Plaza de Santo Domingo: The Last Puzzle Piece on the Paseo Marítimo

Almost finished: a new stretch of waterfront for Palma

When you walk along the Paseo Marítimo early in the morning, the cries of gulls, the soft sound of surf and the scent of Lavazza or filter coffee from the cafés mix together. Right here, at the entrance to the Plaza de Santo Domingo de la Calzada, the clatter of the construction site now sounds almost like a final tidying up. The small area is the last puzzle piece in the new promenade section (Último tramo de la obra del Paseo Marítimo en Palma está a punto de finalizar) — and it shows how urban planning in many small places can change everyday life.

What’s being created: steps, ramps and sea views

The narrow road that used to run directly along the water will no longer be just a thoroughfare. Instead, stairs, ramps and multifunctional surfaces will create new places to stay. Three illuminated accesses will lead up into the historic fishing quarter Es Jonquet. Wider sidewalks, new benches and additional trees promise shade on hot days and — with windows open in summer — will sound more like wellbeing than asphalt.

The new seating steps are small but clever: market shoppers, runners in sweaty shirts and couples who want to take in a little more sea air will sit here. For children a compact, lovingly designed playground is planned. Not a large adventure park, but a meeting point where parents can keep an eye on their child while they watch the sea or talk to neighbours.

And history is being deliberately preserved in part: the monument to Saint Domingo de la Calzada will be restored, partly funded by EU funds. A bit of the city’s history therefore remains visible while the promenade becomes more modern — a combination many here find reassuring.

How everyday life changes

The reactions are kindly curious. Residents of Es Jonquet exchange a mixed “finally!” with a small reservation about increased tourist use. A woman who often walks her dog laughed: “Now we have space to stroll, we just hope the peace won’t be completely swallowed by smartphone cameras.” Such remarks are heard here between almond trees and the hum of motorboats and show: people want places to meet, but without losing their neighbourhood.

In the evening, the warm, well-considered lighting at the accesses creates a relaxed atmosphere. Not glaring spotlights, but soft light that welcomes walkers, couples and night owls alike. The new planting provides not only shade but also sounds: the rustle of leaves, the occasional chirping of insects, the gentle bubbling when the sea laps against the quay wall.

Timeline and outlook

The major works are largely finished: pavings, seating steps, planter boxes and the accesses are visibly complete (Paseo Marítimo en Palma: Las obras llegan a su fin – La inauguración está prevista para finales de octubre). In the coming weeks finishing touches will follow — installing railings, finalising lamps, the last sand on the playground and the restoration work on the monument. Anyone passing by now sees craftsmen, delivery vans and curious pedestrians trying out the new paths. No big spectacle, more the calming sound of a city rearranging itself.

For Palma this is more than a cosmetic intervention. It is a stretch of waterfront given back: to pedestrians, neighbourhoods and small businesses like the baker and the corner café. The connection between the Paseo Marítimo and Es Jonquet will become closer, paths shorter, benches more numerous. Children get a new meeting place, the elderly a few new stories, and the city another piece of quality of life.

In short: Plaza de Santo Domingo de la Calzada — the last construction site on the Paseo Marítimo. Three illuminated accesses to Es Jonquet, more greenery, wider sidewalks, a compact playground and monument restoration with EU funding. Completion: in the coming weeks.