains of sand.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Palma.
The Culture
![palma tramuntana mountainside village](/sites/default/files/styles/460w/public/images/2024-02/palma-tramuntana-moutainside-village.jpg?itok=hS9WyG4l)
Excursions & Activities
- Visit Sierra de Tramontana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Mallorca’s most important and stunning mountain range overlooking the blue Mediterranean, where you’ll learn about its historical towns and gastronomy
- Discover the multi-layered city of Palma and its architectural treasures, such as the impressive Gothic Cathedral and the only round medieval castle in Spain, with its beautiful bird’s-eye view of Palma
- Try Mallorcan homemade almond ice cream, ensaïmada, or empanadas at Can Joan de S’Aigo, a traditional 300-year-old creamery
- Learn to appreciate the savor and vintage of wine during a visit to Mallorca’s traditional winery, Macià Batle
- Explore the Natural Park of Albufera de Mallorca, the island’s most important wetland area, to learn about birdwatching as an ecotourism-based activity
Program Blogs
Is Uber in Spain? Top 5 Travel Apps to Use in Spain
You’re already doing something right if you’re considering a study abroad program in Spain . Now for the fun part: planning your adventures while you’re there. Unfortunately, sorting through the... keep reading
The Ultimate Guide to Studying Abroad in Spain
If you're considering studying abroad in Spain , you're in for a treat. Home to mouthwatering tapas, captivating Flamenco dancing, entertaining bullfights, and rich art, literature, and architecture, this warm... keep reading
Valldemossa: A Peaceful Town in Mallorca (by Clara Copano)
Nestled in the beautiful Serra de Tramuntana (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Valldemossa is a town that combines history, culture, and natural beauty. From its famous Coca de Patata to its... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
All housing options are located within a 30-minute commute of downtown Palma and offer convenient access to public transportation, supermarkets, shops, cafés, and eateries.
Standard Housing: Includes a room at a homestay or shared apartment. Homestays and shared apartments are located within 30 minutes of downtown Palma.
- Homestays: Includes a single room – with or without another CIEE student – in the home of a Spanish family to immerse you in the local language and culture. Host families allow for a lot of student independence, have no curfew, provide kitchen access for food storage, share their living room, offer Wi-Fi access, offer weekly laundry, and share their bathroom. Hosts provide two meals a day during the week.
- Shared Apartments: Includes a single or twin room with another CIEE student. Shared apartments are modest in size, featuring basic amenities with laundry facilities, Wi-Fi access, bed linens, towels, and a kitchen. Meals are not included.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive.
Meals
- Homestays: Students living in a homestay will have breakfast and dinner provided by their hosts. They are responsible for lunch.
- Shared Apartments: Students living in apartments share full kitchens where they can prepare their own meals. There is a wide range of restaurants and cafés located around the city and the building where classes are offered.
Academics
Students spend three weeks in January taking coursework complemented with co-curricular activities relevant to the course offering. Classes are held at CIEE Palma.
CIEE Palma is conveniently located in downtown Palma. The building where CIEE is located and classes are offered is a 10-minute walk to Palma's waterfront, near the main square and shopping district, and surrounded by cafeterias, restaurants, and shops.
Course Information
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Antonia Ferriol, PhD
CENTER DIRECTOR
Antonia brings a great passion for teaching and a wealth of educational experience, having taught Spanish language, linguistics, literature, and culture at Pennsylvania State University, Middlebury College, Denison University, and...
Clara Copano
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Clara worked as a Spanish Teacher at the Instituto Cervantes in Munich (Germany) and has over 3 years of experience teaching at University level and project management. She is passionate...