Palma's casals open enrollment: Courses from €2 — Yoga, Cooking and More

Now it's starting: Palma's neighborhood centers open registrations

This morning, coffee-scented air, a few people in front of the Centro de Barrio in La Soledad — the bells of the nearby chapel struck nine. From 17 September neighbors can register again for the autumn and winter courses in the casals de barri of Palma, as reported in Inscripción en los centros de barrio de Palmas iniciada: cursos desde 2 euros por hora. The atmosphere was relaxed: people exchanged tips about the cooking class, joked about rusty phones and heard lines like: 'Finally yoga again, my back says thank you.'

What's on the programme

The course offer reads like a neighborhood everyday dictionary: yoga and gentle gymnastics, various dance styles, Spanish and English courses, computer tutoring for beginners and advanced learners, cooking sessions (yes, with Mallorcan home cooking for those who like it) as well as creative workshops. Many offers are remarkably cheap — sometimes only €2 per hour — because the city financially supports the centers. For those who still have energy in the evenings, there are often meetings for music and theatre projects.

Registration: online or directly at the casal — for now only one course

Enrollment takes place either in person at the respective neighborhood center or via the municipal online portal. One important rule: each person may initially book only one course. This is intended to ensure that as many participants as possible can find a place — especially in smaller centers like Son Gotleu, where rooms fill up quickly, a point also highlighted in La inscripción para los centros de barrio de Palma comienza el miércoles. Anyone eyeing several offers should still drop by in person: waiting lists are often posted on the notice board, and those who sign up directly have a chance to move up if places become available.

A practical tip: arrive early, especially for popular times like Tuesday evenings or Friday afternoons. This morning I saw a young man trying his luck at 10:30 — the computer course was full, but he ended up on the waiting list. Hopefully it will work out next time.

Accessibility, times and course duration

Many casas have barrier-free access; the programme is deliberately varied and age-mixed: gentle movement and memory sessions take place in the mornings, language and computer courses in the afternoons, and creative meetups and dance are popular in the evenings. Courses mostly start in October and usually run for ten to twelve weeks, often once a week. If you rely on regular times, you should book quickly — the most popular slots are taken fast.

More than just a course: meeting place, library, neighborhood festivals

These centers are the heart of the neighborhoods. Here you not only learn a language or a skill, you meet people from the street, borrow a book from the small library, swap recipes or plan a block party. Maria, a volunteer from Santa Catalina, sums it up: 'For many older people this is the day they leave the house.' That explains the warm sound of the rooms: conversations, laughter, the clatter of plates after a cooking class — that is neighborhood.

How to register and what to bring

All programme details, schedules and available places can be found on the municipal portal. If you prefer to ask in person: go to the nearest casal — the staff are usually helpful and speak Spanish, Catalan and often English. Please do not forget your ID: it is needed for registration.

A small reminder at the end: because demand is high, acting early pays off. A look at the notice board, a short chat over a cup of coffee — and you may soon have a new course and new neighbors across the street. That is what makes these casas lively: affordable courses, people, and lots of barrio atmosphere.

Where to start? Check the municipal portal or take a walk: La Soledad, Santa Catalina, Son Gotleu, El Molinar and other casas look forward to seeing you.